Ding!

At the end of the tunnel, the crisp sound of a hard object hitting a blade penetrated the eardrums, and then changed all of a sudden.

Several rays of silver light coursed towards Bai Fanlu with a terrifying force. He was about to raise his sword to block when Xiao Liu suddenly flew up behind, rushed past him and took an offensive stance.

The young man had slipped out of the tunnel before Bai Fanlu.

He was shocked. Wasn’t it agreed that Xiao Liu would stand behind him? Why did he...

The young man had completely retracted his declaration of becoming more mature. He was still that naive brat!

Bai Fanlu rushed out of the exit and it got dazzling and bright all at once. After a moment of blinding glare, he seemed to have stepped into a pleasant, clear and open space.

However, Bai Fan completely ignored the surroundings and frantically wondered where Xiao Liu was.

He stepped out into the air and felt a sudden drop in the temperature all around.

Looking up, he saw the figure tussling with Xiao Liu in midair.

The monster appeared human-like, but with a long dragon tail behind him. He was wearing silver armour, holding a nine-foot halberd in his hand and his stature was as tall as two people. Compared to him, Xiao Liu almost looked like a child.

And the overbearing energy he was channelling was probably even stronger than Ling Qingzi...

No!

That is not immortal energy at all, but a divine power that was more oppressive and aggressive.

The strange chill in the air just now came from him, and frost swirled around him as if one would be cut into pieces if they approached him by an inch!

This ancient Dragon God was really no joke.

Bai Fanlu joined in the battle. The Dragon God, Xun Huang, seemed to not have detected him yet. The giant halberd in his hand was twirled, summoning wind and snow that gushed out from all directions, transforming into hundreds of soldiers, and surrounding Xiao Liu like a tide.

"Phantom Spirits, kill him!”

Bai Fanlu pinched his two fingers and several spells with concentrated immortal energy were shot down from the sky. With violent flashes of blue thunder, the ‘Ice Generals’ were instantly scorched and melted into puddles of water.

Taking advantage of this moment, Bai Fanlu stepped on the air, and leapt to the back of Xun Huang. He held his blade with the two fingers of his right hand, silently reciting spells to activate the Binding Technique. Following which, the two streaks of green lights struck out and drove into the back of Xun Huang, quickly forming a seal, "Bind!”

"Who dares to stop me—"

With a roar, even stronger wind and frost blasted out from Xun Huang's body, and the surrounding things finally couldn't withstand the crushing pressure. Rocks, trees, grass, leaves and dust were sent flying all over the sky and destroyed within the wind and snow, amidst killing oppression.

Bai Fanlu searched for Xiao Liu's figure in the chaos, and suddenly felt his vision dim as an extremely cold aura rushed towards his face. Xun Huang had turned against the Binding Technique and bolted in front of him in an instant.

However, as he approached Bai Fanlu, Xun Huang seemed to be in a state of shock all of a sudden. His eyes were seemingly glazed with a layer of ice. Previously, Bai Fanlu could not see his eyes clearly and now he could as they gleamed. At the same time, a translucent ice ribbon became visible.

Bai Fanlu was surprised to find that those slightly narrowed blue eyes, which were staring at him, revealed a strange emotion that was so complicated that he was unable to discern the emotions behind them.

"Gege!” Xiao Liu shouted.

Fortunately, the technique had finally worked, and Xun Huang had been restrained. The Dragon God could no longer take another step closer to Bai Fanlu.

However, Bai Fanlu was in a state of uncertainty. Did Xun Huang know the original owner?

Now the plot had changed, he dared not take anything lightly, but in any case, he must first trap Xun Huang then seal the Demonic Energy Rift. Those were of utmost priority.

Xiao Liu finally slashed through the wind and snow which were stalling him and approached Bai Fanlu. He blocked the man behind him and attempted to make another attack.

Xun Huang was aware and seeing that the two were working together, instead of advancing rashly, he took a step back first.

"This is our chance! Seal him with a fire spell!”

Xiao Liu's voice came from his spiritual consciousness, and Bai Fanlu had the same intention. He quickly adjusted his internal breath and sent out a fire talisman at the same time as Xiao Liu launched an attack.

