“Today, I will surely slay you!”
The Vermilion Bird spoke, directly summoning the power of the southern constellations. At the same time, it unleashed an immensely powerful treasure—the Vermilion Bird Divine Spear.
This spear was forged by the first-generation Vermilion Bird using its own shed remains before departing this world. It was not only a peerless weapon of slaughter but also the sacred heirloom of the Vermilion Bird lineage. As long as this treasure existed, the Vermilion Bird’s legacy would never fade.
Such a precious artifact was not something the current Vermilion Bird dared to carry carelessly—it was usually kept hidden within its dwelling. This time, however, to counter Zongzheng Liuning’s Sky-Overturning Seal, it had brought out the Divine Spear.
Yet, before it could even use the spear against Zongzheng Liuning, it was forced to wield it against Ye Wushuang. This alone showed just how enraged the Vermilion Bird was—and how determined it was to kill him.
In the next moment, the power of the southern constellations surged forth, and the Vermilion Bird Divine Spear erupted with unprecedented radiance. It seemed to contain an unstoppable, annihilating force. Though its full might had yet to be unleashed, even Zongzheng Liuning couldn’t help but worry for Ye Wushuang.
Had it not been for Ye Wushuang’s unshaken composure, Zongzheng might have intervened immediately. This was the Vermilion Bird’s sacred treasure—if not the absolute pinnacle of offensive power, its killing potential was unmatched by ordinary artifacts.
Otherwise, the Vermilion Bird would never have dared to face Zongzheng Liuning’s Sky-Overturning Seal with it.
To the Vermilion Bird, there was no way Ye Wushuang could withstand the Divine Spear. In its eyes, Ye Wushuang was already a dead man.
Meanwhile, Ye Wushuang was communicating with the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal.
“Senior, are you certain you wish to act?”
“Of course. But you must assist me in seizing that Vermilion Bird Divine Spear!”
“Senior, that’s the Vermilion Bird’s sacred treasure. Can we really take it?”
“Relax. Back when I roamed the world, it wasn’t like I’d never eaten—er, never seen such powerful divine artifacts before!”
The reason for the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal’s sudden enthusiasm was simple: it wanted the Vermilion Bird Divine Spear.
Not to store it away as a treasure, but to devour it.
Though the spear was crafted from the first Vermilion Bird’s remains, countless rare divine metals, immortal ores, and even precious Vermilion Bird blood had been infused into it during its forging. This was what made it the Vermilion Bird lineage’s ultimate heirloom.
If the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal could consume it, its power would grow substantially. It might even reach the Supreme Realm without relying on the Divine Dragon Empire’s fortune or external refinement.
And if combined with the empire’s fortune and Ye Wushuang’s own strength, the result wouldn’t just be additive—it could create an invincible supreme powerhouse.
No wonder the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal was eager.
Though hesitant, Ye Wushuang complied, summoning the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal.
Outwardly, the seal appeared as nothing more than an ordinary jade imperial seal. The only difference was that while most such seals bore nine dragons, this one had a single colossal dragon coiled atop it—majestic and unrivaled.
When Ye Wushuang activated it, the dragon seemed to come alive, its eyes brimming with boundless intelligence.
The moment the Vermilion Bird thrust its Divine Spear toward Ye Wushuang, the dragon on the seal awakened.
“ROAR—!”
A golden divine dragon, 99,999 zhang (approx. 300,000 feet) in length, materialized in the heavens, its presence eclipsing the sky. The overwhelming draconic majesty forced countless demons to their knees, unable to resist.
The Vermilion Bird Divine Spear, as if provoked, instantly manifested the form of the first-generation Vermilion Bird.
“SCREECH—!”
Its spiritual intelligence was remarkably high—it sensed extreme danger from the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal. Thus, it unleashed its full killing power, assuming the first Vermilion Bird’s shape to strike.
It wanted to kill Ye Wushuang—and the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal even more.
As it lunged forward, it resembled a colossal raptor swooping down on its prey.
But its “prey” was no ordinary target—it was a true divine dragon, not something it could casually slaughter.
Just as the spear reached the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal, the latter burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Perfect timing!”
“I never had the chance to fight a Vermilion Bird before. This time, I’m going to eat you alive!”
In a sense, the Vermilion Bird Divine Spear was a Vermilion Bird, given its spiritual nature.
With that declaration, the Divine Dragon Imperial Seal opened its maw—a seemingly bottomless abyss—and swallowed the spear whole.
The act of devouring it was no mere bite; it was an unfathomable supreme Dao technique.
The spear, still in its Vermilion Bird form, didn’t even have time to react before being consumed.
And the one who failed to react wasn’t just the spear—the actual Vermilion Bird was just as stunned.
Everything happened in an instant. The Vermilion Bird had just thrust its spear, intent on obliterating Ye Wushuang, when a divine dragon appeared beside him and gulped the spear down in one bite.
Just like that, the Vermilion Bird lost all connection to its sacred treasure—as if it had vanished from existence.
This turn of events didn’t just enrage the Vermilion Bird further—it also terrified it.
The thought of losing the Divine Spear, the very symbol of its lineage, was unbearable.
With a mix of fury and desperation, it roared at Ye Wushuang:
“Liu Ruyan! Hand over our Vermilion Bird Divine Spear now! Otherwise, the Vermilion Bird lineage will raze the Divine Dragon royal family, annihilate your empire, and grind your bones to dust!”
