Chapter 210: Phoenix Blood: The Phoenix’s Cry at Mount Qi
Shi Hao couldn’t help but ask, “What’s in there?”
Su Mei glanced at the Holy Jade Immortal, “Ask her. Since she knows the true purpose of phoenix blood, she should also know what it suppresses.”
Shi Hao looked at Ye Zi Yin, who sighed softly, “A ferocious beast.”
“A ferocious beast?” Shi Hao asked, puzzled.
Su Mei said, “When the Melting Sun Demon Lord connected this world to the underworld at the chasm beneath the Scripture Bestowal Platform, he opened a passage to a place where an ancient beast was sealed.”
“You don’t need to know the details about this beast. It’s too early for you. But phoenix blood can suppress it. I gave the Black Phoenix Poison Pearl to Yi Shenzi, not just to save his life, but to use it against this beast.”
“Now, it’s clear that without the pearl, Yi Shenzi is drawing upon the beast’s power. That’s why he’s so strong.”
Shi Hao said, his head aching, “Then what should we do?”
Ye Zi Yin pondered, “For a beast to possess a human is not easy. From what you’ve described, Yi Shenzi was resisting its influence until he lost the pearl and his sect was destroyed. That pushed him over the edge.
“If we could leave, we could easily kill him. But we’re trapped here. You’ll have to face him yourself.”
Shi Hao said, “But I’m no match for him. We had three fourth-rank experts and several others at the fifth and sixth ranks, and we were still defeated. Even the Poisonous Sunflower Sect’s two elders were killed by him. I’m much weaker than them.”
Su Mei chuckled, “That’s not a problem. Phoenix blood can suppress that beast, or rather, the phoenix itself can suppress it…”
Shi Hao said, “Speaking of which, when I first touched the pearl, I saw a vision.”
He described the image of the phoenix perched on a mountain, looking down at him.
Su Mei, surprised, said, “Really?” She took the pearl from him and looked at it thoughtfully, “I’ve handled this pearl before, but I’ve never seen any visions.”
Ye Zi Yin looked at Shi Hao, “It might not be just a vision. Do you know who the last person was to dream of a phoenix?”
Shi Hao asked, “Who?”
Ye Zi Yin said, “King Wen of Zhou. According to our Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s records, he dreamt of a phoenix singing on Mount Qi.”
Shi Hao knew the legend of the “Phoenix’s Cry at Mount Qi,” but it was a memory from his previous life.
And although he had read many books since arriving in this world, he hadn’t encountered that story here.
If he had, he would have answered her question.
He couldn’t just tell her about legends from another world.
It seemed this world also had its own “Phoenix’s Cry at Mount Qi” legend, but unlike his previous world, this world had real phoenixes.
And this event was clearly a closely guarded secret, which explained why he hadn’t encountered it in any ordinary books. Ye Zi Yin had only learned about it from the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s secret archives.
She continued, “The phoenix is a being of great power and mystery. There’s only one, and it rarely appears, perhaps once or twice in a millennium.
“If you truly saw a phoenix, it might mean… it’s about to appear.”
Shi Hao asked, “What happens when a phoenix appears?”
Su Mei smiled, “It usually means a ferocious beast has also appeared. And when a beast appears, it’s a sign of dark times. The phoenix appears to suppress the beast. If it succeeds, a new era of peace and prosperity might follow.
“But that’s not important.”
Shi Hao asked, “Not important?” It seemed incredibly important.
Ye Zi Yin nodded, “The appearance of these creatures, whether beast or phoenix, is beyond our control. They exist outside the realm of human affairs, following their own rules.
“So, instead of worrying about that, focus on Yi Shenzi. He’s clearly drawing upon the beast’s power, but you have the phoenix blood. In that sense, you’re evenly matched.”
Shi Hao said helplessly, “But he has the Primordial Yellow Dao Body, empowered by the Thunder Venerable divine crystal. We injured him earlier, when his connection to the beast wasn’t as strong, but he healed instantly.
