In an instant, as the Yin-Yang Cauldron touched the blooming Fire Lotus, the vibrant petals withered and fell within moments. As the petals landed on the rocks, they immediately transformed into a lava-like liquid, merging directly into the stone.

Tianfeng angrily said, "Retrieve the Yin-Yang Cauldron!"

Lu Zhuxun's face and neck were covered in cold sweat. She acknowledged the command and tried to use her spiritual power to retrieve the Yin-Yang Cauldron from the Fire Lotus, but to her surprise, no matter how she tried, the cauldron remained motionless.

Seeing the immobile Yin-Yang Cauldron and Lu Zhuxun's pale face, Tianfeng understood what had happened. Without waiting any longer, he stepped directly towards the Fire Lotus, seemingly intending to personally pluck the nearly withered flower.

Lu Zhuxun was greatly startled by Tianfeng's action. Her master had previously warned her that Fire Lotuses usually grow in extremely yang environments, and when harvesting, one must never approach them. Even if the Fire Lotus is captured in the Yin-Yang Cauldron, it needs to be refined for eighty-one days before it can be touched by hand.

However, Lu Zhuxun's master's warnings had no effect on Tianfeng. With a slight frown, he took a few steps and reached the spot where the Fire Lotus grew. Dense, fiery mist continuously gathered around him, but a thin layer of spiritual energy kept it at bay.

Witnessing this scene, Lu Zhuxun thought to herself that if it were her approaching, she probably wouldn't even reach the rock before being completely reduced to a puddle of blood by the extreme yang energy.

At this point, only six petals remained on the Fire Lotus, still continuously falling. Tianfeng extended a pair of fair and slender hands, gently grasping the Yin-Yang Cauldron that was trying to cover the Fire Lotus but couldn't settle down. Then, with a slight lift of his arms, he actually managed to raise the cauldron, which weighed a thousand pounds.

Before Lu Zhuxun could react, she saw Tianfeng throw the Yin-Yang Cauldron towards her with a gloomy expression. She gasped and quickly mobilized her spiritual energy, barely managing to control the cauldron and avoid being directly hit by it.

Tianfeng tossed the cauldron aside and reached out to pluck the lotus flower that only had a few petals left. However, just as he was about to bend down, his expression suddenly changed, and without hesitation, he turned and flew away from his position.

The moment he flew away, the place where the Fire Lotus grew suddenly shattered, and from the black rocks, scorching lava erupted!

In the lava, there was a crimson creature that looked like a small bird from afar, but upon closer inspection, it resembled a miniature phoenix.

Tianfeng flew back to where Lu Zhuxun and the old man were standing. Upon seeing the phoenix, his expression immediately darkened. He grabbed Lu Zhuxun's Yin-Yang Cauldron with one hand and reached inside with the other.

Before Lu Zhuxun could understand Tianfeng's actions, she saw him pull out a strange-looking creature resembling a monkey from the cauldron.

The creature was still crying out from its mouth, and from the sound, it was actually the six-year-old child that Lu Zhuxun had placed inside the cauldron.

Tianfeng, now extremely angry, slightly exerted force with his hand and directly crushed the creature to death, casually throwing it to the ground.

Lu Zhuxun knew the atmosphere was tense, and even though she was completely confused, she didn't dare to ask.

Tianfeng narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the phoenix that seemed to be resting with its eyes closed in the lava. He said, "Lu Zhuxun, you should really thank your master."

Lu Zhuxun trembled in the face of the sudden change, not daring to say a word.

Tianfeng asked, "Do you know what you put into the cauldron?"

Lu Zhuxun shook her head, looking like she was about to cry.

Tianfeng explained, "Beneath the Fire Lotus, there is a one in ten thousand chance of finding the fire seed called Zhu Yan. Zhu Yan is an extremely yang creature that loves to feed on yin ghosts."

Lu Zhuxun glanced at the crushed creature that Tianfeng had killed and vaguely understood his meaning.

Tianfeng continued, "Among these yin ghosts, there is a type called Yin Monkey, which is the Zhu Yan's favorite food. You said it had been sleeping for a hundred years, and someone delivered food to its doorstep. Wouldn't it be very pleased?"

Lu Zhuxun's entire body shook like a sieve, unable to utter a word. She had clearly found a six-year-old boy, so how did it turn into a Yin Monkey? But then again, even if it was a Yin Monkey, now that the Zhu Yan had been lured out, wasn't it a good thing? Although she had limited knowledge, she knew that the Zhu Yan fire seed was extremely rare... So why was Tianfeng so angry?

Tianfeng knew exactly what Lu Zhuxun was thinking. He thought to himself, no wonder the disciples of the world's families have been declining in quality generation after generation. They are all ignorant fools who don't even know how they will die.

