Just as Li Wuyang's consciousness was conducting an exceedingly perilous fusion experiment within the Origin Starfire, the situation outside in the Domain of Ash and Flowing Fire had reached a critical juncture!
The Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix pounced upon the Eternal Furnace with the might to scorch the heavens and boil the seas, aiming directly at the spark at the furnace's mouth, which had grown slightly brighter after Li Wuyang merged into it! To it, that spark was a supreme treasure capable of evolving its bloodline and even allowing it to glimpse the origin of the Chaos Great Dao!
Yet, just as its pale phoenix flames were about to touch the furnace—
"Buzz!"
An ancient rune on the furnace abruptly lit up, forming a thin curtain of light. Though it appeared faint, it contained inviolable supreme majesty, steadily blocking the phoenix flames outside! Even damaged, the Eternal Furnace was a Chaos Supreme Treasure. Its instinctive defenses were not something an ordinary quasi-Saint could easily breach!
"Screech—!" The Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix let out an enraged cry, all nine heads spewing phoenix flames at once and madly scorching the light barrier. Flames filled the sky, yet it could not advance an inch.
Just as the Fire Phoenix and the ancient furnace were locked in a stalemate, another upheaval arose!
The distant chaotic void was forcibly torn apart. A colossal, greedy shadow radiating endless devouring intent descended abruptly amid towering demonic aura! It was none other than the Taotie Demon Lord, who had tracked the violent energy fluctuations here!
Its enormous true body, a stomach pouch, rose and sank amid the sea of fire. Its single eye stared fixedly at the Eternal Furnace, especially the spark at its mouth, greed blazing in its gaze even fiercer than the Fire Phoenix's!
"Origin Starfire! Eternal Furnace!