The Relic Opens, Heroes Converge

The news brought by Wind Venerate was like a boulder cast into a tranquil lake, stirring no small commotion within Starfall Pavilion. The Ancient Sky Phoenix Relic involved the inheritance and treasures of an ancient super magical beast, making it fatally alluring to any faction.

Over the following days, Starfall Pavilion noticeably strengthened its defenses and dispatched more scouts to closely monitor developments deep within the Tianxing Mountain Range. Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan also suspended their cultivation and began preparing for the upcoming exploration of the relic.

Under Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan frantically refined all manner of high-tier medicinal pills in preparation for any contingency. Xiao Chen, meanwhile, reviewed everything he had learned, especially his application of the Power of Space and the various transformations of the Chaos Flame, striving to handle any unforeseen circumstances within the relic. Zi Yan seemed to have taken a liking to Xiao Chen and followed him around all day, enjoying the nourishment that strand of Chaos Aura provided to her bloodline. Her aura grew increasingly solid by the day, and the Dragon Might she occasionally leaked out secretly alarmed even some of Starfall Pavilion's elders.

Yun Yun did not remain idle either. Knowing that she was the weakest member of the group, she sought Wind Venerate's advice on some Dou Skills for survival and concealment. She trained day and night, unwilling to become a burden.

That day, it was midnight. Neither stars nor moonlight shone.

Suddenly, the entire Tianxing Mountain Range violently trembled! An ancient, vast, terrifying aura, as though it had come from the primordial age, erupted from the deepest reaches of the mountain range and shot straight into the heavens!

"Rumble—!"

The night sky was torn apart. A massive Spatial Rift stretching across the horizon appeared above the Tianxing Mountain Range like a savage scar! Within the rift was not pitch-black nothingness, but the image of an ancient world—desolate and shattered, yet radiating brilliant golden light and boundless pressure! Broken palace complexes, collapsed pillars that had once held up the sky, and enormous... skeletons the size of mountains could vaguely be seen!

The Ancient Sky Phoenix Relic had officially appeared!

"The relic has opened!"

"Quick! Charge in!"

"The opportunity is right before us!"

Almost at the same moment, countless powerful auras erupted throughout the Tianxing Mountain Range. Like a swarm of locusts, they surged madly toward the Spatial Rift! Among them were no shortage of powerful Dou Zong and Dou Zun experts!

Starfall Pavilion, Main Star Hall plaza.

Wind Venerate, Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan, Zi Yan, Yun Yun, along with several core elders and elite disciples of Starfall Pavilion, had already assembled.

"The relic has opened, but the Space Passage is still unstable. There will surely be Spatial Turbulence and ancient restrictions within; danger lies everywhere." Wind Venerate swept his solemn gaze across the crowd. "After entering, be extremely careful! If you encounter a danger you cannot resist, preserving your lives comes first!"

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

"Young Friend Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan, Miss Yun Yun, and Young Friend Zi Yan, enter with the main force of Starfall Pavilion. You can look after one another," Wind Venerate said, looking toward them.

Xiao Chen nodded. "That would be best."

"Let's go!"

Wind Venerate hesitated no longer. With a sweep of his sleeve, vast star Dou Qi enveloped everyone, transforming into a dazzling meteor that tore through the night sky and shot directly toward the enormous Spatial Rift!

The closer they drew to the Spatial Rift, the stronger that ancient pressure became. Countless figures poured into the rift as though dumplings being dropped into a pot. Some whose strength was insufficient screamed the instant they touched the Spatial Turbulence, only to be torn into pieces, their blood splashing across the sky!

With a high-level Dou Zun like Wind Venerate protecting them, Xiao Chen and the others naturally came to no harm and safely passed through the chaotic Space Passage.

After a bout of dizzying disorientation, their feet finally touched solid ground.

Before them stretched a desolate land without end. The sky was dark red, with no sun, moon, or stars—only fragmented glowing runes floating overhead and providing faint illumination. The earth was covered in massive ravines and deep pits, while enormous, unbelievable skeletons lay everywhere. Some were humanoid, some beast-shaped, but most resembled gigantic birds. They emitted a faint golden glow and a heart-palpitating pressure—these were the remains of Ancient Heavenly Phoenixes!

The air was thick with an ancient, destructive aura. Though the energy of heaven and earth was abundant, it was exceptionally violent and could not be absorbed directly.

"This is the outer region of the Ancient Sky Phoenix Relic." Wind Venerate sensed the surroundings and spoke in a deep voice. "The space here is extremely unstable, and the range of spiritual perception has been greatly suppressed. Stay close and do not get separated!"

Everyone's hearts tightened at his words. They immediately restrained their auras and warily surveyed their surroundings.

By now, the various groups that had entered the relic had long since scattered, like droplets merging into the sea, surging toward its depths. Faint sounds of energy explosions and fighting could be heard in the distance. Clearly, battles had already broken out over certain visible treasures.

