Chapter 470: Inheritance Eternal

As she felt lost, a shimmering spectral outline suddenly emerged from the giant boulder before her. It was the silhouette of an elder with white hair and beard, whose voice sounded exceptionally ancient, almost on the verge of death.

Yet, as Lingyao cautiously took a step forward, she finally perceived that despite the elder's spirit form appearing so weak, the sword aura emanating from him was incredibly potent!

It was an aura Lingyao had never experienced in her life, even more powerful than Xu Yang's sword path!

"My goodness," she thought, "is there truly someone in this world who can cultivate sword energy to such a level? Who exactly is this elder?"

Lingyao pondered this question, but she could never have imagined that the elder before her was Ling Yunxing, the Pangu Sword Saint, who had dominated the world tens of thousands of years ago.

"Hahahaha," the elder chuckled, "little one, I've finally waited for you—the perfect sword prodigy with the potential of a Heavenly Sword!"

Lingyao instinctively furrowed her brow. While she didn't consider herself the continent's absolute top swordsman, she was certain she had never heard the term "sword prodigy," nor was it related to any known sword realm.

This was clearly a trap.

Lingyao had initially felt respect and admiration for the elder, but the moment he spoke that phrase, her expression completely changed.

"Old man," she retorted, "don't try any tricks on me. You've lost all my respect. If you dare to be presumptuous again, I will strike without hesitation."

"Hahahaha!"

The elder burst into unrestrained laughter, seemingly oblivious to the implications of Lingyao's words. He had no idea what kind of past this girl in front of him had experienced.

For Lingyao, only one person in this world could ever threaten her life: Xu Yang, the one who had altered her destiny forever.

Aside from Xu Yang, Lingyao felt no need to respect anyone else in this world.

"Excellent," the elder said, "it seems your sword heart is remarkably resilient. You haven't allowed the illusory things before you to easily sway your mind, which is truly rare. You must understand that for a sword cultivator, especially one who has reached the Transformation Realm, maintaining their mental state is incredibly challenging. Clearly, you have not defied this principle, and I see the future of the continent within you."

At that very moment, the spectral outline of the Phoenix Leader reappeared beside Lingyao. The man, who always exuded a grand and imposing presence with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled faintly as he looked at Lingyao.

"Senior Phoenix, what is the meaning of this?" Lingyao asked.

"Hahahaha," the Phoenix Leader replied, "it means nothing more than a test of your mind. If you had easily succumbed to this old man, he might have shattered the origin of your soul in an instant. But now that you've uncovered the conspiracy within this illusion, there's only one thing left for you to do: defeat this elder and emerge from this illusory space alive. When you do, you will be reborn, becoming one of the most powerful swordsmen in this world."

Lingyao harbored no doubt regarding the Phoenix Leader's words. She was well aware of the elder's formidable cultivation in the sword path. Given that he was sealed within the boulder, he must have been a powerful, unparalleled foe of the Phoenix clan, now serving as her training opponent in the form of such a potent Saint-level sword soul.

It was clear this battle would be exceptionally perilous, yet for Lingyao, it also signified an immense opportunity for growth.

If she could truly gain enlightenment in an even more powerful sword path during her clash with the elder, she would undoubtedly ascend to the true apex of sword cultivation on the continent, becoming an existence that surpasses even Wind Sleeve.

This, undoubtedly, was Lingyao's deepest aspiration.

"Understood," Lingyao declared, "I will give it my all!"

The soul light pulsed again. As the Phoenix Leader's spectral form appeared in the void where the Five Elemental Envoys resided, they respectfully bowed before the Phoenix totem.

"Greetings, Lord Phoenix!" they chorused.

The Phoenix Leader smiled and waved his hand, gently raising the five from their bowing postures in the void.

"You needn't be so polite with me," the Phoenix Leader said. "From this moment forth, I am no longer your senior, your benefactor, or your guardian, but your mortal enemy! There is only one thing you must do: hone your teamwork to perfection and simultaneously unlock the full potential of your respective elemental powers. As for how to achieve this, I will show you during our engagement, ensuring you learn the most profound lessons. Remember my words: from now on, you'd best give it your all, or I cannot guarantee I won't utterly obliterate you in an instant. Remember, I am no longer your benefactor, but your greatest adversary!"

The Five Elemental Envoys exchanged bewildered glances, but a potent, chilling coldness soon forced them to awaken from their confusion—a truly murderous aura emanating from the Phoenix totem before them.

Without the slightest hesitation or restraint, this vast difference in power levels instantly brought those before him back to their senses.

"Everyone, be careful!" the Ice Elder warned his four teammates immediately. "Senior Phoenix is serious; we must give it our all!" The five simultaneously unleashed their most powerful elemental energy fluctuations, beginning to coalesce into a combined formation. Their ultimate trial had finally begun.

Finally, the Phoenix Leader's complete totem appeared in the illusory space where Xu Yang was located.

The reason was simple: the challenge reserved for Xu Yang was the most arduous, and the power he needed to inherit was naturally the most formidable.

It's important to understand that every lineage of divine beast bloodline inheritance possesses its own unique and unparalleled domain. This domain is arguably the most crucial mark of a divine beast bloodline maturing and reaching the divine level. Domain power represents the supreme majesty and ultimate strength of a divine beast lineage, and it is, of course, the most challenging power to inherit.

"Senior Phoenix," Xu Yang said, "you've finally arrived."

The Phoenix Leader gazed deeply at Xu Yang, his eyes unwavering, filled with unreserved appreciation and admiration.

"Do you know?" the Phoenix Leader said, "I truly admire you! If I could, I would willingly transfer all the Phoenix essence within me to you. Unfortunately, this time, you no longer have the chance to inherit the Phoenix bloodline. This opportunity has fallen to your sworn brother, Dragon Kun. His connection and bond with my Phoenix clan are far deeper than yours."