Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 1013: Demons and Witches
The Nine Phoenix Monarch sat cross-legged upon a boulder, her hands weaving seal after seal as streams of light danced around her fingertips.
Moments later, those radiant threads intertwined, forming a palm-sized multicolored phoenix that looked alive, its eyes bright and movements graceful.
The tiny phoenix circled above the Nine Phoenix Monarch’s head, its wings fluttering gently, scattering specks of glowing light.
She raised her head slightly, meeting the phoenix’s gaze. Her lips moved as she chanted an obscure incantation, then extended a slender finger and drew out a drop of her blood and essence, pressing it lightly against the phoenix.
The instant her fingertip touched, the drop of blood sank into the phoenix’s body. The phoenix stiffened, then abruptly folded its wings and turned into a streak of brilliant light that shot into the Nine Phoenix Monarch’s brow.
The phoenix entered her body. The Nine Phoenix Monarch’s head jerked upward, her body trembling as her delicate face twisted in pain. A muffled groan escaped her throat, and her aura flared violently.
The Jiao King, long prepared, swept his arm and released a beam of golden light that formed a barrier, sealing off the entire valley. The muffled groan turned into a clear, resonant phoenix cry.
Swoosh! Two wings unfolded from her back.
Hovering in mid-air, the Nine Phoenix Monarch turned to gaze in the direction of the celestial barrier, strange light flickering within her eyes.
The burly, armored demon and the others suppressed their curiosity, silently observing her movements.
After some time, the Nine Phoenix Monarch exhaled softly and turned to the Jiao King, giving him a small nod.
The Jiao King’s expression eased. He finally spoke, addressing the armored demon. "Brother Hei, be at ease. The Nine Phoenix and I have made full preparations. Within the celestial barrier lies the True Heavenly Phoenix Feather. Once those immortal cultivators enter the inner hall, we will borrow the power of that feather to open a hidden passage within the barrier and slip inside unnoticed."
"The True Heavenly Phoenix Feather?" The armored demon was startled, his face filled with disbelief. "Could it be the true life-bound feather of an ancient Heavenly Phoenix? Demonic Sea is already rich beyond measure, yet you even possess such a treasure?"
The Jiao King smiled faintly. "It may not truly be a life-bound feather, but that remnant feather indeed contains a trace of spatial power similar to that of a Heavenly Phoenix. When Seven-Kill Hall manifests and the celestial barrier weakens, we can use it to open a breach and pass through. This treasure is the most prized possession of the Phoenix Clan, unique within the entire Demonic Sea. I had to spend endless effort persuading them to entrust it to the Nine Phoenix and bring it to Canglang Sea."
The armored demon exchanged glances with the other great demons.
"So that True Heavenly Phoenix Feather was planted inside beforehand by the immortal cultivators you bribed?" he asked suspiciously.
The Jiao King explained calmly, "If one uses the feather directly to break the barrier, it would disturb the celestial barrier, alerting the human cultivators within. If those top human experts were to rush over, our position would become perilous.
"During the previous opening of Seven-Kill Hall, the Nine Phoenix risked her life to plant the feather within the barrier in advance, which already caused quite a commotion among the cultivators. Now, we only need to trigger its remaining power, so it will draw little attention.
"For this, the clans of the Demonic Sea offered great sacrifices. Even my own son was among those used as offerings. Having paid such a heavy price, I would not act without certainty.
"Encountering you all in Canglang Sea was an unexpected fortune. If we succeed, I will have a chance to reach the Divine Transformation Realm, and each of you will gain tremendous benefits as well.
"By then, why should we continue to fear human cultivators and hide in the barren depths of the sea?"
The Nine Phoenix Monarch’s eyes dimmed. She recalled those juniors' disbelieving faces when they learned the truth twenty years ago. The young Caiyi, whom she had watched grow up, was among them.
Hearing all this, the armored demon and the others were deeply shaken. After quietly exchanging thoughts, one of them asked, "When do you plan to move?"
The Jiao King glanced toward the distant Seven-Kill Hall. "Once the human cultivators enter the inner hall, we act immediately. We know too little about Seven-Kill Hall, so when the time comes, I’ll be relying on all of you."
The armored demon said solemnly, "We have toiled in cultivation for too long. Rest assured, we will give our all."
"Excellent!" The Jiao King clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his gaze flickering with anticipation as he stared toward the inner hall within the celestial barrier.
The demons waited patiently in the mountain hollow. The stillness broke only when the Jiao King finally spoke. "Move out!"
In a flash, the demons appeared at the edge of the celestial barrier. The Nine Phoenix Monarch and the Jiao King stood at the front, the others following behind.
The Nine Phoenix Monarch now revealed her true form. Her great wings spread wide as she produced a resplendent feather, gliding toward the barrier. Facing it, she let out a series of urgent, low cries.
Inside the barrier, a long feather shimmered back into existence, responding to her call, and erupted into blazing flames.
The feather in her hand blazed brilliantly, while the True Heavenly Phoenix Feather within the barrier flared into fire, banishing the surrounding darkness. The two feathers resonated, transmitting strange waves between them.
The Nine Phoenix Monarch let out a soft cry. Sensing the signal, the Jiao King led the other demons forward, and they were instantly enveloped by the feather’s glow.
In the next moment, their figures vanished, and the celestial barrier returned to tranquility. They had slipped into the inner hall, unseen and unheard. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
"We're inside already?" The armored demon could hardly believe it. Have we truly entered the sacred land of humankind so easily?
He looked around. Everything was cloaked in darkness. His gaze fell on the True Heavenly Phoenix Feather, then on the Nine Phoenix Monarch, whose expression had grown grave.
The Jiao King asked, "How is it?"
The Nine Phoenix Monarch sighed regretfully. "Less than half of its original power remains."
Before the Jiao King could reply, the other demons had already spread out to scout the surroundings.
After a while, they returned and reported in low voices, "This place is barren and vast, without a single living creature. No trace of human barriers or spiritual arrays."
The Jiao King’s expression remained calm. He pondered for a moment, then took out a finger-length white bone.
Holding it in his palm, golden light flickered between his fingers. The demons exchanged glances but stayed silent, waiting for his next move.
***
Several ghostlike figures appeared soundlessly before the entrance of the Sky Tower.
They paused, revealing their true forms, and turned their gazes toward the direction of Seven-Kill Hall’s entrance.
The leader was none other than the grand witch priest. To her left hovered an inconspicuous Withered-Leaf Cicada, quietly suspended in mid-air. The rest looked at the grand witch priest and the cicada with subdued reverence.
"All the human cultivators have entered the inner hall. It’s time for us to move as well," said the grand witch priest softly, glancing toward the cicada.
Old Devil Fang said nothing, his figure fading into the void as he flew into the Sky Tower first.
The earlier trials on the lower levels of the tower were trivial to them. With Old Devil Fang leading the way, they passed unimpeded, reaching the seventh level of the Sky Tower.
"The humans left no traps behind. It seems like there are greater treasures within the inner hall that drew them in," said the grand witch priest indifferently.
Old Devil Fang sneered. "Unless the Devil Lord himself stands guard here, none of them could hinder us. Those who try are merely seeking humiliation!"
