28: Chapter 28 The Fire Kingdom's Sacrificial Spirit doesn't like me? Come and fight me one-on-one if you dare!

"Hoo!"

The Fire Emperor's voice was like a great bell, echoing between heaven and earth, carrying an unquestionable imperial majesty.

Hearing this, Princess Huo Linger, who was in Wang Teng's arms, felt a crimson flush spread from her neck to her ears before the tear stains on her face had even dried.

She secretly lifted her head, her large, watery eyes filled with hope and a hint of trepidation as she gazed longingly at Wang Teng.

That look was like a kitten longing to be taken home, making one's heart soften at a single glance.

Watching the shy and expectant expression of the young girl in his arms, the words "Who cares?" that had reached Wang Teng's lips were swallowed back down.

He sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Fine, fine, fine. If I must propose, then I'll propose."

Wang Teng reached out and pinched Princess Huo Linger's rosy cheeks, his tone filled with a hint of doting affection.

"Who else could it be but me, falling into the hands of a girl like you in this lifetime?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Huo Linger instantly broke into a smile through her tears, a grin as bright and moving as a hundred flowers in full bloom.

Regardless of the outsiders present, she stood on tiptoe and swiftly pecked Wang Teng on the cheek.

Then, like a startled fawn, she buried her head in his chest.

"I knew my husband was the best!"

Feeling the fleeting warmth on his cheek, the corners of Wang Teng's mouth curled up unconsciously.

Just then, a violent roar suddenly erupted from the sky of Baiduan Mountain.

"Rumble—"

A massive spatial rift slowly tore open, and the light from the outside world poured in like a tide.

It was the exit of Baiduan Mountain, opening up!

"Time is up."

The Fire Emperor's spiritual manifestation had become extremely illusory, but the majesty in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest.

He took a deep look at Wang Teng, then looked at his daughter snuggled in his arms, a trace of complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Boy, remember your words. If you dare to break your promise, even if I have to chase you to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, I will tear you into ten thousand pieces!"

With that, the Fire Emperor's figure completely turned into a rain of light, dissipating into the void.

"Tch, the old man is quite long-winded."

Wang Teng curled his lip, but there wasn't much resentment in his eyes.

He turned his head to look at Shi Hao and Yun Xi, who were standing to the side.

Shi Hao, that kid, was holding the jar filled with Monkey Wine, looking extremely reluctant.

"Brother-in-law, are you really going to the Fire Kingdom?"

Shi Hao said somewhat reluctantly.

"I still want to go back to Butian Pavilion. Old Man Gui is still waiting for me, and I haven't had enough of this Monkey Wine yet..."

"You kid."

Wang Teng tapped him on the head with annoyance. "Since you've promised someone, how can you go back on your word?

Besides, the Fire Kingdom is a major nation among the Eight Regions of the Lower Realm, full of good things. Maybe you can even score some more benefits."

When Shi Hao heard the word "benefits," his eyes immediately lit up.

But after hesitating for a moment, he shook his head.

"Forget it, I'd better go back to Butian Pavilion first.

This trip to Baiduan Mountain has yielded quite a lot; I need to go back and properly digest it. And..."

Shi Hao scratched his head, a look of embarrassment appearing on his face.

"I still have to go back and bring some local specialties for Grandpa Village Chief."

Wang Teng nodded, not forcing him.

"Alright, then take care of yourself. Remember, don't just focus on eating; don't let your cultivation fall behind."

"Don't worry, Brother-in-law! Once I get stronger, I'll definitely go to the Fire Kingdom to drink with you!"

Shi Hao patted his chest in assurance, then didn't forget to pilfer a few hairs from the Nine-Nether Ao on Wang Teng's body.

"This is hair from one of the Ten Fiends. I'm taking it back as a souvenir, hehe!"

Wang Teng rolled his eyes, too lazy to deal with this Bear Kid.

"Yun Xi, what about you?"

Wang Teng turned to look at Yun Xi, who had been silent all this time.

Yun Xi had changed into a clean purple dress. Although she still couldn't hide her peerless beauty, her eyes held a hint of complexity.

She glanced at Wang Teng, then at Princess Huo Linger, who was clutching Wang Teng's arm tightly, gritted her teeth, and said in a low voice:

"I... I will go to the Fire Kingdom with you."

