Chapter 277: Chapter 277 I can’t control it
"Senior Brother, what are we waiting for?" a girl clad in white, a disciple of the Spirit Palace, couldn’t help but ask.
By her side stood a man dressed in green, tall and with a resolute face, carrying a huge wooden sword on his back named Ironwood. This was a special material, extremely sturdy, but a sword cast from Ironwood had no edge.
Many people thought this genius of the Spirit Palace must be a fool. However, the three great imperial dynasties and the experts from various ancient noble families held a different view: the Spirit Palace would never accept a fool as a disciple. This included the fair-faced girl; though she appeared young, no one dared to underestimate her.
Mo Lai spoke up, "We’re waiting for the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty’s Phoenix Cauldron."
The girl was puzzled. "Why wait? Since it’s confirmed that the Undying Furnace is within this Ancient City, we can take action to snatch it."
Mo Lai smiled. "Heaven Capital has its taboos. It’s inaccessible to those below the rank of Lord. With our current cultivation realm, entering would mean certain death."
The girl, still not quite understanding, asked, "Even with your strength, Senior Brother, it’s not possible?"
Upon hearing this, many of the assembled experts immediately pricked up their ears. The Spirit Palace remained aloof from worldly affairs, rarely sending disciples out. However, when one did emerge, it signified exceptional talent and carried a certain importance. Thus, they were also curious about the realm and combat strength of Mo Lai, the disciple who had emerged in this era. He looked too young.
Mo Lai answered, "It has nothing to do with one’s realm."
The crowd nearly spat blood. He just said their realms were too low to enter Heaven Capital, and now he claims it’s unrelated to realm? Disciples of the Spirit Palace certainly have a peculiar way of reasoning.
Not far away, Wen Yuqing overheard this. She glanced at him and said, "If my disciple were here, his realm and combat strength would surely far exceed his."
Luckily, Chen Pingping didn’t hear this remark; otherwise, he really would have spat blood. Wen Yuqing was clearly trying to make him a target!
As expected, many experts looked at her, their words tinged with mockery. "Who are you? And who is your disciple? Stronger than a disciple of the Spirit Palace?"
"I am no one in particular, but my disciple is good-looking," Wen Yuqing responded. "As for who is stronger, he or Mo Lai... alas, it’s a pity he’s not here. Otherwise, a battle between them would make it clear." Her smile was filled with confidence.
She seemed to have forgotten that she had never actually taught Chen Pingping cultivation. But she hadn’t forgotten who she was. Her disciple had to be a standout among the younger generation; otherwise... it would be a disgrace to her...
"Pah! You’re truly shameless," someone interjected.
"Exactly. You look decent enough, but you love to brag," another added.
"Are you even from the Spirit Realm?"
"The Spirit Realm?" Wen Yuqing scoffed. "I hail from beyond the Nine Heavens. My background is so extraordinary that if I were to reveal it, I’m afraid it would scare you all to death."
"Then please, scare me to death," a middle-aged man said decisively, a smile playing on his lips.
Wen Yuqing swept a look at him, her expression indifferent, and said nothing. Bragging? Heh. Foolish little cultivators.
She then turned her gaze towards a distant gourd vine, her eyes growing increasingly fervent. Alas, members of the Purple Gold Divine Clan were blocking the way, much to her irritation. Months had passed, and she had been constantly contemplating whether or not to use her reserves. The urge to act had arisen countless times, only to be suppressed just as often. Her reserves were meant for contending for the Undying Furnace, not that gourd vine. If she couldn’t obtain the vine, so be it. No use forcing it.
Time passed, and the killings gradually subsided. However, the atmosphere grew heavy, and a palpable sense of depression, seemingly emanating from the Ancient City itself, settled over everyone.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A rhythmic and deep throbbing sound emanated from within the Ancient City.
All the experts raised their heads, staring intently at the Ancient City, holding their breath...
SCREECH!
The cries of Demon Birds, the roars of wild beasts, and the bellows of ferocious creatures continued to sound, growing in number, as if a horde of terrifying beasts was about to burst forth from the Ancient City.
