Chapter 1722 - 676: Witch Jiang Ran_3

Chapter 1722: Chapter 676: Witch Jiang Ran_3

When Qin Ming arrived, he was warmly received by an elderly man, who inquired about his age and cultivation level with a very friendly demeanor, showing none of the notorious atmosphere associated with the Demon Sect.

"Qin Shanghuang, thirty-eight years old, Fourth Realm Perfection, amazing." The old man looked surprised.

Such cultivation is truly extraordinary. If he were a few years younger, he would be a Saint Level being.

Qin Ming was treated with great courtesy and given a warm reception.

He noticed that just today, at this mansion in the outer city, Jiang Ran had recruited more than a dozen young experts to become her guest disciples.

Without a doubt, Demoness Jiang had completely established her position here.

"When will we go to the inner city to meet Jiang Immortal?" Qin Ming asked.

The old man informed him: "She is outside and has not yet returned. Hmm, no need to hide it from you, she’s trying to walk the Path of Great Saint and obtain rare resources."

Immediately, someone among the group offered, "Do we need to go and assist her?"

After a moment’s contemplation, the old man said, "Hmm, that might be a good idea. The master is trying to subjugate a young pure-blooded Phoenix Bird. If successful, her future path will be smooth. However, that area is quite dangerous; if you’re willing, you can help clear out the fierce birds and mutant beasts outside, but don’t disturb her communication with the Phoenix Bird."

Finally, Qin Ming and his group set off, led personally by the elderly man, who piloted a Treasure Boat to take them to a Primitive Mountain Range.

This was a resource area under the jurisdiction of the Xuanhuang Martial Hall—Blood Phoenix Ridge.

"Halt." At the outer perimeter, someone stopped them.

The old man stepped forward to communicate, informing those people that these were guest disciples of Jiang Ran.

"Hmm, no old monsters are mixed in with you, right?" Someone came forward to check.

"Whether there are or not, it doesn’t matter. They can’t enter the core area to help the trialists; they can only clear those creatures in the outer area."

The pure-blooded Phoenix Bird is extremely powerful, and taming it is incredibly difficult, but this is a part of the Path of Great Saint trial.

After delivering the people, the old man controlled the flying boat and left.

He would return in two days.

The group was delivered into Blood Phoenix Ridge, entering a mysterious domain.

Behind them, the two old men who were guarding the area exchanged glances, both displaying a peculiar expression.

"Is it okay to do this after accepting benefits from the Du Jie Sect? If the blood of these people truly awakens the Nirvana state of the old Blood Phoenix, the consequences could be disastrous."

Jiang Ran aimed to subjugate a young Phoenix Bird, but here there was also an old Phoenix Bird, heavily injured and slumbering in Nirvana.

"Don’t worry, even if Jiang Ran gets disturbed and fails, there are protective measures in place to keep her from dying here. It’s merely her first trial attempt; no one will find fault."

"Hmm, compliant and reasonable, the issue is not significant."

...

The terrain of Blood Phoenix Ridge was unique, covered in dense, lush primitive forests, but also had some active volcanoes emitting thick smoke.

Soon, Qin Ming sensed something was amiss; the mountain beasts and raptors here seemed to go mad, continuously gathering. Once killed, their blood quickly seeped into the ground.

Faintly, there were Array Patterns lighting up underground.

"The situation is unusual; this land seems bloodthirsty..."

In this domain, there were dozens of people who arrived before Qin Ming and his group.

This group consisted of Jiang Ran’s followers, earlier accompanying her, stationed to guard the outside.

"Rumor has it there’s an old Blood Phoenix here recovering from injuries; is it about to awaken?"

"If so, a major incident will occur. We might be in peril, and Jiang Immortal... Jiang Immortal’s attempt to subjugate the young pure-blooded Phoenix Bird will also fail!"

The group all looked visibly changed.

By now, Qin Ming confirmed it—this is the Demon Sect. The competition among Saints is brutal; if things go wrong, even guest disciples like them might be wiped out here.

"I’m a bit regretful; I really shouldn’t have joined." Some people realized there were restrictions in the distance, preventing them from leaving the mountain range.

Someone panicked, saying, "Jiang Immortal has someone to protect her, ensuring she doesn’t die here, but we certainly don’t."

Rumble!

From underground, overwhelming waves arose, large cracks intertwined, and the entire land experienced violent tremors.

From all directions came the cries of fierce birds and beasts, all trembling, bowing to the ground.

"The old Blood Phoenix has resurrected. Even initial Nirvana, it probably has Grandmaster Level Taoist prowess, right?"

