Phoenix Clan Land, Egg Stealing Expert

"An inside traitor?"

The Ancestral Dragon's eyes, sharp as lightning, fixed on Ancestor Qiankun's phantom.

The seawater froze, time and space stood still. All the myriad creatures of the East Sea, to the tune of billions, prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling.

Lu Chen was nearly suffocated by the dragon's might, but his mind raced.

What did Ancestor Qiankun mean by that? An inside traitor in the Dragon Clan? That made sense; with the war between the Three Clans, there were bound to be traitors within each. But how did the Ancestor know? And with such certainty?

The Qiankun phantom spoke leisurely, "Fellow Daoist Ancestral Dragon, the restrictions on your Dragon Clan Treasure Vault were personally set by you, and only those with Dragon Clan blood can enter, correct?"

"Indeed," the Ancestral Dragon's voice boomed like thunder.

"Then look at this child," the phantom pointed at Lu Chen. "Is he of the Dragon Clan?"

The Ancestral Dragon scanned him with his divine sense and snorted, "A human ant, merely disguised with a drop of essence blood."

"Then that's strange," the phantom said with a half-smile. "How did a human, not of the Dragon Clan, enter the third level and steal the treasure just before your Third Prince arrived?"

The Ancestral Dragon's whiskers twitched, a flicker of thought in his eyes.

"You mean..."

"This old man said nothing," the phantom waved his hand. "I merely remind fellow Daoist to investigate thoroughly. Killing this child is easy, but if the real treasure thief is still within the Dragon Clan, what's lost next will be more than just the Sea Calming Divine Pearl."

These words struck at the heart!

The Ancestral Dragon's eyes shifted, his expression uncertain.

He had, of course, suspected foul play from within. The treasure vault's restrictions were intact, the guards found no anomalies, and the Third Prince arrived just in time... everything was too coincidental.

If it was indeed an internal accomplice colluding with an outsider, then the problem was immense. Anyone who could access the third level of the treasure vault would be at least a high-ranking member of the Dragon Clan's core!

"Speak! Who is your accomplice!" The Ancestral Dragon's might intensified, pressing down on Lu Chen.

Lu Chen almost spat blood but gritted his teeth and held on. "Junior... Junior was merely used by someone!"

His mind spun rapidly as he began to fabricate a story. "Half a month ago, a senior in black robes found me, bestowed upon me Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood and a restriction-breaking talisman. He told me to come to the Dragon Palace and retrieve a few items, promising me thirty percent of the loot afterward... I was greedy, so I agreed."

"The person in black robes? What did he look like?" the Ancestral Dragon pressed.

"I couldn't see his face clearly, but he wore a token on his waist, engraved with... engraved with a Kirin treading on clouds!" Lu Chen blurted out.

"The Kirin Clan?!" The Ancestral Dragon was enraged, but quickly calmed down. "No, the Kirin Clan wouldn't possess my Dragon Clan's essence blood."

"Exactly," the Qiankun phantom interjected at the opportune moment. "This matter is peculiar and requires thorough investigation. Why not hand this child over to this old man for safekeeping? Once fellow Daoist ascertains the truth, then you can deal with him."

The Ancestral Dragon fell silent.

He certainly wanted to crush Lu Chen with a single palm. However, although Ancestor Qiankun had perished, his residual influence remained, and he had been on good terms with many powerful beings. More importantly, this phantom could manifest out of thin air, indicating that Qiankun had left behind a contingency, making it unwise to fall out with him.

"Alright," the Ancestral Dragon finally nodded. "But if it's confirmed that this child is the main culprit, you must give me an explanation."

"Naturally," the phantom smiled.

The dragon's might dissipated, and the seawater resumed its flow.

Lu Chen felt a lightness spread through his body, nearly collapsing.

The Qiankun phantom swept him up, transforming into a streak of light, and vanished into the sky in an instant.

Deep within the East Sea, on a desolate island cave.

The phantom set Lu Chen down, his form already much dimmer.

"Kid, this wisp of my consciousness can only last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn," the phantom said. "You've got guts, daring to pilfer the Dragon Clan Treasure Vault."

Lu Chen quickly bowed. "Many thanks for saving my life, Old Ancestor!"

"No need for thanks. Since you've received my inheritance, you are considered half my disciple," the phantom waved his hand. "But after today, I can no longer protect you. The Ancestral Dragon has been fooled for now, but he will eventually uncover the truth."

"Junior understands," Lu Chen said with a wry smile.

"However, your performance today has earned my admiration," the phantom appraised him. "Composed in the face of danger, quick-witted, and you even know how to leave a contingency – you didn't take all those treasures, did you?"

