In the Mountain Ocean Continent, millions of mountains
There was an emerald lake that was akin to a mirror. There weren't any ripples on the surface of the lake that reflected the heavens and earth. Although the lake looked ordinary, for some reason, it emanated a heavy pressure that even Heavenly Sovereigns would feel pressured here.
This place had always been quiet, but today, the silence had been broken by a commotion. When the first rays of dawn broke through the earth, countless streaks of light streaked across the horizon like comets. Thereafter, they descended from the sky and landed on the mountains around the lake from every direction.
Along with the arrival of those silhouettes, countless cries resounded between the heavens and earth, akin to the cry of a crane and the cry of a sparrow.
The Deification Pool held an extraordinary position amongst the avian Divine Beast Clans. So even if the quota was limited, it would attract the attention of many Divine Beast Clans every time it opened.
As the various clans gathered, their clamors resounded throughout the forest.
Roar!
But as more and more clans arrived, a resounding phoenix cry resounded when the sun gradually rose. Thereafter, an indescribable pressure enveloped down, causing the experts of the Divine Beast Clans to have a slight change in their expressions before reverence appeared in their eyes.
They lifted their heads and looked into the distance, only to see a multi-coloured glow spreading across the land. There seemed to be a figure on the multi-coloured glow, which slowly landed on the mountain peak closest to the lake.
As the rainbow dissipated, two silhouettes appeared. The first one was the Phoenix Clan's King, Huang Jin, with Huang Xuanzhi standing behind him, emanating a noble aura.
"We pay our respects to the Phoenix King!"
When Huang Jin appeared, many bird-type Divine Beast Clans' powerhouses respectfully greeted him.
Huang Jin had an extraordinary bearing as he nodded his head towards everyone before looking into the distance. There were silhouettes flying over and they landed on the nearby mountains.
When those silhouettes appeared, a powerful pressure permeated the entire heavens and earth. Spiritual lustre gathered behind them and vaguely formed into the silhouettes of various divine beasts.
Among them, there was a giant golden eagle with nine heads, a creature that looked like a dragon and a sparrow, and a divine eagle with eyes as sharp as blades.
Looking at this scene, the experts of the Divine Beast Clans had solemn expressions. Their eyes were filled with envy because all of them were Supreme Divine Beasts.
Although there was only a difference of two words between a Divine Beast and a Super Divine Beast, it was like the difference between Heaven and Earth.
"There are a total of fifteen Supreme Divine Beast Clans in the Great Thousand World, and practically all of them are here!"
"It's said that for the sake of the Deification Pool this time, the super divine beast clans have sent out their top geniuses. It looks like they want to borrow the fortune of the Deification Pool to refine their bloodlines and take another step forward!"
"However, the amount of Blood Essence condensed in the Deification Pool is limited. It seems that there will be a fierce battle."
"Haha, who can compete with Huang Xuanzhi of the Phoenix Clan?
Therefore, I'm afraid that the biggest reward this time will fall on him. "
"That might not be the case. Huang Xuanzhi might be extraordinary, but Lin Cang of the Nine-headed Golden Eagle Clan and Kong Ling 'er of the Nine-coloured Peacock Clan aren't people that they want to compete with!"
"Indeed. The geniuses of the Supreme Divine Beast Clans have been hiding for a hundred years, and they're planning to use the Deification Pool to lay their foundation for the Saint Heavenly Sovereign Realm. So an intense battle is unavoidable!"
Many whispers continuously rang out in the mountains. Numerous gazes swept back and forth across the mountains in front of them. Their eyes were filled with excitement.
"Mhm? The Jiu You Clan is also here? Could it be that they have a quota for the Deification Pool?"
While scanning the area, some people also discovered a couple of figures on top of a mountain. Immediately, they were recognized.
"Heh, a few hundred years ago, an Ancestor of the Jiu You Clan entered the Deification Pool and passed away, obtaining a quota for their clan. It looks like they're intending to use it now."
Someone spoke in a sour tone. After all, the quota for the Deification Pool was too rare, and it practically required the life of a Heavenly Sovereign to exchange for it.
"Tch, looks like you guys really don't know anything. The Jiu You Clan is in an unspeakable situation right now." But someone with keen intelligence sneered, "The Jiu You Clan's Jiu You Clan's Jiu You Bloodline has evolved into the Undying Bird's Bloodline. But Huang Xuanzhi has his eyes on him, and his Nine Circulation Saint Art is lacking the last catalyst!"
"So the moment Jiu You enters the Deification Pool, Huang Xuanzhi will forcefully make a move and seize his bloodline!"
The Divine Beast Clans revered the weak more than the human world. So even if they heard about Huang Xuanzhi's overbearing actions, most people felt that it was reasonable.
As the saying goes, treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime. It was natural for the Jiu You Clan to have such a rare bloodline. Furthermore, it was fine if Jiu You wanted to keep it a secret, but Jiu You had to come out and flaunt it. Now that you've fallen into Huang Xuanzhi's eyes, how could you escape so easily?
Not far away, the Jiu You Clan's Patriarch, Tian Huang, had an unsightly expression when he sensed those gazes.
Behind Tian Huang was Nine Nether. Today, she was dressed in a tight-fitting black robe and fitted trousers that outlined her slender legs. Her willowy waist could be grasped with one arm and her voluptuous chest formed an alluring arc. Her expression was cold and her tightly pursed red lips were stubborn and persistent as usual.
