Chapter 521: The Control of Power, The Hidden Place of the Azure Dragon

The air compressed into a white mass, then shot out like a white column, as a direct punch landed heavily on the Ice Phoenix’s jaw.

Its neck let out a shrill ripping sound as its flesh tore apart and bones dislocated instantly. Yet, with the aid of its demonic life force, the injuries recovered in the blink of an eye.

This was the characteristic of demonic monsters: regardless of their former state, after demonization, their defenses became extremely low, while their self-healing ability became abnormally potent.

Even the Secret Art of Yin Blood Pills was far inferior to this.

Startled by Wang Yu’s sudden appearance, the Ice Phoenix violently swung its wings, condensing extreme cold frost into a guillotine-like energy slash.

Wherever it passed, moisture in the air condensed into ice shards, scattering like snowflakes and adding a touch of eerie beauty to the attack.

Wang Yu clapped his hands, and an even more terrifying power spread out. Sonic boom shockwaves repelled everything nearby, shattering even the Ice Phoenix’s counterattack inch by inch!

This was Wang Yu after his breakthrough; his physical strength had reached an extreme, a complete manifestation of his supreme potential.

Then, his figure flashed, suddenly appearing behind the Ice Phoenix.

Demonic energy surged from his right leg, instantly forming a giant ice axe with the handle connected to his leg, creating a true battle-axe kick.

“Whoosh!”

A fierce wind howled as he exerted “Power Control” to its extreme, concentrating all his strength into this axe kick. The Ice Phoenix raised its head high.

Its entire body, 360 degrees, simultaneously erupted with Ice Phoenix True Flames, attempting to force Wang Yu back. However, he paid it no mind.

The Ice Chilong Pill Flame, also reaching Fifth Tier, transformed into an ice dragon, closely protecting Wang Yu’s body. Simultaneously, the axe kick landed, incredibly splitting the Ice Phoenix into two halves with one strike.

Dense, fine threads instantly shot out from the severed wound, attempting to reattach the two halves of its body. Unexpectedly, Wang Yu charged forward again.

This time, a large mass of solid black ice condensed on his fist. With one punch, he sent the Ice Phoenix’s lower body flying higher into the sky, severing all the previously adhering blood threads.

Wang Yu then took out the Sun-Piercing Demonic Bow and instantly fired an arrow.

That half of its body instantly exploded into a beautiful, mysterious, and magnificent ice lotus.

“Screech!”

A furious cry sounded in its ears. The Ice Phoenix was forced to expend more life force to restore its vanished lower body, only to see Wang Yu attacking again.

He stood not far away, adopting a boxing stance.

In an instant, it was as if thousands of fists and feet condensed into a single move. A Demonic Dragon of the Underworld, imbued with imperial might, flew out from Wang Yu’s swinging fist, its size instantly swelling to over a thousand meters.

Fifth Tier Physical Divine Ability: Dragon Emperor’s Fist!

It was also one of the First Human Emperor’s renowned ultimate skills. Wang Yu, having only cultivated it to the minor achievement stage, could already unleash some of this divine ability’s power.

Had the Ice Phoenix been alive, it might have immediately thought of a countermeasure.

But after death, even with residual intelligence, it no longer possessed the agility and quick wit it had in life.

It merely instinctively unleashed its most powerful divine ability.

Phoenix flames enveloped its body, covering it in a layer of flaming feathers. This was one of the Phoenix’s inherited divine abilities, known as the Sky-Burning Phoenix Art!

Even the mutated Ice Phoenix could tap into the Phoenix clan’s heritage from its bloodline.

The Phoenix and the True Dragon collided.

Terrifying shockwaves destroyed all surrounding buildings except for the Phoenix Extremity Palace. This disturbance was powerful enough to be felt in every corner of the Heavenly Palace Secret Realm.

