Free Web NovelChapter 667: Chapter 253: Return (Part 2)
The Tribulation Fire Sect is even more mysterious. Not only are they secretly scheming in Yangnao Land, pursuing the descendants of the Daying Immortal Mansion from years ago, but they are also targeting the Three Immortal Mountains.
"There must be a reason behind such strange actions by both factions."
"This is something I have yet to understand," said Shen Yuan after pondering for a long time.
Whether it’s the Golden Nature coveted by the Underworld or the Three Immortal Mountains targeted by the Tribulation Fire Sect, there must be deeper motives.
This must relate to the very essence of the Dao Source Secret Realm.
"Forget it, there’s no need to rush thinking about these issues."
"Right now, we should find out how much time we have left."
Shen Yuan turned around slowly and spoke in a deep voice.
From the Spiritual Transformation to the complete draining of the Dao Source, to the withering and destruction of the entire world, knowing how much time remains is the most crucial.
Shen Wen’an nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Whether the Shen Family will eventually enter the Dao Source Secret Realm through the Spirit Transformation is uncertain, but how much time is left in Yangnao Land is of utmost importance.
"Father, I intend to..."
He was just about to speak when they suddenly heard the sound of a door opening from downstairs.
Soon after, someone came rushing up the stairs.
Both father and son’s gazes turned toward the stairs, and shortly they saw Shen Wenxing arriving on the second floor with a serious expression.
"Wen’an, you’re back?"
Seeing Shen Wen’an, surprise flickered across his face.
Shen Wen’an slightly bowed in greeting, "Brother."
Shen Wenxing nodded and said, "You came back just in time."
"There’s trouble at Flame Lake City."
As he spoke, he approached Shen Yuan, bowed, and said, "Chonghong just sent word that there’s been an anomaly at the Magma Lake in Flame Lake City."
"The message said that a fierce bird, engulfed in terrifying flames, suddenly flew out from the bottom of the Magma Lake!"
"The fierce bird spoke human words, saying there was a change at the lake bottom and specifically named Wen’an to hurry there and take a look."
A fierce bird?
Upon hearing this, Shen Wen’an felt a sudden sense of unease in his heart.
"Father, brother, let’s discuss this later. I’ll head to Flame Lake City first!"
Before the words were finished, his form transformed into a Sword Aura and disappeared from Black Water Pavilion.
...
Western Wilderness, Flame Lake City.
The Vermilion Bird stood quietly on the Lotus Platform in the center of the Magma Lake.
With its presence, the numerous cultivators in the city dared not approach the Magma Lake and kept their distance.
"Uncle Chongyi, this fierce bird should be the one that Third Master mentioned existed at the lake bottom before," said Shen Xiuyun as he observed the Vermilion Bird with its immaculate and radiant feathers, engulfed in pale golden flames.
He Zhongyi had a serious expression and remained silent.
Although he thought so too, the aura of the Vermilion Bird was too terrifying, at the very least a being of the Fetal Breathing Perfection Realm.
More importantly, he had no idea what relation this fierce bird had with the Shen Family and dared not act rashly.
If they inadvertently angered it, leading to disaster, the losses would outweigh the gains.
The crowd waited quietly for a moment when a streak of Sword Aura swiftly flew from the east across the sky.
The Sword Aura landed in Flame Lake City, transforming into Shen Wen’an’s figure.
"Third Uncle,"
"Third Master,"
With the arrival of Shen Wen’an, He Zhongyi finally felt a touch of relief.
"Third Uncle is here."
Shen Chonghong, who had been cultivating indoors, also emerged, bowing respectfully to Shen Wen’an.
Shen Wen’an nodded, glanced at the Vermilion Bird, and said, "All of you move away from here first. I’ll go and find out what’s going on."
The Vermilion Bird seeking him had to mean something was wrong with the Stone Egg at the bottom of Magma Lake.
That Stone Egg was a spirit, and the fewer people knew about it, the better.
He Zhongyi and Shen Chonghong didn’t question further but led many family members to the other side of Flame Lake City.
After everyone had moved away, Shen Wen’an then approached the Vermilion Bird, waved his hand to set up a shield, and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
The Vermilion Bird’s eyes were filled with urgency, "The Stone Egg... disappeared!"
What!?
Upon hearing this, Shen Wen’an’s heart sank abruptly!
The Stone Egg was perfectly fine at the bottom of the Magma Lake; how could it suddenly disappear?
Flame Lake City had a Grand Array, and there were over a hundred Shen Family cultivators in the city. Who could have snuck in silently to steal the Stone Egg?
"Weren’t you always guarding the lake bottom?"
"Didn’t you notice anything unusual when the Stone Egg was stolen?"
Facing Shen Wen’an’s interrogation, the Vermilion Bird repeatedly explained, "Don’t... don’t get agitated yet. Hear me out first."
"The Stone Egg disappeared from the Magma Lake, but... but it wasn’t lost!"
At these words, Shen Wen’an’s brows slightly furrowed.
"What’s going on, explain clearly!"
The Vermilion Bird seemed somewhat confused, hesitating for a moment before spreading its wings and saying, "Forget it, see for yourself."
Before the words were finished, it immediately activated the Flame Power within.
In an instant, the Flame Power radiated brilliant light from within it, illuminating its body transparently.
It was at this moment that Shen Wen’an noticed a faint shadow in the abdomen of the Vermilion Bird’s enormous body, resembling the Stone Egg very closely.
"Did you swallow the Stone Egg?"
Shen Wen’an furrowed his brows tightly, questioning coldly.
No wonder he felt the Power of Life in Flame Lake City had significantly weakened upon arrival.
"N-no, I didn’t!"
The Vermilion Bird looked as if it was about to cry, repeatedly explaining, "I don’t even know how it got into my stomach."
"You must believe me!"
"This thing is too bizarre; how could I dare to swallow it?"
Shen Wen’an silently scrutinized it. Seeing it didn’t seem to be lying, he slightly relaxed his expression and asked, "Can you get it out?"
The Vermilion Bird shook its head repeatedly.
