Chapter 28: A Battle of Equals: Clashes of Flames

Liang barely had time to react, but he managed to block the flames with his own flames. However, the phoenix flames were getting stronger with every passing moment.

Liang's brow furrowed. A golden glow emanated from his eyes, and golden scales materialized all over his body. As he underwent a partial transformation, the Infernal Void Flames he possessed grew stronger, causing the surrounding space to melt away and creating cracks in the void.

Fury ignited in the phoenix's eyes. Letting out a deafening screech, The phoenix's power surged, causing its flames to transform into a golden shade, indicating its advancement to the next level.

Liang maintained his composure and focused on the phoenix. He knew that he had to defeat it quickly or else it would overpower him.

Eventually, the phoenix's new flames clashed with Liang's Infernal Void Flames. The resulting explosion released shockwaves that reverberated for miles, wreaking havoc, tearing the earth apart, and uprooting trees.

Neither side emerged victorious.

Suddenly, Liang's body radiated with a luminous, golden glow, and crimson runes appeared all over his skin, which then disappeared as his body transformed into a massive, golden-scaled serpent that hovered in mid-air.

The serpent roared mightily, causing the void to fracture under its force. Raw power unleashed from his roar, hurling the phoenix away. Liang's Infernal Void Flames also grew in strength as he maximized its full potential.

The phoenix recovered quickly and produced another piercing screech, causing its golden flames to brighten and shroud it in a blinding radiance.

As the serpent readied itself for another attack, the phoenix surged forward, unleashing a comet-like stream of flames.

The two clashed, and a massive explosion occurred obliterating everything within tens of miles. After some time, Liang reverted to his human form, his clothing in disarray, and his body covered in burns and bruises.

He looked at the destruction around him and his eyes contracted as another figure appeared in front of him; it was a woman.

She was stunningly beautiful, with fiery red hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of flames. Her eyes were a piercing shade of gold, and her skin was as soft and smooth as silk. Despite her stunning looks, there was an air of danger about her that put Liang on edge.

A feeble voice suddenly emanated from the ruins of the destroyed palace. "Alas, in the end, I couldn't save her. All of this effort was for nought."

Liang narrowed his eyes as he recognized the voice of the Golden Wing Ancestor. As the ancestor emerged from beneath the wreckage, he directed his gaze towards the woman and asked, "Is she really dead?"

The woman's face reflected confusion for a moment before her eyes flashed with comprehension. "Are you referring to my vessel? She should be, unless she has an immortal soul."

After a moment of silence, the woman looked at him curiously. "You were the one who delayed my awakening, weren't you?"

The Golden Wing Ancestor chuckled. "Ever since I discovered that the phoenix that entered her body at birth was not merely a spirit or bloodline inheritance, I did everything in my power to delay the awakening as I know that once it happens it will be over for her ."

When Su Ling was born, a phoenix spirit descended from the sky and entered her body. The Golden Wing Ancestor, who happened to be passing by, had taken notice of it, And after some time he found that the girl had an extraordinary affinity with fire. He was so impressed that he decided to take her as his disciple. Over time, he grew attached to her.

During one of her meditation sessions, he discovered a small phoenix spirit above her Dantian. It could only be detected when she was meditating. After much investigation, he discovered that her talent was not a blessing but a curse.

After dwelling in many ancient scrolls, The Golden Wing Ancestor read in one of them that a long time ago, a boy was born with a spirit similar to Su Ling's but it was that of a dragon. The boy's cultivation speed was miraculous, but upon reaching Spirit Severing Realm, his body disintegrated, revealing a small dragon. Despite its size, not even Void Transformation Realm cultivators were a match for it.

"It was only a matter of time," the woman mocked him. "Spending your whole life trying to seal me would just be delaying the inevitable."

He let out a final sigh before his soul disappearing completely.

As the woman turned to leave, she commented calmly, "It's fascinating how his soul managed to endure for such a long time."

With a flick of his arm, a sword came into Liang's hand. He announced, "I don't remember giving you permission to leave."

Halting in her tracks, the woman pivoted to face him. "Is that so? You honestly believe that a spirit array and a sword are enough to keep me here?"

Liang chuckled. "Impressive, you figured it out that quickly. You are right, I can't keep you here indefinitely. However, I could certainly inflict some serious injuries upon you, thereby preventing you from recovering your original cultivation base any time soon."

The woman regarded him for a moment before speaking. "Stop beating around the bush. What do you really want from me?"

He laughed. "I admire smart beings. Give me three drops of your blood essence, and I'll let you go."

The woman raised an eyebrow and glared at him. "Do you really think that I'm afraid of you or something?"

Liang shrugged. "It's a fair bargain, isn't it? Three drops of your blood essence won't harm you much, and you can leave safely."

The woman considered for a moment before nodding. "Fine, but you better keep your end of the deal."

Liang produced a small vial and handed it to the woman. She pricked her finger with a sharp nail, allowing three drops of her blood to fall into the vial.

Once the vial was securely in Liang's possession, the woman turned to leave once again. "Our deal is done then."

Liang watched her disappear into thin air before sighing heavily in relief.

He pursued Su Ling because he detected a similar aura to the drop of blood he had previously used. Since he needed the blood essence of a true spirit being, he decided to try his luck.

Despite not foreseeing that it was a true phoenix emanating the aura, he ultimately achieved his goal and obtained drops of the phoenix's blood essence.