Chapter 418: Phoenix Fire Burns the Clouds, Golden Palanquin Descends on the South Sea

The Golden Divine Steed was the strongest of the three divine steeds. While the other two warhorses possessed an eerie beauty akin to ancient monsters, the Golden Divine Steed exuded only an awe-inspiring, inviolable sanctity.

It wore a complete set of magnificent armor, adorned with glorious and resplendent patterns. It looked like battle armor that had grown directly from the steed's muscles, combining hardness with sharpness, shimmering brilliantly in the night like the golden glazed tiles of a sun temple.

The Golden Armored Divine Steed was backed by Tianji. At this moment, even the Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother fighting together would likely be unable to withstand its continuous assaults.

Yet, unlike the tense stalemates in the Northern Kingdom and Southern Mire, the Golden Divine Steed was defeated the fastest.

Upon first encountering the Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother, it did indeed display immense oppressive power. Its spear, shield, physical might, and iron hooves possessed the strength to destroy cities and level mountains, forcing the two to retreat repeatedly and fall into a disadvantage, only able to parry with the subtlety and flexibility of their Taoist techniques.

However, before dawn, the Golden Divine Steed's inexhaustible power was severed.

Something resembling a barrier or domain spread above, cutting off its connection to the divine realm like a knife!

The Golden Divine Steed sensed the ominous warning. Its golden eyes turned scarlet as it willingly plunged into a frenzy. The Divine Realm of Tianji held speed in the highest regard, and the Golden Divine Steed instantly pushed its speed to the extreme. It leaped, its form splitting into two, and the golden spear in its hand also divided into two. With power accumulated, the spears were thrown like streaks of light.

A destructive aura permeated the spear tips. If these two spears were to land, the rivers, mountains, and ley lines of the Western Kingdom would be reshaped by them.

Just as the Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother were preparing to use their fundamental powers to resist, a figure in a phoenix dress drifted down, her dark hair flowing freely.

The young woman's wide sleeves billowed in the strong winds, yet her slender, pale hands pointed forward without a tremor.

The tips of the two long spears landed on her fingertips.

The spear tips spun rapidly.

Not only were the young woman's delicate fingers not pierced, but the two spears seemed to sink into a muddy swamp, visibly slowing down.

In the Golden Divine Steed's pupils, the elegant silhouette of the young woman in her phoenix dress was reflected. It let out a furious roar. Beneath its black iron armor, its muscles trembled from expansion as the divine horse charged, aiming directly for the young woman's lithe, graceful body.

This was Zhao Xiang'er's first true confrontation with an external divine realm in this lifetime, and she had felt a slight tension. But now that her world had been constructed, as golden flames engulfed everything, her nervousness dissipated.

Among all the divine fires in the world, which one was worthy of burning before her?

Zhao Xiang'er opened her clear, black and white eyes, calmly gazing at the divine steed.

Unconsciously, the Three Thousand Worlds had descended.

Within her own world, she was, of course, the master!

She changed her gesture from a point to a palm, effortlessly pushing the two golden spears aside.

As the divine steed charged, a red umbrella snapped open, blocking most of the flowing flames. She twisted the umbrella handle, grasping the umbrella with her left hand, and smoothly drew her umbrella sword with her right. The power of her world surged into her body, and the long sword, brimming with sharp light, seemed to devour all before it.

A fiery phoenix flew from her dress,鸣叫 (crying out) loudly, and with a flap of its wings, devoured the Golden Divine Steed's flames.

This scene resembled the time the Peacock King emerged in the trial grounds.

The Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother watched from afar, gazing at the phoenix with fiery wings, both showing nostalgic expressions.

The fiery phoenix descended like a predatory hawk, its sharp talons grasping the Golden Divine Steed's body, tearing open its armor and flesh. Simultaneously, the long sword struck, cleaving through the black armor and cutting into its rock-hard muscles, revealing the pale, spiny bones beneath.

The Golden Divine Steed cried out in agony and recoiled. It was a god, but the exquisite young woman before it now seemed like a devil who surpassed any deity.

Zhao Xiang'er held the slender sword, from which a light of fire hundreds of feet long blazed. Each time she swung the sword, it was as if she wielded a heaven-piercing beam of light, slicing through the entire world, unleashing world-destroying power in a sweeping motion.

With its armor shattered, the Golden Divine Steed could no longer fight. It galloped desperately, attempting to escape this domain of the fiery phoenix.

Just as Zhao Xiang'er was about to press her advantage, something permeated the sky of her world.

It was a golden mask, rigid yet full of majesty, like a fusion of emperors from all past dynasties.

"Tianji?" The Fifth Emperor narrowed his eyes, his heavy ancient blade trembling incessantly.

The Eldest Senior Sister's expression also turned grim.

