The True Phoenix Tomb is one of the Forbidden Lands within the Chaotic Void Sea anciently considered most valuable and most worthy of exploration.
Throughout the ages, who knows how many powerful figures have sought out this Forbidden Land, wishing to venture inside and explore it.
So I guessed you would likely also be very eager to enter and explore it properly. That's why I sent word back to bring you here.
Cui Hong continued with a smile.
"Many thanks, Senior. For a Forbidden Land like this, I am indeed extremely eager to enter and explore it thoroughly," Ye Yunfei said gratefully.
"Good, then let's enter now," Cui Hong nodded.
Then he led Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao to the front of that colossal spatial rift. Vast, torrential fragments of time and space roared incessantly from within this enormous rift, making one's scalp crawl.
Cui Hong brought Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao to a specific spot before the spatial rift and assessed it with his senses.
"The passage is right at this location. From now on, both of you must stay close behind me, carefully watching where I step. Absolutely do not take a wrong step, otherwise you risk being swept into these dangerous chaotic flows of time and space.
Also, when it's time to come out, you must follow the exact same path I take in reverse, without a single misstep." Cui Hong said with a grave expression.
Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao both nodded solemnly.
Then Cui Hong took the lead, stepping straight into the pitch-black spatial rift ahead. Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao kept their eyes riveted on Cui Hong's footsteps, following behind, each step landing precisely where Cui Hong's foot had trodden.
"This is a safe passage. It was sealed before, but not long ago, it was reopened," Cui Hong informed Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao as he advanced ahead.
Walking within this pitch-black spatial rift, the surrounding space was everywhere a chaotic mess of temporal and spatial fragments. Rolling gales howled madly, scouring the interior of this rift. There simply existed no stable space or time.
The surrounding time and space were in constant flux, conjuring all manner of strange visions, giving one a bizarre, kaleidoscopic feeling.
Fortunately, Cui Hong had traversed this safe passageway before and could accurately lead Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao all the way inward.
Not long after Cui Hong led Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao into this spatial rift, other powerful beings arrived one after another and also entered the rift.
The vast majority of these beings were Deities, because if one wasn't a Deity, one wouldn't dare casually charge into this spatial rift.
Of course, there were also some beings like Ye Yunfei who, while not yet Deities themselves, followed in under the guidance of other Deities.
They walked for who knows how long before Cui Hong suddenly halted, looking ahead at the chaotic, ever-distorting space.
"We're almost there. Ahead lies the entrance to the True Phoenix Tomb," Cui Hong announced.
Hearing Cui Hong's words, Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao perked up.
Sure enough, after leading the two forward a while longer, a spatial entrance suddenly appeared ahead. The structure of this spatial entrance was stable, unaffected by the surrounding chaotic time and space.
Cui Hong brought Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao to stand before this entrance.
"This is the entrance to the True Phoenix Tomb. This entrance was also originally in a sealed state; the seal was broken not long ago.
Alright, let's enter now." Cui Hong took the lead, walking into the spatial entrance. Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao hurriedly followed.
In the next moment, a powerful spatial-temporal energy wrapped around the three, performing a teleportation. Then Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao found themselves within an unfamiliar expanse of void.
This expanse of void stretched beyond sight, everywhere broken and tattered, with immense stars floating in the distance.
Most of these stars were incomplete—some remained only as halves—yet they still slowly rotated.
Besides those incomplete stars, there were also many worlds whose barriers had been pierced through. These devastated worlds could be seen from the outside: each one was broken and dilapidated, not a single world remained intact.
Looking around, everywhere was littered with shattered planets and worlds, along with boundless, gloomy space. A deathly stillness prevailed. There were no signs of any living beings, not even much energy or laws remained, appearing extremely oppressive.
"Legends say the True Phoenix Tomb was originally an immensely vast expanse of void. The True Phoenix Divine Clan of the Ancient Era resided within this void. This place was originally a very prosperous and bustling area, but after experiencing upheavals, it became this desolate ruin," Cui Hong explained as he cautiously led Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao through this broken, gloomy void.
"Look, Senior! There's a huge skull over there!" Xiao Xiao suddenly pointed at a location far ahead and exclaimed in surprise.
Sure enough, suspended in the void ahead was an enormous, bone-white skull, completely devoid of any flesh or muscle.
At the center of the skull's forehead was a giant hole. Clearly, this giant had been pierced through the brow, its head pierced through.
