Chapter 1477: Gahyeon is Dead

The inky black firmament seemed to press down,as if about to collapse.

Upon the boundless, somber sea, a colossal black phoenix lay still.The gentle waves stirred, yet it did not budge an inch.Its body like a floating island, its soul extinguished.It remained so beautiful, yet it had withered long ago.

"This..."Jiang Wang and his two companions exchanged glances.Zuo Guangshu, in particular, pursed his lips tightly, speechless for a time.With Brother Jiang, they had charged into the Mountain and Sea Realm, brimming with ambition.They had weathered several dangers and successfully rendezvoused with Qu Shunhua. They had believed that, as Brother Jiang had said, they would then sweep through the Mountain and Sea Realm, effortlessly obtaining the rewards they sought.Instead, they immediately encountered an ambush of exotic beasts and were separated from Brother Jiang.Then Qu Shunhua departed.And then he himself was defeated in a single encounter by a stranger...After a series of setbacks, they had finally regained their confidence and traveled thousands of li to the North Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain, only to find that the Nine Phoenix was nowhere to be seen, and the North Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain was even fractured!They had ventured onto the Path of Divine Descent and hurried to the Withered South Abyss, relying on Brother Jiang's humble pleas and flattery to gain the support of Chaos.Armed with the Tower of Withering, they had tread on thin ice in the malevolent Withered South Abyss, searching for the black-feathered phoenix, the god named Jia Xuan.They had traveled for three full days, the hardships and caution along the way need not be mentioned.In the end, Jia Xuan had already died long ago...The young master, fresh out of the world, deeply felt the malice of this world.At crucial moments, it was still Brother Jiang."Chaos said this Nine Phoenix is not that Nine Phoenix, that the Nine Classes of Phoenix are what you seek. Since the feathers of the Nine Phoenix can hint at the clues to the Chapter of the Nine Phoenix, then wouldn't these Jia Xuan feathers be even more useful?" Jiang Wang urged, "Go and pluck a few to try. It can't refuse now, anyway."Zuo Guangshu's mind cleared, turning his worry into joy. He stepped forward, extended a hand, and a stream of water leaped forth, aiming directly at Jia Xuan's enormous corpse.This action was like stirring a hornet's nest!A certain hidden tranquility was shattered.From within Jia Xuan's mountain-like corpse, densely packed, countless souls of exotic beasts suddenly surged forth. They bared their fangs and claws, gathered together, like a massive black tide, roaring out and charging directly at Jiang Wang and his two companions!Those souls of exotic beasts, some resembling oxen, some tigers, some pythons, some eagles, were all ferocious and malevolent.Jiang Wang grabbed Zuo Guangshu back, his feet exploding with green clouds, and fled without hesitation, turning his back. His steps were graceful, yet his body was as swift as lightning.Yue Tiannu pressed his palms together and strode forward with large steps, seemingly not in a hurry, but each step covered dozens of zhang.Zuo Guangshu, whose reaction was clearly a step slower, now raised both hands, and a colossal barrier of water rose into the sky, blocking their rear.It was unclear whether it was more intuitive to see it this way, or whether these waters only revealed their true form after leaving the sea surface.But within this sky-high water barrier, there were countless struggling living creatures, darting up and down, like insects and threads!The water barrier almost collapsed on the spot.Zuo Guangshu mobilized the power of the River God's divine ability, gripped his right hand, and only then did he extinguish them all, briefly controlling these waters and reshaping the barrier.And in the next moment, it was shattered by the overwhelming torrent of exotic beast souls!Resentment surged to the heavens, killing intent was icy cold.The black tide rolled, like a giant beast crossing the dark sea, chasing after three tiny ants.Jiang Wang spread out a field of fire behind them.But even with the vastness of the field of fire, within this black tide, it was merely like a minor skin ailment, simply swept over.In his haste, Yue Tiannu once again summoned the Mechanism Mahoraga.Upon seeing this mechanism, it leaped out, stomped its double feet in the air, and its enormous body swiftly flew far away. It chose a completely different direction from the three of them, chanting梵唱 with its mouth open, its body radiating golden light, illuminating a hundred li.For a time, the entire somber sea surface boiled!Countless malevolent thoughts awakened, and immeasurable roars echoed.Just as Jiang Wang had said, a spark had been thrown into a cauldron of oil.Including the exotic beast ghosts chasing behind them, they all turned in unison, chasing after the Mahoraga.This third mechanism of the Eight Divisions that Yue Tiannu had summoned finally followed in the footsteps of the previous two mechanisms and could be declared废. Although it was still struggling at this moment...The three of them flew swiftly away without looking back.Yue Tiannu himself showed no signs of heartache, or perhaps his Zen heart was tranquil and unwavering, or perhaps his family background was substantial; in any case, he was not moved by external matters.In the midst of their swift flight, he even had time to sigh to Jiang Wang, "This change