Immortal Refiner

Scarlet flames rained down from the sky, instantly engulfing the area outside Profound Ancient City in a sea of fire.

The crimson phoenix soared through the air, its wings beating ceaselessly as torrents of fire cascaded from its body—all manifestations of the power within its bloodline.

As a true spirit of the fire dao, the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son naturally commanded formidable flame-based divine abilities.

His ambition to incinerate the entire city in a single strike was truly astonishing.

However, he was still only at the void refinement realm. The moment the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son attacked, the city’s formation activated, with City Lord Lingxu positioning himself at the formation core to take full control.

Boom!

Though the terrifying flames surged with overwhelming force, they proved utterly ineffective against the city’s formidable magical formation.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son roared, ”Is there anyone in this city brave enough to face me in battle?”

”I heard someone in Profound Ancient City recently advanced to the void refinement realm. I’ve come personally to pay my respects.”

These words sent shockwaves through the city, turning faces pale with terror.

”He’s here to challenge Patriarch Si Kong to a duel? This is no friendly visit!”

”Hmph, after suffering a crushing defeat at Wild Bull Ridge, he’s trying to regain some face by bullying the human race?!”

”That cowardly, opportunistic mongrel bird deserves to die!”

Many within the city wore grim expressions, cursing the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son for his lack of honor. Instead of challenging other races’ heavenly prodigies, he had brought trouble to the gates of Profound Ancient City.

Despite their anger, they had to admit the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son was undeniably powerful. No one in Profound Ancient City could likely match him.

Even City Lord Lingxu and Patriarch Si Kong combined might not stand a chance against him.

The only good news was the city’s protective magical formation. Unless a body integration realm expert personally attacked, even the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son’s extraordinary bloodline would struggle to breach it.

After waiting for a long time without a challenger emerging, the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son sneered. ”Hah, so the human race is nothing but cowards, lacking even the courage to fight someone of their own level?”

Finally, City Lord Lingxu, who controlled the grand formation, responded:

”Crimson Phoenix Holy Son, you should leave. No one in Profound Ancient City intends to fight you.”

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son refused to retreat. His voice grew even colder as he declared, ”You can both come at me. I don’t mind taking on two opponents at once.”

City Lord Lingxu remained silent for a moment before speaking again. ”Holy Son, your bloodline is extraordinary. We acknowledge we are no match for you. Please return to your official residence.”

Though he had advanced to the early void refinement realm many years ago, City Lord Lingxu had stagnated there. If not for the Creation Origin Liquid Li Qing and the others had brought back from the Heavenlight Secret Realm, he likely wouldn’t have survived his next great heavenly tribulation.

Facing the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son, who was also in the void refinement realm, City Lord Lingxu had little confidence in his ability to prevail. The gap between their strengths was simply too vast.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son remained unyielding. He stated grimly, ”I will leave only if you hand over the human named Old Lord Hei You. I personally witnessed him manipulating my clan’s Einherjar within the Heavenlight Secret Realm—an unforgivable act of desecration!”

”Today, I will personally execute this blasphemer of my clan’s Einherjar!”

His words sent a shockwave through the city.

Few details about the events within the Heavenlight Secret Realm had leaked out. Only fragments of information had surfaced.

The true nature of what had transpired remained shrouded in mystery, known only to the high-ranking members of each clan. Ordinary citizens had little access to the full story.

Old Lord Hei You hadn’t returned to Profound Ancient City since emerging from the Heavenlight Secret Realm. Even if the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son demanded his surrender, City Lord Lingxu had no way to produce him.

”Hei You hasn’t returned to Profound Ancient City,” City Lord Lingxu declared. ”Crimson Phoenix Holy Son, you’ve come to the wrong place. After leaving the Heavenlight Secret Realm, he fled elsewhere and now has no connection to our city.”

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son remained unconvinced. He was certain that the newly advanced void refinement realm cultivator in Profound Ancient City was none other than Old Lord Hei You. Why else would he refuse to reveal himself?

”Very well,” the holy son snarled. ”Since you refuse to surrender him, I’ll camp outside the city. Every human who emerges will die!”

Without hesitation, the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son settled into a meditative posture in the void, retracting his Scarlet Phoenix True Form. True to his word, he began his vigil outside the city walls, clearly prepared for a protracted siege.

”This...”

The city guards on the ramparts exchanged uneasy glances. If this stalemate dragged on, it could create serious problems within the city. Trade with other races still needed to continue.

”Don’t worry. If he drags this out, the Giant Spirit Race will eventually realize something’s wrong. Then their void refinement realm experts can deal with him.”

”Exactly! The Giant Spirit Race won’t stand idly by!”

”It’s infuriating that he’s actually managed to blockade the city!”

”...”

However, this hope placed in the Giant Spirit Race was destined to be dashed.

More than ten days passed without a single sign of movement. No reinforcements from the Giant Spirit Race arrived.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son proved remarkably patient. He sat calmly in the void, actually cultivating on his own, absorbing the sun and moon essence outside the city walls.

This display of confidence stirred panic within the city.

”What are we going to do?”

If the blockade continued, the city would suffer significant losses, especially the Golden Abundance Trading Company, which frequently traded with the Giant Spirit Race. Each additional day of delay meant greater losses.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son kept his word. Anyone attempting to sneak out of the city was swiftly detected and killed.

This ruthless and decisive approach terrified many, deterring them from taking any further risks.

Finally, Patriarch Si Kong could no longer remain seated. He soared into the air, his feet stepping through the void as he advanced step by step toward the city gates.

The people of Profound Ancient City showed no joy at this sight. Instead, their faces grew heavy with worry.

”Is he really going to fight? That’s unwise.”

”We should just endure this and wait out the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son. I refuse to believe he’ll guard this place forever.”

”Let’s hope nothing goes wrong...”

”Does Patriarch Si Kong have a plan?”

The impending battle drew the attention of countless citizens within the city. Many nervously watched Patriarch Si Kong, fearing for his safety.

Sensing an approaching presence, the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son opened his eyes, his gaze icy as he regarded the soaring Patriarch Si Kong.

”Not Old Lord Hei You... Could City Lord Lingxu have been telling the truth after all?”

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son frowned slightly, but regardless, now that his opponent had come, he would establish his dominance.

”I am Si Kong, merchant lord of the Golden Abundance Trading Company. I request your guidance!”

”I care nothing for your identity. Since you dare leave the city, prepare to die.”