Mutual Benefit

Origin Phoenix's voice carried a trace of bitterness and vigilance. "I have already sworn to retire from the world, and the Phoenix Clan no longer has any ambition to contend for supremacy. If you have come here today seeking vengeance, then even if I have to make Undying Volcano erupt completely, I will drag you down with me!"

"Fellow Daoist Origin Phoenix, you misunderstand."

Dijiang smiled faintly and withdrew the Spatial Imprisonment surrounding the Phoenix Clan elders.

"We have not come today to seek vengeance, but to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Origin Phoenix sneered. "In my current state, what do I still have that I can trade with you?"

"You have used your body to suppress the earthfire, preserving the Phoenix Clan. But the earthfire's upheaval and the backlash of karmic sin cannot feel pleasant, can they?"

Dijiang laid bare Origin Phoenix's predicament in a single sentence.

Origin Phoenix fell silent.

Dijiang was right. Though she had sworn to suppress Undying Volcano, the earthfire's ferocity far exceeded her expectations.

Every day, she endured the agony of blazing flames burning through her heart. Not only was her cultivation unable to advance an inch, it was even continuously declining.

"You... have a way?" At last, a trace of hope seeped into Origin Phoenix's voice.

"Of course."

Dijiang pointed to Zhu Rong and Houtu beside him. "These two younger siblings of mine—one commands the Flame Law, while the other commands the Earth Law. If they act, they can certainly help you sort out the earthfire and ease your burden."

"What are your conditions?" Origin Phoenix was no fool. There was no such thing as a free lunch under heaven.

"Very simple."

A sharp gleam flashed through Dijiang's eyes. "I want one Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure containing the Flame Dao, along with three high-grade Spirit Treasures and two high-grade spirit roots."

"This..."

Origin Phoenix hesitated. She herself was trapped within Undying Volcano. Though she was confident she could drive Dijiang and the others back, driving them back would clearly not solve the problem. Every one of them was a Primordial Golden Immortal. She could protect the Phoenix Clan for a time, but not for all eternity. Reaching the Peak Primordial Golden Immortal Realm was merely a matter of time for Dijiang and the others. If they truly fought until jade and stone were both shattered, it simply would not be worth it, even for a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure. Besides...

"I can agree to all of your demands, Fellow Daoists. However, I have one additional request. If you agree to it, then even if you do not help suppress the earthfire, I am willing to offer everything you want with both hands."

"Please speak, Fellow Daoist Origin Phoenix."

Dijiang raised an eyebrow slightly. Naturally, it would be best if he could obtain what he wanted without lifting a hand. Of course, that depended on whether Origin Phoenix's condition was not excessive. If it truly proved too harsh, Dijiang would not be soft-hearted when it came time to act.

"If disaster should befall the Phoenix Clan in the future, I hope that you will remember this day and look after the Phoenix Clan to some extent."

Origin Phoenix knew full well that her cultivation was weakening by the day beneath the burning of karmic fire, and that she could not protect the Phoenix Clan forever. Thus, she wished to use this opportunity to establish ties with Dijiang, using Spirit Treasures as a favor in exchange for his promise.

"Fine. I agree."

Dijiang nodded at once without the slightest hesitation.

Exchanging one promise for a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, three high-grade Spirit Treasures, and two high-grade spirit roots—no matter how he calculated it, this deal was not a loss.

As for the Phoenix Clan facing calamity in the future?

With all Twelve Ancestral Witches now being Primordial Golden Immortals, along with the foundation of Pangu Hall, as long as Hongjun did not personally enter the fray after becoming a saint, who in this Primordial World could make them wary?

"Fellow Daoist, you are forthright indeed."

From deep within the volcano, a note of relieved ease entered Origin Phoenix's voice.

"Vermilion Bird, take them to the treasury and let them choose as they please."

"Yes, Clan Chief."

