Chapter 562: Treasure of the Demon Clan

The moment the Heavenly Gate appeared, over a dozen figures flew out one after another from the battleship and the four-colored cloud formations, standing prominently in front.

The Minor Cold Domain and the Celestial Movement Alliance each accounted for half of these figures, led by Old Daoist Zhenyi and Patriarch Scarlet Hair, respectively. Between them stood a peculiar-looking man in feathered robes.

He had a slender build, long narrow eyes, and a hooked nose, with a hint of femininity in his gaze. He wore an exquisitely ornate robe, vibrant and colorful, as if woven from countless beautiful feathers.

On his head, he wore an elaborate crown, sparkling with jewels. However, a closer look would reveal a startling detail: the crown's framework was surprisingly crafted from the stark white bones of an unknown demonic beast, though these fragments were largely obscured by the radiant glow of the jewels.

This attire seemed more fitting for an earthly prince than a cultivator.

"The Heavenly Gate has appeared; there's no time to lose. We ask Feather Demon King to use your esteemed clan's supreme treasure to quickly locate the weakest point of the immortal formation," Patriarch Scarlet Hair and Old Daoist Zhenyi said, cupping their hands in greeting to the man in feathered robes.

He was, astonishingly, the Demon King of Celestial Demon Mound!

The man in feathered robes nodded slightly, removed his crown, and said, "This king shall begin now. All fellow Daoists, please step back."

Patriarch Scarlet Hair, Old Daoist Zhenyi, and the others promptly moved back.

The feathered-robed man stood alone at the very front and beckoned backward. Two other cultivators, equally strange in appearance, flew forward. They were a man and a woman, also Demon Kings from Celestial Demon Mound. They positioned themselves between the human cultivators and the feathered-robed man, watching the humans with vigilance.

Moments later, the feathered-robed man leaped forward, flying closer to the eye of the storm. He stopped only when he was on the verge of being overwhelmed by the chaotic energy emanating from it, then tilted his head back to gaze upwards.

After observing for a long time, the feathered-robed man suddenly tossed the crown he held upwards. He chanted incantations, a hint of pain flashing across his face, and then he opened his mouth to spray out a stream of vital blood. It landed precisely on the crown, which absorbed it completely.

After consuming the vital blood, the crown radiated an extraordinary brilliance. Instantly, countless streams of peculiar light of various colors shot out, creating a myriad of rainbows. The crown's true form became invisible, and even the feathered-robed man was enveloped by the radiant glow.

Just then, an unusually sharp cry suddenly erupted from the center of the brilliant light, so powerful that it even suppressed the roaring sound of the wind and cloud vortex. As the cry grew louder, a colossal phantom suddenly emerged from deep within the radiant light.

The phantom stood on one leg like a divine bird, its species indiscernible due to the layers of brilliant light obscuring it. However, the immense aura emanating from the divine bird could not be concealed by the light. All the Nascent Soul cultivators present, including Patriarch Scarlet Hair and Old Daoist Zhenyi, wore solemn expressions.

*Shriek!*

The divine bird let out a piercing shriek, suddenly spread its wings, and soared high, fearlessly rushing towards the eye of the storm.

How could the eye of the storm be so easily breached? The chaotic forces within, like countless sharp swords, tore at the divine bird. Even as powerful as it was, it struggled to withstand them. As it surged forward, countless shimmering fragments scattered, resembling shredded feathers, leaving a trail like a comet's tail. Yet, it showed no fear, pressing onward with exceptionally bright and piercing eyes.

The eye of the storm also began to be affected by the divine bird. The divine bird, with its formidable power, cut into the eye of the storm. The dissipated cloud gases were stirred by the bird and began to radiate outwards.

However, this did not prevent the divine bird's demise. Its body rapidly diminished, appearing on the verge of being completely annihilated by the eye of the storm.

