Grateful for the generous offering from the book friend Longyin Yue, I was planning an extra update. However, at the fastest pace of pioneering, I can only manage three chapters. The next few days will also follow the usual routine of three updates. Please allow me to postpone the push until the 4th of next month. Following countless Tier Seven fire-attributed avian creatures, the body of that Crimson Fire Golden Phoenix also saw its flames surge violently, scorching the protective spiritual pattern barrier before it to the point of near collapse. With another fierce impact, it shattered completely, and the Phoenix relentlessly dove toward them.
Zong Shou’s heart sank slightly. Fortunately, at this moment, his Thunder Winged Flood Dragon had recovered some strength after continuously consuming several elixirs. He immediately urged the thunder beast onward, fleeing further.
In barely a hundred breaths, he heard countless thunderous explosions behind him, suggesting they were rapidly closing the distance.
Among those Tier Seven flying beasts, there were indeed some with swift evasion speeds, gradually catching up from behind. Han Xi, leading a few flying ants, timely turned back, executing continuous sweeping slashes behind them. The four sharp long sabers intermittently carved out streaks of brilliant blade shadows.
They were seemingly unaffected by the oppressive aura of the Fire Phoenix, engaging the Tier Seven fire-attributed birds in fierce combat. Almost every few breaths, one Tier Seven fire-attributed creature was slain by the arm-blade.
This only provoked the Crimson Fire Golden Phoenix behind them into another frenzy of piercing screeches. The sharp sound waves almost shattered eardrums, striking directly into the depths of the soul.
Zong Shou’s consciousness nearly completely swam into a daze; almost instinctively, he gripped the not-yet-fully-formed horn of the Thunder Winged Flood Dragon with all his might, preventing himself from being thrown off.
It was only after several hundred breaths that he slightly recovered. The Crimson Fire Golden Phoenix behind them had vanished without a trace. It was likely either shaken off or completely ensnared by the spiritual formations of the Cangsheng Dao.
The tidal wave of crimson flame trailing them had also been pulled back a considerable distance.
However, the few flying ants, excluding Shuan Xi, all appeared extremely exhausted. Their small bodies swayed precariously, seeming as if they could collapse at any moment.
Zong Shou simply flicked his sleeve, collecting all these flying ants into the Spirit Beast Pouch to recuperate.
In his consciousness, he could also clearly sense the profound weariness of the Thunder Winged Flood Dragon beneath him.
Under normal flight, it could go for three days and three nights without issue. But the continuous eruption of life essence just now—even with the Flood Dragon’s rich True Dragon bloodline—was unsustainable.
He patted the Flood Dragon’s head reassuringly, sending a thought through: they could stop and rest soon.
Then, abruptly, a figure leaped into his field of vision. The person’s mouth was wide open, staring blankly at the crimson tide of birds ahead. That rather heroic face was now etched with despair.
“It’s Xuan Ye.”
Zong Shou paused slightly. Why was this woman here? Without thinking too deeply, he tossed his Fire Yin Sword over.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get on!”
His soul force activated the Fire Yin Sword, granting it an evasion speed even superior to the Thunder Winged Flood Dragon’s. In the blink of an eye, it reached Xuan Ye.
The latter reacted instantly, grasping the sword hilt and allowing the Fire Yin Sword to drag her forward in a rapid charge.
Only when the sword light shifted, bringing her onto the back of the Thunder Winged Flood Dragon and allowing her to steady herself, did Xuan Ye’s ashen complexion slightly relax. Then, with lingering shock, she looked behind them.
“Junior Brother, what is going on? Why are there so many Tier Seven flying creatures? Xuan Ye doesn't recall there being any beast tides in this Spirit River…” Without the mental pressure of that Fire Phoenix, Zong Shou had now fully regained his breath. Holding the dragon horn with just one hand was enough to keep his balance and ignore the danger of falling.
Hearing this, he immediately smiled faintly, pulling out the token and shaking it toward Xuan Ye.
“Not Junior Brother, but Great-Great-Grand Martial Uncle!”
Xuan Ye’s gaze sharpened as she looked closely. Indeed, the inscription read: Tan Qiu, Third Generation True Disciple of the Cangsheng Dao.
Her heart immediately tensed. This person was truly Tan Qiu, the one Chen Rou spoke of! Unmistakably a Third Generation True Disciple.
Seeing Zong Shou’s half-smiling expression, she couldn't help but mutter internally about the chaotic seniority in the sect. Most disciples like her, of the Eighth Generation, also had Sixth or Seventh Generation peers, and sometimes even Sixth Generation members who were contemporaries.
But most peers of similar age addressed each other as brothers or sisters in informal settings.
Who would be as smug as this fellow, flaunting his Third Generation disciple status?
Yet, she dared not show disrespect. She could only offer Zong Shou a deep bow with a helpless expression, saying, “Disciple Xuan Ye pays respects to Great-Great-Grand Martial Uncle!”
It was fortunate that her cultivation was high, her martial path having already reached Tier Seven. Standing on the Thunder Winged Flood Dragon, it felt as if her feet were rooted, allowing her to execute this proper bow without fear of toppling.
Then, when her peripheral vision caught sight of the silver-white, elf-like humanoid creature slaying a pursuing Tier Seven fire-attributed creature, and then fanning its six pairs of transparent wings to reappear not far from Zong Shou, Xuan Ye’s pupils contracted again.
Such fast blades, such rapid evasion speed!
She then realized something, and Xuan Ye’s face turned slightly pale again.
This person, still only a Sixth Tier Spirit Master, already commanded two Tier Seven mounts!
