Chapter 770: Divine Beast Zither
"Buzz…" Eventually, under the summoning of the imperial formation, the flame finally reversed and flowed back into the cauldron. The monarch recalled the cauldron and traveled ten thousand miles instantly with one step back to the ancestral ground of the kingdom.
This sudden change left the spectators astonished.
The monarch had a cauldron with fire capable of refining all things in this world. But now, the monarch was startled and was forced to use a summoning formation to recall the cauldron. This whole series of events was too bizarre and unbelievable.
"What's that?" Someone finally saw the giant bird's remains in the sky and gasped in bewilderment.
In turn, many people turned to the sky. Prior to this, the skeleton was just a group of bone fragments coming together. Moreover, these individual fragments were incomplete, especially after receiving an attack from the cauldron. Many of them shattered as a result.
But now, there was substantial change to the entire skeleton. Although some were still incomplete, these black bones had turned into a golden color after being refined by the imperial flame.
It was as if each piece was crafted using a golden metal. The sections that were broken were now melded together completely.
Under the sunlight, the skeletal bird emitted a shining golden glow, giving off an untouchable sacred feeling, as if it was a supreme being, a sun god!
Everyone was under the impression that anything would be completely refined and suffer total annihilation under the flames of the Brightflame Cauldron.
However, the skeletal bird was not destroyed. On the contrary, it borrowed the refinement from the imperial flame to rebuild its bones, just like rebirth via fire.
"That, that is impossible…" The spectators were unable to believe this scene. In the legends from the start of time, no one had ever been able to withstand the imperial fire of the Brightflame Cauldron. Even a stronger item would be destroyed by its refinement, but this skeletal bird in front of them used it to rebuild itself!
"Could, could these be the bones of a divine beast or an immortal bird from the myths?" An ancestor felt a chill and remembered an archaic legend as he murmured: "Could such a creature be real?!"
Divine beasts had been discussed by people countless times. True God, Immortal Phoenix, Qilin… all of these were hot topics. Although many cultivators swore that these creatures had to exist in this world, none of them had ever seen the real thing! These creatures simply belonged in the legends and remained hidden from human eyes.
At this time, the monarch had returned to the ancestral ground. He coldly glared at Li Qiye inside the endless divine light. To be more exact, he was glaring at the skeletal bird floating above Li Qiye's head.
Under the control of the Death Chapter, it gently flapped its wings above him. Even though it was only a corpse, it was still more than frightening enough!
"This feeling… is truly great." Li Qiye gently sighed.
The two ladies were in awe as they looked at the bird above his head. Although this skeletal bird was far from complete, its perfect shape and sacred aura evoked an unspeakable reverence.
"You are using an evil method to control the dead!" The monarch's voice was quite imposing as his eyes revealed a murderous glint.
Prior to this, he had no such bloodthirst, but it was now different. He wanted to kill Li Qiye!
"An evil method?" Li Qiye smiled and shook his head: "I don't want to laugh at you since you are a God-Monarch, but these words are enough to show your ignorance! My method is even more righteous and correct than Immortal Emperors' laws!"
"You have a way with words!" The monarch coldly uttered: "I cannot let you live any longer. An evil existence like you does not belong in this world!"
"I'm too lazy to argue with a cretin like you. It is useless to even try." Li Qiye said: "Your murderous intent is just what I want. Today, I will justly flip over your Alchemy Kingdom! Die!" With that, he commanded the skeletal bird once more with his chapter.
The skeletal bird screeched and soared like a phoenix, forward through the world towards the God-Monarch inside the kingdom's ancestral ground.
This scene was truly shocking. The ancestral ground was an untouchable location to many people, but Li Qiye ordered the skeletal bird to invade it. What kind of courage and decisiveness was this?!
"How presumptuous!" Another roar resounded. A different imperial aura came crashing down while the Brightflame Cauldron in the hand of the first monarch attacked again. This time, he didn't use the flame since he understood that it would only help the bird!
"Boom!" Two unbeatable imperial auras shook the entire Stone Medicine World. Although this attack came from above the firmament, a terrifying storm still swept through the land, causing it to quake. As for the Alchemy Realm, the two auras made the domain feel like a boat lost at sea being bombarded by turbulent waves.