Suddenly, the divine bird let out a prolonged cry. Its body burst into fierce flames. As its divine consciousness actively incinerated its body, two tangible beams of light suddenly shot from its eyes, piercing deep into the eye of the storm like twin sharp swords.

*Boom!*

The eye of the storm vibrated violently and continuously, and an anomaly suddenly appeared. Below the Heavenly Gate, mysterious runes materialized out of thin air, lasting for only a very brief moment before vanishing. This action by the divine bird had astonishingly revealed the immortal formation!

As the divine bird vanished, the extraordinary light abruptly dispersed, revealing the man in feathered robes and the crown's true form.

The feathered-robed man reached out and grabbed the crown. His figure flickered rapidly as he retreated. The other two demon kings immediately moved forward to meet him, guarding him in the middle, one on each side, as they flew back together.

The feathered-robed man's face was unnaturally pale, and the crown, which had originally radiated brilliant light, had also dimmed somewhat. It seemed that controlling the divine bird was no easy task.

"Each time this treasure is activated, it must first consume more than half of my vital blood," the feathered-robed man explained. "With my cultivation level, I nearly lost control of it, and I could only manage it by damaging the treasure's essence. After this, it will require a long period of nurturing to recover."

The feathered-robed man took a green elixir. His complexion improved slightly, and he let out a soft sigh. Turning, he pointed to a spot in the eye of the storm and said, "Fortunately, I have not failed my mission! As you all just witnessed, that is the most vulnerable point of the immortal formation, and it will remain so for the duration of an incense stick's burning time."

Patriarch Scarlet Hair and Old Daoist Zhenyi exchanged glances, then cupped their hands. "Thank you for your trouble, Feather Demon King. Your clan's supreme treasure is indeed extraordinary! Without its assistance, the Minor Northern Star Astral Array alone would absolutely not be able to break through the immortal formation. Your clan's single treasure has saved us an immeasurable amount of precious spiritual materials!"

Feather Demon King waved his hand, stating calmly, "When our ancestors led our clan to establish ourselves in the Minor Cold Domain, one of the conditions set with your human race was to wholeheartedly assist in breaking the Ziwei Palace's immortal formation. As descendants of the Sacred Clan, we naturally uphold our agreements and will fully help you breach the immortal formation. Moreover, entering Ziwei Palace will also benefit us. I have just taken a healing elixir and need some time to regulate my breath and assimilate its power. Please proceed as you wish."

Feather Demon King flew back alone to the multicolored demonic creature, while the other two demon kings remained.

Patriarch Scarlet Hair and Old Daoist Zhenyi both stepped forward. Simultaneously, one person from each of their respective sides also came forward: Leng Yuntian from the Mirage Sect, and a young Daoist priest dressed in a profound yellow robe.

After a brief discussion, the four instantly separated, each taking a position and sitting cross-legged in the void. The others also flew forward, forming a circle around the four and likewise sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed.

The qi mechanisms of all the Nascent Soul cultivators linked as one. Then, Patriarch Scarlet Hair and Old Daoist Zhenyi simultaneously took out a pouch and hurled it upwards.

"Go!"

A crisp jingling sound followed, and tens of thousands of crystal beads flew out from the pouch, reflecting dazzling light. They poured forth like flowing water, converging into a stream in the air. These beads were the Star Essence Stones collected by the two domains.

Patriarch Scarlet Hair and Old Daoist Zhenyi formed hand seals. The Star Essence Stones initially appeared scattered, but under the guidance of the two, they flew to the center of the four individuals, gathering into a spherical shape in the air and hovering motionlessly.

Patriarch Scarlet Hair lightly called out, "Fellow Daoists, you may begin!"

Leng Yuntian and the yellow-robed Daoist's expressions turned serious. They quickly composed themselves and fully cooperated with the array formation. Immediately, streaks of incantation seals formed at the fingertips of the four, continuously flying towards the spherical Star Essence Stones. Each seal drew forth several Star Essence Stones, varying in number.