Chapter 600: The Sacred Phantom of the Heavenly Phoenix
Within the blood sacrifice formation, vast amounts of blood energy wrapped in power surged into Huang Tian's body through the formation. Feeling his Dou Qi swell uncontrollably, a fierce determination rose in Huang Tian's heart. Xiao Ze's strength had surpassed his expectations; even the clan's sacred formation seemed trivial before him. The phantom phoenix conjured from the formation hadn't even touched Xiao Ze before it was obliterated by the terrifying golden dragon.
Driven by desperation, Huang Tian thought if death was inevitable, he would use his clansmen's power to inflict a wound on Xiao Ze. However, his animosity towards Xiao Ze wasn't deeply personal; after all, they each belonged to opposing alliances—Soul Alliance and Dan Alliance. War between these alliances meant inevitable death and destruction on the battlefield.
Today's mission was to persuade the Jiuyou Di Ming Python clan to join the Soul Alliance. If persuasion failed, Huang Tian would not hesitate to act ruthlessly. The force he brought was more than capable of annihilating the Jiuyou Di Ming Python clan entirely.
Now that Xiao Ze had arrived, it was merely a case of them facing the very fate they intended for the Jiuyou Di Ming Python clan.
Crack!
The formation, losing the support of many from the Heavenly Phoenix clan, emitted a crackling sound and violently shattered. Energy surged and blood mist spread, obscuring the view within.
Xiao Ze narrowed his eyes slightly, standing calmly in the void, his face showing contemplation rather than concern. It seemed that the formations of the Dou Qi Mainland truly couldn't compare to the spirit formations of the Thousand Worlds. The mainland's formations relied more on group efforts rather than the individual power seen in the Thousand Worlds.
"Ha ha ha! Your confidence surprises me. I thought the mishap with the formation would compel you to act sooner," came Huang Tian's voice through the blood mist.
With a smile, Xiao Ze waved his hand, transforming it into a violent tornado that dispersed most of the blood mist, revealing Huang Tian drenched in blood. His originally regal purple-gold robe was now stained red. The noble hue of purple-gold was thoroughly soaked in blood, giving Huang Tian a gruesomely vibrant appearance.
What surprised Xiao Ze the most was the wild aura emanating from Huang Tian, suggesting that any being before him could be torn to shreds.
"Well enough, even if your kin gave you all their power, the vast gap between us isn't something so easily bridged," Xiao Ze casually remarked. Huang Tian's expression remained unchanged; despite the power infusion from his kin, facing Xiao Ze still seemed an insurmountable challenge. If gaps at the Dou Saint level could be so easily overcome, the significance of such distinctions would be a mere joke.
"I didn't expect to defeat you. Your talent evokes both envy and jealousy in me. To surpass centuries of my effort in just a few years as a Dou Saint," Huang Tian spoke, his body slowly pulsating with blood energy.
"Even if I leave but a single wound on you today, my promise to my kin would not be broken." As Huang Tian's voice fell, his limbs and key points on his body burst open, spewing blood violently.
The precious blood essence of his magical beast lineage gushed from these wounds in a unique pattern, gathering on Huang Tian's forehead and forming an ancient golden Phoenix mark.
Xiao Ze, recalling the ancient texts he had seen on Dragon Island, recognized the technique. During his temporary stay on Dragon Island, thanks to his relationship with the ancient dragons, he had access to ancient texts passed down within the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan. As two ancient magical beast clans that had clashed over ages, each was intimately familiar with the other's capabilities.
Like the Dragon-slaying Sword possessed by the royal family of the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan, the Heavenly Phoenix clan had similar methods. As the leader of the Heavenly Phoenix clan with the purest bloodline, Huang Tian mastered a technique akin to the Dragon-slaying Sword. But unlike the sword specifically designed to target the Taixu Ancient Dragons, the Heavenly Phoenix clan's technique involved summoning the sacred phantom of an ancient phoenix, channeling the latent power within their bloodline.
While such bloodline activation was not uncommon among ancient races and magical beast clans, the Heavenly Phoenix clan's approach was far more intense. They could pour an unlimited amount of blood essence into enhancing the power of the ancient phoenix within their bloodline.
As demonstrated by Huang Tian, exploding his limbs and body to channel his blood essence was a devastating sacrifice. Even if he survived, his bloodline power would be completely depleted, leaving him incapable of maintaining his role as clan leader or his saintly status.
But Huang Tian, disregarding all consequences, continued to let his bloodline power flow freely, the ancient phoenix mark on his forehead growing increasingly radiant.
"Xiao Ze, I'm not sure of your exact strength—whether you're a Six Star Dou Saint or have reached a higher stage of Dou Saint. But I thank you for your arrogance, allowing me to summon the sacred phantom of the ancient phoenix. Though I may die today, you will not escape unscathed!"
As Huang Tian spoke, his aura pulsed, and with a final explosion, his forehead burst open, revealing a gory hole. The resplendent ancient phoenix mark emerged, and Huang Tian's robust figure shattered as if drained of all essence, his body crumbling like paper in the ensuing energy storm.
The ancient phoenix mark, now alive, transformed into a majestic phantom of an ancient phoenix, seemingly crossing eons to resurrect the mighty being from antiquity. Its profound and ancient aura swept across the land, its powerful bloodline even pressing heavily on the souls of the Jiuyou Di Ming Python clan below.
Xiao Ze, facing the wind without flinching, knew well that with his strength, unless facing a Nine Star Dou Saint, his life was not at risk. This was why he allowed Huang Tian to proceed—he had the strength to counter whatever was thrown at him.
"Truly mad, to channel even the soul's energy into the ancient phoenix mark. But the summoned ancient phoenix is indeed extraordinary. One should never underestimate these ancient clans with deep legacies," Xiao Ze mused, his face showing no sign of panic.
With his current power, he felt secure. Strength was his assurance, and no matter Huang Tian's strategies, Xiao Ze could dismantle them with overwhelming force.
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