The black-robed high priest had never imagined that the ancient phoenix clan would bear such a reputation because of his unintentional actions.
It's likely that in the eyes of countless cultivators, the ancient Phoenix Clan had long since retreated from the world.
How is this any different from a soft persimmon that can be trampled on at will?
Thinking of this, the black-robed high priest couldn't help but smile bitterly. Once upon a time, the ancient phoenix clan was incredibly glorious, but unfortunately, things were not what they used to be. Everyone knew that the ancient phoenix clan had declined.
"Ahem, young man! To be honest, I've already explained my purpose and identity. I've come here mainly to discuss matters concerning the ancient Phoenix Clan."
"I had hoped you would be lenient with me, but you wouldn't listen and started a fight right away. Left with no other option, we had to resort to these drastic measures."
"If you had listened to even a word or two of what we said earlier and stopped sooner, we wouldn't have had to go to such lengths," the black-robed high priest said with a hint of helplessness.
Although things have come to this point, and he feels it's a bit too late to say these things, he ultimately doesn't want the conflict to escalate any further.
After all, they came to the Netherworld Immortal Realm to ask questions, not to start a fight!
The guard thought he had been tricked, which was why he was determined to keep himself and Lin Yu out. So Lin Yu had no choice but to take the offensive.
Unexpectedly, the black-robed high priest's well-intentioned advice ultimately backfired.
Upon hearing this, the guard glanced at the nozzle with disdain, then turned to Lin Yu and said, "If it weren't for this Phoenix Fire, you wouldn't have been able to break through my Undead Smoke so easily!"
The black-robed high priest shook his head at such arrogant remarks.
Looking at the stubborn gatekeeper before him, the black-robed high priest seemed to see a reflection of his former self.
It seems that if a person stays in the same place for too long, they will inevitably develop the habit of being stuck in their ways and making judgments based on limited knowledge. It would be strange if they could make the right judgments!
The black-robed high priest hadn't realized this when they were in the Phoenix Ancestral Sea, because he was able to defeat Lin Yu using some special methods, completely ignoring the difference in strength between himself and Lin Yu.
This time, after watching a battle from an outsider's perspective, the black-robed high priest finally understood completely.
Given Lin Yu's power, let alone a mere fragment of the Heaven-Mending Stone, even if he had the complete Heaven-Mending Stone in his hands, he might not be able to control him.
However, for some reason, Lin Yu seemed unwilling to reveal his full strength, which gave others the illusion that they could defeat Lin Yu with a little effort, but in reality, that was not the case at all.
The goalkeeper in front of me is making the same mistake I made before.
Right now, after listening to the gatekeeper's confident words, Lin Yu was looking at him with extreme pity.
That look was as if he were looking at a fool.
"Even without the Phoenix True Fire, it would be a piece of cake for me to deal with you."
"I think you've forgotten what happened before, when I blasted you away with a single palm strike."
Lin Yu stated the facts calmly, his tone uneventful, simply stating the facts.
However, the gatekeeper's sanctimonious expression seemed to freeze, his face stiff and unnatural.
The black-robed high priest. "..."
Could this gatekeeper have developed amnesia from spending too much time in the Netherworld Immortal Realm?
Putting everything else aside, just take Lin Yu's initial attack as an example. That was a clear suppression of strength, without any fancy tricks.
Even so, this gatekeeper still believed he could defeat Lin Yu?!
It seems this gatekeeper has been locked away in the Netherworld Immortal Realm for far too long, to the point that he knows nothing about Lin Yu's power.
"For so many years, you've been living your life in this small world, unaware that the Netherworld Immortal Realm alone is teeming with experts."
"Perhaps you are indeed one of the best in normal times, but now... absolutely not."
"The Netherworld Immortal Realm is teeming with talented individuals. To think you can wreak havoc with just your Soul-Locking Chain is nothing but wishful thinking."
Lin Yu said calmly, that's just how he is, stating the facts with composure, without any emotional fluctuation.
It is precisely this unwavering composure that makes it so difficult to agree with.
The gatekeeper looked at Lin Yu with disdain, unaware that Lin Yu's gaze was filled with pity.
Seeing the gatekeeper's stubborn look, the black-robed high priest seemed to see a child from his tribe in a daze. After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke meaningfully.
"Fellow Daoist, to be honest, the outcome of this battle will not change whether I am here or not."
"It may seem that my Phoenix True Fire has won against you, but in reality, it was this Phoenix True Fire that saved your life."
"If I hadn't intervened, your Soul-Locking Chains would have shattered under the excessive load. If I'm not mistaken, these Soul-Locking Chains are your natal magic weapon. If your natal magic weapon breaks, how could you, as its master, possibly escape unscathed?"
The high priest in black robes spoke in an old voice, yet with a hint of kindness, leaving the gatekeeper speechless.
Seeing the gatekeeper deep in thought, the black-robed high priest hurriedly added, "Fellow Daoist, you should understand that our presence here is not merely to fight you. In essence, we are here to see Daoist Shouyang."
"To be honest, my friend had countless opportunities to obliterate you. Putting everything else aside, just look at that initial strike he delivered. If he had followed up with another blow, how could you possibly have stood up again?"
"Guests are always welcome. Even if Daoist Shouyang doesn't want to see us, he shouldn't greet us in this way."
Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper seemed to only then realize what was happening, his eyes widening in displeasure.
"You came uninvited first, and now you're blaming us for not being hospitable?"
"There's no such logic in the world! Ha! Even if such a thing really existed, don't forget, this is the Netherworld Immortal Realm!"
Lin Yu chuckled softly upon hearing this and immediately said, "Oh, so you mean the way of hospitality in the Netherworld Immortal Realm is different from other places? I'd really like to learn more about how it's different."