After the spiritual light dispersed and visibility returned to normal, the Ice Phoenix was seen with only its head stuck in the ground, its flesh below the neck rapidly regenerating. Wang Yu, meanwhile, was covered in blood, a gaping hole in his chest.

His flesh was also rapidly regenerating, allowing the injury to heal quickly.

“That was intense!”

He mumbled something, his excitement completely ignited. Activating the Tai Chi Primordial Hand, he continued to charge. The Ice Phoenix, having just regrown half a wing, was forced to clash with Wang Yu.

Fists, feet, and wings clashed dozens of times in an instant.

It seemed evenly matched, but in reality, Wang Yu had already accumulated a large amount of the enemy’s strength through advanced combat techniques, which he then unleashed in a burst of his Empty Aperture Combat Technique.

The Ice Phoenix was blasted away again.

Extensive consumption and its diminished body significantly slowed its repair speed. However, a phoenix beak suddenly detached, transforming into an extremely cold ice thorn that shot towards Wang Yu’s glabella.

At the critical moment, the field ability extended by “Power Control” instantly warped the gravity in that area, and he then used his palm force to redirect the attack.

The ice thorn grazed his temple, leaving a deep, bone-visible wound.

Suddenly being attacked like that, even though he knew the creature fought purely on combat instinct, Wang Yu still felt anger.

His actions instantly became more ferocious.

Blood rained down everywhere!

The Ice Phoenix’s fierce corpse was like a ragged doll; Wang Yu tore at its “flesh and blood cotton” haphazardly, freezing the scraps into dead flesh and flinging them afar.

In a short while, a small mountain of flesh and blood formed, several times larger than the Ice Phoenix itself, clearly demonstrating the abnormal recovery power of its demonic life force.

At this point, the Ice Phoenix’s recovery speed further decreased, becoming not much different from Wang Yu’s own physical regeneration, signaling that the opponent was nearing its end.

It was almost time to attempt to capture it alive.

Although the Ice Phoenix’s power had reached the Soul Transformation mid-stage, its true combat ability was definitely at the bottom of that tier. So, its imposing display of power before the Northern Demon Clan was misleading.

That was because the strongest among those demon cultivators were only at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection stage. Under the suppression of a higher cultivation realm, they were naturally no match, and being utterly crushed was to be expected.

But against a prodigy like Wang Yu, who was rich in combat experience, possessed profound heritage, and had unfathomable methods, it was essentially just a large punching bag.

No matter how he fought, he simply couldn’t lose.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Wang Yu summoned his life-bound magical artifact, the Glazed Pagoda. Infused with demonic energy, its size rapidly expanded, and countless black ice chains extended from its base, their sharp wedges quickly piercing the Ice Phoenix’s flesh.

The chains securely locked it down. Simultaneously, Wang Yu instantly moved forward, transferring the incantations of various sealing secret arts onto the chains, completely suppressing the Ice Phoenix.

As the chains slowly retracted, the Ice Phoenix’s size also shrank until it was completely absorbed into the Glazed Pagoda. This was not a good time to employ the Heavenly Devil Myriad Transformations technique.

Before refining it, Wang Yu planned to bring Yan Ling inside to see if there could be any miraculous chemical reaction.

The matter of the Ice Phoenix concluded for now. Next was the third area of the Heavenly Palace Secret Realm: the Phoenix Abyss Cold Pond!

Legend had it that this place was where the First Saint Lord of the Demon Clan stored forging treasures, but this was a widespread misconception.

In reality, it was where the true Ice Phoenix was imprisoned, with True Spirit Blood regularly drawn from it to maintain the fake Ice Phoenix’s disguise.

Wang Yu was unaware of this hidden secret.

His purpose in coming was to obtain the Heavenly-Human Divine Treasure Vine, in preparation for his future advancement from Nascent Soul to Soul Transformation. Having resolved the Ice Phoenix threat, Wang Yu used his divine sense to notify the others in the Phoenix Extremity Palace.