"Oh?"

Wang Teng raised an eyebrow. "You're not going back to the Celestial Race?"

"I..."

Yun Xi hesitated, a look of struggle flashing across her face.

"In my current state, going back would only bring shame to my clan.

And... and I have already promised to be Princess Huo Linger's maid, so naturally, I must keep my word."

When she said the word "maid," Yun Xi's voice was as soft as a mosquito, and her face turned as red as a ripe apple.

Wang Teng gave her a meaningful look, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

"Alright, then let's go together."

...

At the exit of Baiduan Mountain, crowds were surging. Countless cultivators were rushing out of this small world filled with opportunities and dangers.

Wang Teng's group was not in a hurry to leave, waiting until the very end.

The moment they stepped out of the spatial rift, a long-lost breath of fresh air hit them.

"Finally out!"

Princess Huo Linger took a deep breath, her face filled with relief and joy.

Wang Teng also stretched. Although life in Baiduan Mountain had been quite comfortable, the feeling of being constantly suppressed by the rules was indeed unpleasant.

Now that he was back in the outside world, the terrifying power belonging to the Nine-Nether Ao instantly surged within his body, giving him an urge to look up and roar at the sky.

"Let's go, back to the Fire Kingdom."

Wang Teng waved his hand, and a surge of majestic spiritual energy swept up the two women, transforming into a stream of light as they sped toward the Fire Kingdom.

The Fire Kingdom, located in the Fire Domain of the Eight Regions of the Lower Realm, was an ancient nation founded on the path of fire.

Its territory was vast, with hundreds of millions of citizens, and its heritage was unfathomable.

It was several days later when Wang Teng's group arrived at the border of the Fire Kingdom.

The border of the Fire Kingdom was a continuous range of crimson mountains known as "Chixia Ridge."

This place was shrouded in high temperatures all year round, and the rocks and vegetation were all crimson, as if they had been scorched by fire.

"Husband, once we pass through this Chixia Ridge, we will be in the heartland of the Fire Kingdom."

Princess Huo Linger pointed to the mountain range ahead, her tone filled with the excitement of returning home.

However, the moment they stepped into Chixia Ridge.

"Chirp—!!!"

A sharp, piercing cry suddenly came from the sky, shaking the surrounding rocks.

Immediately after, a terrifying high temperature descended from the sky, as if a sun had fallen.

Wang Teng looked up and saw a massive crimson divine bird.

It was swooping down towards them, carrying monstrous flames.

The divine bird was wrapped in the sacred Vermilion Bird Divine Fire, its wings spanning hundreds of zhang.

Each feather looked like it was cast from divine gold, shining with a dazzling light.

Its pair of eyes were like two small suns, staring fixedly at Wang Teng, filled with undisguised hostility and killing intent.

"Vermilion Bird?!"

Yun Xi exclaimed, her face turning pale instantly.

"No, this is not a pure-blooded Vermilion Bird."

Wang Teng narrowed his eyes, a cold light flashing in his three double-pup eyes.

"This is just an Ancient Remains possessing the Vermilion Bird bloodline, and..."

"Its aura is very strong, at least at the peak of the Array Formation Realm, or even a half-step Venerable!"

"It's the Spirit Guardian!"

Princess Huo Linger recognized the origin of this divine bird at a glance and exclaimed.

Before Princess Huo Linger's voice had faded, the Red-Feather Vermilion Bird had already rushed to their front.

"Where did this monster come from, daring to trespass on my Fire Kingdom's territory and abduct Her Royal Highness the Princess! Die!"

The Red-Feather Vermilion Bird spoke in human language, its voice sharp and piercing, carrying an air of haughty arrogance.

It opened its mouth and spat out a stream of Vermilion Bird Divine Fire capable of incinerating mountains, pouring down like a waterfall, heading straight for Wang Teng.

"Hmph, abduct? Which eye of yours saw me abducting her?"

Wang Teng snorted coldly, facing this terrifying blow that could insta-kill an ordinary Array Formation Realm expert.

Not only did he not dodge, but he stepped forward, blocking in front of the two women.

"Perfect, I didn't get my fill in Baiduan Mountain, so today I'll use you, this motley bird, to satisfy my appetite!"