C1813 Continuous Madness
"A woman?"
Zhong Chichen looked utterly bewildered as he gestured towards the Demon Phoenix raging beyond the realm wall. "The woman you're referring to, could it possibly be her?"
Taishi gave a slight nod in affirmation.
A look of bemusement washed over Zhong Chichen's face, as if he was on the verge of bursting into laughter but was desperately trying to contain it. "She can be called a woman? Ha, Taishi, you must be pulling my leg."
Within the protective confines of the Origin Blood Continent's realm wall, the seven-colored dragon was utterly at ease, free from any mental burden or pressure.
The tear in space remained open. He could come and go as he pleased, unafraid of being pursued by the Demon Phoenix.
No matter how formidable the Demon Phoenix was, it couldn't touch him unless it managed to confine him to a specific place.
"Back when the Nagas reigned supreme over the Vast Expanse, the Demon Phoenix I knew would sometimes be... a 'he.'" Zhong Chichen couldn't suppress a snicker. "Also, you say I don't understand women? Ha, Taishi, are you aware of how many women admired me during my travels across the Vast Expanse?"
He caressed his face with his slender hand, boasting, "It was all thanks to my handsome looks!"
Boom! Boom!
The thick icy rocks of the realm wall were repeatedly struck by the Supreme Demon Phoenix's wings, and the purple-golden spear punctured the ice, creating caverns.
The Demon Phoenix continued its frenzy.
Yet, the intense cold from beneath the Origin Blood Continent could concentrate all the Frost Energy and vitality on fortifying the realm wall, without having to seal the Yang meridians.
Feeling somewhat reassured, Taishi addressed the conceited Spacetime Dragon, "That was in the time of the Nagas. After your demise, from the moment he took command of the Vast Expanse's factions, the Demon Phoenix has presented itself in a female form. For many years thereafter, it rarely changed, and the female form became almost permanent."
Zhong Chichen, taken aback, stroked his chin and queried, "Are you saying..."
With a cold snort, Taishi mocked, "What do you know about women! If my memory serves me right, back then, you only kept young and beautiful Mondnacht Clan girls captive in the Outer Star River, along with the Void Spirit Succubus, not to mention a mix of female demons and Devaputra."
"Understanding women? That's not understanding; that's manipulation!"
"You lascivious dragon, have you ever truly loved a woman? Do you even know what it feels like to have affection for someone?"
"Your wanton behavior in the Outer Star River has led to otherworldly warriors hunting down every creature emerging from the vastness. The Demon, upon their initial arrival in the cosmos, suffered because of you!"
Taishi scolded him without reservation.
Zhong Chichen let out a sly chuckle, responding with brazen shamelessness, "You don't know how to savor life. All you do is fight, kill, and plot your whole life. Life with someone like you must be utterly dull. Besides, all the women I've captured have genuinely fallen for me—in fact, I can't get rid of them even if I tried!"
"You two..."
Reid, the High Priest of the Outland Devaputra, coughed and rose above the crowd, floating between the two quarreling men. "The Demon Phoenix has lost her mind, and Yu Yuan's Yang God is still ensnared by demonic power. Shouldn't you be figuring out how to handle her? Also, if it's not too much trouble..."
Reid glanced at the spatial rift, continuing, "May I request that my people be allowed to take a detour through the Vast Expanse first? Rest assured, they won't linger; they're headed straight to the Delude Devil Abyss."
Reid, unable to decipher the complex dynamics of the Dim Starfield, was uncertain about the future developments.
The frenzied Demon Phoenix appeared intent on shattering the barrier of the Origin Blood Continent. Knowing her well, Reid was aware that once the Demon Phoenix set her mind to a task, she often succeeded.
If the barrier broke and the Demon Phoenix entered again, Reid feared she might even lay waste to the Origin Blood Continent—her madness was too severe this time.
"There's no rush. We can evacuate when the barrier is on the brink of collapse," Taishi said, ever composed. "Even if you don't trust me or the Naga, you should have faith in Yu Yuan. Rest easy; he'll find a solution. Just be patient."
Zhong Chichen looked up and called out, "Yu Yuan, your true form won't be enough to hold her back!"
Outside the realm barrier.
Wielding the Optimus Sword, Yu Yuan unleashed a cascade of crimson sword light, only to be thwarted by the Demon Phoenix's mighty wings, extinguishing each attempt. It was Zhong Chichen's cry that brought him to a sudden halt.
He began to think with a level head.
Zhong Chichen was correct; until he ascended to the highest level, his true form combined with the Optimus Sword stood no chance against the Demon Phoenix.
Before arriving at the Origin Blood Continent, he had already given his all at the edge of the Outer Star River.
Back then, even with the assistance of blood energy from the Yang God, he couldn't overcome a Demon Phoenix exerting a mere 30% of its strength.
What hope did he have now?
His attention turned to the expansive purple expanse of Demon Energy, where no matter how he called out, the deeply ensnared Yang God remained unresponsive.
There was no connection whatsoever.
"Since contact is impossible, then..."
Without much hesitation, and noticing the ice wall's cavities growing ever larger, he realized that even the intense cold of the Frost Energy within the wall might not hold off the Demon Phoenix for long.
With a swift motion, he hurled the Optimus Sword, transforming it into a streak of crimson lightning that darted toward the purple zone shrouded in Demon Energy.
The sword soul, in tune with his spirit, had observed all that transpired in the external world. If the Divine Sword could reach the alternate dimension of Demon Energy, the Yang God would instantly discern what the Demon Phoenix had done while he was confined within the depths of the Demon Energy.
