278 The Cry of a Phoenix

A shadow loomed over both the interior and exterior of the Garden of Zhou. On the snowy plains deep within the night, there were only countlesssnowflakes in the night sky, without a star to be seen. However, what could beclearly seen was the shadow that extended out from Xuelao City. The shadow was even darker than the black night, and even colder than death.It represented the willpower of the Demon Lord. Regardless of how dazzling thesword ray that passed through it was, it was unable to break through it in ashort amount of time. However, the sword ray was already powerful enough, even already possessingthe strength to resist the shadow. Although it was unable to chop the shadow,it could easily chop through a lot of other objects. For example, the arm of the terrifying third Demon General, and the throat ofthe seventh Demon General. The seventh Demon General held onto his throat, and like a mountain, he slowlybegan to fall. The sword ray once again returned, entering the sheath, and dispersing its Qi. However, no matter if it was the seventh Demon General at death’s door, or theother demon experts, their expressions were not affected at all by this scene.This slaughter of certain death was full of the faint feeling of intimidation. Su Li lowered his head. It was not known what he was thinking. He held ontothe hilt with his right hand. His black hair had already fallen onto hisshoulders. In the chilly wind of the night, it gently floated about, like a godor a demon. Black Robe’s gaze pierced through the deep ocean, landing on his body. Hesaid, “Your daughter is about to die, and you are also about to die. How doesit feel?” What he said was undoubtedly a psychological attack, and could even beregarded as a very crude and simple psychological attack. However, simplicitydid not mean that it did not carry power. Black Robe used these words inattempt to break his mental state. Su Li raised his head and looked at Black Robe. He said calmly, “Since youwant to kill me, why must you let those other guys participate in the battle inturns? Constantly shoving wood into the fire will only result in it constantlybeing burnt to ash.” “As long as the wood added is enough, there will always be a moment where thefire is extinguished,” Black Robe said indifferently. “Perhaps this method ofbattle may result in an even greater price, but it can guarantee that you willdefinitely die.” Su Li did not say anything, because he knew what Black Robe had said wascorrect. The shadow that originated from Xuelao City cut off his connection with thehuman world, and demons still had a lot of true experts that did not act, suchas the legendary Demon Commander, or Black Robe, who only sat there patiently.In order to kill the Junior Martial Uncle of Mount Li, the demons had made verycareful preparations. These preparations had even involved the interior of the Garden of Zhou andthe faraway western continent. No matter what countermeasure the experts of the human world and the expertsin White Emperor City had, it was already too late. The pressure of the DemonLord was ready, and the Council of Elders in Xuelao City was also waiting. This type of killing method was to grind and kill. Black Robe needed enoughdemon experts to forcefully grind away Su Li’s sword intent and Qi. It was suchan easy and even slightly dry method to kill the opponent. This was because only this type of method could have no accidents occurring. “You are the most dazzling star of the human world after the great war. Youhave already brought too many unforeseen incidents to this continent, and youknow, I dislike unforeseen incidents the most.” Black Robe said while looking at him. Su Li stayed silent for a very long time before saying, “No, I will not die.” Black Robe’s voice rose slightly, obviously because he was slightlyinterested. He asked, “Oh? Why so?” Su Li looked at him and said calmly, “There is no basis nor reasons, I justbelieve that I will not die. Similarly, I believe the girl, and those childrenthat represent the future of mankind will also not die.” Black Robe said, “I admire such unreasonable confidence in the face of deathvery much.” Su Li began laughing again. His pupils reflected the snowy sky, as if it wasabout to burn. --- One can fear pain, but one cannot fear death, especially you… why? Perhapsdeath was even more gruesome than pain? And why was the word ‘especially’ said?Why could she not fear death? In the process of falling into the abyss of death, Xu Yourong thought aboutthis sentence and the many matters it gave rise to. Suddenly, she understoodsome ideas, and as a result, she opened her eyes. Why was she the last one to fear death? It was because she was the phoenix.Her fate was already destined to constantly forge her own spirit between deathand pain, until a certain moment where she was able to calmly accept death.Only like that could she accept a real, new life again. Was this the meaning of life in death? Empress, was this what you wanted totell me? In that moment, Xu Yourong felt the endless abyss in front of her eyessuddenly begin to glow. At that moment, her body was heavily injured, her true essence was allconsumed and extreme poison currently invaded her body and mind. However, theidea she understood allowed her to calm down to a point which she had neverbefore reached. Constantly falling, the blood from the corner of her lip was blown backwardslike a line of fire by the wind. Countless pearl-like balls of light also arose from her eyes. Falling towards the depths of the abyss, she calmly waited for death to come. Calmness was a dauntless attitude, but it was not unknowing. She felt the coldgloom of death, experienced the true meaning of death and then began to fear itonce again. This type of fear did not mean that she had left the mind state of beingdauntless. It was still a form of awareness, a distinct yet clear awarenessthat was deeply embedded in her consciousness. Only the great fear brought on by death could stimulate the unimaginable powerhidden in the deepest part of her consciousness, the power hidden within herbloodline. This endless power began to burn, causing her to enter a strange state ofclear-headedness and absent-mindedness. As death slowly arrived, a spirit deepwithin her body awakened. This was the spirit of the Heavenly Phoenix, which was also her spirit. That was the her that she had never seen, nor even discovered before. She opened her eyes and looked into the pitch-black abyss and the real,invisible yet cold night wind. It allowed her to truly understand fate. Fate allowed her to leave the Holy Maiden Peak and come to the Garden of Zhou. However, fate did not make her meet Nanke, and instead made her meet herself. To meet the other self, the truest self. The journey was not for nothing. In the process of falling into death, an infinite amount of regret bloomed. In the deathly abyss, in the silent mountain cliff, on the extremely tallSunset Valley, in the vast world of the Garden of Zhou, a clear cry suddenlyresounded. The sound was not mature, and was slightly undeveloped. However, it wasincomparably clear. Compared to this clear cry, Nanke’s clear roar earlier immediately paled. This clear cry was the cry of the young phoenix. The aura of the king was carried in this phoenix cry without a question. Nanke stood silently by the cliffside, perhaps in memorial for the death ofher fated opponent, or in regret that her life would be lonely from now on. After a while, she turned around and walked towards the flat rock surfacebetween the cliffs. The person had already passed away. Although there was the expecteddisappointment and hollowness, there was even more satisfaction in the end.From this night forwards, there would be no-one able to fly in the same sky asher. This was very worthy of being happy over. Then, the cry of the phoenix pierced through the cliffs. She stopped her steps, and turned around to gaze into the night sky beyond thecliff. She revealed an expression of inconceivability.