Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land

Jun Moxiao and his two companions followed Huo Ling'er to the Fire Kingdom's imperial palace. Huo Ling'er excitedly told the Fire Emperor,

"Imperial Father, I've brought my junior brother and the others. This is Feng Jiu, the Heaven Severing Sect's holy maiden. She's also a good friend of mine."

The Fire Emperor's aura had grown even stronger. Evidently, his earlier cultivation of the Phoenix Treasure Art had borne fruit.

"Greetings, Senior Fire Emperor." Shi Hao hurriedly bowed to his future father-in-law.

Jun Moxiao reckoned the Fire Emperor was now around the Mid-stage Divine Fire Realm.

"Senior Fire Emperor, it looks like your strength has improved!"

The Fire Emperor was deeply gratified that Huo Ling'er had made such friends.

"It's all thanks to your help, Xiaoxiao, that I've been able to improve."

"Welcome to the Fire Kingdom, Holy Maiden." The Fire Emperor was still very courteous toward this fairy from the Upper Realm.

The Witch said, "Senior Fire Emperor, little sister Ling'er and I are friends. There's no need to be so formal."

The Fire Emperor sensed Shi Hao's strength and could not help praising him.

"Hao Tian, excellent. You're already an Inscription Realm expert."

Shi Hao said, "I've still got a long way to go. Junior sister is almost catching up to me."

Huo Ling'er said, "Of course! This princess is very formidable. I'll break through to the Inscription Realm soon."

The Fire Emperor shook his head. "Ling'er, with your meager cultivation, you actually have the nerve to boast in front of them?"

"Imperial Father...!" Huo Ling'er wheedled.

The Fire Emperor then shared some news with Jun Moxiao and the others.

"I intend to open the Fire Clan Ancestral Land Secret Realm. Xiaoxiao, you can all go in together to cultivate. There will also be some prodigies from the Outer Regions, including those from the Primordial Divine Mountain."

Shi Hao asked in puzzlement, "Senior Fire Emperor, why let outsiders into the Fire Kingdom's secret realm? Those geniuses outside the Desolate Region all look down on us. They're always acting like they're a cut above everyone else."

The Fire Emperor replied helplessly, "There's no helping it. They truly are stronger than us, and they've made it clear they're here for the Fire Clan's ancestral land. It's difficult to refuse them outright! But that was before. Now we have you, don't we? Wherever you are, the other geniuses probably won't stand much of a chance."

Shi Hao swallowed. "Xiaoxiao, if there are geniuses from the Primordial Divine Mountain, there must be pure-blooded creatures and the like."

Jun Moxiao shook his head and reminded him, "I heard there's a kind of divine substance in the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land that's very helpful for improving your cultivation. Don't just think about eating. Since Senior Fire Emperor is supporting us so generously, hurry up and improve your cultivation. I reckon Shi Yi might be returning from the Ancient Sacred Academy soon. You'll have a great battle then. That fellow may be a scoundrel, but his strength really is impressive."

The Fire Emperor said, "Indeed! Every emperor of the Fire Kingdom has received their inheritance in the ancestral land! Those forces from the Outer Regions are here for that divine substance."

Jun Moxiao said, "I imagine it must have been left behind by the Fire Clan Ancestor."

Shi Hao said, "Thank you for treating me so generously, Senior Fire Emperor. I'll work hard."

The Fire Emperor said, "How great an opportunity you gain will depend on your fortune."

"Go with senior sister Ling'er. Perhaps she'll find a great opportunity too. Feng Jiu and I will split off from you for now. If you encounter unreasonable Fierce Beasts, just kill them and eat their meat."

"Senior sister! We're going to look for Little Red Vermilion Bird. You and Hao Tian can join forces to deal with those arrogant, overbearing Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions. With Hao Tian's strength, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

"Hao Tian! Don't kill them all, either. Just deal with those vicious Fierce Beast prodigies. Otherwise, you'll make too many enemies for Senior Fire Emperor, and that will be troublesome."

After giving Shi Hao a few instructions, Jun Moxiao led Feng Jiu toward the divine temple. In truth, he simply wanted to see the Fire Kingdom Divine Temple and the Fire God Tree. The Vermilion Bird was there anyway. He wondered whether that plump little red bird had recovered from her injuries.

After winding their way around, Jun Moxiao and Feng Jiu finally spotted a river. The entire river was filled with lava, and large fish swam within it. These were probably Yang Fish. He would roast a few and try them.

Jun Moxiao reached out and grabbed through the void, hauling up a Yang Fish weighing over a hundred jin. It was a ferocious fish. It ought to taste good roasted.

"Feng Jiu, I'll treat you to roast fish today. This fish looks like it should taste pretty good."