“And I can sense his power growing, not just the beast’s power, but also the power of the Thunder Venerable.”
Su Mei smiled, “You’re mistaken. Although the Primordial Yellow Dao Body is powerful, you used the Sui Marquis Pearl against it, neutralizing its yang poison. It’s no longer as effective.
“It’s the beast’s power that’s healing him.”
Ye Zi Yin said, “I can use the phoenix blood, combined with the materials here in the grotto heaven, to create a weapon that can injure him, preventing him from healing. So the key is, can you… significantly injure him?”
Shi Hao, looking at them, said honestly, “I’m no match for him.” He had no other choice but to ask for their help.
Ye Zi Yin said softly, “Although we can’t leave the Primordial Grotto Heaven, we can lend you our strength.”
Shi Hao asked, surprised, “Your strength?”
Su Mei chuckled, “The Primordial Grotto Heaven exists above the mortal realm. With proper preparation, we can channel our energy downwards, lending you our power. There’s even a martial arts technique called the ‘Wedding Dress Divine Art’ specifically for this purpose.
“But there are two problems. Firstly, you cultivate both Daoist and demonic arts. If we only lend you one type of energy, it will disrupt the balance within you. My demonic energy would destroy your Daoist foundation, and her Daoist energy would destroy your demonic source.
“Either way, you would die. So, we have to lend you our power simultaneously, maintaining the balance…”
She paused, and Shi Hao quickly asked, “And the second problem?”
Su Mei placed the Black Phoenix Poison Pearl back in his hand, glanced at Ye Zi Yin, and smiled, “Ask her.”
She gently pinched his cheek and whispered, “I’ll leave you to her now. Perhaps you’ll soon realize I’m the one who truly cares about you.” She picked up Little Emerald and, with a giggle, floated away.
Shi Hao, puzzled, looked at Ye Zi Yin.
Ye Zi Yin, ignoring Su Mei’s obvious attempt to create discord, said softly, “Follow me.”
Shi Hao followed her towards the waterfall.
From behind, her tall, slender figure, her white robe flowing around her like a flower, her waist slender, her movements graceful, she seemed like a celestial being, about to ascend to the heavens at any moment.
Her beauty was otherworldly, captivating, a vision to be admired from afar, not touched, a fleeting glimpse a blessing.
They passed through the ruins, past the tilted jade pillar, and reached the waterfall, its water cascading from an unseen source, forming a pool within the ruins. The water’s surface, smooth as a mirror, reflected the sky above, a mesmerizing blend of heaven and earth.
A sword lay on a rock by the pool’s edge, carved from the jade of the Primordial Grotto Heaven, the sword she had created for him during his previous visit, when she had taught him the Six Immortal Lightning Strikes.
Ye Zi Yin said, “Su Mei and I can enhance your power, but your martial arts skills depend on your own understanding. If your skills are lacking, you won’t be able to defeat Yi Shenzi.
“Let’s see how much your swordsmanship has improved.”
Shi Hao straightened his back, “I now understand what ‘sword intent’ is, Sister Zi Yin.”
Seeing his confidence, Ye Zi Yin smiled faintly, “Show me.” She tapped her toe, and the jade sword on the rock leaped into the air, landing in Shi Hao’s hand.
The rock had been beside him, and Ye Zi Yin had been several feet away.
Yet, with a simple gesture, without any visible use of force, the sword had flown to him.
Such effortless control was incredible.
Shi Hao’s understanding of martial arts had deepened. He had faced many powerful opponents during his travels.
He knew this subtle display of power was far more impressive than Yi Shenzi’s brute force and flashy techniques. He couldn’t even sense how she had done it with his Primordial Energy.
And she had deliberately done this, showcasing her skill, her mastery, before their sparring session.
Building momentum… she had taught him that herself.
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