Chapter 524: Opening Three Cities, the Vanguard of the Northern Pavilion

Chapter 524: Opening Three Cities, the Vanguard of the Northern Pavilion

Boom!

The Crystal Azure Phoenix Statue plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily into the ground.

The gates of the Imperial Upper City slowly opened, intending to expel the failed tribulation's remains.

For an ordinary cultivator, failing a tribulation meant certain death and the end of their cultivation path.

Shen Yi had endured the tribulation with the Underground Hell Naga Head, avoiding the risk of demise, but at the cost of over sixty million years of demonic lifespan. It was a fair trade, but if given the choice, he wouldn't have wanted to part with even that lifespan.

The Dark Phoenix, though bearing the character 'feng' in its name, was not truly of the same clan as the Crystal Azure Phoenix. They shared some relation, but it was a distant one, and he could only hope that it would be enough.

Shen Yi calmly observed the Underground Hell Naga Head.

After the demonic soul merged with the statue, the phoenix eyes suddenly gained color, trembling slightly as they struggled to open.

The eyelids felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, making it impossible to lift them.

Shen Yi knew how to help her but maintained his composure, standing motionless.

Some lessons only needed to be learned once.

Time passed, and finally, a divine light flickered in the phoenix eyes, and the pupils became as translucent as crystal, with an invisible flame dancing within.

As these peculiarities faded, a deep weariness flashed across the phoenix's eyes.

But the Dark Phoenix quickly masked this fatigue, not wanting to show weakness to others after gaining this hard-earned opportunity.

"Huff!"

Shen Yi finally waved his hand, and demonic origins began to gather and flow towards her.

The Dark Phoenix... no, it should be the Azure Phoenix now. This woman had demonstrated remarkable willpower. With a demonic soul at the False Void Twelve Layers Realm, she had managed to control a portion of the Underground Hell Naga Head, despite not being of the same clan.

The rest was not a matter of her intentions but simply due to the insufficient power of the demonic soul.

Since he had decided to use her, Shen Yi was no longer stingy.

He fed her demonic origins generously, one after another, without hesitation.

Throughout this process, the gates of the Imperial Upper City opened and closed slightly, unsure whether to close or remain open.

Had the tribulation taker died or not?

As over a dozen demonic origins were poured into the phoenix's soul, a 'Zhen' character finally appeared before her name on the panel, indicating its precious nature.

"Roar!"

A sharp phoenix cry echoed through the heavens, and the grayish-white Underground Hell Naga Head statue regained its luster, though it still bore the tragic appearance of its previous torment. All the suffering this body had endured was now reflected in her, with every cruel pain imaginable afflicting her.

But compared to the previous wails, this phoenix cry held both misery and anger.

She had been brutally killed by Shen Yi, a fate far more brutal than that of the Phoenix Lord.

And in the Heavenly Sword Sect, she had been imprisoned and had her essence blood drawn for a full ten thousand years.

Essence blood was the foundation of the demon race, and the pain of having it drawn was unbearable for ordinary beings. Moreover, the feeling of having one's life in the hands of another was truly unpleasant.

But in the end, instead of escaping and completely leaving behind this torment, her thoughts turned to giving the Heavenly Sword Sect a big surprise before fleeing.

The plan was poorly executed, and even without Shen Yi's sudden appearance, Su Hongxiu would never have succeeded solely based on her arrangements.

However, one could discern a stubborn streak in her character.

"Come on!"

The Crystal Azure Phoenix Statue suddenly stood up, roaring loudly to hide her inner fear. She never wanted to return to that quiet, lifeless place.

And so, she became even more stubborn than she had been in life.

The tribulation, of course, would not change due to the emotional turmoil of the one undergoing it.

But Shen Yi gradually increased the rate at which he fed her demonic lifespan.

The Crystal Azure Phoenix Statue fell to the ground again, rolling frantically, enduring the most cruel diseases and pains. Her flesh turned bloody and pus-filled, and her body was riddled with horrifying, foul-smelling holes.

She used her wings to cover her head, showing little improvement over the previous phoenix's condition, but at least, from the moment she shouted "Come on," she made no further sound.

Over two million years of demonic lifespan flowed effortlessly through Shen Yi's fingertips.

Until the shattered statue reformed into a mountain, and the raging ocean calmed.

Azure-colored feathers once again adorned the statue's body, even more radiant than before. She slowly retracted her wings, revealing her slender neck and slightly charming head.

The phoenix stared at the ground, her eyes slightly dazed, before snapping back to reality and exhaling a long breath.

She turned her head towards the void.

And with a mighty flap of her wings, she soared into the sky!

[Southern Pavilion Master: Qing Feng Yulan]



As she left the city gates, the azure phoenix, large enough to block out the sky, circled the horizon but did not descend upon the Southern Pavilion's throne. Instead, she transformed into a streak of light and landed before Shen Yi.

