Immortal Divine Tribulation

Chapter 176: Astonishing Encounter with the Divine Phoenix

As one of the three forbidden lands of the Divine Martial Continent, the Immortal Island of No Return was shrouded all year round in a blanket of white mist, as if concealing some great secret.

At a glance, ancient trees with gnarled branches stretched out like coiling dragons in every direction. Each towering tree stood like a mountain piercing the sky, and thick vines, as wide as water barrels, curled around like giant serpents that could easily wrap around an entire peak, sturdy and powerful.

To those unaware, this flourishing greenery and thriving life might seem like a pure land. But Tian Fan knew better. He had been here once before and was well aware that dangers lurked everywhere. 

One careless step, and one would perish without even a grave.

“Little Dragon, can you sense that source of fire energy now?”

The little one leapt from Tian Fan’s head and hovered in the air, releasing a faint draconic aura. 

Somewhere deep within the island, a pair of fiery red eyes suddenly snapped open, and a voice filled with doubt echoed out.

“Dragons!”

“Dragons? Auntie, what are dragons? Do they have wings as beautiful as ours?”

A fiery bird, three feet tall, appeared nearby. Its voice was crisp and clear, like that of a seven- or eight-year-old girl, as it spoke toward those fiery eyes.

“Silly child, dragons have no wings. But they are strong—stronger even than us!” The fiery eyes softened with affection as they looked down upon the little firebird.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the Immortal Island of No Return, the little dragon released a faint purple glow, quietly sensing the energy. A delicate draconic pressure spread across heaven and earth.

“Found it, brother—it’s at the southernmost edge of the island.”

The little dragon reported proudly, lying atop Tian Fan’s head.

“Good. Let’s go.”

He didn’t dare cut straight across, but instead circled the island toward the south, just as the little dragon had said. He knew all too well how terrifying this island was—one misstep, and it would mean eternal doom.

The Immortal Island of No Return was vast, like a small world with no end in sight. Fortunately, Tian Fan’s current strength was far greater than before. Unleashing his Divine Cloud Steps, he streaked across the skies like a bolt of lightning. Before long, the air grew hotter and hotter until even he could barely endure it. He had no choice but to form a protective barrier around himself.

“Found it!”

At last, a stone cave, five zhang high, appeared before him. Within, a fiery red glow blazed, heat waves surging out so fiercely that even his barrier rippled under the pressure. At the same time, the three spiritual Orbs within his body began to tremble faintly.

“This is it!”

His voice grew solemn as he strengthened his barrier and strode toward the cave. But just then, a torrent of flame erupted from within, its scorching heat sending chills down Tian Fan’s spine. He immediately unleashed his Divine Cloud Step and retreated in a flash.

At the same time, an overwhelming aura burst forth, pressing down on him like a mountain. Even with his current strength, it was nearly unbearable.

“Human, why have you trespassed into the Fire Spirit Cave!”

At the cave entrance, a beautiful woman appeared, seemingly in her early thirties, with flowing blue hair cascading behind her. Her voice was calm yet brimming with authority.

Tian Fan was startled. To encounter a human here was beyond imagination. He couldn’t see through her cultivation, but he knew she was no ordinary person.

“I seek the Fire Spirit Orb!”

He cupped his fists respectfully and stated his purpose directly.

“There is nothing here for you. Leave at once!” she replied indifferently, issuing an expulsion order after hearing his words.

“She’s lying! I clearly sensed a powerful source of fire energy!”

A childish voice protested as the little dragon flew up from Tian Fan’s head, glaring indignantly.

“Divine Dragon… the Emperor of Dragons!”

The woman’s expression changed at once when she laid eyes on the little violet-gold dragon, her voice ringing with shock.

Tian Fan was equally stunned. The little one hadn’t revealed its true form, nor released its divine draconic pressure, yet she had recognized it instantly.

“There is no Fire Spirit Orb here. Leave now.”

Surprisingly, after her initial shock, the woman’s expression quickly returned to calm. Even the sight of a divine dragon only made her waver momentarily.

“Senior, please allow us to enter. I know the Fire Spirit Orb is inside. It is of utmost importance to me—I beg you to grant this favor!” Tian Fan bowed again, his tone earnest.

“And what makes you so certain the Fire Spirit Orb is inside? That cave leads to an underground sea of flames. Its fire energy is naturally overwhelming. Is that the only basis for your claim?”

Her calm eyes bore into him.

“Give me a reason that convinces me. Otherwise, you will not set foot inside.”

“Very well. Then, would Senior believe this?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Tian Fan made his decision. With a wave of his hand, three Orbs shot forth, releasing the vast power of the Five Elements like the boundless stars.

The woman’s face changed drastically. Compared to when she saw the little dragon, her shock was a hundredfold greater. Her slender body trembled uncontrollably.

“Wow, so pretty! They look just like my Orb!”

A sweet, innocent voice chimed in. Tian Fan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he turned to see a fiery creature standing before him—three feet tall, with the head of a rooster, the beak of a swallow, a snake-like neck, a turtle’s back, and a fish’s tail. Its body shimmered with five-colored feathers.

It was a phoenix!

And not just any phoenix, but an immature, young phoenix!

Tian Fan was utterly dumbfounded. In ancient legends, the phoenix was on par with the divine dragon—beings at the very pinnacle of existence, lords of all creatures, known as the undying divine bird. And here, in this forbidden land, one stood before him.

“It’s inside of it!”

Staring at the young phoenix, Tian Fan exclaimed in shock. He had sensed that the Fire Spirit Orb resided within its body.

“Why did you come out? Didn’t I tell you to stay inside?” the woman scolded gently.

“But those Orbs are so pretty! I want them!”

The little phoenix chirped happily, flapping its wings toward the three Orbs. Startled, Tian Fan quickly recalled them.

“Bad man! Why’d you take them away!”

The young phoenix glared at him angrily.

“Senior, please allow me to temporarily borrow the Fire Spirit Orb. I swear I will return it in the future!” Tian Fan bowed deeply once again.

“The Fire Spirit Orb can be given to you—but on one condition.”

“What condition? I’ll agree to anything!”

Tian Fan’s heart surged with excitement. He hadn’t expected her to actually agree. After all, the Fire Spirit Orb was a divine treasure of heaven and earth—no one, not even gods, could remain unmoved by it.

“Defeat it.”

The woman’s slender finger pointed calmly toward the young phoenix beside her.