As the Fire Phoenix Saint King spoke, Mo Fan had no choice but to follow Sparrow Granny toward the scarlet gate at the far end of the hall.
Approaching the gate, the Five Elements spiritual energy within Mo Fan stirred once more, reinforcing his suspicion that something behind the gate was attracting his Great Five Elements Crystal technique. Fortunately, the golden coin in his mind stayed quiet this time, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief. He genuinely feared the coin might cause trouble at such a critical moment, offending the Fire Phoenix Saint King and sealing his doom.
With a nervous heart, Mo Fan stepped through the scarlet gate with Sparrow Granny.
As for Hei Yi, he was left behind in the hall.
Sparrow Granny’s words were clear: “The Saint King wishes to see you alone. Only you are qualified to enter the Fire Phoenix Forbidden Land!”
The moment Mo Fan stepped through the gate, the world before him transformed.
He had expected a terrifying cave filled with molten lava, but what greeted him was a vast expanse, stretching beyond sight. Far from being a fiery hell, the landscape was filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
Yet everything—every plant—was crimson!
Even stranger, many trees were engulfed in blazing flames. In a distant crimson forest, fire beasts played, and on the scarlet grass, fire bees and butterflies danced.
It was all strikingly vibrant and surreal.
Mo Fan looked up at the sky, where two crimson suns illuminated the land.
“This is the Fire Phoenix Forbidden Land, also known as the Fire Phoenix Cave Heaven. It was once the abode of an ancient powerhouse, later acquired by this Saint,” the Fire Phoenix’s voice echoed through the realm, as if sensing Mo Fan’s confusion.
Mo Fan couldn’t help but ask, “Are those flaming trees, grass, flowers, bees, butterflies, and the beasts in the forest all fake?”
“Of course not. Everything here is alive!” the Fire Phoenix replied. “Their form of life is different from what you’re used to. They are fire spirits, a type of unique sprite or elemental being.”
Mo Fan nodded in understanding. Not long ago, he had subdued a fire spirit in the form of a lizard, which had reached a high level of cultivation—far beyond the ordinary fire spirits in this Cave Heaven.
“What a Cave Heaven, giving birth to so many fire spirits!” Mo Fan thought, then looked around and asked, “Since the Saint King summoned me, may I know where you are?”
“I’m right above you!”
Above?
Mo Fan froze, then looked up. One of the crimson suns began to shift, revealing a figure. Though her face was unclear, he could make out the silhouette of a tall, curvaceous woman.
In a flash, the sun vanished from the sky.
“Hm?”
Startled, Mo Fan rubbed his eyes. A stunning woman with cascading red hair, dressed in a crimson gown, appeared before him.
“Greetings, Saint King!” Sparrow Granny bowed respectfully.
Snapping out of his daze, Mo Fan hurriedly followed suit. “Laibao pays respects to the Saint King!”
The Fire Phoenix Saint King glanced at Mo Fan and smiled. “Laibao, do you know your crimes?”
Her words made Mo Fan’s legs tremble, but he forced a smile. “Senior, I don’t quite understand…”
“Don’t understand?” she said. “You were once a wild demon, lucky to join Black Wind Mountain. When human cultivators massacred the mountain, the pig demon king was killed, and you seized control, declaring yourself king. That’s fine, but you failed to report to Phoenix Cry Mountain—your first crime!
“Later, you recklessly recruited demons, drawing the attention of the Lei Yu clan of Wind Thunder Mountain. They sent their young master, Lei Yu Chuan, to persuade you to report here, but you killed him—your second crime!
“And just now, in the hall, to save your skin, you spun lies, deceiving not only our Ancestor-level demons but also this Saint—your third crime!
“Toad Demon, you’ve got some nerve!”
As she spoke, the smile faded from her face.
Though her tone was light, Mo Fan’s heart pounded wildly. He stumbled back several steps, then dropped to his knees, pleading, “Senior, I’m innocent!”
He hadn’t expected the Fire Phoenix Saint King to know so much about his past, which terrified him and ignited his survival instincts.