She, too, could confirm that this was Tianji's personal projection.

Zhao Xiang'er stared at the golden mask, as vast as the sky, and directly swung her sword at it.

Tianji's voice resounded, carrying a thundering, suppressed rage: "Zhao Xiang'er, are you defying destiny?!"

Zhao Xiang'er did not bother to answer.

These god-lords were still unaware of the grievances between her and Suzaku. Even they, who were nearly omniscient, probably thought she was merely a pawn Suzaku had placed in the Western Kingdom to oversee the Three Thousand Worlds.

The sword light collided with Tianji's mask, scattering into fragmented fireworks.

Tianji's face contorted within the sword light.

"Why do you possess the authority over the Three Thousand Worlds? Who bestowed it upon you? Is Suzaku also betraying us?"

Tianji's thunderous voice roared, and the Three Thousand Worlds trembled and rippled under his interrogation.

Zhao Xiang'er still gave no reply. She gazed at the sky-obscuring golden mask and calmly said, "Do you want to enter my realm so badly? Very well, I'll let you in!"

With a clear cry, the young woman ascended against the flames, abandoning her sword to directly punch into the mask's power. She spread her five fingers, grasping the mask like an eagle's claw. Then, the phoenix cried out clearly, flapping its wings, seemingly intent on dragging this god-lord into the Three Thousand Worlds.

Tianji could no longer tolerate such presumption. On the golden mask, he opened a vast mouth, intending to swallow Zhao Xiang'er whole.

But Zhao Xiang'er, within her own world, was no less swift than him. Instead, Tianji's projection was shredded by her fingers, pulled apart like silk threads, and then incinerated by phoenix fire.

In the long sky, the battle of gods erupted at the barrier of the world.

After a long while, grey-white snow fell from the sky, and Tianji's golden mask and majestic roars vanished.

Zhao Xiang'er stood gracefully in the vast sky, cool and solitary, like an enduring fragrance that the wind could not disperse.

Only after she confirmed Tianji's retreat did the fiery phoenix leisurely fly back into her body. She landed and approached the Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother.

The young woman, with her soft dark hair and exquisite features, pursed her thin, upturned lips and bowed to them, saying, "Junior Zhao Xiang'er greets the two sirs."

The Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother returned the bow.

"Thank you, Miss Xiang'er, for your timely intervention," the Eldest Senior Sister said with a slight smile. "Otherwise, I might have had to mold myself a brand new body from clay."

The Second Senior Brother cupped his hands and chuckled, "Thank you, Miss Zhao, for rescuing us. I didn't expect my junior brother's wife to possess such heaven-reaching abilities after only a few years."

"You flatter me, Senior Brother and Sister," Zhao Xiang'er replied modestly before her seniors. "It's largely thanks to both of you luring it to the Western Kingdom. Without entering these Three Thousand Worlds, at my current cultivation, I would certainly not be a match for that Golden Divine Steed, let alone the God-Lord... And I am indebted to Senior Brother for saving me at the Imperial City back then, so this is simply repaying that kindness."

The Eldest Senior Sister looked at this exceptionally beautiful young woman, elegant in demeanor and humble in manner, and her impression of her instantly improved severalfold.

She couldn't help but recall Xihe. Due to their master, their initial impression of Xihe had not been good. Now, seeing Miss Xiang'er, she felt as if an arrogant and domineering goddess had undergone a complete transformation, shedding all superficiality.

Zhao Xiang'er looked up, gently waved her sleeve, and the enveloping Three Thousand Worlds slowly receded.

Now, through her arduous cultivation, her connection with the Three Thousand Worlds had grown increasingly intimate, as if these worlds were a part of herself, obedient to her will. Having repelled the God-Lord in her own world today, her confidence had also grown.

The Second Senior Brother, observing her power, chuckled, "When Miss Zhao and our Junior Brother truly marry, I'll be quite worried about Junior Brother's safety."

Zhao Xiang'er's eyes held a subtle depth. During her days of cultivation, she would occasionally check on what Ning Changjiu was doing.

Ning Changjiu's conduct was quite varied. From Zhao Xiang'er's perspective, it was probably something like this:

Sleeping with Shao Xiaoli while unconscious, then getting caught flirting by Lu Jiajia, leading to all three sleeping together. Then, he returned to Huanpu Mountain to sleep with Lu Jiajia, and they continued to sleep together in different ways every day. Later, Ning Changjiu went to the Southern Wasteland to flirt with Liu Junzhuo and Liu Xiwana, sleeping in a cave, then pretending nothing happened and returning to continue sleeping with Lu Jiajia...

In short, it made Zhao Xiang'er... drowsy.

Now, hearing the Second Senior Brother mention it, Zhao Xiang'er bit her silver teeth slightly, swept her sleeves, and said, "When you see him later, Senior Brother, remember to urge him to come quickly. Tell him that I... well, this concubine will treat him well."