"Pop!" The skeletal bird was immediately blown away after being struck by the two imperial weapons, shattering once more. Pieces of golden bones flew everywhere. Some were nailed on top of a mountain while others were shot all the way up into the sky…
Li Qiye suffered a heavy backlash as well from the Death Chapter. Completely pale, he continuously staggered backward and crushed the ground behind him.
"A second God-Monarch!" Someone saw another figure emerge from the light within the ancestral ground and startlingly exclaimed: "Divine Beast Zither! The true treasure of Immortal Emperor Bi Shi!"
Everyone was shocked to see a second God-Monarch from the ancestral ground. For many lineages, having one true God-Monarch was already amazing and worthy of pride.
However, two God-Monarchs had appeared inside the ancestral ground. Moreover, the other one was wielding an imperial weapon named the Divine Beast Zither from the second emperor of the Alchemy Kingdom!
One must understand that when one lineage had two God-Monarchs with two true treasures, such battle power was simply unrivaled.
People finally experienced the strength of the kingdom and understood what a behemoth really was! This one sect alone had two God-Monarchs and two imperial true treasures!
"Even if a Godking personally comes, they wouldn't be able to resolve this situation unless they also have an imperial true weapon. Otherwise, the power of a Godking alone would not be able to change the tides at all." No matter who they were, they felt cold sweat running down their backs from watching such an amazing scene. Normally, meeting one God-Monarch was already more difficult than reaching the heavens, but now, two came out of nowhere!
"Zzzzz—" The skeleton that was broken by the two imperial weapons returned back to its perfect condition once more!
"A useless struggle." The two monarchs coldly leered at Li Qiye. The first monarch uttered: "Surrender now, it would be useless even if you are heaven-defying!"
"Oh?" Li Qiye revealed a mysterious smile: "Very well, I'll let you see my killing move!"
"Open!" Li Qiye screamed and spewed out a gulp of longevity blood onto the Death Chapter. In the blink of an eye, the blood dried up and turned into a billowing death energy that was instantly absorbed by the chapter.
"Buzz!" Under the support of the monstrous death energy, the chapter became inordinately powerful. The moment it revolved, its law quickly dove into the earth and sealed this land!
A cataclysmic flame instantly erupted throughout the entire Alchemy City! All of its mountains and rivers were engulfed by this monstrous fire.
"Shit, it's burning!" Everyone from all corners of the city was scared out of their wits. Many people rushed up into the sky.
However, when they took a second look, they found that although the city was engulfed in flames, this fire didn't seem to be in the same world as everyone else. Despite the raging flames, no one felt any heat or even the presence of the wildfire. It was as if this was only an illusion. However, this was definitely not the case. The hot flame that was devouring the sky had the momentum of a world-ending disaster — extremely tyrannical. It also carried along flashing black rays. The moment these black rays moved in the fire, it gave a very creepy sensation.
An ancestor from a great power exclaimed in horror: "This, this is deathfire!"
"Fire is also divided into life and death?" A junior was amazed after hearing this. In the eyes of cultivators, fire simply didn't have life.
"Legend states that this world has deathfire. After any kind of flame burns out in this world, it leaves behind ashes. However, if someone was able to communicate with the underworld, then they could rekindle the flames from the ashes. This type of fire is called deathfire!" The ancestor murmured.
"But, this is impossible!" The raging fire appearing out of nowhere and scorched the entire city, leaving the monarchs aghast!
770 Teaser"Buzz…" Eventually, under the summoning of the imperial formation, the flame finally reversed and flowed back into the cauldron. The monarch recalled the cauldron and traveled ten thousand miles instantly with one step back to the ancestral ground of the kingdom.
This sudden change left the spectators astonished.
The monarch had a cauldron with fire capable of refining all things in this world. But now, the monarch was startled and was forced to use a summoning formation to recall the cauldron. This whole series of events was too bizarre and unbelievable.
"What's that?" Someone finally saw the giant bird's remains in the sky and gasped in bewilderment.
[collapse]Chapter 771: Phoenix
Even the two God-Monarchs took deep breaths at this moment. They knew more than outsiders and recognized what the deathfire that had just burnt the entire city was. However, this fire was something impossible for beings like them to fathom.
