The spirit turtle was like a hermit, rather willing to spend its life swimming through mud, detached from worldly ties.

  The qilin was benevolent, wanting all to thrive in an endless cycle of life and growth.

  In short, one feared death, and the other lusted after life.

  Meanwhile, the phoenix was a sage. It possessed a noble character, refusing to perch unless it was a wutong tree, refusing to feed unless it was the fruit of bamboo, refusing to drink unless it was from a sweet spring. It was essentially engraved with the five virtues of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, and trustworthiness, basically standing at the apex of virtue from the moment it was born.

  However, it was exactly because of this that it became involved with the deepest karmic ties. Trees that protruded from the forest would be blown down by wind. Those who stood above all others in virtue would definitely be slandered by all.

  The most innocent and most pure were most easily corrupted, while those most upright and outspoken often incurred open criticism. Those of the greatest attainments were fated to have very few colleagues who matched them, while those of great reputation often failed to live up to their reputation.

  As a result, this undying, divine bird was simply unable to live forever at the end of the day.

  Because it understood the pain of living, it did not lust after life. Because it had undergone rebirth countless times, it did not fear death.

  Compared to dragging out an ignoble existence, it was better off casting away itself and going up in flames. This mentality of sacrifice was unique to the phoenix.

  Li Qingshan recited slowly, “Phoenix, oh phoenix, why does your virtue decline with each passing day?”


  He spread his wings and began to fly, turning into a ball of spiralling fire, absorbing the raging flames from the ground as a swirl. He even made the lava harden, turning into black rock, before reducing the entire place into a dormant volcano again, only leaving behind a cluster of swirling flames above the crater.

  Xiao An sat casually on a volcanic rock that was red like fire, leaning against her right arm that rested on her knee. She held a string of shiny white prayer beads as she sat with her legs crossed, gazing at the ball of fire in thought.

  The original meaning of nirvā?a was the buddhist concept of “end”. Gathering all of their merits and virtues was coming to a full circle, while departing from all afflictions and worries was silence. She wondered what connection it had with the phoenix.

  Note: There are like 5 different words in Chinese that correspond to nirvā?a. In this case, the first “nirvā?a” refers to the same nirvā?a in Phoenix’s Nirvā?a, while the second one can be used when a buddhist master passes away. The “coming to a full circle” and “silence” is an etymological breakdown of the second nirvā?a.

  The Path of White Bone and Great Beauty used the Samādhi Flames of White Bone to snuff out the living, which was quite similar to the Phoenix’s Nirvā?a, but there was no rebirth. The living probably were not too happy about it either.

  The White Bone Bodhisattva obviously viewed this as additional evidence to the shallowness and ignorance of the living creatures, but she could understand this feeling. If Qingshan could not rebirth in nirvā?a, she definitely would not be happy either.

  A clear and elated phoenix cry rang out like torn silk, clear and crisp.

  A magnificent, dazzling phoenix rebirthed in the flames. His blood of a phoenix became even more pure.

  The Phoenix Transformation then broke through to the sixth layer. His cultivation skyrocketed once again, already infinitesimally close to the fifth heavenly tribulation.

  Li Qingshan was overjoyed. So the Phoenix’s Nirvā?a could be used like this too.

  In other words, as long as he had sufficient time and his innate ability had recovered, he could rebirth again in flames, and the Phoenix Transformation would take another step forward. What was so difficult about reaching the ninth layer of the Phoenix’s Scripture of Nirvā?a now?

  However, the downside was he could no longer rebirth if he was killed, and the exact thing he lacked right now was time. How he was actually supposed to make use of it required some careful consideration.

  “C’mon, let’s change the place!”


  Then they found a lake in the mountains. It was not large, but it was enough.

  Li Qingshan sucked in a deep breath. He would break through the sixth layer of the Spirit Turtle here and then face the fifth heavenly tribulation.

  Time flew.

  Warning bells rang in the Direct Disciple hall of the Myriad sect.

  Apart from the small number of direct disciples who were in secluded cultivation or were not near the Myriad sect due to missions, everyone else had been summoned.

  Ruan Yaozhu was no exception either. She gazed at Dai Mengfan in wonder. The other direct disciples were the same. A solemn atmosphere loomed over the place, which left everyone quiet.

  Dai Mengfan cleared her throat. “Junior brother Ge, I think you should break it to them!”


  The master of military provisions, Ge Xing, strode onto the stage. “Junior and senior brothers and sisters, I’ll cut to the chase. The Demon domain is about to launch a large-scale attack on Black Cloud city. Senior brother Li Liehuo has sent out an urgent order of enlistment, enlisting all direct disciples to enter battle. The military situation is urgent. We are to hurry to Black Cloud city immediately and discuss the counterplan.”