The ground shook, and mountains trembled. The Heaven Domain instantly grew dim and oppressive. A powerful Divine Might enveloped the area, feeling like Mount Tai pressing down on everyone’s heart.
Everyone felt as if they were suffocating.
"What’s happening? Something feels off," someone whispered gravely.
"Indeed."
"It seems like something is about to appear."
WHOOSH!
A streak of fire shot into the sky like a sword of dawn, piercing the dim heavens. It was a stunningly beautiful sight from afar.
Not far away, Mo Lai spoke, "It seems it’s about to appear."
"That’s impossible, isn’t it? Our Phoenix Cauldron hasn’t even arrived yet," an expert from the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty exclaimed.
"It’s here!" Wen Yuqing narrowed her eyes, gazing in a certain direction. In that instant, she thought she saw the ancient cauldron—the Heaven Tao Divine Weapon forged from an Ancient Phoenix, its Divine Soul sealed within, refined into a Divine Weapon and God. Although the method was cruel, she had to admit that creator was indeed very powerful.
The girl from the Spirit Palace asked hesitantly, "Senior Brother, why can the Phoenix Cauldron resonate with the Undying Furnace?"
Mo Lai looked up and explained, "Because the Undying Furnace was forged from the bones and blood essence of the Undying bird. This lineage and the Ancient Phoenix are mortal enemies. If both appear simultaneously, extraordinary celestial phenomena are bound to occur."
The Heaven Domain was dim, with dense clouds obscuring the sun. If one looked carefully, they could discern an Ancient Phoenix soaring and tumbling majestically through the cloud layers. Upon closer inspection, an Undying bird could also be seen, wings outstretched in flight, maintaining a distinct distance from the Ancient Phoenix. They had not yet clashed, but the hostility between them was intense.
SCREECH!
Another cry, even more terrifying than the last, reverberated. It carried a dreadful Power Path, deafening all who heard it.
Immediately after, a shadow burst out of the Ancient City.
It was the Undying bird. Fierce flames blazed upon its body as it opened its eerie eyes wide, charging towards the Phoenix Cauldron.
「Not far away!」
Chen Pingping, who was rushing over anxiously, was forced to halt. He looked towards Lan Xiuzhi and asked, "Can you stop releasing the Phoenix Cauldron’s aura fluctuations for now?"
"I can’t!" Lan Xiuzhi’s face was also very pale. "I can’t control it."
CLUCK, CLUCK, CLUCK!
The Earth Chicken called out several times.
Chen Pingping understood. Lan Xiuzhi couldn’t control it, but this chicken could. He immediately sent a mental message, "Hurry up!"
Given their current realm and combat strength, if that Undying bird truly pounced on them, they would be incinerated in less than two breaths, leaving not even ashes behind.
Thankfully, they had the Earth Chicken. With a few flaps of its wings, it instantly suppressed the Phoenix Cauldron’s aura fluctuations. The Undying bird could no longer sense the Phoenix Cauldron’s presence. Its murderous charge faltered midway, and the Heaven Domain returned to normal. Chen Pingping secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
Lan Xiuzhi also wiped a bead of cold sweat from her brow. "You scared this princess to death!"
That chicken... Only the Saintess noticed the Earth Chicken and sensed that something was amiss.
"Quickly, quickly, I’m going to see Master!" Chen Pingping said excitedly, striding forward.
From afar, he finally saw the master he had longed for day and night. He choked up, tears welling in his eyes, and after a moment of soft crying, he rushed into Wen Yuqing’s embrace.
The onlookers stared, their mouths slightly agape. Who is this person? So brazen! He’s actually hugging that tigress! Wait, something’s not right. The tigress isn’t resisting. Could it be they know each other?
Wen Yuqing was also very pleased. Time had flown. More than twenty years had passed, and she finally saw her cheeky brat again. Hmm, still as handsome as ever. My taste is indeed excellent.
But as she was smiling, her expression suddenly froze.
What on earth is this blasted kid doing?
The rascal was actually wiping his snot on her clothes while sobbing out the words she had longed to hear: "I missed you!"