Luohu's Contingency (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Primordial Phoenix was indeed a top-tier Great Power of the past. Though Donghua could not discern her exact realm, he estimated she must be at the peak of the Quasi-Saint stage.

One must understand that during the Three Clans' most glorious era, all the deities and sacred beings of heaven and earth were suppressed and dared not raise their heads. The sheer clan fortune was so immense that anyone who saw it would feel daunted.

These sacred beings included Hongjun and Luohu.

If Hongjun or Luohu fought the Three Clan leaders one-on-one, the leaders would certainly lose.

But if they were to clash in full-scale battle, even Hongjun and the others would likely have to retreat.

However, they had never truly fought, so no one knew how it would end.

In Donghua's view, Hongjun and Luohu back then were like the Three Pure Ones facing the Witch and Monster Two Clans now—in single combat, the Three Pure Ones were undoubtedly superior, but if the enemy deployed their full forces, even the Three Pure Ones would have to tread carefully.

The Three Clan leaders were the pinnacle of the Divine Dao, only one step away from attaining the Dao. Yet for some reason, no one in the Divine Dao had ever managed to attain it to this day.

Donghua said, "Primordial Phoenix, your skill is truly remarkable. This humble one, Tai Wei, pays respects to you, Senior."

Primordial Phoenix sighed, her voice desolate: "I am but an old relic on the verge of being assimilated by the Dao. The Primordial World of today belongs to you. The future of you sacred beings is truly boundless."

She, Primordial Phoenix, had also been born from the condensation of the Great Dao Law. But if one were to ask who the Heavenly Dao's favored child truly was, it would undoubtedly be this batch of Innate Deities like Donghua.

The Heavenly Dao's favor toward them was as if it wished to chew their food and feed it to them directly.

"Truly enviable!"

Donghua neither fully agreed nor disagreed with this statement. Being born early had its advantages, and being born late had its drawbacks.

All things in the world are accompanied by yin and yang—how could there be absolute good or bad?

Those born early, like Dao Ancestor Hongjun, dominated the Primordial World, the first Saint under heaven, with none able to surpass him in later ages.

Those born later, like the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, became Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals of the Origin, revered as Saints, yet above them all, Hongjun still loomed.

Donghua said, "Senior, what changes have occurred inside the Volcano of Immortality?"

Primordial Phoenix's voice did not come immediately. After a pause, she finally said, "It cannot be explained in a few words. Come in and see for yourself."

Donghua did not enter at once but hesitated.

Then he thought, there was nothing to fear. Primordial Phoenix could not act against him. If she dared to make a move, he would not even need to lift a finger—the Great Dao and Heavenly Dao would destroy her. An oath was not so easily broken.

He crossed the formation and entered the volcano's interior.

Inside was a vast valley. The sky was a murky gray. Thousands of stone pillars stood arranged in the valley, linked together, centered around Primordial Phoenix's colossal true form, suppressing the Volcano of Immortality.

The ground in the valley trembled, as if something beneath the earth was shaking it. Many of the formations on the ground had already been destroyed. The volcano's magma was faintly visible, the earth revealing a blackened, red-tinged appearance.

None of this surprised Donghua. What truly shocked him was the demonic aura emanating from beneath the volcano.

"How is this possible?"

Primordial Phoenix's voice rang out again: "If it were merely the formations being damaged, my clan could still handle it. But now, it is not just a formation problem—there is also human interference."

"Only recently did I understand. Back then, when our Three Clans waged war, the immense slaughter we caused was certainly due to our Dao Hearts being clouded by our pursuit of enlightenment, leading us to attack one another."

"But the Devil Ancestor Luohu also played a role in instigating it. Especially in the final battle, he directly caused the Earth Fire Water Wind of the Primordial World to erupt once more, creating boundless karmic sin. Looking back now, Luohu's schemes were surely at work."

"Think about it—the three of us had not yet attained the Hunyuan Dao back then. How could we have simultaneously caused the Earth Fire Water Wind to re-evolve?"

"It was only recently, when the Volcano of Immortality erupted and demonic aura swept through, that I finally realized—it was that devil spawn Luohu."