Tianfeng said, "Do you also know that the Yin Monkey emits a scent that only Zhu Yan can detect? This scent is extremely strong, and anyone who has been near it will be tainted by it."

Lu Zhuxun understood why Tianfeng was so angry—not only had they been near the Yin Monkey, but she had even personally held it.

Lu Zhuxun tremblingly glanced at Zhu Yan, who seemed to be resting with its eyes closed, and said softly, "Tianfeng, since Zhu Yan is currently resting, why don't we..."

Tianfeng gave Lu Zhuxun a cold stare, as if he couldn't even be bothered to explain.

As they were talking, Zhu Yan opened its eyes, its beautiful beak slightly parted, emitting a clear and melodious cry. The moment Lu Zhuxun heard this cry, she felt an immense tightness in her chest, and the next moment, she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Speaking of Zhu Yan, this spiritual creature was born in an extremely yang environment and naturally had a violent temper. It had once directly burned down several cities because of cultivators who had provoked it.

It had been a hundred years since there was any news of Zhu Yan in the world. Logically, having finally discovered one, one should be happy. However, Tianfeng found it difficult to smile.

It was quite a coincidence. Tianfeng had just entered the late Golden Core stage, and his cultivation was unstable. He had originally planned to obtain some Fire Lotus to stabilize his cultivation and refine magical tools, but he hadn't expected to encounter such an accident.

If it weren't for that Yin Monkey, Tianfeng could have first concealed his presence and then planned his next move. However, with Lu Zhuxun, who was more capable of ruining things than accomplishing them, stirring things up, his body had already been tainted with the Yin Monkey's scent.

The Zhu Yan was extremely persistent when it came to food. Now that Tianfeng and the other two had the Yin Monkey's scent on them, it would be difficult for them to escape easily.

Lu Zhuxun's face had turned deathly pale, her legs trembling as if she was about to faint.

The old man standing behind Tianfeng spoke softly, "Sir, let me hold off this Zhu Yan while you escape first."

Tianfeng said, "Uncle Zhu, you are already injured. How can I let you do this?" Uncle Zhu's cultivation was similar to his, but he had suffered severe injuries previously in order to help Tianfeng break through. Facing the Zhu Yan fire seed, the slightest misstep could lead to his demise.

When Tianfeng discovered the Zhu Yan, he had already sent a message to the sect. However, Pingrui Prefecture was too far from where the sect was located. It was better not to count on them.

That Zhu Yan seemed to have finished resting. With a loud cry, it flapped its wings. Its originally hand-sized body suddenly expanded by several meters, filling the entire narrow underground space.

Tianfeng said coldly, "Let's go out first." After speaking, he grabbed Lu Zhuxun and flew out towards the surface.

After reaching the surface, Tianfeng casually tossed Lu Zhuxun aside.

Seeing that the Zhu Yan had not followed them out, Lu Zhuxun hurriedly said, "Lord Tianfeng, while it's not chasing us, let's quickly run..."

Tianfeng said, "You go first."

Lu Zhuxun's eyes lit up, secretly exclaiming how great this was. She had originally thought Tianfeng would make her stay, but unexpectedly, he was not stopping her from leaving...

At this life-or-death juncture, Lu Zhuxun no longer pretended. Having received permission, she took off with her magic tool, flying straight up into the sky in the direction of the sect.

However, before she had flown a hundred meters, she let out an extremely miserable scream. Both her body and magic tool turned into charred black cinders, falling directly to the ground.

Without even looking up, Tianfeng knew what had happened. He had saved Lu Zhuxun once, twice, but there would not be a third time. Since she was so intent on seeking death, he would let her be.

The moment the Zhu Yan was born, it would set up a barrier within a ten-mile radius. After it finished resting, it would devour all living creatures within a hundred miles.

That Lu Zhuxun, with her poor mastery of techniques, didn't even know this. Recklessly charging into the Zhu Yan's barrier with her cultivation level, it was no surprise she was instantly charred to ashes.

After Lu Zhuxun's death, Tianfeng spoke in a cold voice, "You skulking rat, if you want to hide, then hide deeper. Otherwise, when I find you, I will definitely skin you alive."

The Yin monkey in Lu Zhuxun's Yin-Yang cauldron absolutely could not have been a coincidence. That technique had actually evaded his eyes. The person plotting against them likely had a cultivation level not much lower than his own.

Thinking carefully now, even the discovery of the Fire Lotus might have been leaked by this person...

Before Tianfeng could ponder it through, the Zhu Yan that was originally underground had already spread its wings, shattering the ground and flying into the air. Its wings had grown from the initial palm-size to massive feathered wings dozens of meters wide. Raging flames could be seen burning between the wings. With a slight cry, the surroundings turned into a scorched wasteland.

The old man said, "Sir, this newborn Zhu Yan's power has not yet peaked. We may have a chance if we fight together."