When the light faded, a familiar, delicate beauty appeared, clad in a long azure-feathered skirt. She bowed respectfully, "Yulan greets my lord. I have not failed your command."

According to reason, after passing through the tribulation, the demons should have aged after experiencing such a vast influx of lifespan, and it would be normal for them to show signs of old age.

But thinking back to the Phoenix Demon's initial act of tugging at its garment and the various actions it took during the tribulation, such as using its wings to cover its face, Shen Yi could understand why the demon presented itself in such a manner.

This also indicated that the demon had complete control over this Binding Stone.

"..."

Wu Jun glanced at the Phoenix Demon, smirked, and then turned his gaze elsewhere with a hint of disdain.

What's the point of all these flashy displays? It's only impressive if you can get things done.

Ke Shi finally regained some clarity, and his eyes swept over Wu Jun with a hint of schadenfreude.

You finally got what you deserved.

"Well done," Shen Yi said, lightly tapping his chin. The Crystal Phoenix Demon, being a powerful demon clan that could rival the Western Dragon Palace, deserved its reputation. After consuming so much lifespan, the aura emanating from its demonic body was even denser than that of the other two Demon Lords.

Of course, the most crucial thing was the successful relay, ensuring that the previous demon's lifespan wasn't wasted.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi shifted his gaze towards the Upper Emperor City, where the light of purple and gold intertwined and flowed.

The light quickly converged into a bead resembling crystal, round and crimson, permeated with surging blood energy that flowed within.

It looked like a sphere of concentrated essence blood.

The third Dao Armament.

Shen Yi reached out and summoned it, and as soon as it landed on his fingertip, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.

It wasn't that he was familiar with the bead itself, but rather with the process.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, then casually placed it in his mouth.

In the next moment, a scorching heat that seemed capable of melting everything erupted within his body. Under the cover of the formless flames that spread out, Shen Yi's entire body became hazy, except for his pale face, where a pair of pitch-black eyes appeared exceptionally clear.

The third Dao Armament turned out to be something similar to a beast's essence, or perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it a Phoenix Essence.

If it weren't for his encounter with the Crimson-Eyed Dark Phoenix, Shen Yi would have continued his habit of swallowing demon cores, and he might have even thought that the Phoenix Demon had done it on purpose.

But upon reflection, it was quite normal. For this Southern Demon Lord, what could be more profound than the memory of essence blood?

It was a coincidence.

Shen Yi clenched his palm and slightly sensed the vast power of the heart flame, as well as the enormous boost in aura from the Upper Emperor City.

He opened his mouth slightly and spat out the Phoenix Essence, which transformed into golden and purple light and returned to the Immortal City.

[Remaining Demon Lifespan: 470,000 years]



Looking at the remaining demon lifespan, Shen Yi hesitated for a moment.

He could guess the meaning behind Yan Chongzhang's earlier glance, and it seemed that he was still unwilling to give up on the treasures hidden in Nameless Mountain.

Since the other party had taken the initiative to invite him, Shen Yi naturally couldn't refuse. At most, he would conceal his identity a little when he went there.

After experiencing the Divine Peak Technique, his curiosity about the secrets hidden behind that mountain had only grown.

However, the number of remaining demon lifespans was awkward.

It might be enough, or it might not.

"Forget it, I'll save up some more."

Shen Yi shook his head and once again gathered a Binding Stone.

In an instant, nearly a hundred Earth Nether Python corpses suddenly appeared in the air, making the entire scene eerie and sinister.

The Mountain Movers Sect and Su Hongxiu's subordinates were ruthless; many of the lower-cultivation Netherworld Pythons were literally torn to pieces, their blood staining the ocean. Even the remaining ones were still a terrifying number.

Among them were fourteen demons above the White Jade Capital level, and three of them were even comparable to the Three Cities Realm!

If it weren't for the absence of a Unification Realm expert, this demon clan's foundation could have almost rivaled that of the Heavenly Sword and Lingyun Sects.

"Can it reach Unification Realm?"

Even the Crystal Azure Phoenix was gone, and Shen Yi didn't think that this Young Lord Dark Serpent could pass through the terrifying death tribulation, which was even more horrifying than the Disease Tribulation. But as a mere henchman, it should be more than enough.

With a slight movement of his divine sense, nearly a hundred Earth Nether Python corpses quickly transformed into a river of blood that poured into the Binding Stone.

Shen Yi once again gathered the demon's origin and, after reshaping the Young Lord Dark Serpent's demon soul, continued to infuse it with origin power.

It wasn't until twenty-eight lifespans were poured in that the Young Lord Dark Serpent finally reached the Precious grade.

Only then did Shen Yi stop and look at the Binding Stone of the Young Lord Dark Serpent with a hint of vigilance.

After absorbing the flesh and blood of most of the Netherworld Python clan, even though it was still an inanimate object, it gave off a sense of awe and fear!

The Young Lord Dark Serpent's demon soul quickly seeped into the stone... and then there was no more movement.

