Chapter 754: Burning Phoenix

The Undying Galaxy is a vast expanse of stars teeming with vibrant life energy, densely populated with thriving planets. Ancient texts record that this was once the homeland of the Undying Phoenixes. They governed numerous planets until, in an unconfirmed era, they fought a war with an alien race and were completely wiped out. Some believe the Undying Phoenixes performed various secret techniques, hoping to be reborn through nirvana, thereby imbuing this star sector with its current vitality. Yet, they never reappeared; this divine creature is now nowhere to be found in the entire universe. It's difficult to conceive that such a divine bird, once on par with the Dragon Race, could meet its demise. One can only wonder what formidable adversary they faced.

"During the recent ancient era, many powerful beings conducted investigations," stated the burly man from the Heaven God Race. "Our clan's ancestor even suggested that the Undying Phoenixes might have been annihilated in a war with people from the Yang Realm."

At that moment, Chu Feng and his companions arrived in the Undying Galaxy. Chu Feng fell into a reverie, noticing how the Yang Realm seemed to be connected to every major event, from Purgatory to the most terrifying ancient conflicts deep within the star sea, and even extending to the Primordial Chaos.

Phoenix Ascent Planet, a massive world, presented a breathtaking view from space, with magnificent mountains and rivers, and cities sprawling across its surface. Chu Feng and his group arrived, approaching a colossal metropolis known as Blazing Phoenix City. Blazing Phoenix City is renowned throughout the galaxy, regarded as the Undying Galaxy's central hub. It is vast, incredibly prosperous, and home to countless races. Crucially, the city hosts numerous teleportation arrays, directly linking it to worlds like Heaven God Star, Quasi-Immortal Star, and Buddha Star, allowing for rapid travel. Consequently, it's a bustling hub where many powerful races choose to conduct business. Here, one can encounter revered elders from the top ten races—such as the Primordial Demon Race, Dao Race, Heaven God Race, and Monster Race—as well as elites from various races ranked among the top hundred in the universe.

Blazing Phoenix City serves as a vital nexus in the Undying Galaxy, connecting all parties. It is replete with various establishments, including gladiatorial arenas, apothecaries, and secret treasure emporiums, offering everything imaginable. Its daily trade volume is astronomical. Chu Feng's reasons for coming were twofold: to expand his knowledge, and to take advantage of the convenient, dedicated large-scale teleportation array that makes traveling to the Great Dream Pure Land effortless.

"What a massive city!" he exclaimed, feeling almost dizzy from its sheer scale.

The city walls were extraordinarily tall, like colossal reddish-brown mountain ranges, exuding an ancient, primordial aura, almost tinged with the scent of blood. Runes faintly shimmered across the wall's surface, and within its structure, numerous lodestones and high-quality jade stones were embedded, forming large-scale energy arrays capable of repelling even a massive military assault. An ordinary secret treasure striking these walls would likely shatter, while the walls themselves would remain unscathed!

Inside the city, a vibrant bustle greeted him. Chu Feng felt overwhelmed, as if his eyes couldn't take it all in. Every imaginable race was present: kobolds, silver dragons, fallen angels, dragon-sparrows, taotie—an astonishing diversity of species. The streets thronged with people, and the lively atmosphere of the mortal world washed over him. Chu Feng felt less like he had arrived in a grand city of cultivators and more like he had stepped into an ancient mortal world. He was particularly flustered when he heard the shouts of street vendors.

"Candied hawthorn! A thousand-year-old medicinal treasure! Don't miss out!"

Chu Feng was speechless. He simply curled his lips. Who were they trying to fool? A thousand-year-old candied hawthorn would have long since rotted away. The hawthorn vendor, an evolver with keen hearing, caught Chu Feng's murmur and immediately looked displeased. "Young man, you're quite particular," he said. "Take a look yourself, isn't this a purple-gold fruit that blossoms and bears fruit every hundred years? It's been hanging on the branch for seven or eight centuries; doesn't that make it a thousand-year-old medicinal treasure?"

"Indeed, it's a genuine spirit medicine," explained one of Chu Feng's companions. "Consuming it sharpens your senses and, more importantly, strengthens your muscles and bones while nourishing your vital essence."

"I'll take one skewer," Chu Feng said. He felt like a country bumpkin for not having tried candied hawthorn before. Immediately, the people around him vied to pay the bill.

"Soul Nurturing Lotus! Wow, a true grand medicine, just unearthed from Hell! Now on sale!"