"Which direction should we go?" Xiao Yan asked. This relic was far too vast; blindly wandering about was certainly not a wise strategy.

Xiao Chen closed his eyes and sensed the area for a moment. Then he opened them and pointed toward the left front, where faint, peculiar energy fluctuations could be felt. "Over there. There seems to be a strong Soul fluctuation. It may be related to the Soul Infant Fruit."

Though his Heavenly Soul Realm soul was suppressed here as well, his range of perception still far exceeded that of others.

Wind Venerate nodded. "Good, we'll head that way! Everyone, be careful!"

The group cautiously advanced across the desolate ground, avoiding Spatial Rifts and turbulent energy currents that radiated dangerous auras. Along the way, they saw many traces of battle, as well as corpses that had only recently fallen. A faint scent of blood lingered in the air.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, an earthshaking roar came from behind a massive hill of phoenix bones ahead! Immediately afterward, a vicious and violent aura soared into the sky!

"Those are ancient beast souls from within the relic!" Wind Venerate's expression changed slightly. "Everyone, prepare for battle!"

No sooner had he spoken than dozens of enormous, semi-transparent beast souls of varying forms surged out from behind the hill like a tidal wave! Their eyes were crimson, and they radiated frenzied killing intent. Clearly, the intruders had disturbed them. Several of the leading beast souls possessed auras at the Dou Zong level!

"Form up! Defend!" one of Starfall Pavilion's elders shouted. The disciples immediately formed a profound formation, their star Dou Qi linking together to create a shield of light.

The flood of beast souls crashed into the starry light shield in an instant, producing a deafening boom! The shield shook violently, and the faces of some weaker disciples instantly turned pale.

A sharp glint flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes. The Heavy Black Ruler appeared in his hand, wrapped in fused blue-brown Heavenly Flames. "Five Rounds Separation Fire Method!"

A giant flame wolf roared forth and charged into the beast souls. Wherever it passed, the beast souls let out shrill screams and continuously dissipated beneath the burning Heavenly Flames! Heavenly Flames naturally suppressed spiritual bodies!

Yun Yun also gave a delicate shout. Her longsword danced in her hand, and streams of fierce sword Qi crisscrossed through the air, cutting apart the attacking beast souls. Though she was only a Dou Huang, her swordsmanship was exquisite. Against these beast souls with low intelligence, she handled herself with ease.

Zi Yan cried out excitedly as well. Her tiny body erupted with terrifying strength, and she charged directly into the horde of beast souls. With one small fist after another, she shattered them into pieces! Her attacks, imbued with Dragon Might, were equally effective against these beast souls.

Xiao Chen did not make a move. He merely watched quietly; these beast souls were not enough to warrant his intervention. His gaze was directed more toward the depths of the relic, as if he were sensing something.

Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Wind Venerate relaxed somewhat. His eyes swept over Xiao Yan, Yun Yun, and Zi Yan, and a trace of surprise flashed through them. Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames, Yun Yun's swordsmanship, and Zi Yan's terrifying strength were all far from ordinary.

With everyone's combined efforts, this wave of beast souls was quickly cleared away.

However, before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, sharp whistling sounds came from the distant sky as several powerful auras rapidly approached!

"Heh heh heh... Starfall Pavilion certainly moves quickly!" A cold, strange laugh rang out. Several figures cloaked in black mist appeared nearby—they were members of Soul Hall! The leader possessed an obscure aura and was, astonishingly, another Heavenly Venerate-level expert. His strength was likely no weaker than that of the one Xiao Chen had slain before!

In another direction, seven-colored light flashed. Feng Qing'er appeared with a cold expression, surrounded by a group of powerful experts from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. Her gaze immediately locked onto Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen, filled with icy killing intent.

"What a small world." Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the Heavy Black Ruler, his expression grave.

Wind Venerate stepped forward, star Dou Qi surging around him as he confronted Soul Hall and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan.

"Soul Hall, Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, opportunities here belong to whoever has the ability to seize them. Are you planning to make a move already?" Wind Venerate asked coldly.

The Soul Hall Heavenly Venerate gave a sinister laugh. "Wind Venerate, you jest. Opportunities naturally belong to whoever has the ability. But some eyesores should be cleared away sooner rather than later."

Feng Qing'er was even more direct. Her jade finger pointed at Xiao Yan. "Xiao Yan, hand over the Heavenly Flames on you, then cripple your cultivation. This young lady may spare your life!"

The atmosphere instantly became tense and explosive!

The three factions were about to clash within this ancient relic over old grudges and new enmities!

Yet Xiao Chen remained calmly standing before everyone. Looking at the Soul Hall Heavenly Venerate and Feng Qing'er, his eyes were indifferent, as though he were looking at two clowns.

He slowly raised his hand. A Chaos-Colored Flame danced at his fingertips, and a terrifying aura capable of draining the world of color began to spread.

"Want to fight?"

"I'll oblige."