The Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire was ranked amongst the Seven Legendary Primordial Fires. Legend had it that this evil primordial fire came from the deepest abysses of the underworld, and was as overwhelming as it could be.
Just like the Nine Nether Draught and the River Styx Primordial Water, this fire originated from the Netherworld Sea.
In the Netherworld Sea, besides the Nine Nether Draught that sought to freeze heaven and earth and the River Styx Primordial Water that worked to cleanse all things, there was this brutish bluish-purple flame that wanted to annihilate everything.
In terms of pure and straightforward destructive force, the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire was superior to the Nine Nether Draught and the River Styx Primordial Water.
As the supreme fire of destructiveness, even the other six primordial fires paled in comparison.
Since the beginning of time and throughout the course of history, the only race in the Grand Celestial World that could naturally assimilate and manipulate the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire was the Fengxi race.
This was the reason why they were also known as the Fire Beasts. Similar to the Thunder Beasts Angmao and the Dark Beasts Mingdu, these were demon races that were able to exhibit a certain power to the highest possible level. They marginalized the Phoenixes, who had been living in reclusion ever since the Primordial Age, while the already active Fengxi were touted as the kings of fire and were conspicuously more powerful than the Golden Crows.
However, this powerful race of demons gradually disappeared during the Middle Ages and were never seen again in the long years afterwards. This was the reason why the Grand Celestial World and even the demons in the Barren Expanses concluded that this race had become extinct.
After the extinction of the Fengxi, the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire lost its reputation as well and disappeared along with them. No other human or demon was able to manipulate and control this demonic fire till the birth of Xiao Yan, and this incredibly destructive primordial fire was known to the world once again.
The Fengxi's trotters vibrated and rushed behind Wang Lin and Shi Tianhao in the blink of an eye. The hysterical power of this charge caused the void near the Nine Netherworld Peak to shatter into pieces, and even the black mist of the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage receded a little to make way.
This beast, from the moment he revealed himself, had already placed his true form on full display and possessed such overbearing ferocity that even Xu Anda frowned at the sight.
This demon was in the Undying Demon Soul Stage Third Level, just like the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage. However, his mantras and mana were relatively stronger and the true form of this beast would give even the Hallmaster Xu Anda a headache under the current circumstances.
Wang Lin exchanged a look with Shi Tianhao. "His standard is similar to the Nine Infants Grand Sage, but possesses slightly more destructive power."
"Of all the Undying Demon Soul Stage Third Level great demons that we have seen before, only the Golden Roc Grand Sage during the Cloud Forest World episode can defeat him."
"Tsk, the Golden Cicada Master has managed to recruit a host of grunts," Shi Tianhao shook his head as he spoke, "Third Senior, you should continue attacking the mountain - leave this pig to me."
He gripped the Stone Sword in his hands as he finished his sentence, and his eyes were sparkling with excitement as well. "I will never be able to fight to the death with Eldest Senior. It's a rare opportunity to meet an opponent that can channel the power of the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire!"
He stepped forward slowly, and a domineering aura permeated outwards explosively. Even though his physical size was a lot smaller than the Fengxi before him, that violent aura seemed determined to hold its own against that of the Fire Beast, and made Shi Tianhao look like a fearsome miniature beast from the Primordial Age.
A human and a beast clashed together, and the entire world around seemed to quiver.
The aftershocks of the epicenter of the clash rippled outwards and even Wang Lin, Xu Anda and the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage had to deal with them with care.
The Fengxi that had charged forward crazily and possessed an aura that seemed like it could crush the entire world abruptly stopped in his tracks as he lost all forward momentum, and even shifted his position backwards a little. There was suddenly a deep sword gash on his forehead, and blood gushed out from within.
The Fengxi was a little stunned to the ground before he grew uncontrollably furious and blood shot into his eyes.
Shi Tianhao was sent flying from the force of the clash and the Stone Sword fell out of his hands. However, Shi Tianhao still had a large reserve of energy and regained his footing as he grasped the Stone Sword in his hands once more with just a single move.
He stared at the Fengxi before him with intense enthusiasm. "Both his offensive and defensive capabilities are superior to that of the Nine Infants Grand Sage, and the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire is also more powerful than the Yin Water and the Yin Fire of the Nine Infants Grand Sage as well. However, his regenerative abilities are not as good even though his hide is naturally thick and tough. The only thing is, it's hard for him to recover when he gets injured."