Ever since that year, no one could make the raging fire emerge again. It was just like a piece of wood that burnt halfway then extinguished. A very long time later, even if one set it on fire again, it wouldn't be the same fire as the past.
Thus, it was impossible to make the firewood relive the same past fire. It was impossible even for Immortal Emperors unless they were capable of reversing time or communicating with the underworld!
But now, the deathfire that had engulfed this city appeared once more, and the two God-Monarchs knew what it was.
Li Qiye shouted: "Appear now, it is time for me to harvest!" A hurricane of death energy sprung from the Death Chapter and turned into a universal law that drilled into the ground.
"Thump, thump, thump." A series of monstrous heartbeats resounded as if a gargantuan heart was thumping.
The ancestral ground quaked with each beat as if something was about to break itself out of the ancestral ground.
"What is that thing?" Everyone in the city could hear the heartbeat. They couldn't help but look towards the ancestral ground in shock.
"Junior, we can't allow you to live any longer!" The disturbed monarchs cried out and attacked with reckless abandon at the same time, disregarding the cost to their blood energy. The two imperial true treasures unleashed their power!
"Begin…" Li Qiye simply snorted in the face of two invincible treasures. Countless laws from the chapter emerged, and death energy appeared in the flame!
"Screech!" Amidst all the commotion, the skeletal bird let out a loud cry and spread its wings. The deathfire covering the city seemed to have absorbed a great power and surged towards the bird's body like a flood bursting through a dam. After the absorption, an unbelievable heatwave swept through the city, and the bird underwent monumental changes as if it had been reborn.
"Screeech!" A Phoenix’s cry resounded as an immortal brilliance erupted from the bird. At this time, the bird in the sky ceased to be a mere bird, it had become a Phoenix!
"A Phoenix…" All were stunned after seeing the transformations taking place in the sky. Even an ancestor from a great power screamed out in fear!
A Phoenix, a real Phoenix. These beings were extremely holy and sacred. Nothing could imitate their supreme presence as they appeared before the world.
"A Phoenix, the legend of Alchemy City is real!" An old undying from an ancient lineage had to cry out.
"Boom!" The attack from the Brightflame Cauldron came forth murderously, capable of suppressing myriad laws and destroying all things!
However, the moment the Phoenix soared to the sky and attacked, even the God-Monarch with his cauldron was powerless. The beast swept through the invincible imperial aura and instantly blew the monarch flying with spurting blood.
"Zhang zhang!" The tunes of a zither accompanied the endless power of the Divine Beast Zither that surged forward! One could hear different roars within the tunes as well as images of divine creatures jumping out: True Dragon, Phoenix, Qilin…
The Phoenix's roar echoed across the nine heavens as it glided down from above. It tore apart everything in its path. In an instant, one could see it killing the beastly images from the Divine Beast Zither.
Such a scene was truly moving! Tearing a dragon and splitting apart a phoenix! This made people's hearts want to jump out from their fleshly cages; no one could look straight at this overbearing and domineering spectacle.
"A fake is still a fake in the end. It doesn't matter if the weapon uses universal laws to create them, they can't compare to a real Phoenix." Li Qiye nodded after watching the Phoenix killing the beasts from the zither.
The madam emotionally spoke: "This Phoenix is so powerful…"
Li Qiye shook his head: "More like it is too weak. Strictly speaking, it is not a real Phoenix since it took form from one's corpse. If it was still alive, then it would be unfathomable. Keep in mind that when it wanted to be reborn via fire, it was already comparable to an Immortal Emperor! Unfortunately, something unexpected happened that resulted in its demise!"
"This majestic creature actually existed in this world?" Yuan Caihe was in awe.
Li Qiye slightly shook his head: "Strictly speaking, it does not belong here, at least not in this world!"
"Poof!" The monarch could no longer bear it. Although he had recklessly expended his blood energy to fuel the zither, it couldn't turn the tides. Even more divine beasts surrounded the Phoenix only to be torn apart by it. Eventually, this monarch vomited blood. An imperial true treasure required the support of a large amount of blood energy, so he could no longer sustain it.