  There was an uproar in the Direct Disciple hall. Everyone’s expressions changed. Only Le Tian continued to smile away, but he did furrow his brows.

  Whenever the Demon domain launched a large-scale invasion, there would always be a sea of blood, and direct disciples would always perish.

  This was not a gamble, but a game of chess. It was not winner takes all. If the enemy was ready to sacrifice Demon Sovereigns, then they better be prepared to give up Human Sovereigns in exchange. At most, they would gain a slight edge, exchanging one for two.

  Dai Mengfan furrowed her brows and asked, “Junior brother Ge, junior sister Ruan is responsible for the matters of the Hundred Herbs garden. Is she enlisted as well?”


  “That’s correct. We need everyone we can get our hands on. Don’t look at me like that. Once the military provisions are in place, I’ll be entering the battle too.”


  “Dammit, what’s Li Liehuo thinking? Have the demonfolk reached the city already?”


  “That hasn’t happened yet.” Ge Xing faltered.

  Ruan Yaozhu could not help but ask, “What about senior sister Chao?”


  Dai Mengfan said, “Yeah! Under a situation like this, don’t you need both captains sending an enlistment order for it to take effect?”


  Ge Xing’s expression changed, and he hesitated. “Senior sister Chao’s current whereabouts are unknown. Senior brother Li said it’s likely that she’s fallen into enemy hands, or even fallen as a Demon Sovereign. As a result, he’s already rearranged the Formation of Black Clouds and Roaring Thunder to prevent her from sneaking in and destroying the formation. This is an absolute secret, so please don’t…”


  “What! How dare he!”


  Before he could even finish, the direct disciples had already exploded into a commotion, drowning out his voice.

  In particular, the female cultivators immediately thought this was a great scheme. The situation became even more chaotic.

  Bang! Dai Mengfan slammed the table. “All of you shut up! With the ruckus you’re making, are there even rules in this place?”


  The Direct Disciple hall immediately fell quiet. Ruan Yaozhu’s gentle but determined voice rang out, “Senior sister Chao’s life lamp remains. I don’t believe she’ll fall as a Demon Sovereign. If she’s really lost to the Demon domain, then we need to hurry to Black Cloud city and find a way to save her.”


  “Senior brother enlisting us in such a hurry has probably got something to do with this.” Ge Xing sighed. If their “first senior sister” defected to the enemy’s side, then the consequences were basically unthinkable.

  Dai Mengfan said, “That’s reasonable, junior sister. Let’s go and meet with Li Liehuo right now and get to the bottom of this!”


  At this moment, Li Liehuo felt extremely anxious. He paced around in his room.

  The region near Cold Blood pass had already become a forbidden zone. Even he did not dare to enter the Demon domain anymore. However, just from observing the aura in the distance, it was startling enough.

  It was completely impossible to hide the large-scale mobilisation of an army like this. They were no longer clashing with schemes and plans but with power and momentum.

  Once the Demon Gods made up their minds, it was extremely terrifying.

  Even with an army at his command and walls around him, he could not help but feel powerless before such momentum. He was particularly worried that Chao Tianjiao had become a Demon Sovereign.

  Even if he had decisively rearranged the Formation of Black Clouds and Roaring Thunder so that she could not sneak in anymore, she still possessed the complete formation scroll of the Formation of Black Clouds and Roaring Thunder as well as the highest authority. She possessed far too many different ways to destroy the formation. That was why he had summoned all the direct disciples so urgently, just so he could deal with this potential sudden attack.

  Their strength was equal. If she devoted herself to destruction, he would be completely incapable of stopping her. Even with the Upraised Light abbot on the side, it would be useless.

  The black-furred hou had to be placed under control quickly as well, or once Chao Tianjiao returned, she probably only needed a single word for her to immediately turn against him. Fortunately, Huo Hua was watching her, so nothing major could arise any time soon.

  “Liehuo, they’re here!”


  A woman with a particularly tall and powerful stature walked in. Her lush, red hair was slightly curled, her face was slightly long, and she had a prominent nose bridge, giving off an exotic charm.

  Even to Li Liehuo, she was an entire head taller, pulling him into her embrace firmly and whispering into his ear, “If the situation is off, I’ll take you to the Daemonic Beast realm. I’d like to see who can stop me.”


  “Huo Hua.” Li Liehuo eased up slightly and smiled. “I won’t fall in battle here.”


  “You said it!” Huo Hua patted him on the back and smiled. “When the time comes, you better not blame me for grabbing you and deserting the battlefield, betraying the sect.”