Accompanied by the sound of splashing water, the surface of the Divine Transformation Pool burst apart as two figures flew out from the lake before landing atop the mountain peak.
In an instant, Jiu You felt that everyone's eyes had landed upon her, causing immense pressure to surge through her for a moment.
Yet Liu Bai, standing beside her, felt none of it. Completely ignoring the surrounding gazes, he looked toward Clan Leader Tianhuang and the others and smiled.
"Fortunately, I did not fail my mission. I brought Jiu You back safely."
Clan Leader Tianhuang smiled excitedly and patted Liu Bai on the shoulder as he solemnly said, "This time, it is all thanks to you."
Although the difference in strength between the two had already become worlds apart, Liu Bai still treated him with great respect as Jiu You's father.
"Senior, please do not say that. Jiu You has helped me many times in the past. This was merely a small effort on my part."
Those words immediately enraged the members of the Phoenix Clan nearby. Was this not openly looking down on their Young Clan Leader?
Sensing the malicious gazes around them, Clan Leader Tianhuang hurriedly said, "The Divine Transformation Pool has already ended. Let us return as well."
Now that they had obtained all the benefits, naturally they needed to leave quickly, lest certain people become angrier the longer they watched.
"Hmph, you want to leave? It will not be that easy! Leave behind the Saint Blood Pills!"
However, just as Clan Leader Tianhuang's voice fell, a cold snort suddenly rang out from behind them.
Liu Bai narrowed his eyes and turned around to look at the Phoenix Clan elder who had spoken as he calmly asked, "What? Is this the intention of your Phoenix Clan?"
That Phoenix Clan elder's eyes turned sharp as he was just about to speak, only to be immediately rebuked by Phoenix King Huang Jin beside him.
"Shut up!"
Huang Jin was somewhat furious inside. Had this fool lost his mind?
Earlier, Liu Bai had openly and fairly defeated Huang Xuanzhi in front of everyone and obtained those Blood Pills. Yet now they were demanding he hand them over. Was that not directly slapping the Phoenix Clan in the face?!
Huang Jin looked at Liu Bai with a gloomy expression and said, "My Phoenix Clan has not fallen so low as to be unable to accept defeat. Since you defeated Huang Xuanzhi, then those items naturally belong to you."
"However, you killed Fang Jing inside the Divine Transformation Pool. You must give the Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan an explanation for this matter."
As he spoke, Huang Jin glanced toward Fang Han, the Clan Leader of the Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan, beside him.
Seeing this, Fang Han immediately understood and stepped forward, staring at Liu Bai with hatred filling his face.
"That's right! You killed my son. Today, you must pay with your life!"
Liu Bai clicked his tongue inwardly upon seeing this.
As expected of a Clan Leader. His methods were indeed far beyond those elders.
Huang Jin's move was clearly meant to kill him in a perfectly justified and proper manner.
Still, this was normal. Liu Bai's status meant that no one in the Great Thousand World dared casually kill him. Otherwise, the Great Thousand Palace alone would never let the matter pass.
But if it were a personal grudge, then according to the Great Thousand Palace's consistent principles, they would have no reason to "protect" him either.
Hearing this, Clan Leader Tianhuang hurriedly said anxiously, "According to the rules, everything inside the Divine Transformation Pool depends on one's own abilities. Even if there are casualties, one can only blame oneself. Is Clan Leader Fang trying to break the rules?"
At present, the only way to protect Liu Bai was to occupy the moral high ground, at the very least ensuring Huang Jin had no excuse to make a move. As for everyone else, Liu Bai's strength was already sufficient to handle them.
"Hmph! Rules? Are the rules of the Divine Transformation Pool meant to allow people to casually slaughter others?"
"The Divine Transformation Pool has been opened dozens of times over these thousands of years, yet never has anyone directly taken another's life!"
That Phoenix Clan elder spoke in a sinister tone.
Liu Bai coldly smiled and glanced at him before saying, "You want revenge? Fine. Then let Clan Leader Fang personally avenge his son! Of course, if your Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan has any other experts who wish to act, I will accept them all as well!"
It was merely a Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan. Liu Bai practically wished for them to seek revenge on him. Perhaps he might even level up again because of it.
"You…!"
Fang Han was enraged speechless before turning toward Huang Jin and bowing.
"I ask Phoenix King Huang Jin to uphold justice for my Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan!"
The moment those words were spoken, not only Liu Bai, but even the surrounding Divine Beast races revealed looks of disdain toward Fang Han.
In the world of Divine Beasts, strength reigned supreme.
Since your Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan wanted revenge, then do it yourselves. Yet instead you shamelessly begged others to stand up for you. It was truly disgraceful beyond measure!
Now that he had his excuse, Huang Jin naturally would not let the matter go easily.
However, perhaps because he considered the consequences of killing Liu Bai too severe, Huang Jin pondered briefly before speaking.
