Chapter 115: The Vermilion Bird

Liang Yan and Zhao Xunzhen sat cross-legged on the ground, each beginning to recover the spiritual energy depleted within their bodies.

I do not know how much time had passed when Liang Yan slowly opened his eyes. He first glanced toward Zhao Xunzhen and, seeing that she was still meditating with her eyes closed, decided not to disturb her. Instead, he stood up and began to walk toward the center of the stone platform.

This deep crimson platform was surprisingly vast, so wide that he could not even see the other side at a glance. As Liang Yan walked across it, the surroundings remained empty and desolate, yet for some reason, he felt as if he were being watched.

The sensation was subtle. Had he not possessed such great confidence in his own senses, he might have dismissed it as a mere illusion and laughed it off.

Mindful of this hidden danger, Liang Yan proceeded with extreme caution, scanning his surroundings as he made his way toward the center.

After walking for about half an incense stick’s time, he finally reached the center of the platform. There, he discovered a circular altar, upon which a deep red orb the size of a thumbprint hovered in mid-air, emitting a faint, crimson glow in the dim environment.

It was at this moment that the feeling of being watched became even more intense. Liang Yan stared fixedly at the crimson orb, his expression shifting between shock and suspicion.

"You noticed it too," a woman’s voice suddenly said from behind him.

Liang Yan was startled. He turned around to find that it was indeed Zhao Xunzhen. He had been so focused on observing the orb that he had let his guard down, failing to notice her approaching him.

"This thing is watching us," Zhao Xunzhen said, turning her head to stare at the red orb.

"What!" Liang Yan gasped, following her gaze. "Are you saying this thing is alive?"

Zhao Xunzhen remained silent for a moment before whispering, "Alive... that is not incorrect. However, it lacks its own consciousness; its actions are driven entirely by instinct..."

Just as Zhao Xunzhen spoke, a clear, sharp screech erupted from within the crimson orb. Immediately, the entire stone platform began to shake, and a visible ripple of fiery red energy spread outward from the orb in all directions.

Seeing this, Liang Yan quickly formed a hand seal, conjuring a pale blue light shield to protect both himself and Zhao Xunzhen. As the ripple slowly dissipated, spiderweb-like cracks began to appear on the surface of the orb, accompanied by a faint, crunching sound.

The orb shattered, and a brilliant red light shot into the sky, gradually condensing in mid-air until it transformed into a bird-like creature. It possessed a colorful crest, wings spread wide in fury, and three fiery red tail feathers.

"A Vermilion Bird?" Liang Yan frowned, looking at Zhao Xunzhen for confirmation.

"Not a true Vermilion Bird, but a nascent fire spirit," Zhao Xunzhen replied, shaking her head. "The Nanming Li Fire in this place has existed for so long that it has manifested a spirit. Since the Vermilion Bird and the Nanming Li Fire are inherently linked, this manifested fire spirit has naturally taken on the shape of a Vermilion Bird."

"I see," Liang Yan nodded. "No wonder its cultivation base seems to be only at the Qi Refining stage. If it were a true Vermilion Bird, we would have been incinerated the moment it appeared."

"Do not be careless. This is still a fire spirit born of the Nanming Li Fire. Although it has just been birthed and lacks intelligence, it is still a celestial treasure, and its divine abilities are likely beyond our power to resist," Zhao Xunzhen said with a grave expression.

As she spoke, the fire spirit let out a sharp cry and flapped its wings. A torrential wave of deep red flame descended from the sky, surging toward them.

Zhao Xunzhen’s face turned pale, and she retreated in a panic. Knowing her fear of fire, Liang Yan immediately cast a spell, sending a streak of black light from his storage pouch that transformed into a small black shield, blocking their path.

The power of the deep crimson flames was immense; even through the shield’s defense, the residual heat radiated outward. Liang Yan channeled his blue spiritual energy to its limit, employing the "Dispersion Technique" from his *Heart-Free Intent Method* to desperately deflect the remaining heat.

He pushed his spiritual energy to the breaking point, only just managing to neutralize the fierce attack. Yet, the fire spirit in the air let out another cry and flapped its wings once more.

This time, no massive wave of fire fell. Instead, eight feathers drifted down from its body.

The eight feathers floated in mid-air as if they had no weight at all. They overflowed with fiery light, appearing exceptionally dazzling in the gloom. There was no oppressive aura, nor even much heat radiating from them, yet Zhao Xunzhen’s pupils dilated rapidly.

"No! Retreat, quickly!"

With those four simple words, Liang Yan could sense the terror in her heart. He knew how sensitive she was to fire; if she said that, it meant this attack was absolutely not to be met head-on.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Liang Yan pushed off the ground, retreating rapidly alongside Zhao Xunzhen.

In the midst of their flight, Zhao Xunzhen unleashed her Jade Heart Ring, while Liang Yan cast another spell to protect her mind. Almost the exact moment they stepped back onto the stone bridge, the eight feathers landed on the stone platform.

Boom!

A violent tornado of flame erupted from the platform, rising into the sky like a massive pillar in the boundless darkness.

Caught by the gale force created by the fire tornado, Liang Yan and Zhao Xunzhen were blown off balance and tumbled to the ground on the stone bridge. Sitting there, he looked up at the deep red pillar of fire in the darkness, rendered completely speechless.

"The Eight Feathers of the Flame Prison—it is a signature ability of the Vermilion Bird. I never imagined this newly born fire spirit would have already mastered it to such a degree!" Zhao Xunzhen said from beside him, her heart still racing.

"Are you joking?" Liang Yan replied, his face filled with lingering fear. "The power of such an ability is beyond anything a Qi Refining cultivator can withstand. Even the Foundation Establishment seniors who came with us would likely be unable to resist it!"

Zhao Xunzhen nodded in agreement. "Fortunately, the power of the technique is confined to the platform, otherwise we would have died many times over."

The two sat on the ground, gazing up at the heaven-piercing pillar of fire in the darkness, both visibly shaken.

"But this stone platform is our only path forward. Now that it is blocked by these flames, are we not effectively trapped here?" Liang Yan asked after a long silence.

"The Eight Feathers of the Flame Prison consumes an immense amount of energy. Since this fire spirit is newly born, it cannot sustain this for long. When its ability dissipates, it will be at its weakest, and that is when we can seize our chance," Zhao Xunzhen said, looking at the raging flames before turning to Liang Yan. "Besides, there may even be a massive, unexpected benefit waiting for you inside..."