Boom!

A fire dragon rose from the feet of Bai Fanlu, when it reached the highest point, the fire dragon stopped and transformed into a tornado of flame to launch a surprise attack.

Seeing that the situation was amiss, Xun Huang suddenly slammed the giant halberd in his hand, and the entire space reverberated loudly. This strange force which emerged seemingly integrated with the fire spell formation.

Bai Fanlu and Xiao Liu looked at each other, and at the same time they retreated out of the impact radius of the fire spell. With billowing smoke, the space instantly turned into a sea of flames.

"You—"

Xun Huang looked towards Bai Fanlu, only to make the last hoarse sound, but was muffled by the hiss of the fire.

A fire barrier had been formed, and according to the plot of the novel, Bai Fanlu had successfully subdued Xun Huang.

But Bai Fanlu overlooked one thing. How did Xiao Liu know the weakness of Xun Huang and remind him to use the fire spell in his spiritual consciousness?

But this was not the only questionable point. Compared to Xiao Liu, what made Bai Fanlu more worried was that twisted expression of Xun Huang’s.

For some reason, Xun Huang’s voice was muffled and unclear, rough and harsh to the ears. This coupled with his arrogant and domineering strength, made him even more terrifying.

Bai Fanlu vaguely felt that there was still more the Dragon God wanted to say after his last words, and he couldn't help but become curious.

"Gege, what's wrong? Are you injured anywhere?” Xiao Liu asked anxiously.

Bai Fanlu shook off the strange thoughts in his mind, and was just about to say something, but suddenly frowned, and pulled Xiao Liu's arm.

There were a few hideous cuts on his right arm, and the blood oozing from the wounds was slightly blue-black.

Bai Fanlu's eyes widened at once and Xiao Liu hurriedly retracted his arm behind his back, but it was too late.
"I'm fine..." Xiao Liu forced out a smile and had the intention of comforting him.

However, something caught his eye and an unprecedented panic showed up in Bai Fanlu's eyes. He stopped talking immediately.

He had been wounded by the tail of the ancient Dragon God, Xun Huang, which carried a deadly poison. In the book, Yun Zhan was also injured and it was a serious injury for him.

However, that man had an exceptional constitution and had Bi Luo’s protection to help suppress the toxicity. With all that help, he endured until he eventually got back to the Tianshu Sect…

Bai Fanlu's heart seemed to stop beating for an instant, he held his breath, and quickly tapped on a few acupuncture points on Xiao Liu’s body.

"...This will temporarily suppress the toxicity, remember, from now on, don't use any spells, otherwise..."

It was hard for Bai Fanlu to continue. Xiao Liu understood what he had wanted to say yet appeared much more relaxed than him. Regardless of the severe pain in his arm, he smiled and said, "I understand.”

Bai Fanlu turned around, "Then let’s go quickly, the fire spell can only last for a moment.”

Right now, they could only race against the clock, find the Demonic Energy Rift and seal it. Then, they had to awake the true body of Xun Huang and break the outer barrier, before they could get out.

Now was the only chance. If they waited for Xun Huang to break free from the fire spell, Xiao Liu’s injuries might not only be in vain but he may even lose his life…

Bai Fanlu didn't dare to think further. He supported Xiao Liu, used his cloud-treading techniqueAlso known as qigong. Pretty much any time you see a character - e.g. The Untamed, Word of Honour - 'float' or 'run on air'. Below is Lan Zhan's epic appearance at Mo Manor., and got deeper ahead.

Fortunately, the rest of their journey was unimpeded. Looking around, there were clouds and mist drifting past as well as mountains and clear waters—as if this place were a celestial realm.

However, the further they went, the more they noticed a subtle difference. Towards the end of the mountains and rivers, jagged and grey contours could be seen looming within the white fog. At first, they thought it was a flight of celestial steps to a heavenly pavilion, but soon realised that it was a massive construction ruin.

There were stone pillars carved out of white jade, steps, rounded columns and so on. None of them were whole, all were broken into piles of rubble, scattered all over the place.

