Chapter 1042 - Level 30 Hegemonic Golden Body

The crowd gathered under the Chinese parasol tree.

The flaming Chinese parasol tree was twisted and intertwined, its falling leaves fluttering through the air, transforming into a mesmerizing spectacle of flames.

The tree had massive leaves, like the feathers of a phoenix, tender and beautiful.

Atop the tree was a massive nest made from the tree’s branches and leaves, burning with Nirvana Dao Flame. A phoenix’s silhouette emerged, its occasional cries echoing through the air.

It was as if the phoenix’s presence lingered even after its death, watching over its nest.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

There were ten flights of stairs winding down from the phoenix’s nest, extending to the bottom of the Chinese parasol tree like a stairway to heaven, guiding those below toward the legendary sanctuary.

“Hoho, it seems our Ji Clan is truly entering an era of prosperity. All the leading figures of our younger generation have not only achieved their second bloodline awakening, but they have also reached the Chinese parasol tree,” said the Greater Peak Manifestation realm expert of the Zhong Division with delight.

Such an event had not occurred in the past thousand years. Normally, some among the nine divisions’ top talents would fail to awaken their bloodlines, but this time, all had succeeded—a clear sign of the Ji Clan’s rising fortune.

“That’s right. The highest number of second awakenings in the past millennium was five. Yet now, we have ten.” The Woo Division’s Greater Peak Manifestation realm expert also chimed in.

Ji Mo said, “The imminent opening of the immortal gate has stirred the fortune of Tianwu Continent thrives, with talents emerging in great numbers. Our Ji Clan is no exception. With ten people achieving their second awakening and all of them reaching this sacred ground, there is hope that one of them will receive the phoenix’s blessing.”

“Enough talk. Let them step onto the phoenix stair. To reach the phoenix’s nest and obtain the phoenix’s blessing, talent, perseverance, and luck are all necessary. Let’s see who among them has what it takes,” said the Zhu Division’s Greater Peak Manifestation realm expert.

The crowd nodded.

Although ten people had achieved their second bloodline awakening and reached the bottom of the Chinese parasol tree, it did not guarantee that someone would receive the phoenix’s blessing.

Qin Yao, Ji Hanyou, and the others would have to ascend the stairs alone. No one could assist them, and the phoenix stairs weren’t so easy to climb. One needed to undergo the test left behind by the phoenix.

“Everyone, get on the phoenix stairs. How far you can go is up to yourselves.”

Brilliant light shot out of the eyes of Ji Mo and the others.

Ji Hanyou and the others’ expressions also became resolute at once. They quickly chose a stair to ascend.

Ten flights of stairs, for exactly ten people.

“I’m going,” Qin Yao told Chen Fan.

Chen Fan nodded and said, “Be careful. Don’t force yourself.”

He had done all he could by escorting her to this sacred ground. From here on, she had to walk the path alone.

Qin Yao nodded and stepped onto a flight of stairs.

Boom!

The instant her foot touched the stair, blazing phoenix flames erupted around her, swallowing her in a sea of fire.

Chen Fan’s eyes contracted violently.

A phoenix achieved nirvana here, leaving behind its opportunity. But seizing that legacy required passing the trial of the phoenix stairs—an ordeal of relentless flames that ordinary people could never endure.

One could even die on these stairs. The path to the phoenix’s nest was one of both opportunity and peril.

Amidst the raging flames, the power of Qin Yao’s bloodline surged. A phoenix’s silhouette emerged behind her.

She wasn’t alone. Ji Hanyou and the others endured the same ordeal, their bodies seared by the raging flames as they advanced step by step.

All ten challengers were enduring excruciating pain, their flesh undergoing a baptism.

Chen Fan watched briefly before turning around and walking away.

He could do nothing to help Qin Yao. Standing idly by did not suit him. Rather than wasting time, he would use this opportunity to devour and refine the fire spirits.

The furnace had already transformed into the Heaven and Earth Furnace, and he had already reaped immense benefits in the Ji Clan’s ancestral grounds. However, his Hegemonic Golden Body had yet to break through to level 30. This was the perfect moment to push forward.

Those fire spirits contained a hint of the phoenix’s nirvana Dao will. By devouring them, he would be tempered under flames comparable to the baptism of heavenly tribulations.

This was a rare opportunity. How could Chen Fan miss it?

Chen Fan quickly sprang into action.

When he left the protective shade of the Chinese parasol tree, the fire spirits surged toward him like a tidal wave of blazing fury.

He reached out, his large hand crushing the first wave of spirits that pounced at him.

Opening his mouth wide, Chen Fan devoured the terrifying blazing flames like a whale inhaling water. In an instant, he turned into a flaming man.

Horrifying sizzling sounds rang out immediately.

Tsss...

Tongues of flame spewed out from Chen Fan’s pores, tinged with blood mist.

The nine divisions' members were stunned.

“This guy is truly terrifying.”

“Right, enduring such intense flames isn’t normal.”

“He doesn’t even practice fire-attributed cultivation techniques. He must be using fire spirits to temper his body.”

“That’s right. His flesh was already stronger than Beishan Hong’s Solar Sacred Body. Now I see how he cultivated it.”

The people of the nine divisions sighed in admiration.

Many only saw Chen Fan’s unrivaled dominance but never considered the trials behind his glory.

Take this moment—immersing himself in scorching flames. A single misstep meant death, something ordinary people wouldn’t dare attempt.

Chen Fan kept refining and absorbing the fire spirits as he channeled the Hegemonic Golden Body Mantra. The flames were tempering his blood, flesh, tendons, bones, and membranes, causing searing pain. Yet, he could feel his body strengthening with every burn.

Boom, boom, boom!

Tss, tss, tss!

Chen Fan killed the fire spirits frantically, absorbing their power. He had become a living inferno, his body coated in a thick layer of blood scabs.

After absorbing countless fire spirits, Chen Fan shook all over. Cracks split his blood-scabbed skin, and golden light burst forth.

Suddenly, an invisible aura spread out. The blood scabs were all reduced into powder, revealing Chen Fan’s true appearance.

Boom, tch!

It was as if Chen Fan was cast from gold, emitting an extremely intense sense of oppression. Strength surged within him—his punches and kicks felt capable of shaking the universe.

He clenched his fist, and an explosion resounded. A smile appeared on his face.

Finally, his Hegemonic Golden Body had broken through to level 30.