I, Thanks To My Unlimited Investment, Am Admired By All Races

“Now that the Vermilion Bird’s blood has emerged, I fear everyone in the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm will be rushing over,” Yao Feng said after a moment of rest. His injuries had somewhat healed as he looked deeply at Li Xun and cautiously added, “If Brother Li desires that drop of Vermilion Bird’s blood, I am willing to lend you whatever assistance I can.”

“Is this a gesture of gratitude?”

Li Xun couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

With Yao Feng’s offer, it was clear that his influence was no longer confined to the Profound Sun Sect but had spread to Spirit Sword Valley.

Considering Yao Feng’s potential, it was almost certain he would become the Valley Master of Spirit Sword Valley in the future.

Although Yao Feng’s achievements might not rival those of Ye Han and others, he would still be a major figure in his own right. Having someone like Yao Feng to support him would undoubtedly be a significant boost to his reputation.

In the future, if he spoke out on something, there would be sect leaders or elders who would stand up for him, lending weight to his words.

Letting his thoughts wander so far, Li Xun quickly pulled himself back to reality.

With a wave of his sleeve, he summoned his Royal Spirit Boat and said with a smile, “The Vermilion Bird’s blood isn’t particularly useful to me, but I can’t allow it to fall into the hands of outsiders.”

By “outsiders,” he wasn’t referring to anyone but the three from the Great Chu Dynasty.

If those three managed to claim the Vermilion Bird’s blood, it might give the impression that the sect geniuses here were no match for outsiders.

Of course, even more important was that Li Xun needed the Vermilion Bird’s blood for an investment.

“Brother Li is right,” Yao Feng agreed as he stood up. He glanced at the Royal Spirit Boat but then paused.

“Brother Li, please wait a moment,” Yao Feng said.

He walked over to a nearby spot where two piles of flesh and blood lay on the ground, barely recognizable as human. Judging from the tattered clothing amidst the remains, they were likely disciples of Spirit Sword Valley.

Li Xun pieced things together. Earlier, Jiang Jue had spoken of “Yao Feng and the others,” not just Yao Feng alone.

It seemed likely that the green-robed man and his companions had seen some value in Yao Feng and spared him, but the other two Spirit Sword Valley disciples hadn’t been as fortunate and were killed offhandedly.

Yao Feng’s face was grim. Taking a deep breath, he dug up several meters of the ground around the remains and stored it in his spatial ring.

“Apologies for the unpleasant sight, Brother Li,” Yao Feng said bitterly. “I failed to protect my two junior brothers.”

Though his expression was somber, a flicker of killing intent lingered deep in his eyes—not directed at Li Xun but at the green-robed man’s group and Ning Cheng of the Beast Taming Sect.

However, with Ning Cheng already dead, Yao Feng’s remaining targets were now only the three from the Great Chu Dynasty.

“Such things are common in the cultivation world. Please accept my condolences, Brother Yao,” Li Xun said understandingly, offering a few words of comfort.

Shortly after, the two of them boarded the Royal Spirit Boat and set off for the site where the Vermilion Bird’s blood had emerged.

Thousands of miles away…

The entire area was bathed in a crimson glow, covering both the sky and the earth.

In the heavens, a Vermilion Bird shadow spread its massive wings, soaring through the cosmos. Its body spanned thousands of meters, carrying an aura of ancient majesty. Rays of light cascaded down like waterfalls from its figure, as if an ancient demon emperor had come back to life.

Everyone present, even the most gifted of sect geniuses, felt an overwhelming pressure that made them want to kneel.

And this was merely a single drop of blood.

After countless years, much of its power had already dissipated—it wasn’t even essence blood. Yet even this ordinary drop radiated such terrifying might.

One could hardly imagine the scene if it were a complete drop of blood or if the ancient demon emperor who owned it still lived.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Beneath the Vermilion Bird’s shadow stood a grand mountain.

At this moment, the mountain had been enveloped in a fearsome killing formation, laid down by a mysterious figure.

The formation hummed ominously as it operated.

The clash of swords echoed across the mountains, their deafening cries blending with an overwhelming surge of killing intent. The biting cold of sword energy and the chilling aura of death radiated from the mountain’s peak, threatening to level it entirely.

At the summit lay the corpses of over a dozen colossal beasts, their dark blood flowing like streams down the mountainside.

The scene was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Each of these beasts had been at the Profound Elixir Realm, a force to be reckoned with in their own right. And yet, here they all lay, slaughtered by a single person—an unbelievable feat.

“Who is that mysterious figure?”

Disciples from various sects whispered among themselves, their faces filled with shock and curiosity as they gazed at the shadowy figure within the formation.

“Which sect’s genius could this be? Just their ability to set up such a formation rivals the prowess of Profound Sun Sect’s Li Xun and Beast Taming Sect’s Ning Cheng!”

“You’re underestimating them. Based on what I’ve seen, this person might even surpass Li Xun and Ning Cheng. After all, it’s no small matter to slay more than a dozen Profound Elixir Realm beasts so effortlessly.”

“That’s just because they excel in formations. If it were a head-on fight, Li Xun and Ning Cheng would still have the upper hand.”

“Why should they engage in a direct fight? Their expertise is in formations, after all.”

“Enough speculation. Li Xun from Profound Sun Sect and Ning Cheng from Beast Taming Sect should be arriving soon. Instead of guessing, we might as well wait and see.”

Outside the formation, a crowd of disciples from various sects had gathered. Most of them were at the Spirit Meridian Realm, far too weak to enter the deadly formation.

After all, if beasts at the Profound Elixir Realm had fallen, stepping into the formation themselves would be nothing more than a death sentence.

For now, they could only stand by, watching as the mysterious figure advanced step by step toward the heart of the mountain, where a single drop of blood glistened at its center.

That drop of Vermilion Bird blood, no larger than a thumb, radiated an aura so potent that it had conjured the celestial phenomenon above.

“It seems the fate of the Vermilion Bird’s blood has already been decided,” someone sighed.

As if in answer, a deafening crack shattered the silence.

Crack!

A thunderbolt as thick as a barrel streaked across the heavens, tearing through the void and lighting up the surroundings like daytime.

Boom!

The thunderbolt struck the formation, causing it to tremble violently. The runes and symbols flickered in and out of existence, teetering on the brink of collapse.

“The Vermilion Bird’s blood is not something you’re worthy of!”

A cold voice echoed through the mountains, and several figures stormed into the killing formation simultaneously.

Each of these intruders was above the Profound Elixir Realm, their strength immense. While they couldn’t destroy the formation outright, they worked together to force their way in, disrupting its operations.

Among them was a burly man with rippling muscles and immense strength. With every gesture, he crushed countless sword energies.

No matter how fierce the sword lights slashed at him, they merely bounced off his body with metallic clangs, creating sparks as if they had struck solid steel.

“Zheng Chuan from the Xuanyin Sect, the leader of the Ethereal Palace, Cheng Shi from the Giant Elephant Sect, and even a representative from Shenxiao Sect… They’re all here!”

Someone gasped audibly, their voice heavy with astonishment.