"Gah! What? Doesn't it look like it!"
The Nether Crow, immersed in a somber mood, was interrupted by Jiang Hao's outburst, and immediately became somewhat embarrassed and angry, screeching with its neck stiff.
"Back when I, Lord Crow, was a force to be reckoned with, your ancestors for eighteen generations hadn't even been born yet!"
In fact, it remembered nothing at all; it had only just learned the name of the Nine Nether Dao-Devouring Phoenix from Han Xuanji.
It thought the name was good, very imposing!
"No... your appearance..."
Jiang Hao's lips twitched.
"Isn't the difference between you and the descriptions in ancient books—'wings that blot out the sky, divine flames that burn the world, eyes like blood moons'—a bit too outrageous? In your current state, let alone devouring the world, I think even stealing a bird's egg would be a struggle."
"You! What do you know, kid!"
The Nether Crow was so angry it jumped up and down, its feathers bristling.
"A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs! A phoenix fallen into despair is worse than a chicken! Can't you see that I, Lord Crow, am now in a state of utter misery! I'm just a wisp of a soul left! Back in the day... back in the day..."
It reminisced about its past glory for a long time, only to find that those glorious memories had long since faded, leaving only the pain of being sealed and tormented, and the frustration of living in a daze. Its momentum weakened, and its voice became choked with sobs.
"Who remembers clearly what happened back then! Anyway, I, Lord Crow, was really awesome back then! Extremely awesome!"
It turned its head and looked at Han Xuanji pitifully, its expression changing extremely quickly:
"My lord! You must do me justice! This brat looks down on me! He has no idea what the pride and pain of an ancient overlord are like!"
Han You watched this scene from the side, blinked, gently tugged at Han Xuanji's sleeve, and whispered:
"Master, it seems... quite pitiful. And I feel it wasn't lying; it must have been really powerful before... although now it seems a bit... um... not quite."
Han You's words dealt another severe blow to Nether Crow's heart.
Although Jiang Hao didn't admit it verbally, he actually believed this absurd fact long ago.
After all, it was Han Xuanji who revealed her identity, so even if it seems outrageous, it's probably true.
He looked at the black crow that was still sobbing, his feelings extremely complicated.
On the one hand, the contrast is too great to accept; on the other hand, the thought of a once mighty overlord who dominated the ancient times falling to this state is indeed poignant, and even somewhat amusing.
Jiang Hao couldn't help but sigh and said to Nether Crow:
"Alright, alright, even if you were the Nine Nether Dao-Devouring Phoenix before, in your current state, even if Senior Brother Han helps you break the seal, can you still regain your former strength? Don't let out a... uh, weakling?"
"Caw! Weakling? How dare you call me a weakling!"
The Nether Crow was so angry it almost fainted, flapping its wings as it was about to peck at Jiang Hao.
"You brat! Once I've reclaimed my true power and recovered even ten percent... no, half a percent of my strength, I can crush you with a single feather! You just wait! You just wait!"
Seeing the man and the crow start arguing again, Han Xuanji shook his head helplessly.
He looked at the man and the crow, and said helplessly:
"Alright."
Those two simple words immediately silenced both Nether Crow and Jiang Hao.
Han Xuanji's gaze fell on Nether Crow:
"I can take you to the sealed land, but whether the seal can be broken, and how to break it, depends on the circumstances."
You must Great Dao Oath that if you gain freedom, you will not bring harm to the people and will obey my commands.
"Yes! We will definitely obey!"
The Nether Crow was overjoyed and nodded hurriedly.
"As long as I can break free from this damned seal and regain my freedom, I'll do anything, not only obey your commands but also be your mount and servant!"
Fearing that Han Xuanji might go back on his word, it immediately made a Great Dao Oath that it would never dare to disobey.
Seeing that face made Jiang Hao's lips twitch.
That's it?
" Nine Nether Dao-Devouring Phoenix?" Jiang Hao had essentially demystified these terrifying beings.
Han Xuanji nodded slightly and spoke to Han You:
"Since you have a feeling, you can guide the way."
"Yes, Master."
Han You nodded obediently, closed his eyes to sense again, and then pointed to an extremely dark location deep within the Nether Sea.
"There."
"Yes, yes! That's it!"
The Nether Crow echoed excitedly.
Guided by Han You and with Nether Crow's increasingly excited confirmation, Han Xuanji led the group forward, making sure to sign in at various places of bones along the way.
Finally, after passing through the Eye of the Nether Sea, the group arrived at a corner of the Land of Returning to the Ruins.
From afar, a huge island came into view, clearly unusual.
This is it.
Han You nodded, confirming the location.
The Nether Crow was trembling with excitement, its voice filled with barely suppressed exhilaration:
"That's it! This is it! I... I can feel it."
Everyone stared intently. Outside the island, countless Ruins Spirit of various shapes were scratching at the barrier, but they were clearly unable to break through this solid barrier.
Even through the barrier, everyone could clearly feel the terrifying aura emanating from the island.
"It seems this barrier serves as both protection and barrier."
Jiang Hao watched with a solemn expression as the Ruins Spirit frantically attacked the barrier, secretly glancing at the Nether Crow:
"It seems you have a fatal attraction to them."
Seeing this, even the Nether Crow gritted its teeth:
"Waaah... my body... these damned Ruins Spirit! Thank goodness, thank goodness, nothing's wrong."
It felt a lingering fear, but thankfully the barrier was strong enough to hold up until now.
"No... actually, there's already a problem inside."
Han Xuanji's words startled Nether Crow.
"Ah?"
"Otherwise, under normal circumstances, this seal would automatically break."
Han Xuanji explained.
The Nirvana Dao Venerable set up this great formation not to eternally suppress the Nine Nether Dao-Devouring Phoenix, but to eliminate its demonic nature. However, too much time has passed, the Nirvana Dao Venerable has disappeared, and the interior of this great formation has been destroyed.
Upon hearing this, the Nether Crow suddenly flew to Han Xuanji, its eyes brimming with tears as it pleaded:
"My lord! Please, I beg you, think of a solution quickly!"
Seeing Nether Crow's heartbroken and miserable appearance, Jiang Hao felt a little sorry for him, and his previous teasing intentions faded away.
Han Xuanji nodded and escorted Han You and Jiang Hao as they flew towards the island.
The Nether Crow quickly followed.
Upon seeing the arrival of these people, the Ruins Spirit, whether out of fear of Han Xuanji or Han You, all fled without daring to stop them.