The furnace fire churned, five-colored flames searing the young Vermilion Birds. They did not die at once. Instead, the flames ate through their flesh and spiritual power inch by inch, a slow, deep agony crueler than instant death. One after another, they thrashed and rolled in the fire, their shrill cries filled with terror and bewilderment.
One slightly larger young Vermilion Bird struggled to raise its head. Through the roiling flames, it looked toward the blurred scarlet figure outside the furnace and cried out, its voice hoarse with grief and fury, "Old Ancestor! Why? Why are you doing this to us?! We share your blood! Why would you harm us?!"
The Vermilion Bird Old Ancestor's indifferent voice came from outside the furnace, as calm as if it were discussing some trivial matter. "Children, if I am to glimpse a higher realm, I'm afraid you'll have to bear this hardship. Don't worry. I'll see that your families are well cared for. For the great cause of the Demon Race, what does this tiny sacrifice of yours amount to? Such minor injuries are hardly worth mentioning."
"Minor injuries?!" The young Vermilion Bird gave a shrill, bitter laugh amid the flames, its voice brimming with hatred. "Some Old Ancestor you are! Even a vicious tiger won't devour its cubs! Yet you'd prey on the younger members of your own clan! A beast like you has no right to be the Old Ancestor of the Vermilion Bird Clan! I curse you! May you never reach a higher realm! May you be trapped in the Eighth Realm forever, never advancing another inch!"
The tirade spared nothing. Outside the furnace, the Vermilion Bird Old Ancestor's face darkened at once. After a moment's silence, it spat out two cold words: "Shut up."
Wang Quan watched the young