Seeing this, a hint of joy finally flashed across Shen Yi's eyes.

The young lord of the Netherworld Python was already a formidable demon, comparable to those of the three cities, and now with its enhancement, it couldn't even manage to move the Binding Stone slightly.

At this thought, Shen Yi no longer hesitated and poured all the remaining demonic lifespans into it.

On the grayish-white Binding Stone, a faint phantom light began to gather.

Following that, the terrifying serpentine eyes trembled slightly, and in an instant, both Shen Yi and the other three Pavilion Lords felt a sudden inexplicable palpitation.

Apart from Wu Jun, Ke Shisan and Yu Lan both had their pupils constrict.

Clearly, these two demons had seen a lot in their lives.

"Dao Union?" Shen Yi glanced sideways, feeling uncertain. The only Dao Union realm cultivators he had seen were the Sect Master of the Southern Flood Seven Sons and the Crown Prince of the Ke family, who had destroyed his Binding Stone in the water realm.

The former mostly appeared as phantoms, and even when they revealed their true forms, their auras were well-concealed.

The latter had taken some action, but since it was from such a distance and observed through the Binding Stone, it wasn't as clear.

"Er..." Ke Shisan paused for a moment before speaking respectfully, "Reporting to my lord, it's not the Dao Union realm... But I can't be sure either. It's stronger than the Four Cities cultivators I've seen, but I'm not certain if it has reached the strength of the Five Cities. After all, there's no precedent in Floodze."

When it came to the Four Cities, the term 'Celestial Prodigy' seemed somewhat redundant.

Even after ten million years, the entire Floodze had only produced a few Celestial Prodigies, far fewer than the great figures of the Dao Union realm. Each of them was a focus of attention, and their revered names represented everything.

For them, finding a Dao Union Sacred Land was not an issue; the question was which Dao Union Sacred Land suited them best and looked more pleasing.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi fell silent for a long time.

The gap between the White Jade Capital and the Dao Union realm was so exaggerated.

Each new city opened was like a world apart.

The most efficient way, perhaps, was to abandon the opening of more cities and immediately return to the Nanyang Sect to temper the entire Sacred Land.

As long as he broke through to the Dao Union, he would immediately join the top ranks of Floodze, far surpassing those so-called Four Cities Celestial Prodigies.

But why didn't they do that? Could it be that they didn't have a Dao Union Sacred Land?

Shen Yi had limited experience, but his mind was still clear... Moreover, he was more aware of what he might be up against. Such existences were not something ordinary Dao Union realm cultivators could contend with.

Returning to the Dao Union realm could only be the last resort.

Shen Yi calmed his mind and refocused his gaze on the young lord of the Netherworld Python, the strongest demon he had ever faced.

"You Chang, pay respects to my lord..."

The young lord was clearly still adjusting to his powerful body, standing unsteadily, and his voice carried a hint of trepidation.

Shen Yi reluctantly averted his gaze.

In truth, the young lord of the Netherworld Python was just an ordinary demon, but Shen Yi had seen too many exceptional demonic Celestial Prodigies, and subconsciously, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"My lord, let it enter my Northern Pavilion," Wu Jun stepped forward, his gaze challenging Yu Lan, but the beautiful woman just stood quietly, not even bothering to look at him.

"Hmm?" Shen Yi turned back, puzzled, and then nodded lightly.

To be honest, the Ten Thousand Demons Pavilion, which had taken a million years to forge, should indeed have some other use.

The next moment, Wu Jun transformed into Profound Light and descended upon the throne of the Ten Thousand Demons Northern Pavilion, reaching out towards the ground below.

His realm was likely far below that of the young lord of the Netherworld Python, and even with his powerful demonic body, he would probably not be a match for it.

But with the support of the throne, the young lord of the Netherworld Python had no resistance at all. Like being swept up in a fierce wind, it fell into the Ten Thousand Demons Northern Pavilion in an instant, transforming into a jet-black python stone statue.

"This pavilion seals you as its Vanguard General. Enter the Northern Pavilion and serve my lord with your life, even if it means a million deaths!"

With Wu Jun's cold voice, the entire pavilion filled with demonic aura, and the python stone statue quietly merged with the pavilion.

Within the Crimson Bright City, a strand of golden light mixed within the purple aura expanded at a visible rate, soon occupying two-thirds of the space.

Shen Yi watched this silently, his heart skipping a beat.

Could the grade of his Dao Armament still change?

This was not just a change in the exam questions or the examination venue; it was clearly a redefinition of the rules for this piece of heaven and earth.

"My lord, please give Wu Jun some time."

Wu Jun stood up and bowed towards Shen Yi, his voice carrying a hint of cruelty, "Wu Jun will repay you with a Northern Pavilion Vanguard General that will satisfy you."

Shen Yi thought about the usual conduct of this Profound Light Tortoise and suddenly felt a headache coming on. He probably already guessed what the Northern Pavilion would look like from now on.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end