"I left thirty percent," Lu Chen confessed honestly.

"Clever," the phantom nodded. "Remember, always leave a sliver. It serves as both a retreat and a smokescreen."

Lu Chen respectfully accepted the advice.

"Alright, time is short," the phantom said seriously. "What are your plans now?"

"Junior intends to go to the Phoenix Clan's territory," Lu Chen didn't hide anything. "The war between the Three Clans is the perfect time to fish in troubled waters."

"The Phoenix Clan..." the phantom mused. "Buzhou Mountain is Primordial Phoenix's lair, and its restrictions are even tighter than the Dragon Palace's. However, if you have this, you might have a chance."

He reached out and tapped, sending a piece of information into Lu Chen's mind.

[Nirvana Restriction Breaking Method - Qiankun's Deduction Version]

[Vulnerability: Every full moon, the Nirvana Divine Fire becomes dormant, used to nurture the Phoenix Egg. At this time, the guards in the core area are weakest.]

[Suggestion: Disguise yourself as a Phoenix Clan member and steal the highest quality Phoenix Egg.]

Lu Chen's eyes lit up.

Stealing an egg! This was much safer than forcing his way into a treasure vault. A Phoenix that hatched and recognized a master would be a top-tier spirit pet and mount!

"But be careful," the phantom warned. "Phoenix Eggs are divided into three grades: Mortal Phoenix, Spirit Phoenix, and Heavenly Phoenix. A Heavenly Phoenix Egg is produced only once every ten thousand years, and if it possesses the Golden Crow Bloodline, it's a treasure among treasures."

Golden Crow Bloodline? Lu Chen's heart trembled.

The ten princes of the future Demon Clan's Heavenly Court were Three-legged Golden Crows, born from the Solar Star. However, in the early Primordial Era, the Golden Crow and the Phoenix seemed to have a connection...

"This junior remembers," he said solemnly.

The phantom nodded, its form beginning to dissipate.

"One last reminder: The Calamity has begun, and the killing karma is immense. You carry merit, so do not become entangled in too much karma. Otherwise, when tribulation strikes in the future, no one will be able to save you."

As the voice faded, the phantom completely vanished.

Silence returned to the cave.

Lu Chen stood in silence for a moment, then bowed three times towards where the phantom had disappeared.

"Old Ancestor, rest assured, this junior... will try his best."

He meditated for three days, restoring himself to peak condition, then set off for Buzhou Mountain.

Buzhou Mountain was located in the southern part of the Primordial Era, erupting year-round with a sea of fire. Ordinary cultivators would be incinerated within a hundred miles of it.

Lu Chen, protected by Zhurong Essence Blood and the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, could barely withstand the outer flames.

Following Ancestor Qiankun's instructions, he found a hidden volcanic crater and descended into the underground magma river.

Deep within the magma river, a crimson palace floated – the core of the Phoenix Clan's territory, the Nirvana Hall!

Outside the hall stood eight Phoenix guards, each a Golden Immortal, patrolling vigilantly.

Lu Chen hid in the magma, concealing his aura, and waited quietly.

Three days later, on the night of the full moon.

The Nirvana Divine Fire in the center of the Nirvana Hall began to recede, transforming into a gentle halo that enveloped a certain area within the hall.

The guards' attention was focused on the halo – it was the incubation area for the Phoenix Eggs!

"The opportunity has arrived."

Lu Chen took out the Primordial Phoenix Tail Feather (which he had previously taken from a Divine Phoenix) and a bottle of Phoenix Essence Blood (obtained from refining the Divine Phoenix), smearing them on himself.

The Ancestor Dragon Nine Transformations could transform him into a dragon; he had slightly modified it to create the Phoenix Transformation Art. Though crude, combined with the Primordial Phoenix Tail Feather, it was enough to disguise him as an ordinary Phoenix.

"Buzz—"

He transformed into a thirty-foot fire phoenix, his aura indistinguishable from that of the Phoenix Clan, and swaggered towards the Nirvana Hall.

"Halt!" a guard stopped him. "Tonight, the Nirvana forbidden area is off-limits to anyone below Elder rank!"

Lu Chen mimicked the arrogant tone of the Phoenix Clan: "I am acting under the orders of Lord Primordial Phoenix to inspect the incubation progress of the Heavenly Phoenix Egg."

As he spoke, he revealed the Primordial Phoenix Tail Feather – although it had been plucked, its aura could not be faked.

Sensing the Primordial Phoenix's aura on the tail feather, the guard's attitude immediately became respectful: "So it's an envoy from Lord Primordial Phoenix. Please enter."

He passed through successfully!

Lu Chen entered the interior of the Nirvana Hall.

