Seize It? No, Leave Them All Behind
The massive skeletons of the Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix, like two winding mountain ranges, faintly connect end to end, forming a huge circular loop on this Scarlet Plains, enclosing the entire area within it, as if forming a natural, massive formation based on the remains of the two supreme Magical Beasts.
The colossal stone Altar, hundreds of feet high, where Lin Ming and the others were located, was precisely at the center of this enormous circle, like the Array Eyes formation, bearing the heaven-defying fruit nurtured by the life essence of the two overlords.
As Zi Yan stared in shock at the two enormous skeletons below, skeletons that would make anyone's heart tremble, the rest of the Five Elements Sect members, including Qing Lin, Xiong Zhan, and Di Kong, also noticed this chilling sight, and gasps of astonishment rang out one after another.
"The Ancient Void Dragon!"
"Ancient Heavenly Phoenix!"
These terrifying beings, who almost only exist in ancient legends and are regarded as the supreme beings in the Magical Beast World, have their complete skeletons appearing in this place in such a real and incredibly tragic way!
Although it was just a skeleton that had been weathered by ten thousand years, its enormous, sky-covering shape and the faint, soul-chilling pressure still emanating from it were enough to shock everyone, as if they had glimpsed the tip of the iceberg of that Ancient Battle through time.
"No wonder... no wonder such a heaven-defying treasure as the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit appeared... It turns out that a true Ancient Void Dragon and an Ancient Heavenly Phoenix of equal rank once perished here..."
Looking down at the enormous Dragon Bone and phoenix bones, Xiong Zhan's rugged face was filled with shock. He muttered to himself, "All my previous doubts have been answered at this moment."
Zi Yan's gaze swept over the two intertwined skeletons, seemingly still fighting to the death, and she said softly.
"Our race and the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix are both supreme beings standing at the top of the pyramid in the Magical Beast World. However, due to reasons such as race, ideology, and territory, the two are almost irreconcilable. Once they meet, it will inevitably be a war to the death."
"They must have fought a fierce and earth-shattering battle here in ancient times, ultimately succumbing to their injuries and exhaustion."
Zi Yan paused, carefully sensed it, and added, "However, judging from the residual aura and the composition of the Beast Spirit Barrier, the Life Aura of that Ancient Heavenly Phoenix at its final moments was clearly weaker than that of our ancestor, the Ancient Void Dragon... Otherwise, the Beast Spirit Barrier guarding this outside should be dominated by the aura of the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix..."
Lin Ming nodded slightly, Zi Yan's analysis perfectly matching his understanding. Then, Lin Ming looked at Zi Yan and said solemnly, "Since this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was nurtured by the Essence Blood and life of your ancestors, and shares the same bloodline as you, Zi Yan, you shall receive the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit! Only in your hands can this item realize its true value."
Zi Yan nodded solemnly, saying, "The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit must indeed be taken away. This not only concerns my own opportunities but also the safety of my clan."
"This item is also a supreme Sacred Artifact for the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan! If they were to obtain it, their clan might be able to evolve a true supreme beast— the Dragon Phoenix —possessing both dragon and Phoenix Blood! At that time, its strength would skyrocket, its bloodline would undergo a qualitative leap, and our Ancient Void Dragon Clan would face an unprecedented and enormous threat."
Upon hearing this, Qing Lin, Xiong Zhan, Di Kong, and the others all became serious.
They knew all too well that their Sect Master, Lin Ming, had long harbored a grudge against the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, and their relationship was irreconcilable. If the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's strength were to experience a qualitative leap due to such a divine object, it would be extremely bad news for the Five Elements Sect and for Lin Ming. The strength of the enemy was a crisis for their own side.
"Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and take it! Lest something unforeseen happens!" Xiong Zhan urged immediately in a gruff voice, a hint of urgency flashing in his eyes.
Zi Yan nodded, no longer hesitating, and quickly turned around. In her small hands, she began to gather pure purple-gold Dragon Force, preparing to use the special method from the Ancient Dragon Clan's inherited memories to collect this kind of primordial sacred fruit.
However, just as she was about to make her move, her expression suddenly changed drastically!
Not only him, but Lin Ming beside him, and Qing Lin with his keen Soul Perception, also turned their heads sharply at the same time, their gazes shooting towards the opposite direction of the entrance to this plain space—the opposite direction of the Beast Spirit Barrier crack they had entered through!
They clearly sensed that this isolated space, which had previously contained only the presence of a few of them, suddenly experienced a violent, water-like Spatial Fluctuations!
Immediately, numerous auras of varying strengths surged in from the source of the fluctuations, like a flood bursting its banks!
"Someone has broken in!" Qing Lin exclaimed softly, her emerald eyes filled with vigilance.
This sudden change was naturally noticed by the others in the Five Elements Sect, and everyone's heart sank immediately.
Following the source of the violent fluctuations, one could see that on the distant Beast Spirit Barrier, a crack, even more violent and unstable than when Zi Yan activated it, had been forcibly torn open by a powerful force!
Immediately afterwards, a large group of figures, like hungry wolves smelling blood, rushed in through the crack with excitement and greed!
The aura of the leaders was terrifyingly powerful!
Lin Ming had sharp eyes and recognized the uninvited guests at a glance.
Upon closer inspection, the group that rushed in first were dressed in magnificent clothes, with arrogant expressions, and surrounded by faint colorful light and swirling wind. They were none other than the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, with whom they had a long-standing feud!
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan members who had entered this place initially looked around blankly, clearly intimidated by the crimson color of the plain and the omnipresent terrifying pressure.
But soon, their attention was drawn to the majestic stone Altar in the center of the plain!
Since they were also in mid-air, they could immediately see the top of the Altar, on the Gold-Purple Stone Platform, where a fruit of extremely strange shape was radiating dazzling light!
