I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 689 A Section of Dead Wood

After entering Liguang Peak and walking quite a distance, the group arrived at a depression in the back of the mountain.

The depression was very large and deep. Looking down, all one could see was a surging flame. If one stared intently for even a moment, the flames would sting one's eyes and bring tears to one's eyes. Even a true immortal would have no way of seeing what was hidden below.

Xia Daoming quietly activated his Heavenly Eye Divine Power.

Through the churning flames, one could see magma surging at the bottom of the mountain hollow, with a piece of dead wood standing in the magma.

Although it is said to be a dead tree, it resembles a pillar-shaped mountain peak, tall and majestic.

The flames were emitted by the withered wood.

The strange vitality that Xia Daoming had sensed earlier was emanating from this withered tree.

Above the withered tree, amidst the soaring flames, floated a massive piece of Fire Jade.

On the Fire Jade, dozens of True Immortals sat cross-legged, cultivating and breathing fire essence. Each of them had a solid foundation and powerful immortal energy.

Hundreds of caves have been dug out at different locations on the surrounding mountain walls.

Each cave was filled with a varying number of high-level fire-elemental True Immortals.

They surrounded an ancient array of runes carved on the ground, continuously releasing fire elemental power.

Strangely enough, all that fire elemental power vanished into thin air the moment it touched the ancient array runes, as if those runes were a bottomless pit that could swallow up any amount of fire power.

"Master, this wood feels like a part of my former body!" Huo Wutong was overwhelmed with excitement in the Crimson Palace.

"That's right, this is a branch of the ancient phoenix tree! No wonder people are needed to supply firepower, and no wonder the Flame Sparrow Clan's prodigy wants to cultivate here and awaken his bloodline supernatural powers!" A faint golden light flashed deep in Xia Daoming's eyes as he suddenly understood.

"This is a tree without roots. No matter how much firepower you provide, it can't revive like me," said the Fire Phoenix Tree.

"That's right, they just want to try to maintain the life force that is fading away from this dead tree and create an excellent place for the Flame Sparrow Clan to cultivate and awaken their bloodline supernatural powers and comprehend the Dao."

By the way, back then you were just a tiny, withered tree, yet you were able to borrow the soil of my Crimson Palace and the life force of the Blood Sea to grow new roots and sprout anew. Could you be a root of the ancient phoenix tree? No, that's not right. If just a root could grow anew, wouldn't that be too easy?

"Besides the special growing environment I provided and the various kinds of True Fire I collected later, which are the external conditions for your regrowth, you yourself are definitely different from other roots!" Xia Daoming said thoughtfully upon hearing this.

"I don't know about that. I only know that this piece of dead wood is part of me, and I can collect its remaining life essence," Huo Wutong said.

"Such a section of dead wood, as tall as a pillar supporting the sky, must contain a vast amount of life essence. If you can collect it, it will surely grow even taller. I never expected that such a great opportunity awaits us in Lieyao Mountain." Xia Daoming said with great joy upon hearing this.

"The quantity is enormous. If I collect it, there will definitely be a big change!" Huo Wutong said excitedly.

"Don't act rashly yet. Wait until I understand the situation here and have a comprehensive plan before taking it," Xia Daoming hurriedly instructed.

While Xia Daoming was secretly communicating with Huo Wutong, the group arrived at the entrance to the mountain hollow.

A short, immortal dressed in red with hair and beard reaching the ground glanced at Xia Daoming, his brows twitching slightly.

This person has surprisingly reached the Twelve Stages of Mastery.

"Only nine levels! Your cultivation level is a bit low!" The short True Immortal said, lowering his eyebrows and closing his eyes, unwilling to pay any more attention.

“Guardian, although this person’s cultivation level is low, he can still perform fire-based immortal techniques that incorporate the Southern Bright Fire!” the guide said, bowing.

"Oh!" The short immortal opened his eyes again upon hearing this, looked Xia Daoming up and down, and said, "Show this to me, the protector." "Yes!" Xia Daoming bowed, and then, as before, condensed a scraggly Vermilion Bird with flames.

The short, immortal's eyes lit up slightly. He said, "Not bad, it does indeed incorporate the Southern Bright Fire! It's a pity your cultivation level is a bit low, otherwise you could have played a greater role. Go, Fire Palace Number Sixteen, and make good use of the fire. If you perform well, my Lieyao Mountain can help you advance a cultivation level."

As they spoke, the short immortal casually tossed over a token, which, in addition to being engraved with ancient flame patterns, also bore the inscription "Sixteen Twelve".

"Thank you, Protector!" Xia Daoming hurriedly accepted the token with both hands, looking "excited."

The short, immortal figure closed his eyes again and ignored him.

Xia Daoming bowed again, then looked around and quickly found the location of Fire Mansion No. 16.

"This... what a coincidence! Uncle Xiao is also at Fire Palace No. 16!" Xia Daoming couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face.
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Fire Mansion No. 16.

Five people surrounded an ancient rune array, continuously unleashing their firepower.

Two other people were sitting cross-legged nearby, resting and adjusting their breathing.

One of them was tall and robust, and it was none other than Xiao Hongyi.

Xiao Hongyi looked tired, but when he breathed, the fire energy emanating from his body was much purer and stronger than that of the True Immortals at the same Eleventh Stage beside him.

Suddenly, Xiao Hongyi sensed something, his body trembled slightly, and he abruptly opened his eyes.

Outside the Fire Mansion, a familiar figure was flying towards him.

Xiao Hongyi looked pleasantly surprised and instinctively tried to stand up.

"Uncle-Master, don't move, pretend you don't know me!" Before Xiao Hongyi could get up, Xia Daoming's voice rang in his ears.

Xiao Hongyi immediately calmed down, remaining seated cross-legged on the ground, continuing to regulate his breathing while sending a telepathic message to Xia Daoming.

"Daoming, it's so good to see you again! But what are you doing here? If you have the chance, leave Lieyao Mountain and never come back!"

“No wonder there has been no news between my uncle and master for five years. It turns out you have been placed under a restriction.” Xia Daoming’s gaze fell on the fire ring on Xiao Hongyi’s right ankle, and his expression darkened slightly.

"You've already met with your sect leader! So, did you come here specifically for me? You, you, you're confused! Your sect leader is confused too! What does it matter if I die here? How can you be involved?" Xiao Hongyi's expression changed drastically, and his aura fluctuated considerably.

With Xiao Hongyi's cultivation level, he could naturally tell at a glance that Xia Daoming was only at the Ninth Stage!

With several Golden Immortals guarding Mount Lieyao, if Xia Daoming were to suffer the same fate as him, being placed under a restriction, he would essentially have no hope of escaping.

"Hmph, why did you only send us one Ninth-Rank True Immortal!" Just then, the other six True Immortals also noticed Xia Daoming's arrival and his cultivation level, and their auras fluctuated.

They weren't worried about Xia Daoming's safety, but rather dissatisfied that Lieyao Mountain had only assigned them a Ninth-Rank True Immortal, who couldn't share much of the burden.

"Forget it, it's better than nothing!" an eleventh-level True Immortal said coldly, then gestured to Xia Daoming with a blank expression and said, "It's my turn to rest. You take my place. Don't try to slack off. If we don't complete the mission, we will all be punished!"

"Understood!" Xia Daoming nodded, stepped forward to take the place of the eleventh True Immortal, and then followed their example by unleashing his firepower.

　That concludes today's update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)