Crystals of Primal Energy turned into heaps of ash-grey stone, not a trace of spiritual energy leaking from them. These stones, devoid of vitality, were scattered haphazardly in the nooks and crannies of the cave, many layers of dust coating them, suggesting they had lain there for an indeterminate age. A skeletal figure stood rigidly in place, similarly stained grey by the dust, the crystalline whiteness of its bones long gone, lending it a distinctly lifeless aura.

Even the faint spectral fires within its eye sockets appeared dull and lifeless, like the wick of an oil lamp about to expire, utterly devoid of vitality. The figure within the cave remained as still as an old monk who had entered nirvana years ago, showing no flicker of life-force, as if long departed. Only the two Primal Crystals held in its palms were in slow flux, transmitting slender, shimmering streams of liquid energy into the lines etched there, integrating into its very body.

Hard, stark white bone spurs had erupted from its forearms, coiled around its knees, sprouted from its shoulders, and lined its spine—like the appendages of some grotesque beast, radiating an aura of extreme danger. After an unknowable period, its brow twitched faintly, and it slowly opened its eyes, gazing forward with a slight confusion. The listless ghost-fires in the skull’s eye sockets suddenly flickered erratically, accompanied by a dry, grinding sound as the skeleton moved its joints.

The stiff body, through the articulation of bone, surprisingly gave the illusion of fluid motion. The “Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire” hidden within the body surged along its arms, gathering into a single flame at the tip of a sharp finger, electric arcs coiling around it, releasing an overwhelming aura capable of incinerating all things. “Hmph!” a soft exclamation escaped him, and he finally rose from the ground.

With a casual sweep of his hand, the scattered stones on the floor dispersed. “It’s here!” Suddenly, a low shout echoed from outside the cave entrance, the voice sounding vaguely familiar. Fire Phoenix!

A name flashed instantly in his mind. Ji Changkong’s pupils contracted; he was deeply startled, never imagining she had tracked him down. In an instant, he realized the binding force of that distant star must have been lifted, and the experts of various races imprisoned there had likely departed.

Fire Phoenix finding him meant that Yin Ji and Xiao Han wouldn't be far behind. “Kid, come out yourself, don't force us to act!” Sure enough, Yin Ji’s chilling voice followed immediately, laced with unconcealed killing intent and bitter resentment. After a brief hesitation, Ji Changkong recognized that escaping under the noses of three Celestial Masters of the Nirvana Realm was highly unrealistic.

He retrieved the small bell and shook it, giving a reply: “I’m coming out now.” “He really is inside!” Yin Ji let out a cold, sneering laugh. Ji Changkong looked surprised, knitted his brows, and pondered for a moment. He retracted the strange physical manifestations.

The sharp bone spurs instantly vanished back into his body, and the wisp of flame emanating from the “Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire” receded into his fingertip. Taking a light breath and ensuring his body was normal, he pushed open the stone slab sealing the cave entrance and walked out at a measured pace, standing before the three figures. “Indeed, he refined his essence using the Source of Life, but he is still only at the Realm of the Ten Directions Heaven,” Xiao Han stated expressionlessly, her gaze cold.

Fire Phoenix, however, displayed burning greed, muttering, “Very good, you’re alive, and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire is still with you.” “Kid, hand over the treasures you obtained from the eighth level!” Yin Ji roared. “Jingle-jingle!” A series of clear, melodious bell chimes rang out. Behind Ji Changkong, the skeletal figure materialized unexpectedly, stepping lightly to a position in front of Yin Ji.

The two ghost-fires swiveled once before fixing intently on Yin Ji. Yin Ji froze, then suddenly exclaimed, “Isn't this the skeleton from the eighth level?” Fire Phoenix and Xiao Han exchanged a glance; their expressions immediately turned grave. They seemed apprehensive about the bone skeleton.

After Yin Ji’s cry of alarm, he instantly recalled how troublesome that skeletal figure was. His face contorted into an expression of extreme displeasure. “I know why you’re here, but I will not surrender willingly,” Ji Changkong said calmly, holding the bell.

“I know that even if you take the items, you won’t let me go. Given that, I might as well fight it out.” “Kid, you think controlling this bone skeleton can make you triumph over the three of us?” Yin Ji, startled for a moment, quickly calmed down, subtly stepping back a few paces to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Fire Phoenix and Xiao Han, clearly preparing for a combined effort. Ji Changkong witnessed Yin Ji’s actions and was somewhat astonished.

He had never been certain of the bone skeleton’s true combat power. Originally, he worried the skeleton wouldn't be much use, especially since the opponents were three Celestial Masters of the Nirvana Realm. However, Yin Ji’s immediate show of apprehension and the movement backward upon the skeleton’s appearance made him realize that the bone skeleton posed a threat even to Celestial Masters of the Nirvana Realm.

He observed closely, and the gravity in Fire Phoenix’s and Xiao Han’s expressions confirmed this suspicion further. “Yin Ji, if you want to snatch them, just try coming over,” Ji Changkong said, feeling greatly reassured, chuckling without a trace of fear. “Insolent brat!” Yin Ji was enraged in his heart.