was truly sudden. I was only able to escape in time by relying on the power of the Pure Land, realizing that something was wrong. I didn't expect your reaction to be no less than mine."Lord Jiang remained unperturbed by praise or criticism: "You flatter me.""Aren't we going back to the Sea God's Wall?" Zuo Guangshu no longer needed Jiang Wang to drag him at this point; he directly rode the water, saying, "Didn't you say something about, having a beginning and an end..."They had already obtained the Quicksand Wood, why go back to the Sea God's Wall...Jiang Wang had a serious expression: "In urgent matters, one acts according to the circumstances. Guangshu, one must know how to adapt.""I meant," Zuo Guangshu said, "should we not ask Chaos? Why did Jia Xuan die? And what does this matter represent? Chaos should know more."Jiang Wang looked back and said, "We can't go back. And you know, Chaos's state is unstable."Zuo Guangshu did not insist, but said with lingering fear, "This Withered South Abyss is too strange. There are so many weird things in the water, I couldn't even sense them!""Just怨虫. Extremely resentful thoughts, not dispelled by death, and in a place like the Withered South Abyss, they naturally take the form of insects." Yue Tiannu said, "Buddha sees ten thousand eight thousand insects in a single bowl of water; this is merely one kind. Furthermore...""Furthermore, we need to leave here as soon as possible!" Jiang Wang interjected, "This place is too dangerous."Yue Tiannu said, "Yes."The swift wind blew across their faces, and the undercurrents returned.Jia Xuan's enormous corpse was long since left behind, its outline completely invisible.But that noble, beautiful, mysterious, and powerful body was still clearly etched in their memories.How beautiful its feathers were, how silently it lay on the sea surface, its neck still maintaining an elegant curve.Were its eyes black?They had lost their divine radiance, yet still resembled gems.A phoenix.Whether in terms of strength, status, history, inheritance, or even symbolic meaning, it was a powerful existence capable of rivaling true dragons.Why would it die lonely in the Withered South Abyss, its corpse floating on the somber sea, desecrated by countless souls of exotic beasts?If before seeing Jia Xuan, Jiang Wang still had some doubts about whether it was a true phoenix, still contemplating the Nine Classes of Phoenix mentioned by Chaos.After seeing it, such thoughts were gone.It was proof in itself.Even if it was already dead.A phoenix corpse was still noble and beautiful.So, why did the five classes of phoenixes recorded in history become the nine classes of phoenixes in the Mountain and Sea Realm?How did Jia Xuan achieve its form? Why is it not seen in any legends of the present world?Is it the decline of legends, the loss of history, or...In addition, there were the Jade Sparrow, the Empty Mandarin Duck, the Refined Rainbow...Jiang Wang thought more and more.The Tilted Sky, the Candle Dragon, Chaos, the problems mentioned by Wang Changji, the awaited timing...And the vanished Nine Phoenix, Qiang Liang, Zhu Yan.Even including the existence that had secretly infiltrated the Five Palaces Sea and instigated the White Cloud Boy when they were at the North Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain...The moment the other party left, the White Cloud Boy reported it without missing a single word.That mysterious existence had also mentioned "timing."What timing?"Brother Jiang, don't sigh." In the midst of their swift flight, Zuo Guangshu suddenly said, "If we can't get the Chapter of the Nine Phoenix, we can't get it. I have many choices, and my future path won't be limited by this."Jiang Wang was startled: "Did I just sigh?"He quickly became alert!In the fifth Inner Palace, the scarlet-gold divine ability seed shone brightly, the light of Indestructible Heart shot out of the Inner Palace, illuminating the Five Palaces Sea, and even the Hidden Star Sea, the Connecting Heaven Sea... illuminating his entire body and soul.With his current cultivation level, it was impossible for him not to remember whether he had sighed.He had to find the source of the emotional disturbance!The Indestructible Heart divine ability was, of course, the best choice.Under the illumination of the indestructible light, within the Connecting Heaven Palace, in the manifestation of his divine soul, a black insect was slowly "挤" out.It had seven thin legs of varying lengths, looking quite messy. It had eight wings of different thicknesses, giving a sense of being unpleasant.All over its body, there were seven mouths and eight tongues, buzzing together in a messy团.The scarlet light representing the Samadhi True Fire quickly surged forward.This strange insect's eight wings trembled, and it vanished!"Ah..." Zuo Guangshu sighed, "How much further is it? When will this Withered South Abyss end?"Jiang Wang directly grabbed him with one hand, and said urgently, "Release your divine soul!"The manifestation of his divine soul, carrying the scarlet-gold light, descended directly into Zuo Guangshu's Connecting Heaven Palace.Although Zuo Guangshu did not understand, he trusted Jiang Wang without reservation.He directly opened his Connecting Heaven Palace, and the manifestation of his divine soul also stood before Jiang Wang: "What's wrong, Brother Jiang?"Illuminated by the golden light from Jiang Wang's divine soul, from the center of the manifestation of his divine soul's brow, the seven-legged, eight-winged strange insect also flew out, and with a tremble