"Liu Bai, although you killed Fang Jing inside the Divine Transformation Pool, your actions were excessively ruthless. Today, I shall suppress you within my Phoenix Clan for three years to atone for your crimes!"
Hearing this, Liu Bai immediately became speechless. Was Huang Jin treating him like the Western Heaven Battle Emperor?
After speaking, Huang Jin gave him no chance whatsoever. Boundless pressure surged in from all directions, making even escape impossible for Liu Bai. Then a gigantic golden hand condensed in the sky and directly grabbed toward Liu Bai.
Facing a Middle Phase Saint Grade expert like Huang Jin, Liu Bai did not even make the slightest move to resist.
There was no other reason. The difference between them was simply too vast. This was already no longer a gap that Divine Ability or techniques could bridge.
"Heh, at least you know your place!"
Seeing Liu Bai's reaction, Huang Jin coldly laughed, yet his movements did not pause in the slightest.
Only, hidden from his sight, an ancient lamp had unknowingly already been lit.
Just as the golden giant hand was about to seize Liu Bai, strands of gorgeous flames suddenly emerged from the void and rushed straight toward the golden hand.
Under those flames, the golden hand actually melted away at an astonishing speed!
This sudden scene instantly caused Huang Jin's expression to change drastically.
Even the Phoenix Clan elder beside him could not help but cry out in shock.
"How is this possible?!"
One had to know that when a Saint Grade expert made a move, even the strongest Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign could not shake it in the slightest. So how could those flames melt it away now?
The experts of the Divine Beast races who had originally been watching the spectacle were also dumbstruck at this scene.
The gorgeous flames slowly rose into the air, and within only a few breaths, the golden giant hand had completely melted away. The speed caused everyone to involuntarily suck in a cold breath.
"A Saint Grade expert has acted?"
This was the only thought flashing through everyone's minds at this moment.
"Who is it? Could it be the Great Thousand Palace's Number One Demon Slayer King, Qin Tian?"
The only Saint Grade expert everyone could think of who had any connection with Liu Bai was likely just that one.
But no one had ever heard that Great Elder Qin Tian of the Great Thousand Palace specialized in flames.
And just as everyone remained uncertain and suspicious, a lazy sounding voice suddenly echoed through the heaven and earth.
"The dignified Phoenix King, ruler of the avian races, personally acting against a junior like this. Is that not a little too degrading to your status?"
Accompanied by that voice, the gorgeous flames which had melted Huang Jin's spiritual energy hand rapidly churned once more before a figure slowly walked out from within the flames.
His entrance was still overwhelmingly stylish as ever. Even Liu Bai could not help but silently give him his approval!
One truly had to admit that in this regard, Xiao Yan was absolutely unmatched both before and after his era.
In the sky, Huang Jin finally saw the newcomer clearly. His pupils instantly shrank as his expression changed dramatically, and a shocked voice abruptly rang out.
"Flame Emperor, Xiao Yan?!"
That name instantly caused a huge commotion throughout the Divine Beast clans of the avian races.
This was not only because the Flame Emperor was one of the strongest experts in the current Great Thousand World, but also because he possessed an extraordinary connection with the Divine Beast races more specifically, with the Dragon Clan among the Divine Beast races.
The Ancient Void Dragon Clan, a dragon race that had never appeared in the Great Thousand World before, yet was now one of the strongest dragon clans in existence.
And the reason this dragon clan drew such attention from the avian races was not merely because of the endless rivalry between the two sides, but even more because of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's Clan Leader, Dragon Emperor Zi Yan!
A true Divine Beast whose bloodline had surpassed both the Dragon and Phoenix races, the Dragon Phoenix!
Huang Jin glanced at the figure who had already arrived beside Liu Bai with deep wariness flashing through his eyes.
He had never expected Liu Bai to actually have ties with him, and to even be capable of directly summoning one of his avatars here that's right, the one who had come this time was still Xiao Yan's avatar.
After all, the Flame Emperor guarded the Endless Fire Territory, the foremost frontline against the Feind Race. Furthermore, with the approaching date of the "Great Thousand Covenant," the Fiend Clans had already begun stirring restlessly. Thus, whether it was the Flame Emperor or the Martial Ancestor, both had to remain stationed at the Endless Fire Territory or the Martial Realm and could not casually leave.
As a fellow Saint Grade expert, Huang Jin naturally saw through this at a glance. Even so, he knew very well that keeping Liu Bai here today was impossible.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan's gaze carefully swept over Liu Bai before he clicked his tongue in admiration and said, "Unbelievable, truly unbelievable. It has only been a few years since we last met, yet you little fellow have already grown to this extent!"
Especially after hearing that Liu Bai had seriously injured Huang Xuanzhi, Xiao Yan now possessed a much clearer understanding of Liu Bai's strength.
"Senior overpraises me. I was merely fortunate," Liu Bai replied with a smile and a wave of his hand.