"Don’t panic; in this era, after its resurgence, it will also suffer significant loss of Primordial Qi, and will soon fall into sleep again. We should hold our breath, not disturb it, and stay steady."

Faces turned pale, hearts filled with unease.

However, what they feared most came to pass.

In the distance, the earth cracked open, and a blood fog surged upward, engulfing the heights.

Without a doubt, that Blood Phoenix has fully resurrected.

Amidst the heavy Chixia and blood light, a giant bird’s head emerged from the ground, and immediately it locked onto the group, gazing in their direction.

"It’s over!"

"Demoness Jiang failed this trial; at worst, she can recover and attempt it again, but we have no second chance and might remain here forever."

Some people were ashen-faced, hearts trembling with fear, as the opponent seemed invincible.

Qin Ming did not expect that upon arriving in the Demon Land, he would encounter such a situation.

He vaguely felt this could have been human-induced, causing the old Blood Phoenix to prematurely enter Nirvana and revive.

He understood why Jiang Ran decided to go all in, engaging in Void borrowing, as Demon Cultivators and Saints can use any means necessary, and they must acquire sufficient resources in advance to forge their subsequent path.

He murmured, "Since I’m here, can I roast a Phoenix leg without going overboard? I wonder if it’s permissible."

"Hey, why are you actively approaching? Don’t provoke it; if we can delay even for a moment, wait for an opportunity!"

Qin Ming replied, "Not provoking it, does it mean we can preserve ourselves? It’s regaining Primordial Qi; when it starts its onslaught, there won’t be any chance."

"You..." Many were uncertain and puzzled.

Qin Ming said, "Rest assured, it’s now the most suitable moment to act. I’ll smash it, turning it back into an egg."

For a moment, everyone thought he had gone insane.

Such crazy words were not something a normal person should say.

Instantly, from the torrential blood mist, a pair of golden eyes lit up, emitting blinding beams like two Immortal Swords slashing towards them.

In the distance, the group suddenly felt suffocated, hearts unbearably stifled, feeling extremely oppressed.

The legendary Blood Phoenix, just revived, was already full of a sense of oppression, causing their bodies to tremble, and their souls to quiver as if leaving their bodies.

The crowd was horrified, utterly unable to contend, feeling their insignificance.

The ground trembled, Qin Ming marched forward assuredly, step by step, approaching the massive Blood Phoenix.

"He’s... offering himself to that fierce bird!"

"I don’t want to die, but today none of us can escape."

The group was in despair, some rendered limp by the imposing aura, that Blood Evil resembling a tumultuous Wang Yang, constantly crashing towards them.

Outside, the two old men exchanged glances, displaying peculiar expressions.

They knew the Blood Phoenix had resurrected, everything proceeding as expected, on the "right track."

"Those people won’t make it."

"Will we be resented by Jiang Ran afterward?"

"What is there to worry about, we haven’t ruined her path, just delayed it a little. Besides, I have no descendants, nothing to hold me back, and by the time Jiang Ran reaches a high position, I’ll be close to sitting in meditation till my last breath, nothing to be concerned about."

The two drank Immortal Brew, sitting atop a high mountain outside the barrier, observing the situation within, slowly relaxing.

"The Blood Phoenix’s premature revival, won’t its insufficient Primordial Qi cause any mishap?"

"What are you thinking, even if a Great Grandmaster were sent in, it wouldn’t be enough, merely becoming its Blood Meal, rest assured."

"That lad is courageously offering a sacrifice, completely courting death."

The two chatted casually, watching the group at Blood Phoenix Ridge gradually move toward their doom.

As Qin Ming approached, relaxed and at ease, showing no hint of tension.

The Blood Phoenix noticed his demeanor and immediately sharpened its gaze, fixating on him.

Qin Ming spoke, "I give you two choices: either submit or undergo Nirvana again, turning back into an egg, and fall into unending slumber. It’s your decision!"

Having just arrived and treated this way, he felt it necessary to reveal his identity as one of the Six Great Saints, posing with fitting arrogance.

Zhou Tian, Mu Shiniang and others seemed to be nearby, in the vicinity of the Longevity Land; if needed, he could call them over.

With a roar, the Blood Phoenix burst from the ground, clearly enraged.

These were prey in its food chain; just resurrected, it wanted to gather strength, but the food willingly approached, provoking it.

Blood mist rolled, shrouding the night sky, the Blood Phoenix officially emerged, instantly moving towards Qin Ming, directly attacking.

Roar!

Qin Ming punched out, and in that instant, blood-colored Feathers filled the sky, and the legendary massive fierce bird spun away, retreating faster than it came, flying backward.