This Thunder Winged Flood Dragon was clearly close to achieving transformation into a true dragon, perhaps succeeding when attempting to break through to the Eighth Tier.
And this unknown humanoid spirit beast, though its origins were unclear, observing its ability to instantly kill peers and possessing an evasion speed more than double that of the Flood Dragon—it might even be able to contend with Eighth Tier entities!
She wondered where this person acquired so much soul force to maintain spiritual contracts with two Tier Seven spirit beasts simultaneously?
However, with such formidable strength, he was indeed qualified to be the Third Generation True Disciple of the Cangsheng Dao, residing in the premier 'Jia' grade courtyard.
Xuan Ye was now even more curious. The person had only stated his identity just now; he hadn't answered her previous question.
Zong Shou had no intention of hiding anything. He casually reached into his Qiankun Pouch, retrieved a Phoenix Egg, tossed it in his hand, his face filled with lament. “It’s nothing much; I just stole a few Phoenix Eggs, and that Crimson Fire Golden Phoenix went completely insane…”
As the Phoenix Egg appeared, a fierce shriek echoed again from the distance. Though too far away for any immediate power to reach them, it carried endless resentment.
And the crimson tidal wave of fire seemed spurred by some force, increasing its speed by several more fractions.
Zong Shou felt helpless; there was no pretense of having gained an easy advantage. If he had known it would be this perilous, he would rather not have done it.
“Crimson Fire Golden Phoenix?”
Xuan Ye’s heart skipped a beat. After observing closely for a moment, she vaguely felt that the aura within the egg was certainly not inferior to that of a Tier Six creature.
A Tier Six Phoenix Egg, its bloodline so pure, perhaps close to that of a true Divine Beast Fire Phoenix.
Judging by the phoenix cry, the Crimson Fire Golden Phoenix must be at least above the Immortal Tier in strength!
She felt speechless, thinking: no wonder there were so many Tier Seven fire-attributed creatures. The Phoenix is the King of Birds; it certainly possesses the ability to command other avian creatures.
This meant that in the near future, Tan Qiu would likely gain another powerful mount.
Although she couldn't discern the level of his spiritual techniques, just judging by these few mounts alone, his strength within the sect was already unparalleled.
A flicker of envy flashed in her eyes before Xuan Ye’s expression turned serious again. She clasped her fists and stated, “Xuan Ye will absolutely not disclose this matter to anyone! If I violate this oath, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!”
Zong Shou was amused by this. Was this Xuan Ye truly a disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect? The grand-niece of that Shui Lingbo?
She seemed more like someone from the Haoxuan Sect.
He hadn't intended to keep this hidden. Those few Phoenix Eggs weren't exactly earth-shattering treasures. Except for two that his close companions needed for personal use, the rest would either be sold or traded. It couldn't be hidden from those paying attention anyway, so it was better to be upfront from the start.
Within the Cangsheng Dome, he wasn't bullying others with his power; who would dare provoke him?
The speed of the Thunder Winged Flood Dragon gradually slowed, clearly running out of steam.
Zong Shou decisively patted the Flood Dragon’s head, commanding it to stop. He turned around to face the crazily surging crimson tide.
Xuan Ye frowned slightly, unsure of Zong Shou’s intention in halting their flight. Even without the Flood Dragon, they could still fly on a sword. The pursuing tide would catch them in seventy breaths at most.
After a moment of contemplation, Xuan Ye forcibly suppressed the urge to flee alone and stayed put. Zong Yuan, however, understood implicitly that his sovereign must have a plan. Without uttering a word, he stood silently by Zong Shou’s side.
Zong Shou, on the other hand, remained calmly waiting. Only when the nearest Tier Seven flying creature closed to within about fifty breaths did he suddenly fling three golden talismans forward in succession.
Xuan Ye didn't pay much attention initially, thinking that these two golden talismans were only around Tier Seven strength. Could they really stop the vast tide of Tier Seven birds?
She was already preparing to ascend into the void, intending to carry the two of them away. Fortunately, it seemed Tan Qiu had also sobered up; after unleashing the golden talismans, he continuously retreated, as if fearful of being overtaken, quickly activating and layering a string of defensive talismans over the group. He also kept glancing back from time to time.
The talismans drifted, and in a moment, they reached a distance of thirty breaths away, merely ten feet from the beast tide.
The spiritual patterns inscribed on the golden talismans began to shimmer.
At this point, Xuan Ye gasped sharply again: “Are those the Chaos Spiritual Annihilation Talismans?”
Suddenly, she understood Zong Shou’s purpose. These Tier Seven Chaos Spiritual Annihilation Talismans, in any other situation, would at most only prevent other Spirit Masters from borrowing heaven and earth spiritual energy to cast spells for a short period.
But within this tide of creatures, they were undeniably weapons of mass destruction!
As the three golden talismans burned, first the small region around them saw its spiritual energy become chaotic, followed immediately by an explosion. The dense, almost materialized heaven and earth spiritual energy violently ruptured, engulfing the seemingly grand beast tide in an instant.
Afterward, the surrounding spatial barriers began to fluctuate wildly. Countless black lines flickered continuously within this Spirit River.
Even Zong Shou’s group, now separated by a considerable distance, was affected. The violent winds and spiritual explosions were mostly weakened by the time they reached them, but the spatial rifts flashed intermittently.
Even the strongest protective measures could not guard against them.
Fortunately, Zong Shou was prepared; he had considerable experience dealing with these spatial rifts from his previous life. He constantly pulled the two beside him, shifting their positions. Although they sustained several minor injuries, they thankfully managed to keep all their limbs intact.
When the spatial rifts finally vanished and the spiritual explosions subsided, all three were in a state of utter disarray.