"Heh, fortune itself is also a form of strength…"
After speaking, Xiao Yan directly looked toward Huang Jin and greeted him with a light smile. "Clan Leader Huang Jin, it has been quite some time. I trust you have been well?"
That's right, Xiao Yan and Huang Jin knew one another or rather, he knew both Phoenix Kings of the Phoenix Clan, Huang Jin and the Phoenix King of the Phoenix race.
"The Flame Emperor has also remained well. May I ask how Dragon Emperor Zi Yan is doing these days?"
"You mean Zi Yan? That girl has been in secluded cultivation for a very long time already. It will probably still be quite some time before she emerges."
That's right, the current Dragon Emperor of the Dragon Clan was precisely Zi Yan!
As the only Dragon Phoenix in the entire Great Thousand World, Zi Yan's status among the Divine Beast races was unrivaled.
Unfortunately, when both the Dragon and Phoenix races had fought to recruit her back then, Zi Yan ultimately chose the Dragon Clan. Otherwise, the Phoenix Clan today would not be ruled by two kings taking turns, but would instead have gained an additional Phoenix Emperor.
After all, even that old dragon, the True Dragon Emperor, had willingly relinquished the position of Dragon Emperor for Zi Yan and instead became the Dragon Clan's Great Elder. Therefore, if Zi Yan had chosen the Phoenix Clan, then Huang Jin and the Phoenix King could likewise have made the same choice!
Listening to the conversation between the two, Liu Bai also learned many pieces of information that had never been revealed in the original story.
For example, information regarding Dragon Phoenix Zi Yan in fact, Zi Yan had not even appeared during the Great Thousand Covenant in the original novel, so it was obvious things were just as Xiao Yan said and she had remained in seclusion all this time.
"Clan Leader Huang, I have already heard about today's matter. Since it was a struggle over opportunities within a secret realm, then naturally life and death should depend on fate. Surely this matter cannot be blamed on my little brother Liu Bai, correct?"
"Of course, I am not an unreasonable man. If you insist on standing up for the Golden Phoenix Eagle Clan, then I shall accept it. The two of us can have a match!"
The moment these words were spoken, Huang Jin's expression instantly changed.
Even Liu Bai's mouth twitched slightly after hearing this… "little brother"? He wondered what kind of reaction Xiao Xiao would have if she heard how her father addressed Liu Bai.
After a long silence, Huang Jin finally looked at Liu Bai.
"Very well. Today, I shall give the Flame Emperor face. I will no longer pursue this matter. You may leave."
Although he had never exchanged blows with Xiao Yan, Huang Jin knew very well how terrifying the latter's strength was.
Especially since Xiao Yan had long ago easily defeated Maha Tian, the Clan Leader of the Ancient Maha Clan, whose strength was on par with Huang Jin's own.
Therefore, no matter how one looked at it, Huang Jin would never lightly choose to fight Xiao Yan.
Moreover, this matter had not escalated to such a degree in the first place.
Seeing the Phoenix King actually prove so reasonable, Liu Bai was inwardly astonished. He truly had not expected the Flame Emperor's reputation to carry such immense weight.
"In that case, many thanks to Phoenix King Huang Jin."
Liu Bai politely cupped his fists as well.
Seeing that this potential "great battle" had been dispelled, the wildly pounding hearts of Clan Leader Tianhuang and the others finally began calming down somewhat.
That scene earlier had nearly made them believe that their lives were about to end right there.
Although they already desperately wished to leave this place, they could not make the decision themselves at this moment. Everything still depended on Liu Bai.
"This time, many thanks to you as well, Senior."
Liu Bai looked toward Xiao Yan and bowed once more in gratitude.
Xiao Yan laughed loudly and waved his sleeve to stop him.
"There is no need for so much courtesy."
"The Martial Ancestor and I are willing to help you because you possess this potential, and because we hope that when the Feind Race invades the Great Thousand World once more in the future, there will be companions standing beside us."
"And now it seems you have not disappointed us…"
"I heard that during the events at the Western Heaven Continent, you summoned the Martial Ancestor. I must say, you little fellow really know how to play around. That Western Heaven Battle Emperor probably felt like crying at the time."
As he spoke of this matter, Xiao Yan's face revealed unconcealed schadenfreude.
Judging from his expression, he practically wished he could have personally witnessed that grand spectacle.
Liu Bai could only feel speechless at this and reluctantly replied, "At the time, I truly did not know that Senior Lin and the Western Heaven Battle Emperor had such grievances between them. Otherwise, I would have invited you instead, Senior. That way I would not have offended the Battle Emperor so severely."
After hearing this, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly. "So what if you offended him?"
"Actually, I should thank you for this matter. When I first arrived in the Great Thousand World from the Lower Planes back then, I was at the Luo God Clan in the Lesser West Heaven Realm and received Luo Tianshen's kindness. If something had truly happened to him, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life!"
..
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