Dantai Bingyun’s current strength was no small feat. The cultivation method she had practiced since childhood was an exceptionally pure immortal art, lending considerable power to the task of healing. However, even with this, she could only slightly slow the progression of Lei Dong's injuries, failing to achieve a complete cure. Furthermore, the moment she released her focus, Lei Dong's condition would continue to deteriorate step by step. She was forced to use her True Essence continuously to sustain Lei Dong's very life.

Several days passed. Even with her formidable True Essence, the incessant effort of maintaining this without rest left her face ashen and slick with cold sweat. Daring not to delay further, she quickly swallowed a medicinal pill, and then, under Lei Dong’s astonished gaze, she executed a hand seal and summoned a girl dressed in red, appearing to be around twelve or fourteen years of age.

“Sister Bingyun, why have you kept me locked up in the Spirit Beast Pouch? It’s so boring in there, I was nearly bored to death.” The red-clad girl pouted slightly, clearly displeased. Glancing at the barely breathing Lei Dong, the girl burst into giggles. “So that’s why you wouldn’t answer my divine sense communications! You found the lover you’ve been yearning for. That’s understandable. Lei Dong, long time no see.”

Lei Dong weakly rolled his eyes. Do I know this little girl?

“Hong Luan, stop talking nonsense.” Dantai Bingyun’s face flushed, but she had no time to argue. She quickly instructed, “Hurry and transform into your true form and carry us to the Yaksha Sea. Lei Dong is critically injured; he is about to lose his life.”

Hong Luan? Lei Dong was mildly surprised. This certainly couldn’t be the Hong Luan who died in the Joyous Union Sect. He did recall that Dantai Bingyun possessed a spirit beast named Hong Luan, which supposedly harbored a trace of the bloodline of the ancient divine beast, the Phoenix. But the issue was, the concentration of this Hong Luan’s bloodline was at best comparable to the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger’s. How could it have achieved transformation into human form already? Transformation, the process where a demonic beast assumes human shape, minimally requires the beast to reach the Nascent Soul stage. However, since even Dantai Bingyun was already at the mid-stage Nascent Soul, Hong Luan's transformation wasn't entirely unacceptable. He supposed Dantai Bingyun must have had some fortuitous encounters over the years.

Hong Luan was also Dantai Bingyun’s blood-sacrificed spirit beast, and in a critical moment, she dared not trifle. Immediately, her form twisted and distorted, transforming into a massive red bird with wings spanning over ten zhang. Hong Luan was naturally a beautiful avian creature, and upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, her feathers became even more magnificent and her aura noble, bearing about thirty to forty percent resemblance to the Divine Phoenix.

Fortunately, Lei Dong had instructed Ah Chou to collect all the spoils of war, and the various Ghost Kings and Shade Ghosts had all returned to their respective posts. Without hesitation, Lei Dong and Dantai Bingyun mounted the Phoenix’s back, settling onto her magnificent, crimson-glowing surface. A powerful wave of energy enveloped them both, and with a single spread of its vast wings, the bird soared toward the sky, its destination fixed firmly on the Yaksha Sea. Its speed was extreme, at least several cheng faster than an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator flying at full power. Yet, protected by Hong Luan’s aura, the passengers felt none of the high-altitude gale.

As if to resolve Lei Dong’s confusion, Dantai Bingyun continued her healing while explaining, “In a spatial rift within the Azure Wave Secret Realm, I accidentally discovered a Phoenix Feather, which contained a tube of essence blood from the Divine Phoenix. I used this to elevate Hong Luan’s bloodline level.”

Lei Dong’s mind raced. So, the essence blood of a divine beast could be used to enhance a spirit beast's bloodline quality. Did that mean if he could obtain some essence blood from the Divine White Tiger, he could upgrade the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger? But Lei Dong quickly calmed himself. Divine beast essence blood—was that something easily acquired? Firstly, divine beasts were already extinct in this world. Even if one were alive, attempting to extract its essence blood with his current strength would only guarantee a dead end.

He wondered if it might be possible to refine some divine beast essence blood from the bloodlines of beasts superior to the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger, and then use that to upgrade the Shadow Tiger’s quality? This seemed like a viable path, just as the Soul Devouring Shadow Tiger already contained a trace of divine beast essence blood within it.

Of course, regardless of whether this path was viable or not, it was not something Lei Dong could handle right now. His only priority was to save his life. Being reduced to such a miserable state by the Black Wing Demon King was beyond Lei Dong’s expectation. He had nearly lost his life, proving that high-level demons were truly not to be underestimated; their various innate divine abilities were exceptionally powerful.

“Enough, stop thinking wildly and disturbing my healing,” Dantai Bingyun chided softly, her complexion turning paler. It seemed maintaining Lei Dong’s condition without deterioration was all she could barely manage with her current strength.

Lei Dong dared not ponder further, casting aside all distracting thoughts. He also used his own Natal True Essence to self-heal, indirectly saving Dantai Bingyun some effort.

Hong Luan’s speed was incredible; in less than a day, they arrived above the Yaksha Sea. However, just as Hong Luan was enveloped in crimson light, preparing to dive into the deep sea, two streaks of pure white light flashed rapidly from the distance. Simultaneously, a shout echoed, “Halt where you are, or consider yourselves enemies of the Winged God Race!”

