Chapter 976: 竟如此诚恳

The scaleless creature missed its bite, but the resulting shockwave vibrated the air for at least several dozen feet around.

Zhu Tingtao, who had just steadied himself beside Ji Yuan, was instantly filled with dread. He now understood that the "small snake" was merely a diversion; its true size was dozens of feet. Had he concentrated his magical energy to block the "snake's" mouth just then, he would likely have been swallowed whole.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, don't be fooled by this monster's feigned madness; he was quite calm when he tricked you just now!"

Zhu Tingtao steadied himself and replied in a low voice.

"I didn't underestimate the opponent, but I was surprised my spiritual sight detected nothing. Still, it cannot escape my Phoenix True Fire!"

From their elevated position, Zhu Tingtao and Ji Yuan looked down upon the landscape. The sky and ground below were engulfed in blazing true fire, accompanied by the monster's agonizing roars.

Ji Yuan frowned as he gazed down. Zhu Tingtao's Phoenix True Fire was undoubtedly formidable. Zhu Tingtao had once mentioned how much he benefited from their joint refinement of the Immortal Binding Rope, deepening his understanding of the true fire path. As a result, his current true fire subtly exuded an aura of absolute destruction.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, despite its decaying aura, this monster might be far more potent than you realize. Allow me to intensify the fire."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan inhaled slightly, then exhaled forward. In an instant, crimson-gray Samadhi True Fire erupted, immediately merging into the sea of flames. The previously brilliant Phoenix True Fire quickly took on a grayish hue, yet its power dramatically increased.

"Roar... This isn't Phoenix True Fire—"

"Boom!"

As the roars intensified below, another explosion rent the air. Limitless foul demonic energy, mixed with black water, erupted, pushing back the stubbornly burning true fires. On the ground below, demonic energy surged, giving rise to a monstrous beast. It was covered in fur and scales, with decaying wings on its back, sharp claws on all four limbs, a long, dragon-like tail, and a protracted skull revealing prominent fangs. Its entire being exuded a pungent odor of decay.

This beast was considerably larger than the ones that had appeared before. Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao clearly saw repulsive worms crawling over many parts of its body. Although the demonic energy ripped through the flames, the Samadhi True Fire, fueled by the demonic energy, rapidly coiled around it, much like oil poured on water.

"Die!"

The beast below suddenly stomped the ground, shattering it with a loud rumble and vanishing from its position. When it reappeared, a sharp claw was already descending directly onto Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao's heads.

The two calmly dodged to the side. Ji Yuan, gazing at the monster below, was filled with astonishment. The worms on the beast's body were clearly Dragon Corpse Worms. Could this monster be the fierce beast Hou? Was Hou's true form actually here?

Yet Ji Yuan found this improbable. Perhaps, similar to Zhu Yan, it was a true spirit possessing a Dragon Corpse Worm, slowly cultivating and recovering. However, its current body clearly indicated severe issues.

Seeing its attack fail, the beast opened its mouth towards Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao, instantly spewing out an endless torrent of Dragon Corpse Worms. Each worm was exceptionally ferocious, hurtling directly towards the two of them.

However, with Samadhi True Fire and Phoenix True Fire blazing all around, Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao were completely unafraid of such an assault. They utilized escape techniques to glide through the true fire, reducing countless Dragon Corpse Worms to ash within the flames.

The ground and air constantly resounded with sounds of shattering and explosions. The intense glow of the two true fires painted the sky and the surrounding landscape crimson. The air was filled with roars, the popping sounds of bursting worms, and the enraged cries of strange insects and the monstrous beast.

"Dragon Corpse Worms? Mr. Ji, this monster's origins are likely significant!"

Zhu Tingtao, dodging in tandem with Ji Yuan, naturally recognized the Dragon Corpse Worms. Ji Yuan, swiftly moving and evading, nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. However, this beast likely harbors a partial true spirit of an ancient fierce beast known as 'Hou.' This isn't merely an explanation for ordinary Dragon Corpse Worms."

While Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao dodged, the monster also moved constantly, leaping and flying to avoid the burning Samadhi True Fire and Phoenix True Fire. Yet, Ji Yuan's words had captured its attention. It continuously unleashed terrifying demonic energy to repel the two true fires and keep them at bay. Simultaneously, its pair of dark, demonic eyes fixed intently on Ji Yuan, as if examining him seriously for the very first time.

"You know me? This fire... could it be the Samadhi True Fire? Are you Ji Yuan?"

Ji Yuan smiled.

"How could I, Ji, be so honored as to have my name known by an ancient, fierce beast? My knowledge of you stems from a casual conversation with a fellow Daoist in a mirror. Unexpectedly, your current appearance is far less impressive than your reputation."

Ji Yuan's words, though devoid of profanity, dripped with mockery. To be ridiculed by someone like Ji Yuan, who knew its true origins, ignited an unbearable fury within the Hou. Yet, its voice grew calm.

"Since you've encountered him, you must know some things. Help me locate the Phoenix, and I will reward you handsomely! Otherwise, not even Yuecang will be able to protect you!"

'So that one is named Yuecang?'

