Between the mountain ridges and beneath the dense pine trees, a dark figure stood silently. Despite the considerable distance between them, Feng Yun Wuxi could already sense the powerful aura of the figure.
"Brother ahead, could you lend a hand?" Feng Yun Wuxi called urgently. The monstrous bird behind him was closing in fast, its sheer size causing rocks and dirt to scatter with each flap of its wings. Relying on his superior evasion techniques, Feng Yun Wuxi had managed to keep the creature at bay—a feat that was no small achievement, considering the beast clearly outmatched him in almost every aspect. However, after hours of continuous exertion, his energy was starting to wane. Seeing a human figure ahead, he called out, hoping for aid. The humans of the Ancient Era, if anything, were far stronger than he was. He hoped this one might be able to handle the beast.
The figure in the distance paused, seemingly surprised to encounter another cultivator here. But then, like a streak of light, the figure shot toward him with great speed.
"Hahaha! Heaven offered you a path, but you refused; now, hell opens its door, and here you are, little boy. At last, I've found you!" A loud, arrogant voice rang out from the air as the figure closed the distance. Feng Yun Wuxi's heart sank as he saw the figure more clearly. This was no savior—it was the notorious demonic cultivator, You Wu Xie, the Cold Pool Heavenly Demon, who had been captured and imprisoned by the Hidden Valley Elders.
You Wu Xie's eyes glinted with murderous intent, and his purple robe billowed in the wind. With a wave of his hand, a wave of cold energy rushed out and invaded Feng Yun Wuxi's body, sealing his meridians. With another casual motion, You Wu Xie effortlessly trapped Feng Yun Wuxi under his arm.
Suddenly, a sharp cry echoed as the monstrous bird, having circled around a jagged peak, closed in. Seeing its prey taken, the bird screeched, folding its wings slightly, and accelerated toward them like a lightning bolt.
"Huh? What's this...?" You Wu Xie was momentarily taken aback, staring in shock at the approaching creature. Despite his surprise, he didn't seem concerned. As the giant bird flew closer, You Wu Xie sneered and stepped forward, slapping his palm toward the bird's golden beak. As his hand moved, cold air surged out in a chilling wave.
"No wonder you threw yourself into a trap... A Phoenix... Damn it, how could you have attracted this kind of beast!" Just as You Wu Xie's palm was about to strike, the bird suddenly flapped its wings and shot out a torrent of flames. Twelve elegant tail feathers unfurled, elongating dramatically. Within moments, the bird's size swelled even larger than before, and its body blazed with fire hot enough to melt stone.
You Wu Xie's palm connected, sending the bird flying back a hundred feet, but he too was blasted back several hundred miles.
"Ah!" You Wu Xie cried out in pain, and Feng Yun Wuxi noticed his right hand trembling uncontrollably. A faint smoke began to rise from his palm, which had turned black and was releasing a burning stench. Within the palm, a tiny flicker of flame could be seen, a reminder of the Phoenix's terrifying heat.
The temperature in the area rose sharply, and within a hundred miles, even the rocks seemed to melt. Feng Yun Wuxi gasped in shock. The transformation in the bird's form and its newfound power were immense. The surrounding heat was unbearable.
"You really did attract this monster, huh?" You Wu Xie glared at Feng Yun Wuxi, clearly furious. He closed his eyes and began circulating his cultivation to heal the wounds. A frosty aura emanated from his body, and frost began to accumulate rapidly, forming thick ice armor around his arm. However, the flame within his palm prevented the ice from fully encasing it.
Opening his eyes and noticing the tiny flame, You Wu Xie's expression turned pale. He glanced up at the Phoenix, which now looked like a blazing sun in the sky, and quickly grabbed Feng Yun Wuxi, flying away with great speed.
As they fled, Feng Yun Wuxi noticed that the tiny flames from the Phoenix had almost vanished into You Wu Xie's palm.
The wind whistled past them as they distanced themselves from the Phoenix. After losing sight of the creature, You Wu Xie landed on a towering peak, flicking his fingers to seal Feng Yun Wuxi's meridians before tossing him aside. He coldly said, "Don't move."
Then, You Wu Xie sat down, emitting an intense cold that froze the ground beneath him. However, the fire in his palm had yet to be fully suppressed, and it soon flared up into a massive blaze that engulfed him. The ice surrounding his arm melted away instantly. You Wu Xie trembled as the fire within him gradually weakened and was eventually absorbed back into his body. By nightfall, You Wu Xie opened his eyes, his gaze glowing red like two lanterns. He looked coldly at Feng Yun Wuxi and said, "Not bad, kid. On our first meeting, you pretended to be from the Blade Domain, which caused me great embarrassment. Now, you've attracted this Phoenix, a primal beast, and it's left a trace of eternal flame within you. Tell me, how should I deal with you?"
Feng Yun Wuxi, trapped in this dangerous situation, could only sigh in resignation. "Do whatever you want. It was my misfortune to fall into your hands. But as for pretending to be from the Blade Domain, I never said I was. You made that assumption on your own."
"You are who I say you are!" You Wu Xie snapped, clearly irritated. But then his expression changed as he thought for a moment, and he added, "Hmm, it seems this eternal flame has given me some unexpected benefits. It allowed me to comprehend the Ice and Fire Technique. The combination of ice and fire—now that's powerful. I should've perished from the flames, but instead, I've gained a new technique. I'll spare you for now, but don't get too comfortable. The Xuanming Scroll is still mine to claim. That Zhao Wuji kid, he was with you, right? Where is he now?"
"I don't know. We parted ways after a short time together," Feng Yun Wuxi replied.
"Hmph, do you think I'm a fool? I know Zhao Wuji well. If you saved him, he'll be grateful. And you—I've heard some things lately. It turns out you're a newly ascended cultivator. Once he knows the truth, he'll help you. You're headed toward the Hidden Valley, right?" You Wu Xie smirked, unveiling a sharp deduction.
Feng Yun Wuxi, startled, replied, "How can you be so sure? Why don't you go to the Hidden Valley to find him? You think you're clever, but when we first met, you fled in terror."
You Wu Xie, typically thick-skinned, felt a pang of embarrassment, remembering how he had barely escaped the Hidden Valley himself. He could not return, knowing it would lead to his capture once more. Feng Yun Wuxi had cleverly pressed him on this point.
"Hmph, I can't be bothered with you." You Wu Xie waved his hand and turned away, snapping his fingers to summon some dry branches. A spark ignited the pile of wood, and soon a fire blazed brightly under the dark sky. The two sat by the fire in silence. Feng Yun Wuxi was deep in thought, while You Wu Xie, visibly tense, said nothing more.