The Fengxi shot back a death stare as the tyrannical aura once again exploded outwards that seemed like it was going to annihilate the entire world. Bluish-purple flames raged all over his body and made him look extremely sinister and frightening.
This was especially so when the already terrifying Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire started to flicker with specks of starlight.
The reason why he revealed his true form the moment he appeared was because that was how he had always done things.
The truth was that before he clashed with Shi Tianhao, he didn't expect his opponent to be so ferocious and held back a little.
At this point, it was apparent that this Fengxi's ferocity had been completely unleashed by Shi Tianhao.
"I'm not in a good mood. I need to feast on you to fill my stomach." Brutal violence and heartless coldness coexisted in the bloodshot eyes of the Fengxi.
The Fengxi Race's favorite food was one of the Six Mystical Metals, the fire-type metal of the highest quality - the Chi Lian Flaming Copper.
He had been eyeing the vein of Chi Lian Flaming Copper beneath the Xiaocizhi Mountain, which was also the ancestral ground of the Crimson Gorilla Ape Demons, for a very long time. Every time the thought occurred to him, he would crave it so much that he would start drooling.
However, he was afraid of the Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage and this was the reason why he had been able to suppress the desperate craving and appetite that made his blood boil.
In normal days, it was relatively impossible for him to camp out near the Xiaocizhi Mountain and wait for the Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage to leave before he attempted to sneak inside. This time, he found a rare opportunity to hide himself near the Xiaocizhi Mountain, and the Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage was also absent as he had followed Lin Feng to find the Golden Cicada Master. This Fengxi could no longer control himself anymore, as he snuck into the Xiaocizhi Mountain and prepared for his grand feast.
When the Xiaocizhi Mountain had just appeared before his eyes, he received news that the Nine Netherworld Peak was under attack and was obliged to return; one could naturally understand his dejection and his wrath.
Before he knew it, he experienced a single lapse of concentration. Besides being able to vent his anger, he ended up being slashed on the forehead by his opponent, which infuriated him even more.
Little did he know that there was yet something that could instigate him even more. He watched the sparkle in Shi Tianhao's eyes as the latter exclaimed, "Pig demon, you look extremely appetizing as well!"
The Fengxi Grand Sage was shell-shocked. When he recovered, no words could describe his wrath and fury anymore as he grunted and charged at Shi Tianhao once again. There was not a drop of fear in Shi Tianhao as he lunged forward with excitement, and it felt as if he was a lot more enthusiastic than his opponent. "Come, come, come! I haven't been plagued by such cravings in a long time! If I can slaughter you, I can eat you for a very long time."
Shi Tianhao was engaged in furious battle with the Fengxi, and Wang Lin kept himself busy as well and went all out against the Nine Netherworld Peak.
When the defense mechanisms of the ancestral ground of the Nine Netherworld Peak was triggered, the power of the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage was boosted as well. The mystical connection between himself and his ancestral ground made things a lot harder for Wang Lin and Xu Anda.
Wang Lin remained expressionless as he thought to himself, "The boost in strength to demons when they're in their own ancestral ground is fairly obvious. This is only the Nine Netherworld Peak - if we were near the main peak of the Lingyuan Mountains, the forbidding mechanisms may be even stronger."
There was a lot of activity at the Nine Netherworld Peak, but there was no reaction whatsoever from the Lingyuan Mountains and the other places.
There was a pale wall of light that acted like a curtain and enveloped the entire Nine Netherworld Peak with meticulous care. It was careful not to obstruct the natural flow of spiritual energy to and from the Lingyuan Mountains in order to avoid attracting the attention of the demons on the main peak of the Lingyuan Mountains.
However, as time passed by, someone was bound to detect and realize that something was wrong. After all, the Lingyuan Mountains had always been the lair of the Ancient Ape Demons. Even if the Heavenly Grandmaster Grand Sage and the Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage were absent, it was inevitable that other powerful ape demons would find out after a prolonged period.
In the void over the horizon, Lin Feng placed his hands behind his back as he watched the completed path before him with a faint smile on his face. However, he was not too hasty to step onto it.
The Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage stood beside him but his eyes were trained in the direction of the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage with an expression of faint amusement. "Min Zhao must be out of his mind. If his kinsmen were the ones cooperating with the Golden Cicada Master, it's relatively explainable as they could have been enchanted or bewitched in some way. As the tribe leader of the Nine Netherworld Ghost Monkeys, the Heavenly Grandmaster Grand Sage will rain hell upon him for his alliance with the Golden Cicada Master."
"It seems like the Golden Cicada Master promised to help him resist the tribulations. Heh, how can that be so easy?"
Lin Feng glanced towards him from the corner of his eye. "So, are you interested in travelling to the Nine Netherworld Peak?"
The Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage finally opened his mouth to laugh and he was straightforward with his speech. "In normal days, I would have been glad to do so. However, finding the Golden Cicada Master is far more important."
Lin Feng smiled plainly and replied, "I have to make a trip to the Nine Netherworld Peak, however."
The Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage eyed the path in front of them that was formed by light as his eyes rolled a little in his sockets. "Are you trying to say that this path is actually leading us into a trap? And the Nine Netherworld Peak is the Golden Cicada Master's real hiding place?"
Lin Feng answered, "The Golden Cicada Master himself is not there, but that place is extremely important to him."
The Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage continued to enquire. "Have you known this all along? Then why did you insist on waiting for the path to complete itself? Why didn't you head towards the Nine Netherworld Peak as soon as you could?"
Lin Feng made a gesture with his right hand and pointed towards the flickering path in front of him before he made a few steps through the void in the direction of the Nine Netherworld Peak. The path before him started to extend as well and followed in tandem with his own progress.
Wherever he had been to was the path itself.
"We need to cast the line to catch the fish." Lin Feng spoke quietly as he placed his hands behind his back and continued forward.
The Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage watched the path that continued to extend in the opposite direction from where Lin Feng was walking. He immediately nodded his head and followed behind Lin Feng towards the Nine Netherworld Peak.
In the Nine Netherworld Peak, the bloody battle was still ongoing. Because of the mystical supportive effects of the ancestral ground of the Nine Netherworld Ghost Monkeys, the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage and the Fengxi Grand Sage were not disadvantaged at all, and it was apparent that the tides were turned in their favor.
This was especially true for the Fengxi Grand Sage. He was more powerful than the Nine Infants Grand Sage in the first place, and the release of his full force made his edge over Shi Tianhao conspicuous; he was just unable to convert his advantage into a clear victory within such a short period of time.
With the gradual passage of time, the mind of the Fengxi Grand Sage that had previously been clouded from all the rage and the emotions became clear and rational. His eyes darted around Shi Tianhao's body as a thought surfaced in his head.
He finally recognized Shi Tianhao and Wang Lin. "Damn it! We're in trouble!"
"I've been fooled by Min Zhao, this bastard. He mentioned that there was an invasion, but didn't mention who the invaders were to deceive me and lure me here."
"The two disciples of the Leader of the Celestial Sect of Wonders are here, and the secret of the Nine Netherworld Peak will be irrevocably exposed. Lin Feng himself should be well on his way here."
"Master's plan has already failed. Even if he were to rush here, it will still take some time. If Lin Feng is faster, I might be captured and I'll end up with a fate like Third Junior."
"I won't even be able to think about feasting on this little bastard anymore. Instead, I will become a barbecued pig and end up in his stomach."
"I should just get the hell out of here." His thoughts stopped here as flames started raging all over and enveloped his entire body.
Shi Tianhao thought he was about to fight for his life, but upon closer inspection, he realized that the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire was starting to scorch the body of the Fengxi Grand Sage, and the Fengxi Grand Sage himself cried out agonizingly as his flesh and skin were burnt to a crisp.
In the next moment, the gargantuan body of the Fengxi Grand Sage continued to immolate himself, and once his flesh and skin were burned away, his white skeleton lit up as well and instantly vanished into nothingness - everything had been destroyed by the Nefarious Spectral Primordial Fire.
This sudden change of events dropped a bombshell on Shi Tianhao. Wang Lin, Xu Anda and the Nine Netherworld Grand Sage were struck dumb as well and all four of them were rendered speechless.