of its wings, it had already disappeared.Jiang Wang's divine soul withdrew, and he and Zuo Guangshu looked at Yue Tiannu almost simultaneously.Yue Tiannu's face was expressionless, his eyes also calm: "Has something happened?""It's an Idea Devouring Beast." Zuo Guangshu subconsciously wanted to sigh, but then he stopped himself with alertness."So that's it." Yue Tiannu recognized the name and said with some vigilance, "In a place like the Withered South Abyss, it's quite normal for such things to appear."They understood each other, with perfect tacit understanding.Only Jiang Wang was completely unaware: "Idea Devouring Beast?"Zuo Guangshu said, "The Chronicle of Mountain and Sea Exotic Beasts records: There exists an Idea Devouring Beast, black and tailless, born of plague, also known as 'Black Child.' Seven-legged and eight-winged, seven-mouthed and eight-tongued, it often sighs. It comes and goes without a trace, leaving behind despair in those it abandons, all unable to survive."Jiang Wang frowned and said, "It seems the Black Child is gone."Zuo Guangshu shook his head: "The Black Child will not leave. Once it targets you, it will forever盯著 you. Wherever you go, it will follow, waiting for an opportunity to devour your ideas."Jiang Wang was very surprised: "Even if it doesn't eat its fill?"Yue Tiannu pressed his palms together and said, "Your pain, your irritation, your unease, and even others' concern for you, their worry for you, their anxiety for you... all of it is its food. How could it not eat its fill?"This thing was truly terrifying. Even Jiang Wang, who possessed the Indestructible Heart divine ability, was almost ensnared.Zuo Guangshu, who knew the origins of the Idea Devouring Beast, was also easily invaded.Jiang Wang sighed: "Still, Zen Master Yue remains unmoved, the Diamond is hard to defile. I am not as capable."Yue Tiannu shook his head and said, "I am not a Diamond hard to defile, but it failed to enter my Pure Land... It seems its target was not me. Turning back in haste, it would not challenge my Zen heart, that is all."Jiang Wang was deep in thought, green clouds faintly visible beneath his feet, but he did not stop for a single step."Does the Zen Master know of any way to deal with this disgusting thing?" Zuo Guangshu asked, "It keeps following, and I truly don't know when I'll be ensnared. Or is there some convenient method to deal with it temporarily?""This beast is born and then perishes; how can it be eradicated?" Yue Tiannu said, "As for dealing with it... Benefactor Jiang has already given the answer, just keep moving forward. The Idea Devouring Beast appears here because it wants you to stop. If you stop and fight it, its purpose is achieved. You will slowly fall, slowly decay, and finally... become like it.""I understand!" Zuo Guangshu said, "Don't stop, and don't speed up. Don't change yourself for something like this. See it, but don't care about it.""You understand, but not completely." Jiang Wang suddenly leaped forward, this step causing a sudden change in wind and clouds, as if it had broken through some invisible boundary.The somber firmament instantly brightened.Blue sky, azure sea, floating mountains, distant islands, ethereal clouds and mist.A painting of poetry.It was like walking from darkness to dawn.After a long and hurried journey, they had finally left the Withered South Abyss.Jiang Wang said, "You haven't figured out why the Idea Devouring Beast would appear in the Withered South Abyss! And the answer is only outside the Withered South Abyss.""Why?" Zuo Guangshu followed a step behind.Leaving the Withered South Abyss, even Yue Tiannu, whose body was a puppet, seemed to relax considerably all of a sudden, lightly uttering a Buddhist invocation.Jiang Wang looked at the young man beside him: "I will first answer your question, why you couldn't detect the怨虫 in the water!"Zuo Guangshu immediately recalled the "furthermore" that Yue Tiannu hadn't finished saying, and already had some guesses in his heart, but he still asked, "Why?"Jiang Wang said, "Because the Withered South Abyss is where Chaos's divine authority resides. Even if you have the River God's divine ability, it's impossible for you to compete with it for the power to control the waters, not even a single drop. If it doesn't want you to discover the怨虫, of course you won't be able to.""You mean... Chaos has a problem?""We only sought the Chapter of the Nine Phoenix, and Chaos only gave us a single clue. Since Jia Xuan is already a floating corpse, how could Chaos not have a problem? This requires no thought at all."Zuo Guangshu furrowed his handsome brows: "Then all that about the Candle Dragon bullying the gods, and the only one who isn't subject to authority being in the south, was all a lie to us?""I don't know, and I don't want to know. I only know that Chaos has ill intentions, and that's enough." Saying this, Jiang Wang took out the Tower of Withering wrapped in his clothes from his懷中, separated by a layer of Dao Yuan and a layer of divine ability light, and without hesitation, turned around and threw it back into the Withered South Abyss.Clearly, there was nothing in front of him, and their passage was unimpeded.But this pale white pointed tower, as if it had struck some substantial barrier, emitted a loud noise.Instead of being thrown back into the Withered South Abyss, it was bounced back!In the air, it grew against the wind, growing larger and larger, higher and higher.In an instant, it had already reached a height of a thousand zhang, and it was still expanding!