“Innocent? Tell me how I’ve wronged you!” The Fire Phoenix Saint King’s lips curved slightly, looking at the kneeling toad with interest.
“First, after the human cultivators ravaged Black Wind Mountain, it was on the brink of collapse. With Demon King Zhu Xianfeng dead and most demons slaughtered, the survivors—old, weak, or crippled—wanted to flee. I gathered them, preserving Black Wind Mountain from extinction!
“Second, I always intended to report to Phoenix Cry Mountain, but I was delayed by trivial matters and entered seclusion to cultivate. That’s when Lei Yu Chuan came. He never mentioned reporting and instead started killing my demons. To protect myself, I had to fight and accidentally killed him.
“Third, I didn’t lie. The White Tiger Saint King’s breakthrough was indeed due to my words, as you just confirmed, Senior!”
Mo Fan cautiously glanced at the Fire Phoenix Saint King. Seeing no anger on her face, only a faint smile, his tension eased.
It suddenly hit him: if she truly meant to punish him, why bother meeting him? It was contradictory.
The only answer was that, despite knowing his lies, she had no intention of killing him!
“Fine, I’ll accept your reasoning for now,” the Fire Phoenix Saint King said with a sudden smile. “You wanted a protector, didn’t you? What about me?”
“What…?” Mo Fan was stunned, his mind reeling. “Is this really a pie falling from the sky?”
“Uh… that’s too much, isn’t it?” he stammered. “How could I dare ask Senior Saint King to be my protector? But… if you think I’m worth even a tiny bit, I wouldn’t mind…”
“You dare to dream!” The Fire Phoenix Saint King laughed, then snorted. “A toad lusting after a swan—delusional!”
“Uh…” Mo Fan froze, a million curses racing through his mind.
“I knew it! No such thing as free pies!” he thought, frustrated.
“Alright, I’ve seen you. You can leave now,” the Fire Phoenix Saint King said, waving her hand. “Little Sparrow, see him out!”
This left Mo Fan and Sparrow Granny baffled.
That’s it?
Sparrow Granny didn’t dare delay, immediately responding, “Yes, Saint King!”
—
In the Fire Phoenix Cave Heaven, an unexpected guest arrived quietly.
“Everyone thought you were dead, but you’re still alive. Though, you’re in rough shape,” the Fire Phoenix’s cool voice echoed through the Cave Heaven.
At the center, a white-robed youth stood on a cliff, observing the fire spirits.
“No choice. I made a bet with those old fogies from Inverted Mountain, so I had to make some arrangements early. I’m afraid I won’t have time otherwise,” the youth said, shrugging. He looked at the two suns and smiled. “Old friend, I’m here, and you won’t even show yourself?”
“I warned you back then, but you didn’t listen. Now you’re nearly soul-scattered. Why seek me out? To share your last words?” As her voice fell, a red-robed woman appeared beside him.
“At worst, my soul scatters. I don’t believe that damned Human-Heaven can kill me!” The youth scoffed, then sighed. “It’s been a while since I visited. Remember when we listened to her play the zither here? Such happy times.”
“You still haven’t forgotten her?” The Fire Phoenix frowned.
“How could I? I can’t,” the youth said with a bitter smile. “Aren’t you the same?”
“Don’t compare me to you, fool!” she huffed, annoyed. “If I take that step, I won’t rush to my death like you!”
“No choice. Someone has to walk the path. Even if I die, it’ll benefit the countless demon cultivators of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Worth it! Besides, who is Bai Xiaosu? How could I die?”
“You’re noble, but the demons of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains may not remember your sacrifice,” the Fire Phoenix sighed.
“Enough of that. I’m running out of time. I need your help,” Bai Xiaosu said, shaking his head and turning to her.
“For your inheritor?” she asked.
“As expected, you know me best, Little Fire!” Bai Xiaosu grinned, unfazed by death. “Once I’m gone, Laibao will become a target, especially for that old porcupine from your Phoenix Cry Mountain, who’d love to skin him alive. As my inheritor, if he ends up that pathetic, how can I, Bai Xiaosu, keep boasting about my greatness if I can’t even protect him?”