Contrary to the vitality of the periphery, the place was dull and lifeless.
Only the green and yellow weeds on the ground still seemed to suggest traces of the changing seasons experienced here.

Investiture of Gods Platform, where was it?

Bai Fanlu got anxious, and eagerly searched for the Demonic Energy Rift mentioned in the novel.

When he finally saw the shadow of a high four-cornered platform, Bai Fanlu was overjoyed and said to Xiao Liu, "Wait here for me, don't you cast any spells on your own.”

He once again emphasised solemnly, only after seeing Xiao Liu nod his head, he seized the moment and flew to the front of the Investiture of Gods Platform.

The massive four-cornered platform stood proudly, and the top was shrouded with mist. Bai Fanlu silently recited a spell to get rid of all illusions and as he did a golden phoenix feather fell from the platform and landed on the palm of his hand.

It belonged to a beast of great Yang energy, Chiyan LingyuRed Flame Feather. And as it appeared, the clouds and mist above gradually dispersed, and a golden light suddenly flashed above the high platform, condensing into a certain sharp murderous aura, as if observing the mortals who had suddenly broken into its territory.

An enemy again?

In the original book, there should only be Xun Huang residing in this underground palace. Bai Fanlu glanced around vigilantly and Xiao Liu also walked over to him at this moment.

"Be careful.” He whispered.

They two were standing in an open space but, except for Xiao Liu's words just now, there were no sounds here.

Bai Fanlu cautiously released his spiritual power and dispelled the top layer of mist, and finally a dazzling golden shadow on the top slowly revealed its entire form.

It was a phoenix that was flapping its wings, its right foot lifted lightly, neck slightly bent, and maintaining a fixed posture, overlooking the surroundings from its high vantage point.

If it hadn't been covered in golden feathers, and those smart and proud eyes were unmoving, anyone who saw it would have thought that it was just a sculpture.

Yet, it was terribly lifelike. Was this a real phoenix? Or was it just a sculpture?

The two looked at each other. Bai Fanlu knew the plot of the novel. This should be just a sculpture. The round platform under the sculpture suppressed the Demonic Energy Rift. Seeing was believing, but this Phoenix was too realistic.
Bai Fanlu raised his hand to send the phoenix feather up into the air and quickly recited a spell. They seemed to be hit by an invisible arrow, driving straight towards the phoenix on the high platform.

In an instant, the feather’s faint golden glow merged into one with the centre segment of the Phoenix's neck.

Then, came a rumbling, and bursts of muffled humming arose from the ground.

After experiencing the same in Yingzhou, Bai Fanlu knew that this signalled the breaking of the seal.

Sighing in relief, Bai Fanlu was about to lead Xiao Liu away, but a loud noise suddenly came from behind him.

The sky is falling down?!

No, it was the hundred-foot-high platform under their feet that was rising up quickly, as if something large and deep in the ground was struggling and pushing it out!

"Ah—"

From a distance came the painful, heart-piercing roar of mania and Bai Fanlu's heart was startled, causing his golden core to be inexplicably disordered. This feeling was clearly due to his fire spell being broken apart by force!

Quickly condensing his spiritual power, Bai Fanlu was prepared to fly up with Xiao Liu on his sword, But for reasons unknown, his sword was being sucked downwards. Because of this momentary delay, before the two of them could take off, another violent quake arose under their feet. They could only hold onto each other to stabilise themselves.

In just a few moments, the Investiture of Gods Platform that was still rising upwards in the previous second seemed to be dragged back in the opposite direction by some sinister force. It trembled in mid-air thrice and finally couldn't resist that mysterious force. As if it were a paper kite with a broken thread, the platform fell precariously, and even the golden-winged phoenix fell down.

"Not good!” Xiao Liu exclaimed and pushed Bai Fanlu away.

Bai Fanlu was pushed out a few feet away and was taken aback. When he finally came to a stop, he looked back and realised that the entire platform had collapsed.

The surrounding area was smashed into an invisible pit and the dust was flying everywhere turning the skies into a dim yellow.

“Xiao Liu…!”

Bai Fanlu’s eyes were burning and in pain. He could no longer see the figure of the young man he was looking for!