The Second Senior Brother, who enjoyed a good spectacle, immediately agreed.

Zhao Xiang'er then asked the two senior siblings about the situation in Buke Guan and finally understood what had happened.

"Where is Master now?" Zhao Xiang'er asked.

The Eldest Senior Sister thought for a moment and said, "I can't be certain. Master sent us away first, and only departed with Baizang afterwards. If I'm not mistaken, Master is either in the Southern Mire or the Northern Kingdom."

The Second Senior Brother nodded, agreeing with his senior sister's assessment.

Zhao Xiang'er opened her small, delicate mouth and asked again, "Did Master ever talk about Suzaku in daily life?"

The Eldest Senior Sister recalled, "Not explicitly, but I can confirm that Master and Suzaku are definitely not enemies."

Zhao Xiang'er gave a slight nod.

She roughly guessed what Suzaku intended to do, but the idea was still nascent and could only be confirmed when the Suzaku Star ignited.

Zhao Xiang'er took them to the most prosperous city under the Western Kingdom's jurisdiction and arranged for their temporary stay.

"Tianji should not return. Now that Buke Guan is obscured, the hostility and suppression from heaven and earth are too great for you, Senior Brother and Sister. It's better not to go far. Stay in the Western Kingdom, and I can ensure your safety," Zhao Xiang'er's voice was gentle and calm.

The Eldest Senior Sister, in her pure Taoist robe, looked at her, smiling and nodding, growing increasingly satisfied with this junior sister-in-law.

After settling these matters, Zhao Xiang'er excused herself and returned to her small pavilion within the Three Thousand Worlds.

She sat on the bed made of cloud wisps and lazily stretched. When the previous turmoil occurred, she had still been curled up asleep. Now, weariness returned, and her clear eyes grew hazy.

The young woman casually shed her phoenix dress, tossing it aside without folding.

This phoenix dress was something she had simply put on before going out. Beneath it, she only wore a cotton nightgown, which, during her diligent cultivation, she had idly doodled with little yellow ducks and large sparrows.

These clothes were to be destroyed before Ning Changjiu arrived.

Zhao Xiang'er gently got onto the bed, leaning against the soft pillow. She pulled the covers over her slender body and nightgown. Then, with a casual gesture, she created a water mirror, habitually wanting to see what Ning Changjiu was doing to help herself sleep.

But soon, the sleepiness vanished from Xiang'er's eyes.

In the water mirror, there was only blurred static.

The Three Thousand Worlds were an existence comparable to a divine realm. Seated there, she could clearly observe Ning Changjiu's battle with Liu Junzhuo in the Southern Wasteland back then. But now, there was nothing in the image, only a continuous hissing sound, like wind noise or static electricity.

The Bronze Divine Steed galloped across the Central Lands.

Its speed was faster than even peak Five Dao cultivators; a journey of a thousand li was but an instant.

At the thought of returning to the Ancient Spirit Sect, Si Ming's mood brightened considerably. She sat at the entrance of the Red Pavilion, her slender, snow-white jade legs dangling and swaying gently in the breeze. Her long hair, falling over her shoulders, resembled shimmering water reflecting the sunset's fiery glow.

Dawn had passed, and the sun had risen high. Ye Chan Palace sat in a wooden chair, the red paper-cuts in the small pavilion casting a touch of enchanting beauty upon her features. At this moment, no matter how one looked at her, she resembled a well-bred, quiet young lady from a wealthy family, impossibly beautiful.

She gently turned the pages of Luoshen's diary, and after reading, she used the hidden art of "Unobservable" to forget its contents... not remembering meant she hadn't seen it.

Baizang, with its rather round ears, lay on her lap, its furry body coiled, its pink paw pads resting on Ye Chan Palace's leg, making its tattoos seem less formidable.

It seemed to be having a pleasant dream, for it suddenly chuckled, revealing its small, white teeth.

When Si Ming walked back from the doorway, Baizang still seemed to be having a wonderful dream, happily meowing in its sleep, laughing wildly. Si Ming, not understanding, looked at her master.

Ye Chan Palace calmly translated: "She said: 'Heng'e, let's see how arrogant you can be now.'"

"..." Si Ming looked at the little white cat with some pity and said, "It's better if she doesn't wake up."

No sooner had she spoken than Baizang seemed to dream of another exciting scene, meowing incessantly. Before Ye Chan Palace could translate for Si Ming, it suddenly leaped up with a whoosh, then frantically scratched at the air before falling back to the ground in a daze.

Only then did Baizang fully wake up.

In its recent dream, it had regained its power, punching Si Ming and trampling Heng'e, making them kneel side-by-side on the ground while it wielded a small whip, lashing them fiercely.