A crimson streak of light flew out from the depths of Undying Volcano, transforming into a valiant-looking woman clad in scarlet feathered battle armor.

She was Vermilion Bird, the Phoenix Clan's current second-in-command, likewise possessing early-stage Primordial Golden Immortal cultivation.

Vermilion Bird gave Dijiang and the others a complicated look.

"Everyone, please follow me."

Dijiang led the Eleven Ancestral Witches, swaggering after Vermilion Bird into the interior of Undying Volcano.

The Phoenix Clan treasury was hidden within an independent space at the very core of Undying Volcano, surrounded by dense Innate restrictions.

Yet before Dijiang's Space Law, those restrictions were no different from empty decorations.

Rumble—

The treasury gates slowly opened, and incomparably dense innate spiritual qi mixed with all manner of treasure light rushed toward them.

Hiss—

Even the Twelve Ancestral Witches, who had seen countless treasures, could not help drawing in a sharp breath at this moment.

As expected of the former overlord who had ruled Birdkind throughout the Primordial World!

The treasures stored in this treasury could only be described as piled into mountains.

Countless innate spirit roots radiating lights of every color, divine gold ores, rare treasures, and exotic artifacts dazzled the eye.

"Everyone, the Clan Chief has stated the terms in advance: one Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, three high-grade Spirit Treasures, and two high-grade spirit roots. Please proceed." Vermilion Bird spoke coldly.

Dijiang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the treasury.

Soon, his eyes settled upon a jade platform in the center of the treasury, carved from ten-thousand-year warm jade.

Upon the jade platform floated a simple ancient palace lamp, radiating nine-colored divine flames.

"A Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure—the Eight-Scenery Palace Lamp!"

Dijiang recognized its origins at a glance.

The Eight-Scenery Palace Lamp was one of the Three Lamps of Heaven, Earth, and Man. It contained the Tushita Divine Flame, capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, its power boundless. It was practically a perfect match for Zhu Rong's Southern Bright Flame.

"Zhu Rong, the Eight-Scenery Palace Lamp is yours." With a wave of his hand, Dijiang drew the Eight-Scenery Palace Lamp into his grasp and handed it to Zhu Rong.

"Hahaha! Thank you, Big Brother!"

Zhu Rong excitedly accepted the palace lamp, turning it over and over in his hands as though he could not bear to put it down.

He could sense that once he completely refined this palace lamp, his strength would surely undergo a tremendous transformation.

Afterward, Dijiang carefully searched through the treasury once more.

He selected the high-grade Innate Spirit Treasure Wind-Calming Pearl for Tian Wu, the high-grade Innate Spirit Treasure Myriad Poisons Banner for She Bishi, and the high-grade Innate Spirit Treasure Divine Thunder Hammer for Xi Zi.

As for the two high-grade spirit roots, Dijiang chose an Innate Fire-Date Tree and a branch from Parasol Tree Wood, intending to bring them back to Pangu Hall for planting.

"Fellow Daoist Vermilion Bird, we have made our selections."

Dijiang put away the treasures he had selected and clasped his hands slightly toward Vermilion Bird.

Seeing that every item Dijiang had chosen was a priceless treasure, Vermilion Bird's heart ached so badly it twitched. "Since you have chosen, then please fulfill your promise and help the Clan Chief sort out the earthfire."

"Naturally."

Dijiang turned to Zhu Rong and Houtu. "You two, go."

"Yes, Big Brother!"

Zhu Rong and Houtu accepted the order. Their figures flashed, and they directly fled into the deepest reaches of Undying Volcano.

Boom!

The instant they entered the earthfire core, a terrifying heat capable of instantly incinerating a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal swept over them.

But Zhu Rong and Houtu were both Primordial Golden Immortals and commanded the origin laws of fire and earth. To them, such heat was merely a breeze brushing their faces.

"Houtu, you suppress the earth veins. I'll sort out this violent fire qi!"

P.S.: This book has advanced in rank. Please keep reading.