“Just a toad demon, not even at the peak of Demon General. Why choose him? Isn’t Feng Gu better? Among the holy sons of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, he’s top three and idolizes you!” the Fire Phoenix said, frowning.
“Feng Gu is excellent, but not enough. If he could surpass you, maybe he’d have a sliver of a chance. But is that likely?” Bai Xiaosu shook his head. “Our demon race has it too hard in this world. I’ve finally cracked open a gap in the chessboard; I can’t let it be sealed again. Laibao is different. Though a wild demon, a weak toad, he carries great destiny! Back then, she came to this world searching for someone like him but failed. Now that I’ve found him, I can’t let him go!”
His face grew fierce as he spoke.
“What she was searching for… you mean…?” The Fire Phoenix’s pupils widened in shock.
“Yes, that taboo!” Bai Xiaosu nodded.
“You actually found it…” The Fire Phoenix took a deep breath, visibly shaken, then gave a wry smile. “Our master said the Calamity Demon is a great evil, intolerable to the world. You’re taking a huge risk!”
“A risk? Look at the state of our demon race! If we don’t break the deadlock, we face extinction. If there’s even a sliver of a chance, I won’t let it go!” Bai Xiaosu snorted. “Laibao isn’t an evil demon, or I wouldn’t have chosen him. I need you to promise me: give him a hundred years to grow. During that time, keep that old porcupine off him. After a century, whether he lives or dies is no longer your concern.”
“A hundred years may be short for us, but if he can’t grow by then, it’s just his fate.”
“Why a hundred years?” she asked.
“Because that’s the bet I made with those old fogies from Inverted Mountain—the last chance I could secure for our race. You’d better decide quickly too! As demons, we must be fierce! Hesitation will only dull your edge. Little Fire, that’s all I’ll say. The choice is yours.”
With that, Bai Xiaosu flew toward the Cave Heaven’s gate.
“Where are you going?” the Fire Phoenix called.
“To see her and check on the things I hold dear. I thought I didn’t care, but now that the moment’s here, I’m scared. They say the Dao is ruthless, cutting down the proud. I’m just an old bag of bones, but it’ll cut me down too, won’t it? Damn the Dao!” he cursed as he left.
—
Watching Mo Fan’s retreating figure, the Fire Phoenix Saint King recalled a recent memory and sighed helplessly. Then, her lips moved, sending a transmission.
Soon, Sparrow Granny returned to the Fire Phoenix Cave Heaven, approaching the Saint King with confusion. “Saint King, didn’t you say everything that toad said was a lie? Why have me take him to the Nirvana Pool?”
“He didn’t lie. Perhaps even he doesn’t know it, but he truly is a fortunate one with great destiny,” the Fire Phoenix said with a smile. “Though his cultivation is weak, he’s Bai Xiaosu’s inheritor. Out of respect for Bai Xiaosu, if not for him, let him undergo nirvana and then send him away. I’m curious to see what waves this little toad can stir!”
Sparrow Granny nodded, then added, “Oh, Bai Lu and Zhan Ao were asking about Laibao.”
“Did you tell them?” the Fire Phoenix asked.
“No, you didn’t give permission, so I didn’t dare,” Sparrow Granny replied.
“Good. Ignore them. They’ll soon assume I’m his protector,” the Fire Phoenix said, smiling.
Her real purpose in letting Mo Fan enter the Fire Phoenix Cave Heaven and Nirvana Pool was to send a signal to the outside world—nothing more.
“Oh, and tell him he must pay the full tribute, not a single spirit herb less, or I’ll use the blood and flesh of Black Wind Mountain’s demons to make up for it!”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave!” Sparrow Granny said.
Later, the Fire Phoenix summoned the three Ancestor demons, reprimanding them for the destruction of Crimson Fire Peak and warning Lei Yu Zidian. “That little toad is Bai Xiaosu’s direct inheritor. I don’t want that madman coming to Phoenix Cry Mountain, so the Lei Yu clan must not bully him for the next hundred years!”