But the disparity between the dream and reality was too great. The moment it awoke, it saw Si Ming's half-smile.

It growled, wanting to glare fiercely at her, but clearly, something had been done to its body while it slept, rendering it powerless. It was easily subdued by the other party, grabbed by the scruff of its neck, lifted, and wantonly tormented in her embrace.

Baizang whined and cried, turned over onto its belly, casually kneaded and rubbed, utterly aggrieved.

Si Ming played with the cat while looking at Ye Chan Palace, asking, "When will we reach the Ancient Spirit Sect?"

Ye Chan Palace replied, "We will cross the Red Line this evening. If all goes well, we should reach the Ancient Spirit Sect by tomorrow morning."

Si Ming nodded, having a rough idea of the Bronze Divine Steed's speed. In terms of travel speed, even if it was a lower-tier steed, it was more than twice as fast as her sword-flight because it required no rest.

"Won't Tianji realize he's been outsmarted and block us at the Red Line in a fit of rage?" Si Ming asked.

"No," Ye Chan Palace said. "Tianji dares not act against me. If my अनुमान (guess) is correct, he should be in the Southern Mire right now."

Si Ming paused slightly. Although her master's face was calm, she still couldn't help but ask, "Southern Mire... Can Ning Changjiu and the others face the God-Lord directly and wait for us to return?"

Ye Chan Palace said, "The divine realm is the greatest limitation for a God-Lord. No matter how powerful, it is merely a projection. I believe in him."

Si Ming hummed in agreement, saying, "I believe so too."

Baizang in her arms bristled again, meowing incessantly, seemingly cursing Tianji for his cowardice and for only picking on the weak.

Seeing Baizang angry, Si Ming felt pleased and chuckled softly, "Little white cat, what's wrong? Why are you meowing so happily? Are you in heat again?"

Baizang pointed to the character 'Wang' (King) on its forehead and meowed: "You're in heat! Are you rushing back to the Ancient Spirit Sect to find the Sun? Besides, I'm not a cat, I'm a tiger!"

Si Ming, who couldn't understand anyway, took it as praise. She placed the white cat on her lap, kneading it like dough, and looked at her master, asking, "After we reach the Southern Mire this time, can these matters be temporarily concluded?"

Ye Chan Palace said, "It's merely the beginning. I do not possess the ability to enter a divine realm and kill a God-Lord. Even if I defeat Tianji, his projection can reappear at any time. Moreover, Ke Wenzhou is still alive."

Si Ming remembered the white-haired old man, her worry deepening: "If the Sword Saint reaches the Southern Mire, wouldn't Changjiu be caught between two enemies... Can he still withstand it?"

Ye Chan Palace replied, "He can, if he can ascend the throne of the Golden Crow Divine Realm."

Si Ming nodded, asking no further questions. The distance was still too great, and she was powerless to help from afar.

So, she could only vent her frustration on Baizang.

Baizang realized the danger and immediately struggled free from her embrace.

In the Red Pavilion, Baizang was chased up and down, dodging and scurrying, but was ultimately captured again, its meows and cries incessant.

Meanwhile, Ye Chan Palace quietly gazed at the sweeping sea of clouds outside the door, holding her scroll, her eyes distant.

She still hadn't fully figured out a way to defeat the Dark Lord and save the world.

Above the Ancient Spirit Sect, a luxurious golden carriage had passed earlier.

The flesh of the horses pulling the carriage was formed from flames. Golden silk drapes hung around the carriage, and within them, Tianji, wearing an emperor's robes and a golden mask, sat coldly and silently.

He stirred, as if regaining his senses.

Then, he touched his mask. In the center of the mask, a glaring, lightning-shaped crack appeared out of thin air.

It was the crack left by Zhao Xiang'er's strike.

He had sent a masked projection to the Western Kingdom to relieve the Golden Divine Steed, but he had not expected Zhao Xiang'er to show him no respect and directly cleave his projected mask.

"Suzaku..."

Tianji uttered the name, then stepped out of the golden carriage.

In this era where changes were brewing, even God-Lords were no longer inviolable.

Above the Southern Mire.

Ning Changjiu had already formed a pact with the Sword Spirit and completed his Asura physique. Now, dressed in white, he floated above the sea, his figure sharp and cold, his realm having advanced by several tiers.

The Silver Divine Steed could no longer exert its suppression. It retreated continuously under his sword's edge, its black armor even forcibly stripped off by his silver sword, and even its heart was nearly pierced by the divine sword.

The Southern Mire had become a domain of sword qi. In this domain, the silver divine steed had ironically become a trapped beast.

The silver horse whimpered.

The golden carriage stopped above the Southern Mire.

God-Lord Tianji, the ancient war specter, had arrived in person.