And indeed, that's exactly what happened.
In that alternate dimension, utterly cut off from the outside world, Yu Yuan's vigilantly guarded Yang God caught sight of a sudden burst of crimson sword light from another realm.
"The Optimus Sword!"
In the instant the sword materialized, the sword soul's essence surged into his consciousness and heart, clarifying the unfolding events.
The Demon Phoenix wasn't lurking in the depths of the Demon Energy, nor was it gathering strength for a more formidable assault.
It was merely entrapping his Yang God, seizing the opportunity to go after Ji Ningshuang.
"Insanity!"
Upon receiving the message from the sword soul and witnessing Ji Ningshuang being grievously wounded by the Demon Phoenix, plummeting to the Origin Blood Continent, Yu Yuan's anger erupted.
Jee Ningshuang's unwavering trust and support for him had been steadfast, even at the risk of defying the Sword Sect's stance.
In his past life, Yu Yuan had been led on a worldwide journey before his path of cultivation began, gathering various spiritual herbs and poisons.
Even after he succumbed to demonic possession, his personality drastically altered, those who once held him in high esteem slowly withdrew their admiration.
Yet, Jee Ningshuang remained by his side, her loyalty unwavering.
Such profound affection welled up within him, kindling a flame of rage in Yu Yuan's heart.
"You enjoy stirring up trouble, don't you?"
Amidst the thick, purple demonic energy, the Optimus Sword and Demon Blade were sheathed. There, suspended in a silent, otherworldly void, he conjured the Dragon Slash Platform beneath his feet.
The Dragon Slash Platform transformed into a long, razor-sharp weapon in his grasp!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With the surge of potent blood energy, the Dragon Slash Platform radiated a blinding golden light. His blood energy, transmuted by refining the Yang Meridian, sparked like golden lightning across the platform's surface, actualizing the Golden Dragon's formidable power, even surpassing the might of the former Tenth Level Golden Dragon God!
Sizzle! Sizzle!
The brilliant golden light, wielded by Yu Yuan with the Dragon Slash Platform, shattered all barriers between heaven and earth.
The piercing golden brilliance, trapped within an infinite veil of darkness, cleaved through the dense purple sea of demonic energy like a colossal golden blade splitting the cosmos.
On the second rending, the Crystal Chains shattered, accompanied by the agonized cries of the Demon Phoenix.
Yu Yuan's eyes suddenly beheld a sight hidden deep within the demonic energy sea: countless crystalline skeletons, veins as thick as serpents, and vast organs, all severed!
It appeared as though a monstrous beast had been lurking in the depths of the demonic energy, concealed for years.
Within this creature's body pulsed the essence and blood energy of the Demon Phoenix!
"This..."
Yu Yuan hadn't anticipated such an extraordinary sight, and he paused, momentarily taken aback.
But in a mere moment, he came to a startling realization.
The Supreme Demon Phoenix had likely forged an entirely new and massive beastly form for him, a form that lay hidden within this deep purple sea.
It seemed like a newly formed Starry Behemoth, crafted by the Demon Phoenix itself!
Yet it was not complete, still maturing and evolving.
Amidst the fissure created by the Dragon Slash Platform, he witnessed a downpour of purple blood and heard the anguished cries of the Demon Phoenix. This also allowed him to glimpse the Demon Phoenix in the outer world.
Whoosh!
Clutching the Dragon Slash Platform, he soared from the dense purple sea of Demonic Energy, glancing back to see a blurred behemoth furiously licking its wounds and spewing curses.
The curses, a stream of vile words, matched those of the Demon Phoenix at the boundary wall, all directed at him.
Hua! Hua! Hua!
Another Demon Phoenix, no longer preoccupied with Jee Ningshuang at the boundary, brandished her purple-golden spear and engaged in a fierce battle with Yu Yuan's Yang God.
It appeared she feared Yu Yuan would keep inflicting wounds on the other creature within the Demonic Energy.
"You, you've also got another..."
While his Yang God clashed with the Demon Phoenix, Yu Yuan's true self stared in horror at the roiling Demonic Energy, recalling the curses.
Indeed, there lay a giant beast with flesh, blood, veins, bones, and organs hidden within the Demonic Energy!
Another Demon Phoenix?
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
After his departure, the thick purple Demonic Energy swiftly moved toward the distant Outer Star River, then, under the watchful eye of the Yang God, merged with the Phoenix Shrine.
As if becoming an extension of the Shrine.
The enigmatic Phoenix Shrine trembled slightly, then released a purple glow and soared off into the far reaches of space.
Rip!
A series of dense spatial rifts were torn open by the Phoenix Shrine, their destinations unknown.
The Phoenix Shrine, bathed in a fantastical purple aura, emitted a series of enigmatic murmurs, seemingly issuing commands to the multitude of alien beasts and great demons, instructing them on their next actions.
Confused yet attentive, the great demons and beast kings from beyond the stars listened intently.
Then, in a grand procession, they followed the Phoenix Shrine into the sky.
"I will kill that wretched Secular Bird!"
The piercing cry of another Supreme Demon Phoenix echoed from the departing Phoenix Shrine. Judging by its trajectory, it seemed to be headed for the Starfield inhabited by the Winged Race.
"They're all going to die!"
Jee Ningshuang, a prominent figure of the Sword Sect, held the Demon Blade with a steady hand. The Dragon Slash Platform awaited her, and the Tenth Level Golden Dragon, a manifestation of the Golden Dragon God, roared in anticipation. The Bloodline Crystal Chain shimmered with potential, ready to bind the Starry Behemoth.