In the distance, an apothecary staff member stood at the entrance promoting an item, instantly causing a stir. A crowd quickly surged forward, completely engulfing the area. Chu Feng and his companions also went to join the commotion. Hell is an extremely dangerous place. Its outer regions alone are home to countless Hell Ants, capable of gnawing through even Golden Body cultivators, let alone the perils of its deeper reaches. Rumors speak of Hell Black Dragons and other unspeakable horrors residing there. Nevertheless, Hell also yields many valuable treasures, and those who return alive invariably reap immense rewards.

"It really is a Soul Nurturing Lotus, nine thousand years old. I doubt many people can afford it," someone whispered. This item offers immense benefits for spiritual energy; consuming it enhances one's mental power. What cultivator, regardless of their current strength, wouldn't desire such a thing?

"Alright, let me be clear," the vendor announced. "This Soul Nurturing Lotus cannot be paid for with cosmic currency. We require one drop of Heaven God Liquid."

Upon hearing this, more than half of the onlookers dispersed. Heaven God Liquid is typically valued at tens of billions of cosmic coins per unit, and even then, it's not always available for purchase. It's only found at exorbitant prices in the cosmic black market, and even there, it's incredibly scarce.

"Let's leave. This vendor is too greedy; it's absolutely not worth that price," many people complained indignantly.

Chu Feng, however, felt a stir of interest. He knew the Soul Nurturing Lotus could greatly enhance spiritual power, and he certainly wasn't short on Heaven God Liquid, having acquired a substantial amount from the Heaven God Race. In fact, during their last raid on Heaven God Star, Uncle Ming and his group had plundered a significant quantity from the direct lineage of that race. He truly wanted to buy it, but with the burly Heaven God Race man right beside him, it would draw too much attention.

"Brother, let me tell you, this is a rip-off," the Heaven God Race man advised. "Don't bother looking here. Let's go elsewhere; you can find even better items that don't demand a single drop of Heaven God Liquid. This place only preys on powerful individuals who desperately need the Soul Nurturing Lotus for their survival."

Chu Feng nodded, not wanting to be taken for a fool. Soon after, an even greater commotion erupted in another part of the city, causing a massive sensation. Countless people surged towards it, many shouting excitedly.

The Heavenly Scroll Hall, renowned throughout the star sector for selling combat techniques and scriptures, was now shockingly peddling the Heaven God Breathing Technique. Beside Chu Feng, the Heaven God Race man's eyes immediately turned bloodshot. This was a closely guarded secret of their clan, and for it to be openly sold was utterly outrageous. Chu Feng instantly understood what was happening. Uncle Ming and his group had breached Heaven God Star and discovered fragments of their cultivation techniques in several martial arts halls. These fragments, when pieced together, were sufficient for a practitioner to reach the Golden Body level. Currently, select elites on Earth had access to these techniques, and Chu Feng himself had memorized this portion of the breathing method, intending to practice it. Needless to say, this was orchestrated by the old saints of the cosmic black market, who simply copied the technique and put it up for sale.

True to form, a representative from the Heavenly Scroll Hall explained, "Ladies and gentlemen, this item was left here on consignment by an old master. It's not our concern; we merely collect a commission."

"Brother Chu, I must depart for my clan immediately," the Heaven God Race man said, his voice urgent, as he quickly left.

"Until we meet again!" Chu Feng saluted with cupped hands.

He muttered to himself, marveling at the cosmic black market's business acumen. They had undoubtedly sold countless copies in secret. Indeed, a check on his light-brain confirmed that the cosmic black market was abuzz. Many anonymous users were making purchases, and without a doubt, some were members of the top ten races, unafraid of the black market's reputation for defaulting on deals.

"This is great," Chu Feng thought with a smile. "Now I can openly cultivate the Heaven God Breathing Technique." However, he quickly sent a coded message to Big Black Ox and the others, urging them to start a price war, selling the Heaven God Breathing Technique, Spirit Race Breathing Technique, and other methods. Earth had gained immensely from this venture, having acquired the initial portions of several races' breathing techniques. For instance, the Netherworld Race's breathing technique, ranked eleventh, was also invaluable and not significantly weaker than the Heaven God Breathing Technique. The Machine Race's breathing technique, however, was somewhat useless; its rhythm, suited for metallic beings, was incompatible with other life forms.

"Everyone, please don't accompany me further. We'll meet again if fate permits," Chu Feng said to the others. He felt truly unaccustomed to being surrounded by a large group, finding it restrictive. He had too many secrets, being both Wu Lunhui and Chu Feng, and having a retinue of people follow him was simply inconvenient.

"Alright, Brother Chu, until we meet again!" they all responded, setting off. They repeatedly urged him to visit their respective clans, as their elders had specifically instructed them to win over Wu Lunhui and extend an olive branch.