"If I had known this would happen, we should have joined forces back then and destroyed that devil spawn first."

Primordial Phoenix's anguished voice rang out repeatedly. Donghua could clearly hear the fury and grief within.

Understandable—whoever ended up in such a situation would be unlucky.

Luohu had indeed tampered with things, but it was still their battle that caused the Earth Fire Water Wind to erupt and re-evolve, nearly destroying the Primordial World. If the karmic retribution did not fall on them, on whom would it fall?

Donghua released his Primordial Spirit Power, carefully sensing the demonic aura here and the underground volcanic world. This time, if he did not have absolute certainty, he would not act.

This was different from the Taotie in the Eastern Sea. Taotie was merely a Mid Quasi-Saint, and one who only cultivated the Great Dao Law at that. Though terrifying, Donghua was not afraid of him.

But this time was different. This was the Volcano of Immortality. As long as the Primordial World was not destroyed, this place would exist forever.

The terror of the Volcano of Immortality required a top-tier Quasi-Saint like Primordial Phoenix to personally suppress it, and even then, she relied on the power of formations.

On top of that, the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Spirits of Heaven and Earth, occasionally lent a hand to help suppress the volcano.

Now, the Devil Ancestor Luohu, a monumental variable, was also involved. Who knew how Luohu had originally caused the Volcano of Immortality to erupt, or what supreme means he had employed?

The risks and variables here were enough to cause Donghua's fall.

Donghua carefully probed the world below. The moment his Primordial Spirit Power entered, he sensed pure demonic aura. This demonic aura was completely different from what he had encountered last time.

The demonic aura here was restrained and pure. Even a single wisp was far more formidable than Ri Yan's had been.

Donghua was all too familiar with this demonic aura. He had witnessed it firsthand during the decisive battle between immortals and demons in the Western Region.

"The Devil Ancestor Luohu has definitely been here in person."

Aside from the pure demonic aura, there was also violent fire essence within, which was only natural.

Deep below, the volcanic magma churned, as if some living creature was stirring it from within.

Donghua wanted to probe again, but the divine sense he released was directly devoured by the demonic qi.

The suddenness of it forced Donghua to retreat several steps in succession.

Coming back to his senses, Donghua said directly, "Senior Primordial Phoenix, I cannot be of help with matters here. I ask the Phoenix Clan to find another capable hand. Donghua takes his leave."

Without waiting for Primordial Phoenix to respond, he moved to withdraw immediately.

Primordial Phoenix said in exasperation, "Wait. This Seat has not yet said what you are to do, yet you are in such a hurry to leave."

Donghua: "Precisely because Senior has not yet said anything, leaving now does not harm our bond. Senior is also well aware that I truly cannot help with this matter."

Primordial Phoenix sighed. "If you leave today, you will still have to come in the future. If This Seat cannot hold on, the demonic qi here will trigger the eruption of the Volcano of Immortality, and sooner or later, it will become your responsibility as well."

Donghua shook his head. "Please rest assured, Senior. With the Dao Ancestor present, the heavens will not fall."

Donghua prepared to seek out Dao Ancestor Hongjun. To resolve this matter, only he, the elder, could manage it.

"Do not go. Hongjun cannot come." Primordial Phoenix's faint voice rang out.

Donghua stood frozen, not knowing what to say.

"Although This Seat does not know what Hongjun is doing, I can indeed sense that he cannot come. Moreover, I had already sent a voice transmission to the Vermilion Bird earlier, asking her to find Hongjun, and the result was—no news at all."

At this moment, Donghua could only feel that this old man was truly unreliable.

The most terrifying thing here was not the demonic qi or the volcano, but the existence in that unknown place.

Although Donghua had not sensed what it was just now, the great terror that came the moment his Primordial Spirit Power vanished was absolutely no falsehood.

ps: Thanks to book friend Zang Menghuan for the monthly ticket support!

Thanks to book friends Phoenix Lake Snowflake, Rihou Hai Neng Zuo Shenme, Kang Shubai, and Jiuri Bubi Houyi for their recommendation ticket support.

Finally, thanks again. New book seeking support!