Tianfeng remained silent, seeming to assess the situation before him. He could indeed flee, but fleeing also had risks. If Uncle Zhu could not hold off the Zhu Yan, it would quickly catch up to him. By then, having expended too much spiritual energy, he would no longer have a chance to turn the tables.

Tianfeng asked, "What are our chances of success?"

The old man replied, "Four out of ten."

Tianfeng sighed. If the old man was at his peak, the two of them could have easily taken down this Zhu Yan.

The old man said, "I still hope you can lend me a hand, sir."

Tianfeng nodded slightly and said, "Let's go."

Hearing this, the old man took out a long spear from his Sumeru Ring. With a step, he floated up into the air.

Smelling its favorite food, the Zhu Yan let out an excited cry and spewed a mouthful of flames at the old man. The old man's figure flashed as he leaped above the Zhu Yan, then heavily thrust his long spear downward.

However, the spear could not even pierce through the flames surrounding the Zhu Yan's body.

The Zhu Yan let out another screech as it began rapidly flapping its wings. The surrounding air grew increasingly scorching hot. Even Tianfeng, standing far away, could feel the searing heat.

The old man used his spiritual energy to protect his body while nimbly dodging the Zhu Yan's claws and wings. It seemed that if he was alone here, he would likely exhaust his spiritual energy and become food in the Zhu Yan's mouth.

Unable to break through the Zhu Yan's protective flames, they could not injure it. Tianfeng's expression grew even more grim. Without further hesitation, he drew the belt from his waist.

The belt had an exquisite phoenix pattern on it. As Tianfeng infused spiritual energy into it, the phoenix pattern seemed to come alive, flying out from the belt.

This was Tianfeng's life-bound magic treasure, the Phoenix Belt.

Compared to the Zhu Yan, Tianfeng's life-bound magic treasure was much smaller and its colors not as brilliant. But there were seven or eight spirit creatures in the Phoenix Belt. Under Tianfeng's command, they swarmed up and began attacking the Zhu Yan.

Provoked by the continuous harassment, the Zhu Yan's explosive temper was instantly ignited. A golden light radiated from its pupils. In an instant, the surroundings turned into a sea of fire.

In the sea of fire, apart from Tianfeng and the old man soaring in the air, no other living creature could be seen.

With the help of Tianfeng's phoenixes, the old man naturally had a much easier time. He began single-mindedly trying to break through the Zhu Yan's barrier. After a dozen continuous strikes, the flames protecting the Zhu Yan were finally breached, opening up a gap.

However, the few phoenixes harassing the Zhu Yan had been killed off one by one, with only one remaining.

Tianfeng shouted, "Quickly!" The reason he had immediately sent out his life-bound magic treasure was because he knew other items would likely become ashes before even getting close to the Zhu Yan. As time passed, the Zhu Yan's aura grew increasingly more vigorous. Waiting a few more moments, he and the old man might not even be able to injure a single hair on the Zhu Yan.

At this moment, the Zhu Yan had just caught the last phoenix with its claws. With a slight exertion of force, it tore the phoenix in two. The old man seized this opportunity. Focusing his mind and holding his breath, he gathered all his spiritual energy into the spear. Through the gap in the flames, he heavily thrust it towards the Zhu Yan's body. The spear pierced directly into Zhu Yan's body, and red blood instantly spilled out. Zhu Yan, who had been playful, was now injured and became enraged. With a sharp screech, it turned its head and pecked at the old man.

The old man couldn't dodge in time and Zhu Yan pecked at his shoulder. However, he was quite decisive and without hesitation, severed his own right arm to survive.

When Zhu Yan turned to attack the old man, Tianfeng let out a low shout and directly attacked Zhu Yan's neck.

Zhu Yan was attacked in a vital spot and cried out in pain, but it turned its head again, wanting to peck Tianfeng to death.

The old man naturally wouldn't allow this to happen. He directly drove the long spear still stuck in Zhu Yan's body, tearing the wound even larger.

Although the wound wasn't fatal, the pain made Zhu Yan even more frenzied. It no longer changed targets and seemed to be fixated on Tianfeng, pecking at him again and again, and from time to time spitting out red flames from its mouth. The places touched by the flames instantly turned to ashes, and Tianfeng nearly got hit several times.

Seeing this perilous scene, the old man naturally took out a magic weapon again, wanting to help Tianfeng. However, just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart. When he reacted and lowered his head to look, he actually saw the tip of a long sword piercing through his chest.

The old man suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and said hoarsely, "Be careful, sir..." then directly fell to the ground.

Tianfeng heard the sound and looked towards the old man, only to see a person dressed in white, wearing a half-mask on his face, looking in his direction. The exposed corner of his mouth carried a hint of a cold smile.

At this point, how could Tianfeng not know what had happened...