Dantai Bingyun’s expression hardened. She had ordered Hong Luan to enter the water early, yet they were still detected by the Winged God Race. Could it be that the Winged God Race had placed the entire Yaksha Sea under surveillance? With Dantai Bingyun’s divine sense, she could ascertain that the two incoming Winged God Race members were both at the early Nascent Soul stage, but she still dared not risk letting Hong Luan dive into the sea. If the Winged God Race became enraged, they might mobilize their entire force to capture them.

They remained suspended silently in the air, waiting for the Winged People to approach.

Their speed was indeed astonishing. In less than ten breaths, they arrived—a man and a woman. The man was tall and handsome, the woman beautiful and slender. Aside from noticeable differences in hair color and facial features, they resembled humans very little, save for the pair of pure white wings sprouting from their backs. However, their gazes held a distinct air of condescension as they scrutinized Lei Dong and his companions.

The male Winged Person, with golden hair, stated with chilling indifference, “You approaching this area, state your origins, names, and purpose for coming to the Yaksha Sea immediately.”

The weakened Lei Dong flinched slightly upon hearing this. What arrogant Winged God Race members. If I weren't injured, I’d probably swat them away with one palm. Even Dantai Bingyun’s face looked terrible, but for Lei Dong’s sake, she suppressed her anger and replied in a voice laced with coldness, “I am Dantai Bingyun of the Heavenly Sound Palace in Kangzhou. This is my Senior Brother, Ding Dong; he suffered a grave injury. We are here at the Yaksha Sea to pay respects to the venerable Yaksha King and request the Water Dissolution Soul to aid in his healing.” The Water Dissolution Soul was not a secret among the Yaksha clan, so Dantai Bingyun was not revealing restricted information.

The male Winged Person’s expression softened slightly, yet he still spoke domineeringly, “The Yaksha King is currently unavailable to receive guests. The airspace is temporarily under the jurisdiction of our Winged God Race. Dantai Bingyun, in the name of the Light King, Ajana, I command you to leave the Yaksha Sea within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, or you will become an enemy of the Winged God Race.”

Before Dantai Bingyun could erupt in fury, the female Winged Person sniffed the air and displayed a strange expression. “Wait, this woman seems to carry the aura of one of our Winged God Race, yet she is clearly a mortal.” The Winged God Race considered themselves divine and exceedingly noble, habitually looking down upon all other races. They always referred to humans as ‘mortals.’

It seemed that in the distant past, many races referred to the Winged God Race as the ‘Winged People.’ However, this term provoked an intensely fierce reaction from the Winged God Race, who insisted on being called the Winged God Race. Anyone calling them the Winged People was instantly considered an enemy. Many races weren't afraid of war, but fighting over a mere term seemed unworthy. Thus, the name Winged God Race eventually stuck.

In an instant, the two Winged People realized something and began staring at Dantai Bingyun with ill intent. “Mortal, have you refined an evil artifact using the body of one of our Winged God Race as material?” No race was fond of having parts of their own kind forged into magical treasures, and the Winged God Race was no exception. However, their reaction to this matter seemed unusually intense, and they cared about it far more than most.

Dantai Bingyun finally lost her temper, letting out a series of cold laughs. “Winged People, have you taken something foul? This is the Yaksha Sea of the Nine Provinces World, not your Light Domain. By what right do you stop me from visiting the Yaksha King? By what authority do you interrogate me? Begone, or I shall strike you until your souls are scattered and annihilated!” Normally, she wouldn't be this enraged. But with Lei Dong’s life hanging by a thread, the desperation to seek aid from the Yaksha King ignited a killing intent within her.

“Insolent!” “Audacious!”

The two Winged God Race members instantly flew into a rage. In the Light Domain, the Winged God Race was practically supreme, ruling with an iron fist and always acting haughtily. There were many mortals in the Light Domain, but most were slaves to the Winged God Race. Now, a mere female mortal dared to declare she would strike them into soul annihilation—how could they let this pass?

Immediately, two streams of pure white light shot from their hands towards Dantai Bingyun.

Dantai Bingyun was startled, not expecting these two Winged Ones to be so reckless. Couldn't they discern that she possessed mid-stage Nascent Soul strength? Just as she felt a moment of bewilderment, Lei Dong’s soft voice transmitted into her ear: “Bingyun, strike fiercely; do not show any mercy whatsoever.” Lei Dong had witnessed the entire exchange. Although he was quite vexed by the Winged Ones, he felt a touch of regret that Dantai Bingyun seemed insufficiently ruthless. Since the opposition had made it clear they would not back down, she should simply strike to annihilate them. Races that disregarded reason in this manner would never be appeased by restraint; hesitating out of fear of their backing would only invite greater harm.

Moreover, Lei Dong had calculated precisely: this location was the Yaksha Sea, the territory of the Yaksha King. A dignified Transformation God level powerhouse would certainly never tolerate a group of Winged People brazenly blockading his sea domain, nor would he yield an inch on this matter. Otherwise, the result would be the Winged People endlessly pushing their boundaries.