A thought flickered through Ji Yuan's mind; the name didn't correspond to any divine or fierce beasts he could recall. However, it was just a fleeting distraction; his primary focus remained on the immediate situation.

"I appreciate your generous offer, Fellow Daoist Hou, but I, Ji Yuan, was born with an exceptionally keen sense of smell and cannot tolerate unpleasant odors. It is truly difficult for me to accept your kind intentions!"

Zhu Tingtao never believed Ji Yuan would conspire with such a monster, and upon hearing Ji Yuan's words now, he burst into laughter.

"Hahahahaha... It's more than just unpleasant; it's utterly putrid! Even I can barely tolerate it. How could Mr. Ji's keen sense of smell possibly endure it? Hahahahaha..."

The monster's eyes became bloodshot, its rage nearly transforming into flames.

"When I devoured dragons, you mere insects didn't even exist. But I won't stoop to arguing with youngsters. The Phoenix's demise is predetermined, just as this prison of heaven and earth is destined to shatter. Rather than letting the Phoenix's true spirit blood go to waste, it would be far better used to aid me. The Phoenix can protect Immortal Cloud Island, and so can I. Furthermore, I can safeguard Immortal Cloud Island as it breaks free from the constraints of this realm!"

As it spoke, more than half of the decaying marks on the Hou's body astonishingly receded, and its entire form appeared significantly more complete. However, the putrid demonic aura could not escape Ji Yuan's keen sense of smell.

"And you, Ji Yuan, an immortal of your cultivation level, are unparalleled in this world and truly worthy of being called a fellow Daoist by me. Yuecang is treacherous and cunning, Zhu Yan is inherently tyrannical, Yayu is delirious, and the fierce demon Xiangliu merely desires the destruction of the cosmos, not even caring for himself. All other beings are but ants awaiting death, unable to escape their chains. Only I, the Hou, can genuinely treat others with sincerity! Fellow Daoist Ji, help me acquire the Phoenix's True Blood, and we can transcend the heavens and earth together, truly achieving enlightenment. What do you say?"

Ji Yuan's heart stirred slightly. In some respects, the Hou's words seemed remarkably sincere. However, it was evident that Ji Yuan would never assist the Hou. Even setting aside any moral imperatives, his relationship with the dragon race alone made helping the Hou utterly impossible.

"Your sincere words undoubtedly come from the heart, Fellow Daoist, but Ji Yuan has already found his own path and has no need to achieve enlightenment with you."

As his words ended, Ji Yuan formed a hand seal. Simultaneously, several magical coins in his sleeve dissolved, and then the spell was cast.

At that moment, the surrounding world shifted colors, as if they had entered an immortal realm. A colossal, three-legged alchemy furnace, reaching to the heavens, materialized behind Ji Yuan. He gently tapped his chest with his right hand, and the furnace lid flew open with a resounding boom.

"Boom!"

The Samadhi True Fire, now many times more intense than before, became an overwhelming sea of flames, engulfing everything in its path.

The sheer ferocity, brilliance, and intense heat of the flames struck fear into the Hou's heart, conjuring an absurd sensation of insurmountable power. As the saying goes, a wise man avoids immediate peril. This Ji Yuan proved far more formidable than imagined, prompting the Hou to consider retreat. It instantly exploded with demonic energy, turned, and attempted to flee.

However, a golden light appeared on the distant ground, and golden rope-like shadows materialized, forming a massive golden wall that blocked its path.

"Since you choose the path of death, I shall grant it to you! Roar—"

The Hou roared in fury, shedding countless Dragon Corpse Worms from its body. Most of them immediately grew in size after detaching, emitting terrifying demonic energy as they surged towards the sea of fire behind and towards Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao, whose figures were already obscured by the flames.

Yet, after seeing the sky above also transformed into a golden expanse, the Hou charged directly towards the golden wall, intent on breaking through it.

"Rumble..."

The ground trembled incessantly, and the golden wall formed by the Immortal Binding Ropes also loosened. However, the Hou did not fully break through; instead, it transformed into countless Dragon Corpse Worms, attempting to squeeze through the gaps.

"Hahahahaha... You utterly pathetic creature, you're far inferior to Zhu Yan, hahahahaha..."

Boisterous laughter drifted from outside. The Hou, in its form as countless Dragon Corpse Worms, looked towards the sound. In the sky beyond the golden wall, a monstrous beast, emanating wisps of black smoke, stood suspended.

"Xiezhi?"

"Indeed, it is I, your master! Roar—"

Far on the horizon, a high-ranking cultivator from Immortal Cloud Island gazed in astonishment at the sky's edge, which was illuminated in a crimson-gray hue. Even from such a distance, he could sense a terrifying surge of flames on a spiritual level.

The cultivator held a sound transmission talisman, the very one Zhu Tingtao had sent back to Immortal Cloud Island, which he was evidently holding back.

'This isn't Phoenix True Fire...'

The cultivator's eyes flickered with indecision. After a moment of rapid thought, he chose to release the sound transmission talisman, allowing it to soar into the sky. He had held it back for so long and done all he could; it was already considered the utmost benevolence.