Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The sacred parasol tree that stood between heaven and earth suddenly trembled.

It wasn't blown by the wind.

The vibration was coming from deep within the tree trunk.

Click.

A crisp sound.

It was like shattered glass, or like an eggshell breaking.

A crack appeared on the originally withered bark of the sacred tree.

Then came the second and third rounds.

Golden light shone from those cracks.

The light was so dazzling that it turned the pitch-black night into day.

The demons of Ghost Cry Valley who had been surrounding the area, waiting to devour the flesh and blood, turned into wisps of smoke before they could even scream when the light shone upon them.

The phoenix, standing in front of the tree, narrowed its eyes.

He possessed the monk's body, and his once refined face was now filled with ferocity.

He raised his hand, trying to shield his eyes from the blinding golden light.

"sucker Punch."

Huang snorted coldly.

He stretched out a hand, and crimson-gold flames condensed in his palm, transforming into a giant claw that viciously grabbed at the sacred tree.

That was a strike from a quasi-emperor.

It carries the will to destroy heaven and earth.

If this grab goes down, not only will the trees be severed, but the very earth's veins on Luofeng Slope will be broken.

The sharp claws fell.

But it stopped in mid-air.

It could not fall even a fraction further.

Because a hand was blocking it.

It wasn't some earth-shattering handprint.

It's just an ordinary hand.

Fair-skinned, slender, with distinct knuckles.

That was the hand of a scholar.

Gu Xiang stood in the golden light, holding up the sky with one hand.

His sleeves fluttered in the gust of air, but his body remained as steady as a mountain.

Beside him stood Su Qing, dressed in red and barefoot.

Their breaths mingled together.

Gu Xiang's righteous spirit was originally extremely strong and masculine, with a scholarly air about him.

The demonic aura emanating from Su Qing was originally strange and unpredictable, carrying a seductive charm.

At this moment, these two completely different forces merged perfectly.

You have me I have you.

A golden-red light shot into the sky, transforming into a pillar of light that directly shattered the black sky above that had been sealed off by the phoenix.

boom!

The shockwave exploded.

Phoenix's crimson-gold claw shattered instantly.

Huang grunted and took three steps back.

Each step he took left a deep crater in the ground.

He raised his head and stared intently at the two people in the pillar of light.

The previous disdain in his eyes was replaced by a hint of seriousness.

"The Seed of Nirvana..."

Huang gritted her teeth and squeezed out these three words.

"You actually managed to refine it."

Gu Xiang withdrew his hand and gently patted the dust off his sleeve.

His movements were slow and deliberate, as if he were tidying up a desk.

"You're surprised already, senior?"

Gu Xiang looked at Huang, his tone indifferent.

The book says that diligence is rewarded by Heaven.

"I, Gu Xiang, have studied for so many years, and although I didn't become the top scholar, I still understand this principle."

"Since you've given me this opportunity, wouldn't it be a waste of your efforts if I didn't seize it?"

Huang sneered.

"Sharp-tongued and quick-witted."

"Even if you refine the Nirvana Seed, you are still just a newbie who has just stepped into the threshold of Quasi-Emperor."

"I am an ancient phoenix."

"Killing you is as easy as killing a chicken."

The crimson-gold flames on the phoenix's body surged.

That was the true imperial might.

Although limited by his physical body, he could not unleash his full power, it was still enough to crush this world.

Gu Xiang didn't move.

He simply turned his head and glanced at Su Qing beside him.

Su Qing was also looking at him.

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

That feeling of being connected by blood was stronger than ever before.

"Are you scared?" Gu Xiang asked.

Su Qing shook her head.

"I'm not afraid."

"With you here, I dare to venture into the King of Hell's palace."

Gu Xiang smiled.

He turned his head and looked at Huang again.

"Senior, you heard that."

My wife said she's not afraid.

"Since she's not afraid, then I, as her husband, naturally can't back down either."

Gu Xiang took a step forward.

As this step was taken, the sound of reading aloud echoed throughout the world.

That was the sound of countless students reciting the classics.

His righteous spirit transformed into a long river, encircling Gu Xiang.

"The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits."

Gu Xiang read it softly.

As his words fell, the vast river trembled violently.

The once invincible imperial aura emanating from Huang was actually suppressed by this force.

"The principles of Confucianism and Taoism?"

Huang's expression changed.

He never expected that this scholar could comprehend the principles of Confucianism and Taoism to such an extent in such a short time.

Words become law.

This is truly a case of words becoming law.

"It's not over yet."

Su Qing also took a step forward.

Her nine tails suddenly spread out, blotting out the sky.

Golden flames danced at the tip of its tail.

That is the Phoenix True Fire.

It was the last gift that the Phoenix Emperor left for her.

"Old man, didn't you want my demon core?"

Su Qing's lips curled up into a mocking smile.

"If you're so capable, come and take it yourself."

Before she finished speaking, Su Qing's figure had already disappeared from the spot.

The next moment, she appeared above Huang's head.

The nine tails, like nine golden whips, lashed down with earth-shattering power.

Snapped!

The air was blasted.

Black cracks appeared in the space.

Huang raised her hand to block.

boom!

Golden light shimmered everywhere.

The blow knocked the phoenix down, and its feet sank into the mud.