Chu Feng settled into Blazing Phoenix City, intending to attend the Great Dream Pure Land gathering as soon as the time came. He dared not venture far, fearing he might miss this immense opportunity. He rented a cave dwelling within the city, practicing multiple times a day. He rotated through various methods—from the Robbery-Inducing Breathing Technique to the Spirit Race Breathing Technique, and then the Netherworld Race Breathing Technique—each yielding extraordinary results. The Heaven God Race Breathing Technique, in particular, proved remarkably effective. It caused his entire body to glow, his bones to crackle, and fundamentally refined his physique, making his bone marrow appear crystalline. Chu Feng believed that even without consuming exotic fruits, he could achieve a breakthrough simply by continuing this practice.

"The Heaven God Race Breathing Technique is truly profound and powerful!" After just a few days of practice, Chu Feng began to discern the faint outlines of marvelous techniques within it. Next, he circulated the Undying Phoenix Breathing Technique, and his body instantly surged with abundant Yang energy, experiencing a new wave of sensations.

"Time is still short," he mused. "But once I enter the Great Dream Pure Land and experience a century of enlightenment in a single night, I might be able to fully grasp several breathing techniques. The benefits at that point will undoubtedly be immense!" Chu Feng recognized that both the Heaven God Breathing Technique and the Netherworld Breathing Technique were astonishingly potent. However, he had only begun practicing them days ago, barely scratching the surface, and much deeper exploration was needed. He resolved to further enhance his strength before entering the Great Dream Pure Land, as he would be facing geniuses from across the entire universe, and anything could happen.

His cave dwelling was serene, nestled on a picturesque mountain peak. Energy particles were dense, and clouds and mist permeated the air. Ancient trees stood robustly at the summit, springs gently gurgled, and white cranes soared gracefully in circles.

Eventually, Chu Feng temporarily set aside the Heaven God Breathing Technique and the Netherworld Breathing Technique, not to mention the Spirit Race Breathing Technique. He focused instead on comparing the Robbery-Inducing Breathing Technique with the Undying Phoenix Breathing Technique. Both breathing techniques were adept at drawing in significant amounts of Yang energy, and comparing them proved to be incredibly beneficial for him.

"Huh?!"

Suddenly, he was startled as something in his embrace grew warm. He quickly pulled it out; it was the stone box, and inside, a single seed was faintly glowing, absorbing the Yang energy that emanated from him. He had noticed the seed's subtle strangeness over the past few days, which was why he had kept it close, hoping to observe it further. He hadn't anticipated such a dramatic change today. In recent times, Chu Feng had indeed collected a considerable amount of highly spiritual exotic soil. However, his attempts to plant the three seeds in Kunlun Mountains had yielded no results, leading him to believe the soil's quality might still be insufficient. Yet, unexpectedly, the seed was exhibiting unusual behavior today!

"A Yang Realm Seed!" In a flash, an idea sparked in Chu Feng's mind; he believed he might have figured out the reason. Years ago, the universe's foremost expert, an ancient sage of the Dragon Race, had mentioned seeking "Yang Realm Seeds," which were speculated to be connected to the seeds within the stone box.

"The so-called Yang Realm Seeds require Yang energy," he realized. "In my earlier attempts to evolve by using the seeds to bloom and bear fruit, while I replenished their life essence, I was constantly depleting their inherent Yang energy." Chu Feng suddenly understood, and a wave of excitement washed over him. Did this mean he could make the seeds sprout, blossom, and bear fruit once more? He was instantly invigorated. These three seeds were undoubtedly incredibly potent—he even believed they surpassed the great evolutionary medicines cultivated in the ancestral lands of various races!

Meanwhile, on Earth's Kunlun Mountains, Ouyang Feng was undergoing a transformation. He awakened within his cocoon, and upon seeing his current appearance, he burst into tears. "Waaah... I don't want to live!" he wailed. "How can I face anyone looking like this? How can I enter the starry sky? How can I meet up with Chu Feng and cause chaos in the Great Dream Pure Land? I want to die, w-w-w..." Though known for his thick skin and shamelessness, even he couldn't bear the sight of himself and utterly broke down.

"Hey, Little Brother Ouyang, you've woken up!" shouted the Big Black Ox from outside. "What have you transformed into? Come out quickly and let us see!"

The Old Donkey, baring his large teeth, chimed in, "Son, son, come out! Could you possibly be uglier than your previous frog body covered in golden patterns?"

"You all can go to hell! Don't stop me, this divine king wants to die!" the toad cried, howling and utterly refusing to emerge.