Half an incense stick later, the Fire Crow King looked on in shock at the chaotic battlefield. He then glanced at Wang Yu, seeing him covered in bloodstains, and assumed it had been a fierce battle.

But the outcome was clear: Wang Yu had won.

“To be able to defeat an opponent like the Ice Phoenix fierce corpse right after entering Soul Transformation, the name ‘Extreme Dharma’ is truly well-deserved.”

He truly was a master who had reached the ‘Extreme of Dharma’!

As Fire Crow King and Thunder Kylin King exchanged glances, they seemed to see caution in each other’s eyes. They immediately became more reserved, almost answering Wang Yu’s questions verbatim.

Whatever he arranged, they followed.

They were even more obedient than Wang Yu’s attendants at Cold Blood Peak. As everyone continued their journey, they drew closer to the Phoenix Abyss Cold Pond.

At the bottom of the Phoenix Abyss Cold Pond, blue-scaled flying fish, shaped like phoenixes, swam freely in the icy water. Near their community was a simple hexagonal stone platform.

The surroundings were covered with strange spiritual plants resembling aquatic weeds.

Alchemists called these “Vitality Cold Pond Grass.” They specifically grew in cold pond areas, requiring dual nourishment from extreme cold and vitality energy to grow normally.

They were extremely rare, a Fourth Tier spiritual medicine.

A large patch, at least a hundred stalks, grew here, indicating the excellent environment. On the hexagonal stone platform, a figure sat cross-legged.

Ash-grey hair cascaded loosely, swaying with the water currents. Two azure dragon horns grew from the corners of his forehead, extending backward and intertwining like a crown.

This was a sign of a Dragon King: dragon horns would grow when true dragon bloodline reached a certain concentration, and the older the dragon, the more entangled its horns would become, eventually forming something akin to a crown.

Such beings could also be respectfully called Dragon Kings.

Their lifespans were often extremely long. Therefore, a Dragon King’s status wasn’t necessarily determined by strength; age was the primary factor.

This figure was clad in rusty, mottled battle armor, covered in cracks and holes. Beneath his tightly closed eyes, his eyeballs could be seen constantly moving.

Until at a certain moment, they suddenly opened.

They revealed a pair of dull, cloudy eyes. His heroic face tilted slightly, and his voice, ancient and hoarse, sounded as if he hadn’t spoken for many years.

“—Junior.

“Since you’ve arrived, why hide and conceal yourself?!”

A crack suddenly appeared in the void, the cold pond water pushed aside by a powerful force. From it emerged the Five-Colored Saint Lord, his face always adorned with a gentle smile.

He looked at the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable with a gaze full of emotion and said, “Venerable One, long time no see.”

The last time he saw the Demon Venerable, he was merely a Second Tier lesser demon in the clan. Had his bloodline not been extraordinary, he might not even have gained sentience.

Now, seeing the once spirited Azure Dragon Demon Venerable again, the contrast filled his heart with myriad emotions.

“Oh… you know me? This old one hasn’t appeared in the Demon Clan for a thousand years. Since you could find the Heavenly Palace Secret Realm, I presume you were arranged by the current Saint Lord?”

The Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s vigilance did not seem strong.

The Five-Colored Saint Lord replied, “This humble junior is, in fact, the current Saint Lord of the Northern Demon Clan.”

As soon as he spoke, the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s brows immediately furrowed.

“Nonsense!

“How can a revered Saint Lord risk coming to the Heavenly Palace Secret Realm?

“Don’t you know the truth about the First Ice Phoenix? And… the Medicine Horn Deer clan’s combat power is too poor; they’re fine as healers, but Saint Lord… that’s out of the question.”

The Five-Colored Saint Lord hadn’t expected his first encounter with the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable to be one of such dismissal. His expression gradually turned sinister, as if a painful spot had been touched.

“What do you know? What about the Medicine Horn Deer? Are we destined to be physicians our entire lives? Every time we expended cultivation to condense antler pearls, weren’t they always requisitioned by the demon clan? When have we ever received compensation for resources?!!”

