Chapter 1494: Phoenix Nest
Zhang Ruochen, relying on his exquisite transformation technique, led the Flame Spirit Demon Consort out of the ancient castle and far away from the Rakshasa clan’s camp.
Arriving at a safe area, Zhang Ruochen released the Flame Spirit Demon Consort from inside the Time-Space Crystal.
Standing in the forest, the Flame Spirit Demon Consort first observed her surroundings, confirming it was safe, then smiled at Zhang Ruochen: “Your transformation technique is truly marvelous. Can you teach me the cultivation method?”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Of course not.”
“Name a condition. As long as it’s not too excessive, this consort can accept it,” the Flame Spirit Demon Consort said, showing considerable interest in the “Formless and Faceless Thirty-Six Transformations.”
In the Great Demon Ten Directions Realm, there were also some secret techniques that could change a cultivator’s form and appearance, but they always had flaws. They could fool ordinary cultivators but could never deceive a Saint.
The Formless and Faceless Thirty-Six Transformations, as a transformation technique, was clearly far superior to other transformation methods.
If she could master such a secret technique, everything she did in the future would become much easier.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t want to dwell on this matter and said, “If you want to leave the Ancestral Spirit Realm alive, let’s first discuss the real business.”
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort leaned her delicate body against the trunk of an ancient tree, her eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen. She felt that this guy was far too serious. Faced with a stunning beauty like her, there wasn’t a hint of improper desire in his eyes.
Was he pretending?
Or was he someone whose heart remained unruffled, completely immune to seduction?
“This consort has already said that as long as your conditions aren’t too excessive, I can accept them. Why don’t you understand?” the Flame Spirit Demon Consort’s voice was extremely seductive.
Zhang Ruochen kept his gaze straight ahead and said, “The Rakshasa Princess has deployed three million Marquises into the Ancestral Spirit Realm, intending to annihilate all the Saints from the seven worlds. Now, with less than twenty days left until the end of the Saint Merit War, we don’t have much time.”
Hearing this news, the Flame Spirit Demon Consort finally became serious and asked earnestly, “Three million Marquises—are you sure the information is accurate?”
“Absolutely certain.”
Zhang Ruochen revealed all the information he knew.
He only concealed the secret of the “Hunter Eight Stars,” because if she knew about it, she would likely try to seize it too. That wouldn’t be good for Zhang Ruochen.
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort’s expression turned somber, completely different from her earlier seductive demeanor. After a long pause, she asked, “How many people know about this now?”
“Only you and me,” Zhang Ruochen said.
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort said, “Don’t let too many people know for now, to avoid alerting the enemy. At this stage, we still need to keep the Rakshasa clan complacent, making them think we’re still in the dark.”
“Naturally,” Zhang Ruochen said.
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort asked, “Do you have any plans?”
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment and said, “The reason the Rakshasa Princess hasn’t acted yet is that she still needs my help to seize the inheritance of the Ice and Fire Phoenix. Taking advantage of this, I can keep her occupied.”
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort said, “As long as you can keep the Rakshasa Princess busy, the Rakshasa clan will be leaderless. Meanwhile, I can move in the shadows, contact the Realm Sons of the seven worlds, and organize a counterattack plan.”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” Zhang Ruochen said.
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort’s snow-white, crystalline face once again took on a seductive expression. She said, “Back in the underground of the ancient castle, this consort said that if you could safely lead me out, I would give you a greater reward.”
As she spoke, the Flame Spirit Demon Consort leaned her delicate body toward Zhang Ruochen.
Feeling the softness and warmth against his chest, Zhang Ruochen didn’t dodge but said calmly, “This is the first time I’ve encountered such a bold consort. Aren’t you afraid that Demon Emperor, seeing us this close through the battlefield mirror images?”
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort acted indifferent. A delicate, smooth jade hand pressed against Zhang Ruochen’s waist and slid inside his robe. She laughed, “I was forced to become his consort against my will. He can do things I don’t want, so why can’t I do things he doesn’t want to see? What, are you scared?”
“Scared? I just don’t want to invite unnecessary trouble.”
Zhang Ruochen’s form flickered, and he used Spatial Displacement, vanishing from the spot.
The Flame Spirit Demon Consort bit her lip lightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She muttered to herself, “The Guanghan Realm has produced quite a formidable figure. His spiritual will is so firm that trying to control him is nearly impossible.”
…
…
When Zhang Ruochen returned to the Qifeng Holy Mountain, A Le and the Rakshasa Princess had already arrived first, both bearing some injuries.
The Rakshasa Princess immediately stood up and went to meet him, saying, “You’re finally back. I was so worried about you.”
Zhang Ruochen was utterly impressed by the Rakshasa Princess’s acting skills, but he showed a smile and said, “Nothing to worry about. If I wanted to leave, those Rakshasa Marquises couldn’t stop me.”
Suddenly, an idea struck Zhang Ruochen. Without warning, he reached out a large hand and grabbed the Rakshasa Princess’s elastic waist, pulling her forcefully to his side.
What man had ever dared to be so bold with the Rakshasa Princess?
The Rakshasa Princess was naturally startled, her entire demeanor becoming unnatural. Her voice turned slightly cold as she asked, “What are you doing?”