His cold eyes flickered toward the bone skeleton but he dared not attack, clearly worried the skeleton would target him exclusively. Fire Phoenix and Xiao Han both looked extremely displeased after the skeleton appeared. They seemed unprepared for this turn of events, and their prior plan was instantly set aside as they began contemplating alternatives.

“It’s not that I’m arrogant, it’s that you can’t kill me.” Ji Changkong suddenly became immensely composed. With a mere thought, the bone skeleton moved to stand opposite Fire Phoenix and Xiao Han, its two spectral fires staring straight at them. As Yin Ji momentarily relaxed, Ji Changkong laughed again: “Even if I don’t command this bone skeleton, you still can’t kill me.

Do you believe that?” Yin Ji’s face flickered between uncertainty and anger as he stared hatefully at him. “Kid, what grounds do you have for this confidence? Has your control over the ‘Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire’ reached the Sacred State?” He shook his head, neither confirming nor denying, and smiled: “Even without the ‘Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire,’ you still can’t kill me.

Do you believe that?” “I don’t believe it!” Yin Ji snorted coldly. Ji Changkong suddenly stopped explaining, settling in comfortably: “Fire Phoenix, Xiao Han, what do you say? If you truly intend to be my enemy, then make a move and try.

I guarantee you will regret it.” “Kid, what makes you so arrogant!” Yin Ji demanded. It was Fire Phoenix and Xiao Han who appeared deeply cautious, their faces filled with confusion. They too could not fathom why Ji Changkong was suddenly so bold, secretly speculating about what gave him the confidence to confront them.

“I don’t want to kill you; I only need you to do me a favor. As for compensation, I think I’ve already given you a portion,” Xiao Han said after a moment of thought. She suddenly separated herself from Fire Phoenix by a distance and stated coolly, “The method for controlling the ‘Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire’ will serve as a deposit.

Once you help me achieve that matter, I will offer substantial rewards. How about it?” “Xiao Han! What do you mean?” Fire Phoenix’s expression changed.

With Ji Changkong now possessing the bone skeleton, she had little confidence in capturing him. Now that Xiao Han had suddenly changed her stance, her chance of victory plummeted again, naturally filling her with rage. “I apologize,” Xiao Han shrugged, as if it were obvious.

“If you manage to kill him, then our previous agreement still holds, but I suspect that might not be very easy.” Hearing this, Fire Phoenix’s expression grew even uglier. “Fire Phoenix, if he helps me with that favor, you will also gain benefits. Perhaps… perhaps you could even obtain an equally rare Celestial Fire of Heaven and Earth, like the ‘Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire.’ Think about it,” Xiao Han persuaded.

Fire Phoenix stared grimly at Ji Changkong without answering, clearly pondering her next move. Yin Ji was growing anxious, but at that moment, the bone skeleton had silently moved near him again, clearly guarding against any sudden move he might make. Just as Fire Phoenix hesitated, a ray of white light suddenly erupted from a snow-capped peak ahead.

The light shot forth like a rainbow, swiftly reaching the space above their heads. “It’s him! That person is him!” A startled, high-pitched shout echoed from the white clouds above the group.

In an instant, an elder and a youth, both from the Feather Race, materialized there. Upon arriving, their gazes settled entirely upon Ji Changkong, completely ignoring Fire Phoenix, Xiao Han, and Yin Ji. “Did you ever see Shirley?” The elder’s brow trembled slightly, his tone filled with agitation.

“Huh! It’s you?” Ji Changkong looked at the young Feather Race member and exclaimed softly. His mind raced, and he instantly understood.

He then looked toward the Feather Race elder and asked, “That’s right, I did see Shirley. Are you… are you her father?” The Feather Race elder immediately nodded and urgently asked, “Where is Shirley?” “Who the hell are you?” Yin Ji, annoyed by the interruption, couldn’t help but blurt out. “Be quiet!” The Feather Race elder snapped, sharply turning around to glare at Yin Ji.

“Regardless of who the three of you are, get away from here and don't interfere with my business!” Fire Phoenix had appeared somewhat restless since the Feather Race elder arrived. Nearing the Realm of As You Wish, she could vaguely sense the elder’s aura—boundless and deep like the ocean—and felt a distinct sense of danger. Yin Ji’s face showed indignation, just as he was about to retort, when Xiao Han suddenly stopped him: “Yin Ji, let’s go!” Yin Ji was momentarily stunned, stared at Xiao Han for a moment, seemed to grasp something, and abruptly lowered his head without a word, preparing to withdraw from the scene.

“I’m not entirely sure where Shirley is,” Ji Changkong shook his head. Just as the elder’s face fell into disappointment, he suddenly pointed toward Yin Ji, Fire Phoenix, and Xiao Han. “But they certainly know.

These three just left from there. Oh, right, that old fellow Yin Ji even tried to kill Shirley before. They might have some useful advice for you.” “Oh?” The elder’s brow arched, and his gaze instantly turned icy.

He turned to glare at Yin Ji, who was attempting to slip away. “All of you, stop right there!”