But he was, after all, a quasi-emperor.

The reaction is extremely fast.

With a swift backhand, he grabbed one of Su Qing's tails.

"court death!"

Black demonic fire spewed from the phoenix's palm, heading straight for Su Qing's body along its tail.

That's a demonic art from the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect.

It specifically corrupts people's souls.

Su Qing neither dodged nor avoided it.

She let the demonic fire burn up.

Just as the demonic fire was about to touch her body, a layer of white light suddenly shone on her body.

That was Gu Xiang's noble spirit.

Chi Chi Chi.

When demonic fire encounters righteous energy, it's like snow meeting boiling oil—it melts instantly.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Su Qing kicked Huang in the face.

This kick was performed without any magical techniques.

It's real, solid physical strength.

With the blessing of Nirvana Golden Flame.

boom!

Phoenix was kicked and sent flying backward, crashing through more than a dozen large trees before finally crashing into a cliff.

Gravel tumbled down, and dust billowed everywhere.

Su Qing landed next to Gu Xiang.

She shook her slightly numb feet.

"You're so shameless."

Su Qing made a comment.

Gu Xiang reached out and helped her tidy her slightly messy hair.

Be careful.

"That old man won't die so easily."

really.

The smoke and dust cleared.

Phoenix emerged from the pile of rocks.

A chunk of flesh on his face had been kicked open, revealing dark red blood and flesh underneath.

But he didn't seem to feel any pain.

But the murderous intent in those eyes was so intense it was almost dripping with water.

"it is good."

"very good."

Phoenix stuck out her tongue and licked the blood from the corner of her mouth.

"I haven't been injured for many years."

"You have successfully angered me."

The phoenix opened its arms.

A huge black phoenix phantom appeared in the void behind him.

That is his Dharma image.

Fallen Black Phoenix.

Black Phoenix let out a sharp cry.

The sound waves materialized and spread outwards.

The vegetation on Luofeng Slope withered instantly in the sound waves, turning into ashes.

"Today, you will all die."

Huang's voice became hoarse and shrill.

He walked step by step toward Gu Xiang and Su Qing.

With each step he took, his aura increased.

That sense of oppression was suffocating.

Just then.

A voice suddenly rang out in Su Qing's mind.

It's very light.

It's very light.

It sounded like the wind blowing through the leaves.

"Little fox."

Su Qing's body stiffened.

That was the voice of a phoenix.

"Remember the choice you made in the questioning session."

"Once this step is taken, the cause and effect are already set."

"Even a god couldn't save him."

There was no sadness or reluctance in that voice.

There is only a kind of detached indifference that comes from seeing through the ways of the world.

"My true spirit is about to dissipate."

"I'll leave this last bit of strength to you."

"Don't embarrass me."

"Beat that damn bird."

The sound gradually faded.

Finally, it disappeared completely.

Su Qing stood still, without moving.

Her eyes were a little red.

But she didn't cry.

She gripped Gu Xiang's hand tightly.

Her fingernails dug deep into Gu Xiang's flesh.

Gu Xiang sensed that something was wrong with her.

"What's wrong?" Gu Xiang asked in a low voice.

Su Qing took a deep breath.

She looked up at the approaching black phoenix.

A beautiful smile curved at the corners of her lips.

That was the unique laugh of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.

A beauty that could topple kingdoms and cities.

It also carried a hint of resoluteness.

"It's nothing."

Su Qing silently recited a sentence in her heart.

I have no regrets.

Even if the ending was already predetermined.

Even if in the end, their soul will be scattered and their body destroyed.

Even if you forget me.

I have no regrets.

Su Qing released Gu Xiang's hand.

She took a step forward.

Her red dress moved without any wind.

"Gu Xiang".

Su Qing called out.

Gu Xiang watched her retreating figure.

A sudden, inexplicable unease welled up inside me.

"Um?"

"I'll borrow your righteous spirit for a moment."

Su Qing did not turn around.

She raised her hand and pointed to the black phoenix in the sky.

"I'm going to pluck all his hair today."

Gu Xiang was stunned for a moment.

He then laughed.

He took a step forward and stood next to Su Qing.

"it is good."

"Then pluck all his fur."

Gu Xiang reached out and placed his hand on Su Qing's back.

The seven orifices of the body's exquisite heart pounded wildly.

Righteous energy surged into Su Qing's body without reservation.

boom!

The golden light emanating from Su Qing surged once more.

It originally had only nine tails.

At this moment, the faint phantom of a tenth tail appeared.

Although it was very faint.

But that is the symbol of the Imperial Realm.

Ten-tailed Celestial Fox.

Phoenix stopped in her tracks.

He looked at the red figure, and for the first time, a look of seriousness appeared in his eyes.

"Who are you……"

"You're that madman..."

Su Qing smiled.

The laughter was crisp and melodious.

"madman?"

You're right.

"From the day I fell in love with this scholar."

"I've already gone mad."

Su Qing touched the ground with her toes.

He transformed into a golden-red streak of light and rushed towards the black phoenix.

Gu Xiang followed closely behind.

The gentleman's sword in his hand was drawn.

The sword gleamed like a mirror.

It illuminated the long night.

This round.

We haven't lost yet.