When their gazes focused on the lifelike fruit, half-dragon and half-phoenix, the blankness on their faces froze instantly, replaced by an extreme shock and stunned silence, as if they were witnessing a myth come to life!
"Dragon... Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit?!"
The stunned silence lasted only a moment before a sharp, even shattered scream, born from the shock, erupted from Huang Xuan, the leader of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, echoing like thunder across the silent plain!
Upon hearing that scream filled with boundless greed and ecstasy, the expressions of the rest of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan changed drastically. Their gazes turned to the fruit atop the Altar, and then a look of almost insane fervor and greed surged in their eyes!
It was a yearning and impulse originating from the depths of their bloodline! For the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, the significance of this fruit even surpassed that of Heaven Tier Dou Technique! It was a supreme divine object that could allow their bloodline to revert to its ancestral state and give birth to a supreme being!
Upon hearing Huang Xuan of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan scream, Zi Yan's small hand, which was about to collect the fruit, immediately stopped, and a bone-chilling frost instantly covered her delicate face.
She knew very well that taking away a divine object like the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit required a rather complicated and focused approach, and she absolutely could not be disturbed. But at this moment, if she didn't completely drive away or deal with these uninvited guests who pounced on her like cats smelling fish, she probably wouldn't be able to calmly take it away at all.
"Call..."
Lin Ming also let out a soft breath, suppressing the slight ripple in his heart caused by the other party's sudden intrusion.
Lin Ming calmly gazed at the group that had barged in, but a chilling glint was gathering deep within his eyes. Lin Ming then softly addressed the Five Elements Sect members beside him, saying, "It seems a peaceful takeover is impossible. Prepare to act."
Lin Ming knew perfectly well that since the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and the others had already recognized the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, given their intense desire for it, they would certainly not give it up easily. For this fruit that could change the fate of their race, they would absolutely spare no effort, even risk their lives! A fierce and bloody battle for it was already inevitable.
Upon hearing this, Qing Lin, Xiong Zhan, Di Kong, and the others slowly nodded, their faces showing solemnity and determination.
Xiong Zhan rubbed his massive, sandbag-like fists, his neck cracking as he twisted it. He grinned, revealing a ferocious and excited smile, his bloodthirsty gaze sweeping over the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan as he sneered.
"Very well! Perhaps it's because I also have the Ancient Void Dragon Bloodline flowing through my veins, but I've long disliked these guys who act arrogantly just because they have a few feathers... Today is a good day to stretch my muscles!"
"Lin Ming! Get your men off the Altar immediately, or this place will be your Five Elements Sect's burial ground, where you will be buried forever!"
At this moment, the White-haired Man who had been Puppet One earlier stared intently at Lin Ming on the Altar, his eyes flashing with a sharp, cold light. His deep shout, filled with Killing Intent, swept across the plain like a cold wind.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ming merely glanced at him indifferently, his gaze as if he were looking at a noisy fly, showing no interest in even replying.
At this moment, Lin Ming's gaze swept past the clowns and slowly over the group of intruders. When he saw their exact lineup, a dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan was clearly not acting alone.
Among this group, the Five Elements Sect members not only saw Thunder Venerate of the Wind Thunder Pavilion, but also the two Clan Leader of the Earth Tiger Clan and the Silver Moon Wolf Clan whom they had seen on the mountaintop that day!
These two were also genuine Two-Star Dou Venerate powerhouses, possessing powerful auras and fierce eyes.
In addition to these three, there was also the White-haired Man at the Two-Star Peak Dou Venerate, and Huang Xuan, the Black-robed Old Man was the leader of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and whose strength reached the level of Five-Star Dou Venerate Huang Xuan!
If we calculate it roughly like this, their group alone has a full five Dou Venerate level experts! Among them is a Five-Star Dou Venerate! Such a lineup would be considered luxurious and terrifying anywhere in the Middle Continent! It would be enough to easily wipe out some first-rate forces!
"Five Dou Venerate... they really think highly of us..." Elder Di Kong said with an extremely solemn expression and a dry voice. The opponent's lineup put immense pressure on them.
Lin Ming's fingers rubbed together lightly inside his sleeve, his mind seemingly preoccupied, but his expression remained calm, even displaying a hint of ruthlessness.
While the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's lineup was indeed formidable, boasting five Dou Venerate and a group of Peak Dou Ancestor, was their own side truly weak?
Lin Ming himself, on the surface, Four-Star Dou Venerate, but his true combat strength is unfathomable, and he also has the power of Heavenly Soul as his Trump Card;
Zi Yan, Ancient Void Dragon, is not yet an adult, but her bloodline is incredibly strong. Her true combat power is by no means weaker than that of an ordinary Three-Star Dou Venerate, and Dragon Might Magical Beasts.
Xiong Zhan, possessing the bloodline of Ancient Dragon Bear, has thick skin and terrifying strength, capable of fighting Two-Star Dou Venerate;
With the perfect inheritance of the Qing Lin and Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, he controls multiple powerful Snake-type Magical Beast, including the Nine Profound Nether Python, and his overall strength is comparable to a four- or five- Dou Venerate.
In addition, there are the three Heavenly Demon Puppet he possesses...
Based on this calculation, their top combat strength is not only not inferior, but even... stronger!
As for the enemy's followers at the Peak Dou Ancestor, although they could play a harassing role in a true battle at the Dou Venerate level, they were ultimately not a significant Fa Ma and could not affect the overall situation.
Having gained a clear understanding of the strength of both sides, the ruthlessness on Lin Ming's face instantly softened.
Because now, it's not a question of whether you can seize Zi Yan's opportunity, but rather, it's about me, Lin Ming, keeping you all here to prevent you from leaking information.