Compared to Tian Huang's unsightly expression, her expression was much calmer. It's just that her tightly clenched fists revealed the ripples in her heart.
"Elder Lu, I can only rely on you this time."
Tian Huang deeply sighed as he spoke to a grey-robed elder beside him. This elder was the only Heavenly Sovereign of their Jiu You Clan. He was initially in seclusion, but for Jiu You's matter, they had no choice but to invite him out.
However, this Elder of the Jiu You Clan was only a Late Phase Spirit Heavenly Sovereign.
The grey-robed elder wore a bitter expression on his face, but he still nodded his head. "Patriarch, rest assured. I will do my best to protect Jiu You, but I might not be Huang Xuanzhi's opponent."
Tian Huang's body trembled. How could he not know that Huang Xuanzhi's cultivation was at the Initial Phase Immortal Heavenly Sovereign Realm? It was said that there were even Initial Phase Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns that fell in his hands.
"There's no need for Lu Hao to fight with Huang Xuanzhi. You just have to bring Jiu You away from him in the Deification Pool. It's best if you can stall for time and bring Jiu You out." Tian Huang comforted.
"I will do my best."
Nodding his head, Elder Lu took a deep breath with a resolute expression on his face. He was enraged by the Phoenix Clan's actions. No matter what, even if he lost his life, he would protect Jiu You's safety.
But he suddenly recalled something and looked at Jiu You, before he hesitated. "Is there still no news from Elder Tianque?
It's said that Mu Chen is formidable, and if he appears, he might be able to confront Huang Xuanzhi. "
Knitting his brows, Tian Huang replied, "Not yet. There's no need for our Jiu You Clan to rely on an outsider. Furthermore, if he comes, he will offend the Phoenix Clan. I'm afraid that that brat will weigh the pros and cons."
There wasn't any blame in his words, since this was something that should be done. In the Great Thousand World, no one would dare to offend the Phoenix Clan for their Jiu You Clan. Didn't the Divine Beast Clans that had a good relationship with their Jiu You Clan not dare to help them?
"Father!"
But when his voice resounded, Jiu You glared at him.
Tian Huang could only shake his head with a bitter smile. "Alright, I won't say anything bad about him."
As they spoke, Huang Jin suddenly lowered his head and looked in their direction with a faint smile. "I wonder if the two of you have made up your mind?"
Countless gazes were directed over, and Tian Huang could only brace himself. "Phoenix King, can't you let my Jiu You Clan off?"
His words were filled with a pleading tone, and he had completely put down his dignity as a Patriarch.
Huang Jin sighed softly and said, "Why do all of you have to do this?
If you can satisfy my son, this King will naturally treat it as a favor from your Jiu You Clan, and I will repay you in the future. But you guys have refused me time and time again. "
Looking at Tian Huang indifferently, Huang Jin replied, "Since you guys are so stubborn, then we'll have to rely on our own ability."
Tian Huang's face turned pale with a dejected expression.
Standing behind Huang Jin, Huang Xuanzhi's gaze swept through the three of them and glanced at Elder Lu with a faint smile. "This must be your protector, right?"
"Late Phase Spirit Heavenly Sovereign!"
A playful smile rose on the corner of Huang Xuanzhi's lips as he shook his head. "If this is the extent of your strength, then I believe that you guys can give up now."
As his voice rang out, he took a step forward. In an instant, a phoenix cry resounded and a torrential pressure swept out, causing the entire heavens and earth to tremble under his pressure.
That pressure was directed at Elder Lu, which caused the latter's body to tremble with his face alternating between green and white. The terrifying pressure had practically caused his knees to bend and he was about to kneel.
Evidently, Huang Xuanzhi was intending to shatter Elder Lu's courage before entering the Deification Pool. This way, Elder Lu would lose all his courage when he entered the Deification Pool.
Elder Lu also understood Huang Xuanzhi's intention, so he gritted his teeth with veins twitching on his forehead. However, the pressure from an Immortal Heavenly Sovereign and Huang Xuanzhi's True Phoenix pressure had caused Elder Lu's knees to bend even further.
Standing to the side, Patriarch Tian Huang and Nine Nether's faces were pale. Under Huang Xuanzhi's pressure, they could only watch as Elder Lu slowly bent his knees.
Patriarch Tian Huang's vision turned black and he even wanted to vomit a mouthful of blood. This humiliation was akin to throwing away the face of their Jiu You Clan.
Jiu You's fists were clenched to the point that her fingertips dug into her palm with blood flowing down. At this moment, even someone as stubborn as her couldn't help having tears rolling down her face.
That feeling of powerlessness caused her to blame herself.
"Enough! If you want this bloodline, then take it!" She widened her eyes as she looked at Huang Xuanzhi.
However, before she could finish her words, a thunderous roar resounded in this region. Countless experts raised their heads and looked at the horizon in the distance with a grave expression. Boundless Spiritual Energy swept over like heavy waves from that direction.
Boom!
Boom! The boundless Spiritual Energy had instantly shattered Huang Xuanzhi's Spiritual Energy pressure and a deep voice echoed throughout the heavens and earth.
"You're not qualified to obtain this bloodline!"
Thunder resounded and Nine Nether's voice came to an abrupt stop at this moment. She abruptly raised her head and saw a youthful silhouette walking over in the sky. That handsome face was like a hidden hibernation beneath the sea of lightning, which made one's heart palpitate.
Looking at that familiar silhouette, Jiu You's tears uncontrollably fell from the corner of her eyes.