180: Phoenix Blood Crystal Falls, Netherworld Reappears

The dying counterattack of the Red-Scaled Demon Python was fiercely withstood by Lin Xuan at the cost of severe injury; the violent energy shockwave gradually subsided, leaving only a scene of devastation and the python's cooling corpse.

"Big Brother Lin!" "Junior Brother!" Three voices filled with fear and concern rang out.

Su Wanqing transformed into moonlight, rushing to Lin Xuan's side first. Her fair hands, containing pure Taiyin spiritual power, pressed gently against his violently heaving back, helping him channel his chaotic Qi and blood. Her cold, clear eyes were filled with undisguised heartache. The frost silence sword sensed its master's distress and let out a low, clear hum.

Qu Feiyan and Gongsun Yu followed closely behind. Qu Feiyan no longer displayed her usual coquettish manner, swiftly taking out a Spirit Pill to stabilize the heart meridian and feeding it to Lin Xuan with gentle movements. Gongsun Yu's eyes were red-rimmed, and she gripped Lin Xuan's arm tightly, the thunder urgency sword casually discarded to the side; clearly, his safety was more important than anything else.

Yun Shang stood a few steps away, silently taking on the duty of keeping watch. Watching the three women whose fates were tightly intertwined with his, a trace of imperceptible sadness flashed in her eyes, and she immediately focused on perceiving the surroundings.

"Cough... it's nothing, a moment of meditation will suffice." Lin Xuan suppressed his surging Qi and blood, offering a comforting smile to the three women. He turned his gaze toward the Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine, whose luster had become restrained now that the threat was removed, and toward the few drops of "Phoenix blood crystal" on the vine that pulsed as if they were alive.

Just as he was about to step forward to collect it, a sudden change occurred. The Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine seemed attracted by the pure mixture of primal and Phoenix auras on him. The vine trembled slightly, and a weak yet pure spiritual consciousness came through, carrying feelings of attachment and fawning.

Immediately, the five most precious Phoenix blood crystals detached on their own and slowly flew toward Lin Xuan. At the same time, the entire ancient vine flashed with light, rapidly shrinking into a foot-long red-gold vine seedling that landed in his palm and fell into a deep slumber.

【Ding! Successfully tamed the special creature 'Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine (juvenile intelligence)'!】

【Obtained 'Phoenix blood crystal' x5! Contains pure ancient Phoenix Origin essence blood, the core main ingredient for refining the 'nirvana phoenix blood pill'!】

【Triggered special return: Host's Physical Body strength significantly increased, Qi and blood now contain a trace of ancient Phoenix might! The Bottleneck of the fifth revolution of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art has completely loosened, and a Breakthrough to Perfection is imminent!】

The System notification made Lin Xuan's spirits soar! The two most critical main ingredients for the long-sought nirvana phoenix blood pill—the phoenix blood vine (replaced by this Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine, which is of higher quality) and the Phoenix blood essence (perfectly matched by the Phoenix blood crystal)—were actually obtained perfectly right here!

He carefully placed the vine seedling into the System space to nourish it and gripped the warm Phoenix blood crystal tightly, his goal crystal clear. For the nirvana phoenix blood pill, the primary task was to completely eradicate the hidden dangers of the Blood Lotus Demonic Art for Qu Feiyan and purify her Bloodline. Furthermore, the immense vitality and true meaning of Nirvana contained within this pill were also excellent resources to help him break through to the Nascent Soul realm and condense a supreme primal nascent soul!

"Feiyan," Lin Xuan looked at the radiant woman beside him and handed over a drop of Phoenix blood crystal, "Look."

Qu Feiyan focused her senses, her delicate body trembling violently. Incredible ecstasy and excitement burst instantly from her seductive eyes: "This... such pure Phoenix blood essence! Lin Xuan..." Her voice choked slightly; after many years, her long-cherished wish finally saw the dawn. Her emotions surged, and the look she gave Lin Xuan was filled with deep, inseparable affection.

Su Wanqing and Gongsun Yu were also genuinely happy for her; a subtle balance and deep friendship had long since formed between the three women.

"Congratulations, Sister Qu!" Gongsun Yu said with a sweet smile.

Su Wanqing nodded slightly, a hint of warmth in her icy eyes.

Putting away the Phoenix blood crystal, Lin Xuan said loudly: "The main ingredients are prepared, only the final 'nirvana flower' is missing! According to the fragmented map and my senses, it is deep within the valley floor!"

With hope ahead, everyone's morale was high. After this battle, the team's tacit understanding was even better than before.

After a short meditation and processing the valuable parts of the demon python, the five of them advanced toward the source of the intertwined heat and vitality within the valley.

Along the way, fire-element Essence Spirits blocked their path, all of which were defeated by the five working together. Leveraging the aura of the Phoenix blood crystal and the continuous fierce battles, Lin Xuan constantly tempered the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art, his Qi and blood like a dragon, steadily advancing toward the Perfection of the fifth revolution. Su Wanqing achieved unity of person and sword, her Taiyin Sword Domain becoming increasingly sharp. Qu Feiyan's state of mind cleared, her control over the Demonic Technique reaching a new level. Gongsun Yu's Thunder Gang Seal also became increasingly proficient.

Several days later, the group broke through numerous obstacles and arrived at the very core of Qiwu Valley.

Before them lay a massive magma lake. On an isolated island in the center of the lake, at the top of a spiritual plant that shimmered with radiant colors throughout, blossomed a miraculous flower with seven-colored petals, surrounded by colorful clouds and faint flames—the nirvana flower!

However, guarding the side was a residual image of a Phoenix condensed from pure South Bright Li Fire and the Nirvana Law, its pressure reaching the Nascent Soul level! It was the final, and strongest, obstacle to obtaining the nirvana flower!

Just as Lin Xuan focused to prepare for battle, the unknown black token he had obtained from deep within the Misty Swamp—which had been silent until now—suddenly trembled violently without warning, emitting a dark and cold light!

【Warning! Detected a violent conflict between high-concentration Phoenix Nirvana Law and unknown Nether Qi! The unknown token is parsing and recording spatial coordinates!】

【Parsing successful! The coordinates point to a newly discovered secondary plane rift—the 'Nether Rift'!】

【Hint: Host's Golden Core has reached its limit, and conventional seclusion makes it difficult to break through to the Nascent Soul. Inside the 'Nether Rift', Yin and Yang are chaotic, and the Laws of Life and Death are intertwined, making it extremely dangerous. However, the 'Yin and Yang Soul Infant Fruit' and the special environment bred within are the only opportunities to condense a 'primal nascent soul' and perfectly trigger the power of the nirvana flower! Opportunity and death coexist!】

Lin Xuan's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at the majestic Phoenix residual image, then swept over the three beautiful women beside him.

The nirvana flower was close at hand, and the dangerous path to breaking through to the Nascent Soul had also been laid out.

This final battle was not only for Qu Feiyan but also to step into the Nascent Soul realm and begin a brand-new journey!