Today, Jiang Chen and the Vermilion Bird divine beast finally flew past that stretch of calm sea and into the outlying waters surrounding Shibi Hell Island.
"Senior, judging by the terrain, we're already close to Shibi Hell Island. Perhaps we've already entered that death zone." Jiang Chen sensed the aura around him and could distinctly tell that this region of sea was utterly different from before.
The moment they entered, a thick sense of danger settled over his heart, clinging to him moment by moment.
The Vermilion Bird snorted coldly. "No need to worry. With me here, what evil spirit would dare cause trouble?"
It was, after all, descended from one of the Four Great Divine Beasts. The Vermilion Bird carried an innate regal presence. Now that they were nearing Shibi Hell Island, it would allow absolutely nothing to go wrong.
Even if there were dangers of the highest order here, the Vermilion Bird would never permit anyone to jeopardize its plan of nirvanic rebirth.
However, the spatial turbulence over this stretch of sea was obviously far more severe. Even the Vermilion Bird's flying speed was significantly affected, forcing it to decelerate.
"Chen Shao, stay on my back and don't move. I'll manifest my dharma body and wrap you in my wings. Whatever happens, you don't need to lift a finger!"
The Vermilion Bird was nothing if not loyal. Jiang Chen had accompanied it to Shibi Hell Island, and it was deeply grateful. As such, it absolutely would not allow any harm to come to Jiang Chen here.
The Vermilion Bird's dharma body subtly shifted. Its plumage fanned open slightly, and the feathers on its back especially rose one by one, forming a protective barrier around Jiang Chen.
Its feathers throughout its body were also visibly more radiant, more brilliant. Its flight path and streamlined form made it look like a streak of living flame, streaking through the void.
No matter how ferocious the spatial turbulence, the Vermilion Bird seemed to possess its own unique way of navigating it, even riding the current rather than fighting against it.
Though its speed had taken a hit, the Vermilion Bird's direction of travel did not waver.
The spatial turbulence churned up towering waves that surged upward ceaselessly—mountains roaring and seas howling, their momentum savage. Any cultivator even slightly weaker passing through this region would surely be swept away by that terrifying force, vanishing into the endless turbulence.
For the Vermilion Bird, however, these disturbances were of little consequence.
"Almost there," Jiang Chen murmured from atop the Vermilion Bird's back, sensing that Shibi Hell Island was growing ever closer.
The surrounding void had become noticeably scorching, and the air had thinned dramatically. The extreme heat was clearly scorching the air itself, rendering it impossibly thin.
Boom!
Without warning, the sea below erupted. A colossal wave surged upward, and within it, one sea beast after another bared fangs and claws, lunging at the Vermilion Bird.
These deep-sea fiends were clearly the masters of these waters. Upon detecting an unfamiliar creature encroaching on their territory, their first instinct was simple—devour, and devour again.
"Hmph. Courting death!"
The Vermilion Bird may have been in the low ebb of its life cycle, but its encounter with the Spring of Life at Peacock Sacred Mountain had granted it some measure of recovery and relief.
Moreover, the reason the Vermilion Bird had refrained from fighting much earlier was simply to avoid excessive expenditure of energy.
Now, with the site of its nirvanic rebirth so close at hand, there was no longer any need for restraint. Its current condition was also different from before—it could afford to expend some strength.
Once the Vermilion Bird decided to fight in earnest, its combat power was still staggering.
Its wings beat once. The razor-sharp feathers flashed like a row of blazing blades, slashing horizontally in a flat arc. A clear cut-mark appeared across the void.
In the next instant, several sea beasts were severed cleanly in half. The terrifying fire-essence power scorched their bodies to charcoal.
Plop. Plop.
They tumbled back into the sea.
Yet these deep-sea fiends were clearly numerous beyond measure. One wave fell, and another surged up from the depths to take its place.
Still, the Vermilion Bird's destructive power was overwhelming. Each time a fresh batch surfaced, it simply swept its wings and cut them down—swift, clean, and utterly decisive.
After witnessing the Vermilion Bird's terrifying might, the sea beasts grew cautious. They abandoned their suicidal charges and instead prowled beneath the surface, shadowing the Vermilion Bird's path, their eyes fixed upon it—apparently waiting for an opportunity to strike a killing blow.
The Vermilion Bird let out a cold snort. "Minnows and shrimp daring to trouble me? Truly they know nothing of this world's ways."
The Vermilion Bird was, after all, an ancient divine beast. Though each of these deep-sea fiends possessed combat power comparable to the peak of the Emperor realm, the Vermilion Bird's fighting strength was more than enough to match and surpass them.
These sea beasts kept throwing themselves forward—nothing more than fodder for slaughter. The gulf in power was far too vast to be bridged by sheer numbers alone.
"Senior Vermilion Bird, there will certainly be a king among these sea beasts. With waters as dangerous as this, some fearsome deep-sea beast king must be lurking here. Don't let your guard down."
The Vermilion Bird nodded. "I've already guessed as much. Rest easy—even if there is one, I don't fear it."
Jiang Chen asked, "Shall I call Brother Dragon out to lend a hand?"
The Vermilion Bird replied, "No need. Little Xuan the Dragon has only just entered the Celestial tier. If there truly is a king down there, it wouldn't be easy for him to handle even at the Celestial tier. I can manage."
Seeing how confident the Vermilion Bird was, Jiang Chen smiled. "Then I'll watch your flanks."