Chapter Seventy-Nine: Ten Foxes Trapped, Ominous Ghost Sparrows

No clouds had just absorbed the jade seal coffin containing the trapped Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King into his own body when a cry of alarm sounded nearby.

It was the bedraggled Phoenix Qianyu, along with her mount, the Five-Headed Serpent. Four of its heads hung low, its entire body riddled with holes. Already gravely wounded, the ordeal had worsened its injuries, leaving them both in utter disarray. The serpent was now little more than a belt draped around her waist.

“How exquisite!” No clouds praised, but Phoenix Qianyu, as if seeing a ghost, stammered, “She’s a mid-to-late-stage Immortal King—what did you do to her?”

No clouds was about to boast, when a seductive voice echoed from within: “Little sister, if you lend me your strength, we shall split the treasures he carries evenly. What say you?”

“You weren’t even a match for him—now you want me to fall into your trap?”

“Ridiculous! He cannot truly confine me; this is merely temporary. To prevent complications and his escape, if we join forces—inside and out—we will surely succeed!”

The Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King spoke fervently, but before Phoenix Qianyu could ponder it, No clouds laughed, “You and your mount can barely protect yourselves!”

“Hmph! A mere Great Immortal, feigning power—relying on treasures, but they’re just external things!” Phoenix Qianyu glanced at her exhausted mount, an idea forming. She withdrew her treasure, and instantly, the three-eyed Ghost Sparrows that had been besieging her surged forward like a tide.

She had hoped to shift the trouble eastward, making No clouds take the blame. Unexpectedly, before she could fly past him, No clouds intervened on her behalf.

She had gone from frenzied slaughter to cautious escape, not daring to strike again. But No clouds? He dared.

In an instant, the tide of Ghost Sparrows was swept into the formation diagram.

“Hahaha!” Phoenix Qianyu rejoiced. If she agreed to the Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King now, surely her efforts would be halved, and at the very least, she’d secure a share of the formation diagram.

Before she could bargain, all the Ghost Sparrows were locked within the jade seal coffin imprisoning the fox.

Suddenly, countless Ghost Sparrows around the Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King dissolved into vapor, like moths to a flame. A vast blood-red aura surged around her, scorching everything.

“I understand!” The Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King exclaimed, delighted, having found a way to break free. She unleashed her soul’s treasure, and infinite Eightfold True Fire blazed forth—even her garments burned away, leaving her glowing red and shrouded in mist.

“Senior, you’re finished!” Old Bear Third shouted hoarsely. Everyone saw flames ignite where No clouds housed the jade seal—his chest ablaze.

“I say, there was first light, then fire!” No clouds intoned, as if reciting a truth, as if he himself were that original light.

He produced the Fire Phoenix, which had formed the fire bead earlier, desperately absorbing the Eightfold True Fire. Yet, when the fire grew bright, it shattered—Fire Phoenix, the Buddha bead, all burned to dust without even a wisp of smoke.

No clouds was stunned. The Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King sneered, but before her laughter ended, the flames burning No clouds’ chest were swallowed by a sudden apparition—the vanished Gale Phoenix.

“Rebirth through fire!” No clouds recounted the event as though it concerned someone else. Instantly, no matter how fierce the Eightfold True Fire, it could not breach the jade seal coffin.

The Fire Phoenix’s apparition merged into No clouds’ body, and everyone sensed a refreshing coolness.

Outside the jade seal coffin, a savory aroma wafted forth—the scent of dragon flesh, sweeter and more delicious than beef, barely cooked.

Dragon One wore a mournful face as No clouds scolded, “Hurry up, recite the heart formula—it will boost your Divine Dragon’s Ninefold Transformation!”

Moon Seven, craving a taste, coaxed Old Bear Third to pinch off a piece for him, but Old Bear Third tossed it into his ear and sealed it with magic.

At this moment, offending the sole Profound Immortal, Dragon One, would surely make life unbearable in the future.

Old Bear Third offered a few comforting words, and Dragon One muttered the incantation, feeling this divine technique was being practiced too soon!

