Chapter 638: The Grand Offensive

Chapter 638 -637: The Grand Offensive

National Preceptor Ji Yang of the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom had brutally forced his way in, leading a large group of powerful experts. The invasion came without any warning. It wasn’t until they had breached the perimeter that anyone in the Phoenix Nest was alerted.

“What’s happening? The clan has been invaded by enemies! Who are they!?”

Bai Shuihuang and the others were in the middle of a discussion in the Elder Council’s grand hall when the world outside was suddenly engulfed in flames. It was the Defense Array—a seal the guards would only activate in times of extreme crisis!

It would never be activated casually under normal circumstances. This was an extremely serious matter, as it consumed a vast amount of Spiritual Power. Once activated, it signified absolute danger—a danger that threatened the very existence of the Phoenix Race!

Most critically, they hadn’t sensed a thing until the great array was triggered. There were numerous Divine Rune Arrays placed outside the Space-Time Gate, which should have been tripped the moment anyone broke through.

The Elder Council inside should have been alerted instantly. But this time, they remained completely unaware until the guards activated the Defense Array, finally revealing that someone had broken in.

Immediately, without another word, flames erupted from their bodies, and they transformed into streaks of red light, flying toward the main gate. It wasn’t just Bai Shuihuang and the other elders; every single member of the Phoenix Race, whether they were in seclusion, cultivating, or standing guard over something, had to rush out at top speed.

The strongest Defense Array had been activated, signifying a moment of life and death. Who would dare to remain in their secluded chambers? The only exceptions were the “old undyings.”

Every supreme Divine Kingdom has some of these “old undyings” in seclusion. They ignore all worldly affairs, not because they are indifferent, but because their lifespans are nearing their end, and there is little they can still do.

The only thing they can do is crawl out from the deepest recesses during a life-or-death crisis to deliver one final strike. After fending off the enemy, they either die on the spot or have their lifespans drastically shortened, with only a few days left to live.

Therefore, they would not emerge unless it was a critical moment. The great array was now active, but the true authority to awaken them still rested in Bai Shuihuang’s hands. Once she crushed the Jade Pendant, they would emerge and use all their remaining strength to resist.

Phoenixes are not truly immortal; they can still die. Their lifespans are simply a bit longer than others, relatively speaking.

In an instant, they arrived outside the main gate. They immediately saw Ji Yang and his numerous experts stepping out of the Space-Time Gate and onto their territory. However, a Flame Cage firmly enveloped the area, preventing the invaders from advancing further for the moment.

“You dare!” Bai Shuihuang snapped. A red glow flashed in her hand as two crimson scales shot out, streaking toward Ji Yang with lightning speed.

With a casual flick of his hand, Ji Yang swatted the red light back. After circling in the air, it returned to Bai Shuihuang’s hand. Only then was it clear that the two thin scales contained an astonishing Flame Power, and it was none other than the Immortal Fire!

“Phoenix Feather Red Flame. A decent Divine Artifact,” Ji Yang remarked. “If your ancestors were to use it, it might have some effect on me. But in your hands, it’s far from enough.” His blocking palm now bore only a faint red brand, showing he had sustained no significant injury.

That such a ferocious attack from a Divine Artifact left only a faint mark was a testament to Ji Yang’s immense power.

However, the gap between the two was obvious. Ji Yang’s cultivation had reached the fifth layer of the Saint King Stage, while Bai Shuihuang, despite a recent breakthrough, had only reached the ninth layer of the Spirit King Stage. The difference between them was like a chasm, impossible to bridge with a single Divine Artifact.

“National Preceptor Ji Yang! The Phoenix Race has no quarrel with you, so why do you attack us!”

Bai Shuihuang stared at him, her eyes filled with killing intent. The reason she had attacked so hastily was largely because Ji Yang was holding one of their guards, preparing to crush the guard’s body to extract his Essence Blood. Such a vicious method was something only the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom was capable of.

“No quarrel?” After a loud laugh, Ji Yang squeezed his hand hard. Accompanied by a scream of agony, the guard’s heart was ripped out, causing Bai Shuihuang and the others to cry out, but it was futile.

They couldn’t charge out. To do so would mean walking into the enemy’s encirclement, and they would only end up like that guard, with their hearts torn out.

Ji Yang popped the still-beating heart into his mouth and began to chew it slowly, as if eating a snack. He savored it and said, “This aroma is simply wonderful. And the taste of this Phoenix Blood… I’ve always been so fond of it. It’s been so long since I’ve eaten so satisfyingly… especially doing it right in front of the Phoenix Race.”

A smile appeared on his face, looking utterly sinister.

“Ji Yang, your Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom is doomed!” Bai Shuihuang’s gaze was ice-cold. She took out a Jade Pendant and crushed it forcefully.

“This is the exact feeling I was looking for. I’ll wait for your group of old undyings to come out, then I’ll take care of you all at once.” Ji Yang watched her actions without a hint of surprise. It was a distress signal, but he didn’t stop her. In fact, one could say he wanted her to do it.

“It seems your Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom is determined to win this time?” Bai Shuihuang said with a cold gaze, surveying the many experts who had come. Among them were two at the Saint King Stage.

One was Ji Yang. The other was the Nether God Divine General, another Saint King Stage expert from the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom. His cultivation was at the fourth layer of the Saint King Stage, only slightly weaker than the National Preceptor’s.

Not only that, but there were also numerous Spirit King Stage experts behind them. One group, in particular, stood out. They were all dressed in light blue clothes, their faces obscured by their cloaks, making them hard to see clearly.

But she could feel it very clearly: this group felt extremely dangerous, giving her a sense of impending death. It was obvious the invaders had come prepared, but the Phoenix Race had no idea what their full plan was.

They knew nothing about the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom’s plans, having only grasped some superficial information.

“But of course. Why else do you think we would come all this way to kill you?” Ji Yang said with a faint smile. “To continue our previous topic, you said you have no quarrel with us? Let’s not even talk about the Celestial Nether Altar for now. Let’s just start with the Evil Spirit Race. How do you feel about our hatred then? There’s no need to be coy. It’s pointless. We’ve already broken down your door. Did you really think we could still greet each other with fake smiles like friends?”

Ji Yang was right. Now that they had forced their way in, it was clear this was not a matter that could be easily resolved. Even handing over all their Treasures would be useless, because what they wanted were the lives of the entire Phoenix Race. Begging for mercy or offering Treasures was meaningless.

“So you’re finally admitting that you are the descendants of the Evil Spirit Race?” Bai Shuihuang sneered.

“And what if we are? Do you really think you can turn the tables today?” Ji Yang said nonchalantly. “We prepared a great deal for this day. Though part of our plan was disrupted, it doesn’t matter. Everything is still within our control… Today is the day the Phoenix Race is erased from the Netherworld. Commemorate it. Commemorate it with the blood that will be spilled here!”

Ji Yang sneered, reached into the Void, and grabbed another guard. With a vicious squeeze, the guard exploded into a cloud of blood mist that scattered in the air.

Bai Shuihuang and the others felt a sharp pain in their hearts watching this. If looks could kill, their furious glares would have already burned Ji Yang to ashes!

A great battle was about to erupt. Meanwhile, Yi Tianyun was rushing over, feeling that something was increasingly amiss.

‘Could the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom be launching an all-out assault on the Phoenix Race? Do they have some other powerful trump card?’ Yi Tianyun’s heart sank. ‘Perhaps there’s an even greater secret that we haven’t discovered yet!’