"This skull was likely left behind by an expert of the True Phoenix Divine Clan. Every member of the True Phoenix Divine Clan becomes a Deity upon reaching adulthood. Moreover, due to their Phoenix bloodline, they are exceptionally noble. Even after dying, the bones left behind by the True Phoenix Divine Clan members endure eternally, very difficult to be eradicated," Cui Hong stated.
Hearing Cui Hong's explanation, Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao were shocked as they gazed at the giant human skull.
Although just a skull, one could sense from a great distance a terrifying energy pressure radiating from it, deterring anyone from approaching.
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei noticed a strange, shimmering rainbow-hued radiance swirling upon that giant skull. This wisp of rainbow radiance flowed back and forth across the bone, appearing dazzling and beautiful.
"Look, that strand of radiance is the Phoenix True Spirit. It is said to be formed from the inner elixir left behind by a Divine Phoenix after its demise. It is immensely precious.
Members of the True Phoenix Divine Clan would collect this kind of Phoenix True Spirit for cultivation. After they died, these Phoenix True Spirits were also left here.
It is said that an ordinary Void God, if they collected enough Phoenix True Spirit and refined and absorbed them, could directly advance to the God King realm," Cui Hong explained, pointing at the giant skull.
"However, you must absolutely not harbor any ideas about taking that strand of Phoenix True Spirit. With your current strength, it's impossible for you to obtain it. Otherwise, this wisp of Phoenix True Spirit would have long been collected by powerful figures who entered before." Cui Hong added.
Hearing about such preciousness, Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao immediately thought about whether they could go up to collect it, but Cui Hong's words startled them, and they immediately squashed the notion.
Both understood that Cui Hong's judgment, based on his experience and knowledge, was certainly not wrong.
Right at this moment.
"Look! Phoenix True Spirit!
Heavens!
We've actually found Phoenix True Spirit!"
An excited voice sounded from behind them.
"Powerful beings have arrived. Let's hide quickly," Cui Hong immediately said to Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao.
Cui Hong's current state was merely a Soul Power imprint, and Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao possessed only strength equivalent to initial-stage Void Gods. Facing powerful Deities of high cultivation, they stood no chance. Cui Hong immediately took Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao and retreated swiftly.
Next moment.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Five Deities arrived simultaneously. These five Deities had actually sensed the presence of Cui Hong's group, but they were completely captivated by the giant skull and the strand of rainbow radiance upon it.
Each Deity stared at that strand of rainbow radiance with greedy eyes.
"Everyone, since we've encountered Phoenix True Spirit, we absolutely cannot miss it. Let's work together to collect it!" one of the Deities spoke in an excited tone.
"Senior, I've never seen these five before. I wonder if they belong to the Guardian Faction," Ye Yunfei transmitted sound to Cui Hong.
"These five Deities are all advanced-stage Void Gods. I sense they came from voids outside this one," Cui Hong responded.
"News of the True Phoenix Tomb's emergence has already spread. Not only will Deities from our current fragment of broken void rush here, but once strong experts from other outside voids receive the news, they will surely try every means to break in as well.
Therefore, we must mentally prepare ourselves. From here on, more and more Deities will continuously pour into this Forbidden Land.
Our strength is too weak. We should avoid conflicts as much as possible. Especially those Deities from other voids—some possess terrifyingly formidable strength we absolutely cannot match.
My primary purpose in entering this Forbidden Land is to retrieve my corpse and bring it back to the Fire Realm. Your purposes for entering are probably to seek some opportunities and gain experience," Cui Hong conveyed his thoughts to Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao.
"They truly are powerful," Xiao Xiao watched the five Deities preparing to collect the Phoenix True Spirit in the distance. Her gaze was grave; she felt immense pressure. She spoke.
"Let's go, we continue forward. First, we go to the location where my corpse is stored," Cui Hong said, leading Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao deeper into the void ahead.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As they advanced, Ye Yunfei could sense from behind that more and more living beings were continuously pouring into this expanse of void.
Of course, most of these incoming beings were Deities. Among them, some Deities emitted auras so terrifying that even from vast spatial distances, they exerted immense pressure.
"Senior Cui Hong is right. Compared to those formidable Deities, I truly appear too weak.