While all were horrified by this scene, someone murmured: "They have to unleash an Imperial Massacre or Heavenly Annihilation!"
However, the monarchs also knew very clearly that once they unleashed a Heavenly Annihilation, their death would be a foregone conclusion because of their withered longevity blood. A Heavenly Annihilation would require the support of all of their longevity blood! Once the blood was used up, only death would await them!
"Buzz!" In the blink of an eye, another imperial aura rushed out from the ancestral ground. The moment it appeared, the thumping of the heart finally died down.
An ancestor felt this aura and exclaimed: "A third Immortal Emperor True Treasure, the one from Immortal Emperor Yao Zu!"
The Alchemy Kingdom using all three of its defining treasures would frighten just about anyone!
"This is all of you forcing my hand." Li Qiye's eyes turned cold. He opened his mouth and sprayed out more longevity blood on the Death Chapter.
"Buzz." The death energy of the chapter turned into a tidal wave that rushed into the ground.
Longevity blood was extremely precious to cultivators, but Li Qiye had spat out two mouthfuls. He grew pale since his loss was considerable this time around.
'Rumble!" At the center of Alchemy City, a gigantic divine tree rose from below. One could hear crackling noises the moment this tree emerged as it was instantly burned by the deathfire.
The endless deathfire turned this divine tree into a fire tree. Great spiritual souls jumped inside the deathfire. This was the result of the divine tree burning.
"Screech!" The Phoenix sang again. The moment the phoenix flame on its body turned into a vortex, the burnt divine tree also flew upward. The phoenix carried the tree on its back, and the spiritual fire on the tree's body rushed into the phoenix's body, empowering its phoenix flame and making it even more dazzling!
With another screech, the Phoenix's chest opened. Waves of immortal universal laws emerged in a dazzling manner before turning into a vortex.
"Thump, thump, thump." The deafening heartbeats resounded again, even stronger than before.
"Stop it!" The two wounded monarchs from the Alchemy Kingdom were alarmed. They knew what the Phoenix wanted to do.
However, even if the kingdom wanted to suppress the thing being sealed, they were powerless. This Phoenix didn't only have its own phoenix flame, it also had the divine flame from the tree. This made it extremely powerful!
"Boom!" Eventually, after a loud blast, an extremely mighty force tore apart one location in the ancestral ground. An item then flew out from below!
It soared out and instantly flew into the Phoenix's exposed chest. Under the protection of the immortal laws, the phoenix's chest immediately closed.
An ancestor with great eyesight saw the thing that flew into the Phoenix and exclaimed: "That, that was a heart!"
"Oh god…" Tie Yi dropped to the ground with a pale expression, absent-minded as he murmured: "The legend is real, the kingdom was really storing that item… So unbelievable, they actually had a phoenix's heart!"
"The legend is real. Alchemy City used to be called Phoenix City!" Someone who knew the old legends became stupefied.
This legend stated that a very long time ago, this land had a divine tree and a phoenix. Eventually, the phoenix aimed for rebirth and burned the divine tree. However, it couldn't reach its goal and was instead burnt to ashes!
"No…" The monarchs from the kingdom screamed unwillingly after seeing the heart rejoin the body of the Phoenix.
"Buzz…" After regaining its heart, the immortal rays of light from the Phoenix's wings began to pulse.
It was as if multiple Immortal Worlds were appearing inside this pulsing brilliance. The Phoenix appeared to be invincible at this moment. Even ancestor-level characters were completely suppressed!
"Junior, don't even dream about leaving today!" The two monarchs grimaced!
"Rumble!" A series of thunderous detonations rang out. Terrifying figures emerged from the ancestral ground, accompanied by a blinding radiance that illuminated the entire Alchemy Kingdom!
However, it did not stop there. After these terrifying figures emerged, a series of huge imperial formations appeared in the depths of the ancestral ground. These formations that were capable of imprisoning the heavens rushed to the sky!
Meanwhile, imperial weapons appeared one after another. They emitted invincible auras to protect the entire ancestral ground. At this moment, the ancestral ground had turned into a citadel protected by Immortal Emperors. Even a God-Monarch would feel chills in their heart upon arriving at this scene!