The temperature inside was extremely high. In the center stood a crimson jade platform, upon which nine Phoenix Eggs floated.

The eggs were arranged in three layers: the bottom layer had six eggs, crimson in color, Mortal Phoenix Eggs; the middle layer had two eggs, purplish-red, Spirit Phoenix Eggs; the top layer had only one egg, golden-red, with solar patterns on its surface!

A Heavenly Phoenix Egg! And with the Golden Crow Bloodline!

Lu Chen's heart raced.

But he didn't act immediately. The jade platform was protected by the Nirvana Divine Fire. Although dormant, touching it would awaken it.

He observed carefully and discovered that the divine fire's circulation had a subtle pattern – there was a fluctuation gap every nine breaths, lasting for one-tenth of a breath.

"One-tenth of a breath is enough for me to take the topmost egg."

He timed it perfectly. The moment the divine fire fluctuated, he unfurled the Qiankun Diagram and swept it towards the Heavenly Phoenix Egg.

Success!

But the instant the Heavenly Phoenix Egg was taken—

"Crack..."

An egg in the middle layer, a Spirit Phoenix Egg, suddenly cracked.

A small, wet head poked out, looking at Lu Chen groggily.

"Jee?"

Lu Chen: "..."

Little Phoenix: "Jee jee?"

Their eyes met.

The next second, the little phoenix suddenly let out a piercing scream:

"A thief is stealing eggs—!!!"

A sharp phoenix cry echoed through the entire Nirvana Hall!

"This is bad!"

Lu Chen's scalp went numb. He rolled up the Qiankun Diagram, collecting the remaining two Spirit Phoenix Eggs and three Mortal Phoenix Eggs – since he was exposed anyway, he might as well take as much as he could!

"Enemy attack—!"

The guards rushed in, their eyes turning red as they saw the empty jade platform.

"Stop him!"

Eight Golden Immortal Phoenixes joined forces, their Nirvana Divine Fire transforming into a fiery net that descended upon him.

Lu Chen protected himself with the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner and forcefully broke through the fiery net, smashing with his black brick.

"Bang bang bang!"

Three guards were sent flying, but more Phoenix Clan experts swarmed in from all directions.

Grand Unity auras descended!

"Thief, leave your life behind!" A phoenix cry rang out as a thousand-zhang fire phoenix pounced, its sharp claws tearing through the void.

A Primordial Phoenix guard, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

Lu Chen gritted his teeth, burning the remaining Phoenix Essence Blood to boost his speed, and charged towards the volcano.

"Chase! Activate the Buzhou Mountain Grand Formation!"

The entire Buzhou Mountain came alive.

Countless volcanoes erupted simultaneously, lava cascading like waterfalls, and the sky was covered by fire clouds. A Heavenly Grand Formation covering tens of thousands of miles activated, sealing off all escape routes.

Lu Chen was trapped in the center of the sea of fire, surrounded by Phoenix Clan experts on all sides.

Desperate!

He looked at the Heavenly Phoenix Egg in his arms, gritted his teeth, and dripped a drop of Three Lights Divine Water onto the eggshell.

"Little one, I'm counting on you!"

"Buzz—"

The Heavenly Phoenix Egg erupted with brilliant golden light. The eggshell shattered, and a palm-sized golden chick emerged.

It had three golden feathers on its head and three legs beneath its belly—a hybrid of a Three-legged Golden Crow and a Phoenix!

The little creature opened its eyes and, upon seeing Lu Chen, affectionately nuzzled his hand.

Then, it looked at the sea of fire, seemingly displeased.

"Chirp—"

A soft chirp.

The entire Buzhou Mountain, all the flames, at this moment—froze!

Even the movements of the Grand Unity Phoenixes slowed down a hundredfold!

Time stopped?!

Lu Chen had no time to be shocked. He grabbed the Little Golden Phoenix and rushed out of the sea of fire, vanishing into the void.

Behind him, the Primordial Phoenix's enraged shriek could be heard:

"You stole my Heavenly Phoenix, you pilfered my divine egg—Human Lu Chen, I will kill you!!!"

Lu Chen escaped Buzhou Mountain. The Little Golden Phoenix in his arms fell into a deep slumber, as if its cry had exhausted all its strength.

Even more troublesome, the Primordial Phoenix Tail Feather on him suddenly burned, transforming into a brand that entered his body—[Phoenix Clan Eternal Kill Order]!

At the same time, in the eastern sky, a streak of purple energy stretched thirty thousand miles across the horizon, and the sound of bells reverberated through the Primordial Era: Dao Ancestor Hongjun was about to lecture on the Great Dao of Hunyuan at Jade Capital Mountain! The three-thousand-year pact had arrived!