Zhang Ruochen whispered in her snow-white ear, “The Demon Consort is so beautiful and moving. I’m just an ordinary man—how could I resist such temptation?”
Not far away, A Le and the White Li Princess both stared at them, puzzled expressions on their faces.
Had Zhang Ruochen lost his mind to lust?
The Rakshasa Princess gradually relaxed, lifting her sharp chin and laughing, “Aren’t you afraid that the Cang Mo Demon Emperor will see this through the battlefield mirror images? Offending a Demon Emperor—when you return to the Heavenly Court realm, how will you still stand in the Shatuo Heaven Domain?”
“For you, offending a Demon Emperor is nothing. With the Moon God’s protection, I’m not afraid of him,” Zhang Ruochen said, tightening his grip on the Rakshasa Princess’s slender waist.
Previously, she had been leading him around by the nose. Now, it was time to tease her a bit and see where this noble Rakshasa Princess’s limits of tolerance lay.
“Since you’re my destined one, I can only let you do as you please.”
The Rakshasa Princess lowered her head shyly, her body becoming even softer.
Zhang Ruochen frowned. Was this Rakshasa Princess truly unafraid of being taken advantage of? Did she really not care?
“Ahem.”
Feng Mo coughed twice, walked over, and said, “Zhang Ruochen, Demon Consort, I think I should return to the Eight Divisions Realm immediately. If things go wrong there, the consequences will be dire.”
Feng Mo’s injuries had fully healed, and his combat power had returned to its peak.
Zhang Ruochen stopped teasing the Rakshasa Princess, released her, and gave Feng Mo a deep look. “I have something to tell you alone.”
Then, Zhang Ruochen pulled Feng Mo aside and used his Space Domain to envelop the surrounding space.
“If you can’t suppress the Saints of the Eight Divisions Realm on your own, you can contact the Flame Spirit Demon Consort,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Feng Mo was momentarily stunned and couldn’t help glancing toward the Rakshasa Princess. “What do you mean?”
Zhang Ruochen then explained the entire situation from beginning to end.
After hearing it, Feng Mo felt like he was going crazy, but as an experienced Saint, he could control his emotions. He quickly calmed down and nodded solemnly.
The Rakshasa Princess’s perception was sharp. She thought to herself, “Zhang Ruochen uses his Space Domain every time he talks to someone. He must be wary of me. It seems after the previous incidents, he’s starting to suspect me.”
After Feng Mo left, Zhang Ruochen again wrapped his arm around the Rakshasa Princess’s waist and headed toward the summit of Qifeng Holy Mountain. “Let’s go to the Phoenix Nest now.”
The Rakshasa Princess didn’t resist. Like a delicate woman, she nestled in Zhang Ruochen’s arms.
Many formation inscriptions were left behind on Qifeng Holy Mountain. The closer they got to the summit, the more dangerous it became.
The White Li Princess drove Qiu Yu ahead to clear the way. Even if they triggered a formation, Qiu Yu would be the first to be hit. Then, based on the direction of the formation’s attack, Zhang Ruochen would use space power to break it.
Along the way, explosions rang out continuously, accompanied by Qiu Yu’s howls.
“Zhang Ruochen, you’ll die a horrible death… Ah…”
Qiu Yu was struck by a bolt of lightning as thick as a water bucket, his entire body charred black, black smoke pouring from his mouth.
But relying on his powerful divine wood body, he endured it and didn’t fall.
The White Li Princess said, “Why are you so unwilling? The Sect Leader has promised you that if you help us reach the Phoenix Nest, he will let you go. You must seize this opportunity.”
“To take revenge, I must endure humiliation and at least survive first.”
With that thought, Qiu Yu gritted his teeth, his gaze becoming even more determined as he charged forward.
After being struck countless times, with Qiu Yu leading the way, Zhang Ruochen and the others finally reached the summit of Qifeng Holy Mountain. Qiu Yu, however, was too severely injured and collapsed to the ground.
On the other side of Qifeng Holy Mountain lay the Phoenix Nest.
The Phoenix Nest looked no different from a bird’s nest, but it was enormous, over ten thousand meters long. It was woven from multicolored vines, with palace-like structures built between the vines, appearing extremely magnificent.
The area around the nest was completely enveloped by Heaven and Earth Saint Qi.
The Saint Qi spun rapidly, forming a massive vortex. Even standing at the top of Qifeng Holy Mountain, one could sense the destructive power contained within the vortex.
Outside the Phoenix Nest were two vast oceans—one crimson red, the other deep blue.
The crimson ocean was a blazing sea of fire.
The deep blue ocean was filled with a thousand years of Nether Winter Water.
One was extreme heat, the other extreme cold. Crossing either would not be easy.
A Le took out a hundred-pattern Sacred Artifact-level sacred sword, released his sword intent, and launched the sword.
“Whoosh—”
The sacred sword turned into a streak of cyan light, flying hundreds of feet high in the air, heading toward the Phoenix Nest in the center of the ocean.
But after flying only a dozen miles, fine spatial cracks appeared in the void, tearing the sacred sword into pieces.
A Le shook his head. “The spatial structure in the air is extremely fragile. We can’t fly across. We’ll have to choose to cross either the sea of fire or the Nether Winter Cold Sea. Either way, it will be very dangerous.”