Looking at the fish Jun Moxiao had caught, the Witch said, "The Yang Fish in the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land all possess a trace of divinity. This should be good to eat."

The two were roasting their fish when several people suddenly came running over. Leading them was a beautiful, large-eyed young woman dressed in a style similar to Huo Ling'er's, accompanied by several young men.

Several arrogant, overbearing people were chasing them. One young man gloated, "Run! Why aren't you running anymore? You people from the Desolate Region really are weak."

Jun Moxiao looked at the large-eyed beauty dressed in fiery red. She was probably Huo Ling'er's friend Feng Ling. Those scumbags behind her were likely Fierce Beasts from the Outer Regions, from clans such as the Reckless Bull clan and the Flame Python Clan.

Jun Moxiao immediately stood and asked, "I hear you people from the Outer Regions look down on our Desolate Region, so you just bully us whenever you like?"

The Flame Python Clan prodigy leading them burst out laughing. "That's right! Your Desolate Region is that weak, that easy to bully. You two beauties, come over here and let your big brother take a good look."

Jun Moxiao said, "Are you really that brave?"

The Flame Python Clan Heavenly Prodigy laughed. "Are you kidding? We're incredibly brave."

Jun Moxiao said, "Arrogant people don't live long. No, you're Fierce Beasts. You'll just about do as food."

Those Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions roared with laughter. "Kid, you're even more arrogant than we are."

Jun Moxiao shook his head and sighed. "In that case, I'll show you great mercy and accept you as food."

With that, Jun Moxiao struck like lightning. Bang, bang... A few punches instantly killed the Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions. Under the astonished gazes of Feng Ling and her companions, he said disdainfully, "This is the first time I've seen geniuses so weak yet so arrogant. Hasn't word spread that we instantly killed three Venerables a while ago?"

The Witch said, "These prodigies simply didn't know who you were. Otherwise, even if you lent them a hundred sets of guts, they wouldn't dare act like this."

Feng Ling thanked Jun Moxiao profusely. "Thank you for saving us, young master. My name is Feng Ling. I'm a friend of Her Highness the princess."

Jun Moxiao said, "We're Huo Ling'er's friends. I imagine you're also from the Fire Kingdom. How could I stand by and watch outsiders bully you?"

Feng Ling exclaimed, "You're Her Highness's friends? Could you be the invincible Young Master Xiaoxiao?"

Jun Moxiao said, "My name is Jun Moxiao, and this is the Witch, Feng Jiu! Am I that famous? Even Miss Feng Ling knows about me."

Feng Ling's face filled with admiration. "Of course! Your heaven-defying feat of effortlessly killing three Venerables with Young Master Hao Tian at the Stone Emperor's Birthday Banquet shook the entire Desolate Region. Many forces from the Outer Regions heard about it too."

Jun Moxiao said, "All right! Enough about that. Let me treat you to Yang Fish and the meat of these Fierce Beasts from the Outer Regions."

Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal. Jun Moxiao told Feng Ling and her companions, "Many Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions have entered the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land. You'll be safer sticking with us for now."

Feng Ling could not have wished for anything better than having someone protect them!

Leading the group, Jun Moxiao intercepted and killed many more Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions. Some of those remaining were scared out of their wits and simply left the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land.

Jun Moxiao finally arrived before an ancient tree. It was enormous, with flames wreathing its entire body. He knew this was the Fire Kingdom's mysterious Fire God Tree. A bird's nest rested upon it, where a plump little red bird was cultivating in seclusion.

Jun Moxiao also wanted to see what was there, so he activated the Heavenly Dao Eye's inspection function. Peering through the Fire God Tree, he discovered a hidden world within. It resembled a Minor World, with a Copper Coffin containing a corpse. It was probably the Fire Kingdom's sacred emperor, said to have been a Heavenly God expert.

Jun Moxiao withdrew his gaze and looked toward Little Red Vermilion Bird, transmitting his voice to her. "Little Red! What are you still doing?"

The Vermilion Bird stirred awake and asked in surprise, "It's you! What brings you to the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land?"

Jun Moxiao said, "Senior Fire Emperor sent us here. We also took out a lot of Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions. Speaking of which, why do you still look like a plump little bird? Have you still not recovered from those severe injuries?"

The Vermilion Bird said, "I'm still cultivating to recover. I was ambushed back then. How could I recover that quickly?"

Jun Moxiao said, "Then I'll teach you a Phoenix Nirvana Technique. Has Senior Fire Emperor taught you the Phoenix Treasure Art?"

The Vermilion Bird said, "I've learned the Phoenix Treasure Art too. Having incurred such a great karmic debt to you, you must call on me if you need anything in the future."

