152: Chapter 153, The Changes in the Ruins, is a bit too extreme, isn't it?

Inside the Phoenix Ruins.

A boundless world of fire.

There is no sky, no earth here, only eternally burning crimson flames.

The flames converge into a sea, and in the center of the sea, there is a small pond.

Viscous, blood-like dark red liquid churns within the pond.

A figure with a bird's body and a human face lies prone in the pond.

She trembles, trying to walk out of the pond, but ultimately falls back down and is submerged.

The flames around her body fluctuate violently, turning from crimson to dark red, extremely unstable.

"Still... can't do it..."

A hoarse, dry voice squeezes out from her throat, filled with unwillingness.

"This damn demon blood... This damn curse..."

She suddenly raises her head, looking toward the top of the fire world, as if she could pierce through the endless flames to see outside the ruins.

"Unwilling... This Palace is unwilling!!"

Dark red demonic flames erupt from her body, completely swallowing her figure!

The dark red liquid in the pond seems to be summoned, rushing out frantically to merge with the demonic flames!

A dark red fiery figure emitting an ominous aura slowly stands up from the pond!

She, or rather it, is no longer a pure Phoenix.

It is a Demon Phoenix, polluted by demon blood and fallen into madness!

Just then.

It suddenly turns its head, looking in a certain direction of the fire world.

There, space ripples slightly, and three figures are forcibly teleported in.

They are Ling Tian, Xia Youchu, and Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing.

"Intruders..."

The Demon Phoenix's chaotic, crazed eyes instantly lock onto the three.

When it sees Ling Tian's towering body, one hundred and twenty meters tall with wings on its back, a flash of shock crosses its eyes.

"Yinglong?!"

How could an Yinglong come to the Phoenix Ruins?!

One must know, the Yinglong possesses a Bloodline equivalent to the Ancient Divine Phoenix!

And this aura seems quite young? Did it just awaken its Yinglong Bloodline?

Greed instantly wells up in the Demon Phoenix's heart.

Its Bloodline Origin is a great supplement for its current body, which is on the verge of collapse!

Perhaps it can help it take that step again!

It subconsciously licks its lips.

But immediately after, its gaze falls on Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing, and its brows furrow tightly.

A Quasi-Emperor!

Although it is only an early-stage Quasi-Emperor, that pressure of the Emperor Realm's rules cannot be fake!

The greed in the Demon Phoenix's eyes is instantly replaced by wariness.

Its current state is extremely poor.

After possessing the Divine Phoenix and forcibly driving it into the Demonic Path, its strength has also been greatly reduced, with less than one-tenth remaining.

Facing a Quasi-Emperor in perfect condition, even if it is only an early-stage one, it is definitely no match!

A direct fight would mean certain death!

Madness flashes in the Demon Phoenix's eyes.

Cannot fight head-on.

But... it cannot let the fat meat in its mouth get away!

This Yinglong cub is too important to it!

Also, that human woman seems to have a special aura that makes it feel a hint of threat.

Must find a way to eliminate them!

The Demon Phoenix calculates rapidly in its mind.

This is its territory now!

Although it is in poor condition and cannot fully control the Phoenix Ruins, it can still do some things in the dark!

A hint of sinister malice flashes in the Demon Phoenix's eyes.

The Phoenix Clan ruins are similar to the True Dragon Ruins.

For those who enter, several trials will be set.

Those who pass the trials can obtain the opportunity for beasts to enter the Nirvana Pool to refine their Bloodline and obtain the Phoenix Legacy.

Humans can obtain treasures, Cultivation Techniques, and even rewards of Phoenix Secret Arts.

These are the rules left behind by the ancient Phoenix Clan to screen inheritors.

Although it is no longer considered part of the Phoenix Clan, it can still influence and manipulate these rules.

"Since that's the case..."

"This Palace will give you a big gift!"

The Demon Phoenix smiles coldly, its figure slowly merging into the surrounding sea of fire, disappearing.

In secret, it begins to quietly mobilize the power of the ruins, preparing to strike from the shadows when Ling Tian and Xia Youchu undergo the trials!

It wants to use the power of the ruins' rules to kill that Yinglong and that human woman!

As for that Quasi-Emperor...

The ruins' rules are repulsive to existences above the Emperor Realm, so he should not be able to participate in the trials.

Even if he can forcibly intervene, hiding in the shadows will allow it to withdraw in time.

Plan successful!

...

On the other side of the fire world.

Ling Tian, Xia Youchu, and Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing steady their figures and vigilantly survey their surroundings.

"Is this inside the Phoenix Clan ruins?"

Xia Youchu looks at the boundless sea of fire around her, her brows slightly furrowed.

This environment is even worse than outside.

High temperatures and violent fire-attribute energy are everywhere.

If not for her cultivation having reached the Yuan Wang Realm Eighth Star and the protection of the Swallowing Heaven Demonic Art, she would likely have been roasted dry before long.

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing's expression is solemn: "Correct. And... I feel something is wrong here."

He closes his eyes, carefully sensing for a moment, and says in a deep voice: "The fire rules here are filled with an unsettling negative aura. It doesn't look like a normal place for the Phoenix Clan Legacy."

"Could it be that the Phoenix Clan ruins have also undergone a change?"

