Chapter 279: The Phoenix Falls
Shadows covered the inside and outside of the Garden of Zhou.
On the snowy plain late at night, countless snowflakes filled the night sky, with no stars visible, yet the shadow extending from Snow Old City could be seen clearly.
That shadow was darker than the night itself, colder than death, representing the will of the Demon Lord. No matter how dazzling the sword light that traveled through it might be, it could not break through in a short time.
However, that sword light was already powerful enough, even possessing the ability to contend against that shadow. The sword light could not cut through the shadow, but it could easily sever many other things.
For example, the terrifying arm of the Third Demon General, and the throat of the Seventh Demon General.
The Seventh Demon General clutched his throat, collapsing slowly like a mountain.
The sword light returned once more, entering its sheath, its aura receding.
Yet neither the dying Seventh Demon General nor the other powerful demons showed any emotional change at this scene. This deadly killing formation was filled with a chilling indifference.
Su Li lowered his head, lost in thought, his right hand gripping the sword hilt. His black hair had already fallen loose over his shoulders, gently dancing in the cold night wind, like a demon or a god.
Black Robe’s gaze pierced through the deep ocean, landing on him, and said calmly, “Your daughter is about to die, and you are about to die as well. What does that feel like?”
This sentence was undoubtedly a psychological attack, even a crude and simple one. But simplicity did not mean it lacked power. Black Robe intended to use these words to break his state of mind.
Su Li raised his head, looking at Black Robe calmly, and said, “Since you want to kill me, why must you send these fellows to fight in turns? Constantly adding firewood to a blaze will only burn it to ashes.”
“As long as you add enough firewood, there will always come a moment when the fire is smothered,” Black Robe said calmly. “This method of fighting may cost more, but it guarantees your death.”
Su Li fell silent, because he knew Black Robe was right.
The shadow from Snow Old City had cut off his connection to the human world, and many true powerhouses among the demons had yet to act—such as the legendary Demon Marshal, and Black Robe himself, who simply sat quietly. To kill the Little Master of Li Mountain, the demons had made meticulous arrangements.
These arrangements involved the inside and outside of the Garden of Zhou, as well as the distant southern continent.
No matter what countermeasures the White Emperor City or the human world’s powerhouses might devise, it was already too late. The Demon Lord’s pressure was being prepared, and the demon elders in Snow Old City were also waiting.
This method of killing was attrition. Black Robe intended to use a sufficient number of demon powerhouses to wear down Su Li’s sword intent and momentum, killing him in this simple, almost monotonous way.
Because only this method would leave no room for accidents.
“You are the most dazzling star in the human world after the great war. You have already brought too many surprises to this continent, and you know I dislike surprises the most.”
Black Robe looked at him and said.
Su Li was silent for a long time, then said, “No, I won’t die.”
Black Robe’s voice lifted slightly, showing interest, and he asked, “Oh? And why is that?”
Su Li looked at him calmly and said, “There’s no reason, no cause. I simply believe I won’t die. Similarly, I believe that girl, and those children who represent humanity’s future, won’t die either.”
Black Robe said, “I admire your baseless confidence even as you face death.”
Su Li smiled again, his pupils reflecting the snowy sky, as if about to ignite.
...
...
You can fear pain, but you cannot fear death—especially you. Why? Is death not more terrifying and sinister than pain? And why the word “especially”? Why can’t you fear death?
In the process of falling into the abyss of death, Xu Yourong thought about this sentence and the many things it branched into, and suddenly she understood some truths. So she opened her eyes.
Why could she least afford to fear death? Because she was a phoenix. Her fate was destined to continuously temper her soul through death and pain, until one day, she could calmly welcome death, and only then could she achieve true rebirth!
Was this the meaning of living toward death? Empress, is this what you wanted to tell me? In an instant, Xu Yourong felt that the endless abyss before her suddenly became bright.
At this moment, she was severely injured, her true essence depleted, and poison was eroding her body and spirit. Yet the truth she had realized brought her unprecedented calm.
Falling endlessly, the wind between the cliffs swept the blood at the corners of her lips like a fiery line trailing behind.
Countless pearl-like points of light also appeared in her eyes.
Heading toward the bottom of the abyss, she calmly awaited the arrival of death.
Calmness was an attitude of fearlessness, but not ignorance. She perceived the cold and gloom of death, understood its true meaning, and then began to fear again.
This fear did not mean she had left her fearless state of mind; it was still a perception—a clear, distinct perception deeply etched into her spiritual world.
Only this great fear brought by death could unleash unimaginable energy from the deepest core of her spiritual world—the energy hidden in her bloodline!
That vast energy began to burn, plunging her into a strange state where clarity and trance intertwined. As death gradually approached, a soul deep within her body awakened.
It was the soul of the phoenix, and also her own soul.
It was a self she had never faced or even discovered before.
With her eyes open, staring into the pitch-black abyss and the invisible yet bitingly real night wind, she truly understood her fate.
Fate had brought her down from Saintess Peak to the Garden of Zhou.
But fate was not about her meeting Nan Ke; it was about meeting herself.
Meeting another self, the truest self.
This journey was not in vain!
In the process of falling toward death, she felt an overwhelming surge of emotion.
In the deathly silent abyss, the quiet cliffs, the lofty twilight ridges, and the vast world of the Garden of Zhou, a clear cry suddenly rang out.
The sound was not mature, carrying a hint of youthfulness, yet it was incomparably clear and piercing.
Compared to this cry, Nan Ke’s earlier clear shriek immediately seemed less grand.
This cry was the call of a young phoenix.
The aura of a king was fully revealed in this phoenix cry!
...
...
Nan Ke stood quietly at the edge of the cliff, whether mourning the death of her fated rival or lamenting that her own life would henceforth be consigned to solitude.
After a moment, she turned and walked toward the stone platform on the cliff.
That person had passed away. Though there was some expected melancholy and emptiness, in the end, there was more satisfaction. From tonight onward, no one would be able to soar in the same sky as her. That was worth celebrating.
Then, the phoenix cry echoed through the cliffs.
She stopped, turned to look at the night sky beyond the cliff, and an expression of disbelief appeared on her face.
A pair of fiery wings appeared in the night, illuminating the cliff walls, carrying Xu Yourong as she flew into the distance.
...
...
(Struggling to keep updating, please throw in some recommendation tickets. Thank you all.) r1148