Chapter 772: Conclusion Without Fighting
The floating imperial formations were being guarded by weapons along with many legendary masters, eternal existences in the divine light, and the two God-Monarchs.
At this moment, outside of Godkings as of yet unrevealed, the Alchemy Kingdom had unveiled their entire hand. However, it was still not their ace!
Those who were lucky enough to see it all were shocked and frightened by this terrifying scene. No matter who they might be, they were at a loss for words.
This was a true foundation! A few Heavenly Kings and ancestors took pride in their sect's foundation, but compared to the Alchemy Kingdom's, any other foundation would suddenly seem poor and unworthy of mentioning!
"The Alchemy Kingdom's imperial family… This is the real deal!" A great power's ancestor became dejected after realizing that his sect's hidden power was nothing compared to the kingdom's.
Li Qiye stood on the back of the Phoenix that emitted swaying divine fire from the tree. His body seemed to be infected by its divinity, causing him to resemble a god.
"The power of the Alchemy Kingdom, eh?" Li Qiye smirked: "I wonder if the ultimate method left behind by the three emperors will be able to save your kingdom or not; just this won't be able to do anything to me. I'll tell you anyway, the Phoenix below me is a real phoenix. But of course, you know this better than I do since its heart was in your possession. You should also know that once this Phoenix is truly reborn… Ah, I don't need to say any more about its power."
"Junior, hold your gloating." The monarch coldly said: "Wait until it's actually reborn, then you can say that again. There is no need for our ultimate method just to suppress it right now! Our current power is plenty enough!"
The other God-Monarch added: "Junior, this is the final warning. Hand over the Phoenix or else don't even dream about leaving this place alive!"
All the spectators were holding their breaths. Many of them understood that any cost was worth it to the kingdom if Li Qiye handed over the Phoenix.
"It seems like all of you think that you have the ability to hold me down since my Phoenix has yet to undergo rebirth." Li Qiye smiled: "Very well, you still have a secret move and my true ace has been prepared as well! Come! Let us battle!"
"Buzz." The moment these words were spoken, endless immortal lights shot into the sky. The Phoenix sent out countless immortal laws like inverse waterfalls, climbing higher and higher in the sky. Each law by itself could suppress the heavens. Even before the Phoenix attacked, the entire ancestral ground was already trembling.
The entire world was shaken from the Phoenix emitting its aura as well. Many existences even had the illusion that an Immortal Emperor was arriving.
Archaic eyes opened and gazed towards the Alchemy Kingdom. This scene left even these ancient existences quiet for a long time.
A majestic pillar of light rose from the ancestral ground. Its imperial aura ravaged the earth and suppressed myriad ages. The entire kingdom trembled at this time as all the experts continued to prostrate on the ground from the pressure.
At this minute, it seemed like the Alchemy Kingdom was ready to fight to the bitter end. This was no longer a simple personal feud to them. Li Qiye had stolen their Phoenix's heart, and they would never let this go.
"Venerable Ancestors, please halt." At the moment when tension ran high on both sides, the prelude to the great battle, a supreme melodious voice came about.
An unparalleled beauty drifted through the sky from the depths of the ancestral ground as if she was a fairy from the nine heavens — kingdom toppling and intoxicating.
"Ming Yexue…" A big shot recognized her and became startled.
"Fairy Ming!" The moment the younger generation saw her, they immediately lost their minds due to her charm. Many of them even forgot about the upcoming battle!
The majority of them had only heard of her name and had never seen her in person. However, upon seeing her today, the younger generation was enchanted as they indulged in her beautiful appearance.
The ancestors of the kingdom grimaced after Ming Yexue's sudden appearance when the battle was about to begin, especially after hearing those words.
One of the God-Monarchs frowned and said: "Xue'er, it is not the time to talk."
Ming Yexue slightly shook her head: "This disciple respects all the decisions made by Venerable Ancestors. However, Ancestor Wushuang ordered for my arrival, so please, Ancestors, harmony is to be prized." 1
"Ancestor Wushuang's order?" The other monarch deepened his tone: "Xue'er, this matter has grave implications for our kingdom's honor. We cannot take it lightly!"
All of the ancestors wanted to take Li Qiye down. They would not let go until this was accomplished!