Never mind fighting them face to face; even just the pressure they could release, I probably could hardly withstand it." Ye Yunfei inwardly sighed, perceiving the terrifying auras radiating from those Deities who had broken into the void behind them.
"It seems, even after achieving strength at the Deity level, I still need to cultivate diligently, to become even stronger. Only then might I possibly face those truly powerful experts," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
After advancing a while, another massive right arm appeared ahead.
This right arm was different from the earlier human skull. The flesh was intact, even the skin and the hairs on the skin remained complete, and blood was still oozing out.
The entire arm was smeared with copious fresh blood. A wisp of rainbow radiance swirled upon it.
"Senior, another strand of Phoenix True Spirit!" Ye Yunfei's eyes brightened.
"Yes, but we'd better not think about it," Cui Hong nodded, leading them around the blood-drenched arm, then continuing onward.
As they proceeded, they encountered even more miscellaneous broken remains—heads, limbs, incomplete torsos, and so on.
On these remains, one could occasionally see wisps of flowing Phoenix True Spirits. Moreover, around these broken limbs lay scattered remnants of magical treasures and weapons.
Some of these treasures, though already shattered into fragments and weathered by immense stretches of time, still radiated dreadful power.
Apart from broken limbs and shattered magical treasures and weapons, some places still harbored immensely terrifying residual combat energies. Sometimes, one could even glimpse faint phantoms locked in fierce battle.
These phantoms were likely recorded projections of ancient combat, engraved into the very fabric of these spaces and continuously replayed.
As they penetrated deeper into this expanse of void, the number of various broken limbs and skeletal remains they encountered grew, until there were places where corpses piled up like mountains and rivers of blood flowed.
"Senior, this expanse of void must have witnessed a horrifically brutal battle in the past," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but say.
"Yes. In fact, this Forbidden Land is precisely an ancient battlefield left behind from ancient times," Cui Hong nodded in confirmation.
"Careful! We must suppress our auras immediately. A ferocious beast is coming from ahead!"
At that moment, Cui Hong suddenly transmitted sound to Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao.
Even as he spoke, Cui Hong's Soul Power imprint immediately began turning translucent and insubstantial, then transformed into a wisp of Soul Power energy, lying in ambush within the adjacent space.
Seeing Cui Hong so apprehensive, Ye Yunfei didn't dare be negligent either. He immediately activated the Concealment Talisman on his person, causing it to radiate waves of invisible runic symbols that enveloped his body, concealing his aura.
On Xiao Xiao's body, strange, blossoming flower-like runic patterns also emerged, covering her delicate form.
The three of them strictly suppressed their respective auras.
Then, a vibrantly colored large bird swooped towards them on outstretched wings.
"What kind of bird is that? Why does it somewhat resemble the legendary Phoenix?" Seeing the creature's form clearly, Ye Yunfei was shocked and immediately asked Cui Hong.
"That is not a Phoenix. It is a True Phoenix Corpse-Bird, born from the condensed bloodline essence of deceased True Phoenix Divine Clan members. It is an extremely fearsome ferocious beast.
We should avoid it if we can. Definitely do not provoke it," Cui Hong replied via sound transmission to both Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao.
A mighty rumbling ensued.
Wherever that True Phoenix Corpse-Bird passed, the space immediately distorted and warped as if water, sending ripples cascading outward in all directions.
"There are many such True Phoenix Corpse-Birds within the True Phoenix Tomb. We must be wary," Only after that True Phoenix Corpse-Bird flew past did Cui Hong reveal his form again. He glanced back, then said in a low voice.
"Alright, let's continue onward."
Cui Hong led Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao forward again.
At this time, booms and rumbles of energy were beginning to emanate from the void behind them.
"Those fellows have already started exploring and seeking treasures within this Forbidden Land. In fact, within this Forbidden Land, every broken star and every shattered world likely holds great opportunities," Hearing the loud eruptions of energy from behind, Cui Hong remarked.
"Are the two of you also eager to begin exploring and searching for treasures?"
Cui Hong turned and asked Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao.
"But there's no need to rush. First, go to the location where I hid my corpse. Within this Forbidden Land, both of you are too weak. You cannot rampage around casually like those powerful fellows behind us. Otherwise, with just a bit of bad luck, you could lose your lives," Cui Hong advised.
"Senior, I will follow your arrangements," Ye Yunfei promptly responded.
"My Master has already instructed me to follow your lead in all things," Xiao Xiao also spoke.