NOVEL WEB Chapter 47
Chapter 47: The First Life:
Vermilion Bird.
In the previous life, it was the Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor.
This title puzzled many, as all within the Nine Heavens knew that the Nine Lives Heavenly Sovereign harbored a deep hatred for the Demon Clan, slaughtering them endlessly.
Yet, the Vermilion Bird, a divine beast, chose to call itself the Demon Emperor.
It wasn’t until Lu Ye faced his tribulation that people understood.
The Vermilion Bird Demon Emperor had taken on the title purely to spite the Nine Lives Heavenly Sovereign.
You despise demons?
Then I’ll name myself the Demon Emperor.
…
The Vermilion Bird had intervened, intending to carry Yue Hongling out of the encirclement.
But breaking through the Eight Desolation Lock-Kill Formation was no simple task. In an instant, eight prodigies formed the array, sealing the Vermilion Bird’s retreat.
“How dare you betray the Demon Clan!” roared a demon clad in armor, resembling an upright pangolin.
“A mere servant of all beings dares to claim a place in the Demon Clan? Break!”
Blazing Vermilion Bird flames swept forward like a tidal wave.
Clutching Yue Hongling, the Vermilion Bird’s wings slashed like heavenly blades, striking a prodigy from the Demon Clan.
A single cross slash from the flaming wings reduced the demon to four pieces.
“Divine Judgment Light!”
A powerful divine ray descended from the heavens, striking toward the Vermilion Bird.
The Ancient God Son roared, weaving complex and resplendent divine magic before throwing a punch into it. A massive, ethereal fist appeared in the sky, dwarfing everything beneath it.
Under the fist’s shadow, all living beings seemed as insignificant as ants. The fist shattered through dark clouds, accompanied by white lightning, exuding unparalleled terror.
Even from a great distance, one could see the colossal fist descending from the heavens, as if a god were punching through the sea of clouds.
The surrounding clans retreated hastily.
The Vermilion Bird raised its head to face the terrifying fist. A drop of its essence blood flowed from its body into Yue Hongling’s mouth. With its wings shielding her, the Vermilion Bird spun into a fiery vortex, charging toward the gigantic fist.
“Chirp!”
Its cry echoed across heaven and earth.
“Boom!”
The collision of forces shook the world.
It was like a comet striking the Earth.
The Vermilion Bird had indeed acted, but it now faced the inevitable—being surrounded and attacked.
The Eight Desolation Lock-Kill Formation expanded, with all the demon race prodigies joining the fray. The formation grew into five layers, with forty prodigies launching attacks in unison.
Each wave of attacks was orderly and relentless.
The Vermilion Bird’s strength was overwhelming, rivaling Yue Hongling’s. Both were emperors reborn, equipped with the pinnacle of techniques and divine powers.
Though Yue Hongling had been slightly weakened due to forming her Heaven Pill, her battle-hardened nature meant there was little difference in their capabilities.
“To think the Demon Clan still has such a prodigy, and one siding with the human race!” cursed a demon, incredulous at the surreal situation.
The Vermilion Bird, unscathed and in peak condition, was unstoppable. Its wings became blazing heavenly blades, emitting terrifying heat.
Protected by the Vermilion Bird, Yue Hongling fought with all her might, taking down as many enemies as possible, even at the cost of her injuries.
The besieging prodigies grew increasingly grim.
The death toll was too high.
So many prodigies had fallen in the battle to kill Yue Hongling, paid for in blood. Now, they were losing more lives trying to kill a Demon Clan prodigy comparable in strength to Yue Hongling.
Yes, from the Demon Clan!
Why were they even targeting the Vermilion Bird?
If it weren’t for Yue Hongling, other races would have accepted the rise of such a strong prodigy from the Demon Clan, as their greatest rival was humanity.
Some of the Demon Clan prodigies hesitated, reluctant to strike the Vermilion Bird.
After all, if the Vermilion Bird were on the verge of death, they might have to step in to protect it.
What was the point of continuing the fight?
Despite this, the Vermilion Bird faced immense pressure.
The consensus among all races was clear—the Vermilion Bird could live, but Yue Hongling must die.
Having consumed the Vermilion Bird’s essence blood, Yue Hongling’s injuries stopped worsening, and she barely clung to life.
Tears streamed down Yue Hongling’s face.
She understood now. She finally realized how her senior brother had escaped back then.
He had used one of his lives.
In such a desperate situation, with his strength alone, escape would have been impossible.
He must have fought until exhaustion and died once, only to resurrect with his second life to defeat his enemies.
The Nine Lives Heavenly Sovereign—his first life, at the Nascent Soul stage, had been sacrificed for her, the most unworthy junior sister.
Why hadn’t he told her?
Why hadn’t he explained?
Recalling how hysterical she’d been over Feng Wuxie’s death, Yue Hongling felt despair.
How could he have said anything?
Even if he’d confessed to dying once, how would she have responded, blinded by her own madness?
Feng Wuxie was right.
She was a selfish, ungrateful, and heartless woman.
The battle raged on, though its intensity waned as Demon Clan prodigies tried to reason with the Vermilion Bird.
“The one you’re protecting is a human prodigy, humanity’s strongest rival, and a great enemy of our Demon Clan! You are one of us—why save her?”
“Put Yue Hongling down, and we’ll pretend this never happened. If you persist, and the Demon Emperor learns of this, his wrath will be unstoppable!”
“You don’t even know her—why save her?”
The Vermilion Bird said nothing, seizing an opportunity to retract its wings, transforming into a blazing fireball that slammed into its Demon Clan comrades.
The Demon Clan prodigies recoiled in alarm.
Ultimately, they couldn’t resist and chose to evade.
“Stop her!”
Other races shouted desperately.
But it was too late. The fiery ball broke through the Demon Clan ranks, endured several powerful spells, and finally escaped the Eight Desolation Lock-Kill Formation.
Its massive flaming wings unfurled, leaving behind trails of Vermilion Bird blood as it soared skyward.
Breaking through thunderclouds, it fled into the distance.
“Damn it! Damn it!”
“Chase them!”
“We were so close to killing Yue Hongling. Demon Clan, you owe us an explanation!”
“So many prodigies have died, and Yue Hongling still escaped! Damn the Demon Clan!”
“Are you colluding with humanity?”
Furious gazes from other clans turned on the remaining Demon Clan prodigies.
Some even suspected the whole event was a trap, orchestrated by humanity and the Demon Clan to eliminate the other races’ prodigies.
The Demon Clan was unnerved and quickly defended themselves.
“We had no idea this would happen! Even our Little Dragon King is dead—how could we collude with humanity?”
“This matter will be reported to the Demon Emperor. That firebird will pay the price!”
The Vermilion Bird carried Yue Hongling, soaring high into the sky.
Free at last.
The Vermilion Bird glanced down, hearing Yue Hongling’s faint murmur.
“Heaven… Heavenly Spirit Pool… Heavenly Spirit Pool…”
The Vermilion Bird looked in the direction of the Heavenly Spirit Pool and flapped its wings.
The Heavenly Spirit Pool could indeed help Yue Hongling recover. It was the perfect destination.