Within the jade seal coffin, as the Ten-Tailed Fox Immortal King attempted another widespread attack, suddenly pain struck her rear—it felt like a snakebite.

No, it wasn’t a snake!

She turned angrily. Behind her, a Ghost Sparrow at demon king level had taken human form, leering at her with the face of an old man.

But his wickedly long beak was sunk into her backside, biting off a small chunk of flesh.

Smack!

The Ten-Tailed Fox struck, but missed, her palm landing on the coffin, narrowly avoiding the roasted Dragon One outside, and slapping her own face.

“Fury!” the Fox roared, unleashing a sphere of light—her natal weapon encased within. She was about to withdraw it, but reason prevailed, and she put it back.

In such a confined space, wielding a second-grade immortal weapon would be like hacking at herself.

The Ten-Tailed Fox, worthy of her mid-to-late demon king status, transformed in the face of the Ghost Sparrow’s renewed attack, splitting into three forms.

Each form wielded a distinct hand gesture, glaring with six eyes. Mouths, ears, tails—all became weapons, casting spells of confinement to restrain the Ghost Sparrow Immortal King.

This wondrous technique immediately subdued the Ghost Sparrow. Just as she was about to seal the demon king within her immortal artifact, the Ghost Sparrow exploded, unleashing a surging force. Imperial might surged forth, shattering the coffin and striking at the Fox.

She was unafraid—her natal immortal artifact at last revealed itself: a pink spirit bead, containing hundreds and thousands of alluring foxes, unsuitable for children’s eyes.

Battle King, Old Bear Third, Little Insect, Green Leaf, No clouds, Phoenix Qianyu—their eyes seemed to see the most beautiful beings, blood streaming from their sockets.

In that imperial might, a voice exclaimed, then space split open, expelling the shouting Ten-Tailed Fox.

The sky fell silent, earth trembling around, intruders still searching for ways to avoid the ferocious beasts.

“All the work of imperial artifacts!” No clouds stowed the jade seal, looking at the stunned Phoenix Qianyu. “Will you leave on your own, or must I force you out?”

Earlier, she would have fought, but now, after seeing the mighty Immortal King toyed with so easily, did she still have the courage?

“The Ethereal Immortal Sect still has some reserves. Here—this is all the information I have. The descendants of the Ethereal Immortal Sect are located atop the former Imperial Star!”

For the first time, Phoenix Qianyu offered goodwill. No clouds replied cautiously, “What, you’ve lost interest in the treasures we carry?”

“Treasure is only valuable if you survive to claim it. I sense you are exceptionally troublesome. And look at your immortal body—three or four types merged in one. As a Great Immortal, your cultivation defies the heavens. If you repair your sect’s array, you’ll have a place in this Immortal Realm!”

Phoenix Qianyu analyzed thoroughly, trailing behind No clouds and the others.

She dared not strike, but could ensure No clouds did not attack.

No clouds dared not, either—his fallback means were dwindling. Should Phoenix Qianyu attack again, he’d have to pay dearly just to escape.

Both harbored their own schemes, convinced of their own correctness. As they stalemated, powerful demon beasts appeared in the distance.

Some were formidable Profound Immortals, who, finding no escape, struck out desperately, summoning their ultimate forms.

Some cheered—the fused demon beasts, though strong, were native to this place, lacking immortal artifacts. How powerful could they be?

So they brought out their signature weapons, gaining absolute advantage. The weaker ones used combat techniques, whittling down opponents bit by bit.

A snowy demon wolf, having bested its foe, eagerly swallowed the vanquished into its belly’s domain, slowly extracting its power.

Others, after slaying their foes, aided their companions to divide the spoils.

More and more forest beasts were destroyed. As No clouds had said, after the demon kings come the Immortal Kings. The earliest victor, the snowy demon wolf, suddenly clutched its belly and writhed in agony.

Like a dehydrated mudfish flopping frantically on shore, the frequency astonishingly high. It was hard to imagine a peak Profound Immortal snow wolf suffering so terribly, reduced to a shadow of itself.