Raging winds churned with thunder, streaks of radiant light tore through the darkness, leaving long trails of fiery brilliance that rampaged across the Void without restraint, showing just how terrifyingly powerful the aura was.
In an instant, the dazzling glow shifted between absolute motion and utter stillness. Within the vast darkness, it froze midair before the light dissipated, revealing several towering figures brimming with oppressive energy.
At the forefront stood a dignified middle-aged man. His crimson-gold robe was embroidered with the image of a ferocious avian beast — the Ancient Heaven Phoenix itself. The threads shimmered with life, as though the phoenix could soar out at any moment to reign over the heavens.
His golden eyes brimmed with cold majesty as he raised a hand, halting the procession behind him. A voluptuous woman and an elderly man followed respectfully, without a trace of defiance in their expressions.
They were none other than two of the fabled Three Heaven Phoenix Elders — First Elder Feng Huang and Second Elder Kun Huang. For them to act so reverently could mean only one thing.
This man's identity was unmistakable—Huang Tian!
A faint trace of mockery flashed in Huang Tian's pupils as his cold voice rang through the space. "Since you've come all this way, why hide in the shadows? Let this Saint see who dares set an ambush for me!"
"Haha, worthy of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's leader indeed. A 5-Star Dou Saint's power truly lives up to its name. But facing a person like you, Tribe Leader Huang Tian, we never expected to succeed through ambush alone."
The darkness shattered like a broken mirror. Figures concealed within the shadows stepped forth one after another — Yao Ming and the many powerhouses of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe.
Huang Tian's gaze darkened. "You… Yao Ming? Rumor had it you perished centuries ago. To think you still draw breath. But a mere 2-Star Dou Saint… dares to block this Saint? Has your tribe decided to change leaders, or perhaps…"
He cast an indifferent glance across the group, sweeping over Yao Ming, Yao Xiaotian, the First Elder, and hundreds of the tribe's elite before continuing flatly, "…the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe seeks annihilation."
Yao Ming's expression did not change. Standing within the formation, his voice remained calm and hollow.
"We merely wish to invite Tribe Leader Huang Tian to withdraw. Should you turn back now, both sides could sheathe their blades and share wine instead. Would that not be more pleasant?"
A flicker of surprise flashed through Huang Tian's eyes — the entire elite force of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe gathered here, yet they merely wanted him to retreat? That hinted at something deeper — perhaps tied to the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe…
"Pathetic creatures trying to defy fate! Since your tribe insists on perishing alongside the Ancient Void Dragons, this Saint will grant your wish!"
His palm swept down, and a monstrous wave of Dou Qi surged forth. In an instant, a colossal golden palm formed, thousands of feet across, crushing down with such might that even the Void trembled.
That strike carried genuine killing intent!
The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's internal strife had given him this chance. With the Old Dragon Emperor gone and the new one still consolidating power, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe could rise to dominance — how could Huang Tian resist?
This was the perfect opportunity to establish his tribe's supremacy across the Beast Region!
But Yao Ming could not stop this blow.
A thunderous explosion split the Void apart, and dazzling gold light illuminated the emptiness. A towering giant of golden radiance, standing 9 zhang and 9 chi tall, appeared before the serpent tribe's forces.
Liu Xi stepped into the void. Facing the descending golden palm, he drew back his fist and struck! The violent surge of power shattered the heavens, scattering the chaotic storms of the Void.
Boom!
Bang!
The golden palm disintegrated into fragments. The resulting explosion shook heaven and earth, sending out crushing shockwaves that tore through the air, sweeping outward in vast ripples of raw power.
Liu Xi staggered back several steps before regaining his footing. The difference between a 4-Star and a 5-Star Dou Saint was indeed immense.
Yet he smirked faintly.
"Tribe Leader Huang Tian is truly direct — so eager to fight. But this is the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's internal affair. For my sake, you'd best turn back here."
"'Your sake'? You dare speak of face before this Saint? A mere 4-Star Dou Saint dares command me? Then let me see how you'll make me retreat!"
Although Huang Tian's expression had grown more solemn since Liu Xi appeared, his tone remained disdainful.
The higher one climbed in the Dou Saint realm, the harder progress became. Every Dou Saint was a tempered legend who had withstood countless trials. Even a single-star difference often represented an unbridgeable gulf in strength.
Liu Xi's aura was powerful — a solid 4-Star Dou Saint in mid stage, his physique comparable to that of high-ranked magical beasts. When he transformed into the golden giant, the pressure he emitted was suffocating.
It was enough to make Huang Tian take him seriously, but not enough to make him retreat. Instead, it only sparked his ire — that a mere 4-Star Dou Saint dared to speak as though his status were equal!
'So, a battle it is.' Liu Xi's thoughts sharpened, calm as steel. 'Good. I'll finally see the power of a 5-Star Dou Saint for myself.'
He had expected this outcome from the start. Persuasion alone wouldn't sway Huang Tian — such a man only understood strength.
"Once I draw Huang Tian away," Liu Xi ordered, "the rest of you seize the two Heaven Phoenix Elders. Do not fail."
"Yes!" Yao Ming and the others responded in unison.
Huang Tian's golden eyes gleamed with killing intent. His voice, cold and resonant, carried a bone-deep chill.
"This Saint will deal with him personally. If you cannot even hold Yao Ming at bay, then when I return, you'll spend a century reflecting in the Heaven Demon Tomb!"
"Yes!" Feng Huang and Kun Huang answered fearfully.
They knew the command was no bluff. Even Huang Tian's own son, Jiu Feng, had been cast into the Heaven Demon Tomb after his reckless actions cost the tribe an elder.
The Heaven Demon Tomb was not a place of death — quite the opposite. It was a place of profound cultivation. Yet its endless solitude shattered the weak-willed. Those who survived emerged vastly stronger; those who didn't… simply perished, their remains nourishing the tomb's ancient energy.
"Humph."
Huang Tian gave a cold snort. His gaze fixed upon the golden giant, and with a single step, his figure vanished into a streak of golden lightning. The residual echo of his movement lingered for several breaths before fading.
This was the Heaven Demon Phoenix's famed Demon Phoenix Steps — even a 6-Star Dou Saint might struggle to match it.
Straight toward Liu Xi he flew, intent on ending the battle in a single decisive strike.
(End of Chapter)
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