Chapter 1043 - The Difficult Phoenix Road

Chen Fan was in high spirits, as his Hegemonic Golden Body had advanced to level 30.

This trip to the Ji Clan’s ancestral grounds had been immensely rewarding. He had acquired the Heaven and Earth Furnace and advanced his body cultivation, achieving a double triumph.

The experts of the nine divisions also narrowed their eyes, sensing the change in Chen Fan’s aura.

“What a powerful physique. It looks like he just advanced in his body cultivation technique.

Ji Mo and the others were all Greater Peak Manifestation realm experts. They had already begun preparing to step into the Legendary realm, so they possessed keen insight.

They instantly noticed the change. Chen Fan’s oppressive aura sent a tremor through even their hearts.

“His body cultivation technique is truly extraordinary,” said the expert from the Zhu Division, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Swish.

Chen Fan did not continue killing the fire spirits. Instead, he rushed to the Chinese parasol tree.

Qin Yao and the others were still struggling on the phoenix stairs, but a growing gap had formed between them.

Boom!

Suddenly, the Qi Division’s top young expert trembled violently—then plummeted from the stairs, engulfed in unquenchable flames, screaming in agony.

“Not good!” The expression of that division’s Dao Protector changed abruptly, and he immediately rushed over. His aura surged as he tried to suppress the flames.

However, the flames were too terrifying. Even with the Dao Protector stepping in, it was extremely difficult to suppress the flames. He had to expend some powerful means to barely contain them.

The number one figure of the Qi Division’s younger generation, Ji Ming, was burned beyond recognition. His aura waned, as he had suffered severe injuries.

The Dao Protector looked at Ji Ming with an ugly expression. Shaking his head, he took out an elixir and poured it into Ji Ming’s mouth.

Seeing the miserable state Ji Ming was in, Ji Mo and the others looked grim. The path to the phoenix’s nest was anything but simple.

Ji Ming couldn’t withstand it and suffered a backlash from the blazing flames. If the Qi Division’s Dao Protector hadn’t intervened in time, Ji Ming would have been burned to ashes.

“What a pity. Ji Ming was one of the earliest among the nine to awaken his bloodline, and his talent is far from bad. I didn’t expect him to fail only a third of the way up the stairs,” said someone, shaking their head.

In the Ji Clan, early bloodline awakening signified greater talent. Ji Ming ranked among the top five in his generation, yet he was the first to fall—and in such a wretched state. It was unexpected.

“Ji Ming has talent, but his temperament and willpower fall short.”

“Prepare yourselves, everyone. More will likely fail soon.”

Ji Mo and the others remained silent, staring at Qin Yao, Ji Hanyou, and the others.

The moment they fell, they would make their move.

As expected, shortly after Ji Ming failed, the Wu Division’s Ji Yong also fell with a miserable scream. The Wu Division’s Dao Protector immediately used his great powers to suppress the blazing flames on Ji Yong.

The atmosphere beneath the Chinese parasol tree grew tense.

One by one, the top juniors of the Ji Clan’s nine divisions fell from the phoenix stairs—the Qi, Wu, Woo, Shang, Xi, and Kua Divisions all saw their best talents fail.

Among them, Ji Ming and Ji Yong couldn’t extinguish their blazing flames, so the Dao Protectors had to help them.

The Xi Division and the Kua Division’s number one juniors, though unsuccessful, managed to walk down on their own, the flames vanishing the moment they left the stairs.

Those who failed looked grim.

How far one could go on the stairs was similarly a display of their talent and willpower.

Them failing and walking a shorter distance than others meant that their future achievement would be inferior to people like Qin Yao and Ji Hanyou.

Currently, only four people remain: Qin Yao, Ji Hanyou, Ji Zhonglou, and Ji Kong.

Qin Yao and Ji Hanyou were from the Ji Clan’s Li Division, Ji Zhonglou was the Zhong Division’s pride, and Ji Kong was the Zhu Division’s prodigy.

Among the Ji Clan’s nine divisions, the Zhu Division, Zhong Division, and Kua Division were the three strongest divisions, while the Li Division was ranked in the middle.

Yet, Qin Yao and Ji Hanyou were still in the running, surprising many.

The phoenix stairs tested not one’s cultivation, but their talent, willpower, and a bit of luck.

Chen Fan’s gaze was fixed on Qin Yao, breaking out into sweat for her in his heart.

He had seen firsthand the miserable states of Ji Ming, Ji Yong, and the others.

These people were all in the high-level Manifestation realm, but they had still suffered terribly. If it wasn’t for the Dao Protectors stepping in, they would have died for sure.

He did not wish to see any danger come to Qin Yao.

By now, the four remaining challengers had covered more than half of the distance. But with each step forward, the resistance intensified.

Their bloodline powers surged violently. Phoenix’s cries resounded endlessly, and a phoenix’s silhouette circled them, devouring and resisting the blazing flames on them.

The flames of the phoenix stairs were even more terrifying than the flames of the fire spirits.

This was where the phoenix achieved nirvana, leaving behind the Nirvana Dao Flame—flames that could kill a phoenix. Even a Legendary realm expert could be reduced to ashes if they weren’t careful.

The four of them advanced step by step with difficulty. Even though they were being burned, they still persevered.

This was a test, and also an opportunity.

The flames burning them could baptize their flesh and purify their bloodline.

“

Pfft

!”

Suddenly, Ji Hanyou spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood. She let out a weary sigh, halted her advance, and slowly descended the stairs.

A hint of unwillingness flashed across Ji Mo’s eyes.

Ji Hanyou had failed.

Not long after, Ji Zhonglou also faltered and was forced to retreat.

Now, only two figures were on the phoenix stairs: Qin Yao and Ji Kong.

Everyone’s eyes flickered.

Ji Kong was, needless to say, the first among the nine to awaken their bloodline. His talent was the highest among the Ji Clan’s younger generation, he had a steady temperament, and a firm will. Even Ji Huang regarded Ji Kong very highly.

So, from the crowd’s perspective, there was a very high chance Ji Kong could pass the phoenix stairs, enter the phoenix’s nest, and obtain the phoenix’s blessing.

As for Qin Yao, no one even thought she could achieve her second bloodline awakening. So, this was a surprise.

Ji Huang had Chen Fan enter the ancestral grounds and act as Qin Yao’s Dao Protector, but he didn’t hold much hope for her either. But now, everyone’s gazes toward Qin Yao have changed.

Not only did she achieve her second bloodline awakening, but she also surpassed people like Ji Zhonglou and Ji Hanyou and competed with Ji Kong. It was too unexpected.