The monks' expressions changed drastically as they rushed forward to check the situation. The Buddha's Son, however, shook his head, his gaze growing more sorrowful.
"A great calamity is coming, the Upper Realm is in danger!"
These four words shocked them all, and they looked on in disbelief. "Wasn't it said there were still twenty-two years left? Only three have passed! How could it... be so much earlier?"
"Is coming" meant it could happen in the next few days, or even within this month!
The Buddha's Son shook his head upon hearing this, a bitter and compassionate smile on his lips. Having continuously observed the changes in the Upper Realm's fate, he quickly discovered this anomaly.
After a moment of contemplation, one of the monks said with a grave expression, "The prophecy has changed drastically; it must be that someone has done something!"
At these words, everyone was stunned!
Yes! Something must have happened that was significant enough to alter the trajectory of fate! But among the countless beings in the Upper Realm, how many possessed such power?
Chitong, however, frowned at this moment, hesitating. "Could it be... Jin Bao'er?"
The Buddha's Son was taken aback and instinctively turned to look at him. He opened his mouth, unsure how to refute.
Indeed, Jin Bao'er was the glimmer of hope for the Upper Realm's impending catastrophe, and its only variable!
He suddenly came back to his senses, his expression filled with anxiety! He immediately gave an order.
"Quick! Find Jin Bao'er, and prevent her from doing anything foolish!"
He could foresee it, meaning the event hadn't happened yet! As long as they found Jin Bao'er before it occurred, they could then advise her!
The great hall descended into chaos.
Chitong stood by, watching everyone's haste. He wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Could they truly persuade Jin Bao'er, with her seemingly indifferent yet stubborn and willful nature? Recalling those cold, black eyes, he had no confidence.
***
Jin Lingdang successfully advanced and heard everything that had just transpired! Anger surged within her! She had gotten along well with Jin Huang during this time and had learned of her background. She quite liked that seemingly arrogant and haughty little girl!
Now, knowing her mother had endured so much suffering, she naturally felt heartache.
"I should just drain this old beast's cultivation! He's a complete monster!"
Just because the Phoenix's master refused to be courted, they resorted to such ruthless measures?! Were they insane!
Jin Bao'er had now suppressed her overwhelming rage, her expression cold and ferocious.
"Is the Phoenix... still alive?"
As divine beasts, the Phoenix clan possessed formidable vitality. Even if crippled and drained of blood, they wouldn't die so easily. She just hoped the other party was still alive! Otherwise, how regretful and heartbroken would Jin Huang be later?
The old man stiffened. Along with fear, a deep-seated hatred arose in his heart. Seeing her gaze, he knew there was no possibility of her letting him go. He was destined to die today, so why should he grant her any hope?
"She's dead! After being skinned and dismembered, how could she possibly be alive!"
He spoke, his tone filled with malice.
Upon hearing this, Jin Bao'er pursed her lips, her expression hardening.
"Do you know that to die without a soul means no reincarnation? Annihilation of the soul!"
At these words, the old man instinctively disbelieved. His hateful eyes met her black, bottomless, and serene gaze, and he began to tremble with fear.
He wanted to live. Cultivation was for an endless lifespan. But the longer he lived, the more he encountered bottlenecks in his cultivation, and he would eventually die. If he lost even the chance of reincarnation, what was the point of enduring for so long?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but tremble. He couldn't bear such a consequence!
"That Phoenix is not dead! The clan has alchemists, and the Phoenix's blood contains potent energy, making it an essential ingredient for refining pills. So... we've been keeping her alive..."
Before he could finish speaking, a ball of blazing fire suddenly appeared! The scorching heat instantly withered the surrounding trees and made the dry grass smoke! The divine beast's pressure and aura washed over them, accompanied by intense killing intent and rage.
"Zheng..."
With a phoenix cry, sharp claws descended, tearing the old man into two halves on the spot. Mince meat and entrails mixed with blood splattered on the ground, only to be instantly incinerated by the intense heat, turning into black ash.
Jin Bao'er retracted her Soul-Slayer just before the Phoenix's divine might, letting the man be torn apart.
The fiery, golden-red Phoenix, having finished its deed, couldn't help but let out a long cry! Its voice was mournful and pained! The despair and resentment emanating from its bloodline infected everyone.
Phoenix's might shook the nine heavens, crying blood as it called out.
Jin Bao'er felt heartbroken watching this, but could only let the Phoenix vent. Long Lixing walked to her side, preventing her from being burned by the phoenix fire, but knew comfort was useless.
A moment later, a black silhouette, undeterred by the scorching heat, approached the Phoenix step by step. Its domineering and indifferent voice followed.
"I taught you that crying is the most useless weapon!"
Jin Huang trembled all over. He continued mercilessly, "The tears of the incompetent only harm one's own people, gladden the enemy, and pain loved ones! Your mother is still suffering, clinging to life, and you're crying here? Since you resent them, make yourself stronger and slaughter the entire clan as soon as possible, avenging your hatred!"
Hearing the last sentence, Jin Huang suddenly looked up, her blood-red eyes fixed on the man above her. His purple eyes were cold, devoid of any emotion, yet filled with an indescribable power and arrogance!
The strong respected the weak! At this moment, she understood this principle with absolute clarity!
Jin Bao'er remained silent, but in her heart, she agreed with Long Lixing's sentiment. However, as its master, she should give Jin Huang time to vent.
The next second, a faint white light emanated from the Phoenix, transforming into a girl in her early teens. She looked at Jin Bao'er blankly, her voice helpless and lost.
"Master..."
Seeing this, Jin Bao'er stepped forward, sighed softly, and gently embraced the grief-stricken and bewildered girl before her. Her voice was gentle, yet laced with an absolute murderous intent.
"I, Jin Bao'er, guarantee you... anyone from that clan who harms your mother will perish without a burial place, their souls annihilated! Never to reincarnate!"
Instantly, the soaring killing intent erupted violently, mixed with a trace of the power of laws, causing the sky to freeze! All living creatures within a thousand-mile radius of the forest felt that majestic killing aura, filled with dread and terror!
The five people and one monk observing the entire scene from not far away, their faces filled with horror, retreated rapidly. Their bodies trembled, wishing they could die on the spot rather than be slaughtered!
But... the woman before them was merely a king-level cultivator of the Heavenly Dao, yet she so thoroughly intimidated them that they couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.
For a moment, they couldn't help but recall, looking at each other, whether they had ever seen that Phoenix, or harmed any divine beasts.
Fortunately, although their cultivation was not bad, they were not among the leaders of the clan. Such a treasure as Phoenix blood, they desired it, but lacked the qualifications! Now... they had inadvertently saved their own lives?