Jun Moxiao said, "It's fine. They're all little things."

The Witch heard him mention the Phoenix Treasure Art. This was a Treasure Technique of the Primordial Ten Fiends!

She hurriedly told Jun Moxiao, "Xiaoxiao! That's the Phoenix Treasure Art of the Ten Fiends. I want to learn it too."

Jun Moxiao said, "Come back to Stone Village with me in a while, and I'll teach you everything."

The Witch smiled sweetly. "It's a promise. You can't trick me."

Jun Moxiao said, "Relax, relax. Just one Phoenix Treasure Art has made you this happy. When I teach you a few more Ten Fiends Treasures, you'll be beside yourself with joy."

Sweetness filled the Witch's heart. Following this little fellow, she could have everything. This was far better than any great sect.

Jun Moxiao said, "Feng Jiu! Let's leave first. We'll leave the opportunities in the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land to Hao Tian and senior sister Ling'er. We don't need them."

The Witch said, "All right. These belonged to little sister Ling'er to begin with."

Jun Moxiao told the Vermilion Bird, "Little Red, take your time cultivating! We're leaving first. Once the Desolate Region Calamity is over and we head to the Upper Realm, we'll bring you along to fight as a team!"

The Vermilion Bird said, "Sounds good! Once we reach the Upper Realm, I'll follow your lead."

Elsewhere, Shi Hao killed some Heavenly Prodigies, but afterward, he hardly encountered anyone from the Outer Regions.

Shi Hao asked Huo Ling'er, "Why are there so few Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions now? Could Xiaoxiao have taken them all out?"

Huo Ling'er said, "Does that even need asking? With junior brother Xiaoxiao and big sister Witch together, those Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions are truly pitiful. Come on! Let's go see my master."

Huo Ling'er and Shi Hao arrived before the Fire God Tree. Sensing that the tree was extraordinary, Shi Hao activated his Double Pupils and discovered a small space within, containing a Copper Coffin and a corpse with a powerful aura.

Shi Hao withdrew his gaze and said in wonder, "This tree is very mysterious!"

Huo Ling'er said, "This is our Fire Kingdom's divine tree."

Just then, the Vermilion Bird spoke from atop the Fire God Tree. "You've come."

Huo Ling'er asked, "Master! Have you seen junior brother and the others?"

The Vermilion Bird said, "I met them, but he said he wouldn't take your opportunities. He dealt with all those Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions. You must cherish this chance to improve your strength. Go take a look at the divine temple! I'll open the passage for you."

Shi Hao said, "No wonder we encountered so few Heavenly Prodigies from the Outer Regions. Since Xiaoxiao left us those instructions, junior sister, we'd better work hard. Little Red, I obtained the Kun Peng Precious Technique. Let me teach it to you! Junior sister can learn it too."

The Vermilion Bird said, "This is the peerless Treasure Technique of the Kun Peng Inheritance, and you're just giving it to us?"

Shi Hao waved dismissively. "What's the big deal? Isn't it just a Treasure Technique? We all know each other anyway."

Shi Hao and Huo Ling'er arrived before the divine temple, passed its trials, and finally reached the temple itself.

Shi Hao obtained the Vermilion Bird Four Strikes Treasure Technique, while Huo Ling'er received the Vermilion Bird's inheritance.

Meanwhile, when Jun Moxiao checked in at the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land, the system notified him, "Checked in at the Fire Kingdom Ancestral Land. Strength restored to 20% of the Array Formation Realm. Rewards: supreme grandmaster attainment in music, the Three Thousand National-Style Songs Score, and one Enlightenment Tea Tree sapling."

Jun Moxiao asked the system, "Meng Die! You've given me supreme grandmaster attainment in music and the Three Thousand National-Style Songs Score. Aren't these just the ancient-style songs on Kugou Music from my previous life? Do you want me to play the Fuxi Zither?"

Meng Die said, "As one of the Ten Divine Artifacts, the Fuxi Zither enters the Dao through music. How could you not be proficient in the Dao of music, Master? Killing enemies with zither music-how elegant!"

Jun Moxiao said, "Isn't that just a Sonic Wave Skill?"

Meng Die said, "Master! The Fuxi Zither is one of the Ten Divine Artifacts. The music it produces contains all manner of laws and Daos. It cannot be compared to the Sonic Wave Skills in martial arts novels. You can slowly experience it for yourself in the future!"

Jun Moxiao thought that made sense. The Fuxi Zither was a Quasi-Immortal Emperor Weapon, after all. He had also gained an Enlightenment Tea Tree sapling this time, so he hurriedly planted it in his own Cave Heaven world.