Hearing this, the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable closed his eyes again. The long-dormant demonic essence within him rapidly revived, and the might of a Soul Transformation Peak cultivator once again manifested as he abruptly stood up.

“If this Venerable One says you can, then you can, even if you cannot.

“If this Venerable One says you cannot, then you cannot, even if you can!”

He clenched his right hand, and crackling lightning violently burst forth in the water. That powerful might completely shook the space, causing the Five-Colored Saint Lord to immediately retreat dozens of steps.

He exclaimed in shock: “You’ve fully recovered?”

The Azure Dragon Demon Venerable, however, had no intention of answering. With a slight curl of his lip, he said, “Speak. Who cultivated you, and who behind you wishes to see this Venerable One? The faster you speak, the easier your death will be.”

The reason the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable made such a judgment was simple: the Medicine Horn Deer clan, from which the Five-Colored Saint Lord hailed, was the biggest flaw.

Unlike outsiders like Wang Yu, who were unfamiliar with demon clan history, the Azure Dragon knew very well that while the Medicine Horn Deer clan might live comfortably due to their status as healers, they could also be completely enslaved by other demon clans.

In the demon cultivation world, where the strong prey on the weak, the latter possibility was greater. From any perspective, under natural development, the Medicine Horn Deer inherently lacked the qualifications to become a demon clan Saint Lord.

Therefore, since this matter had occurred, someone must have been meddling behind the scenes.

His initial suspect, naturally, was the Heaven-Refining Demonic Sect.

The Five-Colored Saint Lord, however, clapped his hands.

“Impressive, truly worthy of being the strong one this Saint Lord once most admired. Just this keen sense of intuition surpasses countless prodigies.”

This demeanor, as if everything was under control, caused the Azure Dragon’s brows to furrow deeply.

His condition was actually not good. His past injuries had caused him permanent disability: half of his six senses were crippled; he was blind, had lost his sense of touch, and his sense of smell was gone.

This damage was accidentally caused by the White Tiger Divine Ability combined with Heaven-Refining Demonic Flames; it was irreversible. A large amount of residual flame still remained within his body, constantly burning his flesh and blood.

Therefore, the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s sustained combat ability was not strong.

Moreover, as soon as he left the secret realm, the Heaven-Refining Demon Venerable would sense his location. Given the latter’s demonstrated greed, his dragon tendons and dragon bones would absolutely not be spared.

If the Heaven-Refining Demon Venerable was truly behind this, then upon assuming the Saint Lord position, he would have known the Azure Dragon’s exact location through the information left behind.

He should have come in person to reclaim his corpse.

Through the Five-Colored Saint Lord’s demeanor, the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable quickly overturned his own guess. But if it wasn’t the Heaven-Refining Demon Venerable, then who else possessed such an ability?

Immediately after, the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s pupils contracted. A crack suddenly appeared in the void above the Five-Colored Saint Lord’s head, and from it, a pale purple eye, filled with chilling lifelessness, emitted a faint gleam.

The aura belonging to a Void Refining Peak cultivator descended with a roar, forcing the arrogant Azure Dragon Demon Venerable to his knees on the spot. The Five-Colored Saint Lord immediately shouted in fervent adoration,

“Greetings, Lord Spirit Official, Prison King of the Immortal Palace!!!”

Prison King Spirit Official referred to this person’s title in the Immortal Palace. He was the “Six-Eared Outer Realm Villain” recorded on the black stele, who had appeared multiple times throughout the history of the Ice Prison Realm.

He had foiled the escape plans of many senior cultivators multiple times.

His experience was extremely vast.

This time, he had naturally appeared for the same purpose. The Azure Dragon Demon Venerable could not hide his alarm, and suppressing the hostility in his heart, he asked,

“May I ask, Senior Prison King Spirit Official, what instructions do you have for this humble one…?”