Xia Youchu's heart stirs, remembering the words of the True Dragon Will.

"Very likely."

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing nods, "Everyone be careful, this place is likely more dangerous than we imagined."

Ling Tian doesn't really feel anything.

He flaps the Yinglong wings on his back, stirring up hot air currents.

Although the environment here is harsh, it doesn't affect him much.

The [Molten Dragon Armor] gives him extremely high resistance to high temperatures and flames.

The [Taotie Lung] and [Destruction Furnace] are even able to efficiently absorb and convert the fire energy here.

He even feels a bit comfortable.

Just then.

The flames in front automatically separate, revealing a passage.

At the end of the passage, a towering platform is vaguely visible.

Above the platform is a boundless, roaring... waterfall of fire!

Yes, not water, but the raging True Phoenix Fire, pouring down from an unknown height, like a celestial river hanging upside down, crashing into the fire pool below, making a deafening roar!

The scorching heat, even from far away, makes Xia Youchu's skin sting.

"It seems the first trial has arrived."

Xia Youchu looks at the fire waterfall and the crimson platform at the end, and after thinking for a moment, says.

"The trials of the Phoenix Clan ruins are similar to the True Dragon Ruins, usually having three to five stages, each targeting different aspects."

"This first stage..."

She points to the fire waterfall and the platform: "We need to go against this True Phoenix Fire waterfall, climb up, and reach that Qiwu Platform. Only those who can successfully reach the platform are considered to have passed the first stage."

"Go against the current? Climb the platform while stepping on fire?"

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing looks at that violent True Phoenix Fire waterfall, his brows furrowing tightly, "This True Phoenix Fire has extraordinary power! Even a Yuan Emperor powerhouse, without special protection or fire-attribute talent, would likely be burned to ashes if they stayed in it for a long time!"

"The difficulty of this trial is too high!"

He looks at Xia Youchu and Ling Tian: "You..."

Xia Youchu takes a deep breath, her eyes determined: "Since we are here, we have to try. I have the Swallowing Heaven Demonic Art to protect me, so I should be able to hold on for a while."

"How about you? Does this True Phoenix Fire..."

Xia Youchu looks at Ling Tian.

Ling Tian looks at the roaring fire waterfall, his dark golden dragon eyes not only showing no fear but instead flashing with excitement?

He smacks his lips.

This waterfall looks like it tastes pretty good?

"I have no problem."

Ling Tian replies with his mind, "This thing can't hurt me."

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing hears this and is slightly relieved.

He has seen Ling Tian's fire resistance; even the Ten Thousand Snake Emperor-Killing Poison was treated as a supplement. This True Phoenix Fire, though powerful, should not be able to do anything to him.

"Good, then you two be careful. I will protect you from here."

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing says, "The rules of this ruin seem to exclude existences above the Emperor Realm. If I forcibly participate, it might trigger unpredictable changes. Also, I need to keep an eye on the outside, to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation."

Xia Youchu and Ling Tian nod.

The two look at each other and, without further hesitation, walk toward the direction of the fire waterfall.

The closer they get, the more terrifying the high temperature and violent fire-attribute energy become.

Xia Youchu is already operating the Swallowing Heaven Demonic Art at full power, a faint black halo appearing around her body, swallowing and converting the incoming heat waves and fire energy, but she still feels like she is in a furnace, sweating like rain, and her Yuan power is being consumed extremely quickly.

Ling Tian seems much more relaxed.

The [Molten Dragon Armor] glows slightly, isolating most of the high temperature and flames.

The [Taotie Lung] inhales and exhales, absorbing the dissipated pure fire energy into his body to replenish his consumption.

The two arrive below the fire waterfall.

Looking up, the waterfall is a thousand feet high, composed entirely of pure True Phoenix Fire, with golden streaks in the blazing white, emitting a terrifying aura that incinerates everything.

The waterfall crashes into the deep pool, splashing fire sparks everywhere, each spark enough to burn a hole through a Yuan Wang Realm Cultivator.

The Qiwu Platform is at the top of the waterfall.

"Go!"

Xia Youchu shouts in a low voice, taking the lead and leaping into the fire waterfall!

Chi—!!!

The moment the two step into the waterfall, the True Phoenix Fire hanging from the sky instantly surges!!!

Like cold water dripping into hot oil!

The black halo around Xia Youchu's body collides violently with the True Phoenix Fire, making a harsh sound!

She feels like she just jumped into a sea of magma!

Endless destructive flames are burning her from all directions!

The Swallowing Heaven Demonic Art runs frantically, trying to swallow the fire energy pouring into her body, but the speed cannot keep up at all!

Her skin instantly turns bright red, her hair curls, and a burnt smell wafts over.

Yuan power flows away rapidly like water from an opened gate!

"Such... such terrifying fire!"

Xia Youchu is horrified in her heart.

The power of this True Phoenix Fire far exceeds her estimates!

With her current cultivation and the power of the Swallowing Heaven Demonic Art, she can barely even hold on for three breaths?!

Is this really a trial prepared for an inheritor?!

A Middle Stage Yuan Emperor would probably be burned to ashes here, right?!

Is the Phoenix Clan's standard for screening inheritors this twisted?!

Or is there a problem with the ruins, and the trial difficulty has been inexplicably increased?!