"This disciple also knows that this relates to the honor of our sect, so Ancestor Wushuang allowed me to come with his seal so that I could calm this storm." Having said that, she slowly raised an old seal.
The two words "Wushuang" were carved on this seal. The moment this seal appeared, the aura of a Godking assaulted everyone as if one had personally arrived. 2
"The seal of the ancestor!" Even the two monarchs were moved, bowing their heads after seeing this seal. As for the other ancestors, they immediately prostrated and kowtowed in worship three times.
"Ancestor Wushuang of the kingdom is actually still alive, this is incredible. After so many years, he still lingers in this world. If it was a different ancestor, they wouldn't be able to handle this arduous journey across time even with Blood Era Stones." Anyone would feel their heart sink after seeing this seal.
Ancestor Wushuang was a legendary existence. Some said that he had an unmatched constitution. Others said that he had three saint aptitudes. There were also those who praised that both his cultivation and alchemy were peerless. Then there were the worshippers who claimed that his lifespan was without equal, believing that he was the oldest living existence in the kingdom, a legend that had always been buried in Blood Era Stones in the deepest location of their ancestral ground! 3
Although the atmosphere was tense to the extreme, the monarchs and the ancestors eventually retreated. However, their piercing gazes remained fixated on Li Qiye.
"Young Noble Li, I am coming with utmost sincerity to calm this storm." With boundless grace, Ming Yexue walked forward alone to see Li Qiye.
Li Qiye stared at Ming Yexue while standing on top of the Phoenix. He was silent and didn't reply.
Her eyes that were as bright as the stars above in the night sky and as clear as flowing water looked straight at him: "I hope Young Noble Li can stop this battle."
"So it has eventually come to this." Li Qiye sighed softly. In the end, he didn't attack. He had nothing to fear when it came to the kingdom, but he was not willing to massacre them even if he intended to do so since Ming Yexue came out.
Li Qiye calmly said: "I need a word with you in private."
Ming Yexue didn't think twice and agreed to his request.
This was vastly different from what people expected. Even the monarchs and the ancestors didn't expect this development.
"Fairy Ming's charm is boundless, even Li Qiye was captivated by her." The last generation lamented after seeing this.
Many people assumed that Li Qiye had lost to her charm, but they didn't know that this was not the case at all.
The two of them entered a room at a secretive location, unknown to third parties. Ming Yexue spoke with sincerity: "This trouble was due to a misunderstanding between Young Noble and my kingdom. I came at the request of my ancestor with goodwill to quell this disturbance."
"Yexue, whether this is a misunderstanding or not does not matter to me." Li Qiye lightly waved his sleeve: "I can pretend that nothing had happened, I can even return the Phoenix's heart to your kingdom. Moreover, I can assist all of you, and perhaps, the Phoenix can truly be reborn in the future!"
After hearing this, Ming Yexue quickly responded: "Your benevolence will be met with appreciation by our kingdom…"
Li Qiye shook his head: "No, Yexue, there is no free meal in this world. I have a condition!"
Ming Yexue took a deep breath as she braced herself with a solemn expression: "What is Young Noble's condition? If it is within our abilities, then everything is negotiable."
Li Qiye chuckled and gave his answer clearly: "My condition can either be difficult or easy. It all depends on you. I only want you, for you to follow me!"
I only want you! Such an overbearing statement! Any outsider hearing this would have strange thoughts, inevitably thinking that Li Qiye had become fascinated by her.
Ming Yexue didn't think that this was a confession. She was slightly dazed and found another meaning to his words!
"If I can do something for the sect, if I can prevent this disaster, then I am more than willing to follow you." Ming Yexue responded in a serious manner: "But Young Noble, you must know that I am a disciple and I cannot make a decision regarding this matter. This isn't something the ancestors decide either." She gently sighed.
Li Qiye chuckled: "This is up to Hundred-Life, right?"
Ming Yexue remained unperturbed like calm water at the bottom of a well and nodded: "If Young Noble requires me to go with you, then I will have to ask the forefather. Only with his permission would we be able to agree to your demand."
She is saying stop the battle. ↩ Wushuang = Peerless/Unmatched. ↩ Notice how all of these adjectives are synonyms of his title/name, Wushuang. ↩