In the most scorching volcanic cluster on Corpse Purgatory Hell Island, a figure bathed in red sat coiled like an ancient totem.
This figure blotted out the sky, its entire body covered in plumage that shimmered between crimson and brilliance, smooth as a mirror. The sight it presented was almost painfully blinding.
This was none other than the Vermilion Bird — the divine avian.
After so many years on Corpse Purgatory Hell Island, the Vermilion Bird had finally broken through the bottleneck of the ninth level of the Celestial ranking and entered the half-god realm.
This had happened half a year ago.
Entering the half-god realm merely meant taking half a step along the Divine Path. Only by achieving complete enlightenment and comprehending the true Dao could one complete this final crossing and become a true god-realm powerhouse.
For the past half year, the Vermilion Bird had been striving, pursuing that perfect final step.
But how could making such a flawless leap be easy?
Even though it was an ancient divine avian, there were times when the Vermilion Bird doubted whether its potential had already reached its absolute limit.
Still, it clearly refused to accept that notion.
As an ancient divine avian, its potential could not possibly be exhausted at the half-god realm. It believed there was still vast, untapped power within itself.
But how could that potential be unlocked?
The Vermilion Bird was searching. Its greatest aspiration in this life was to formally enter the realm of the Divine Path within this single cycle of reincarnation.
Once it stepped into the Divine Path, the lifespan of this particular incarnation would extend to an almost absurd degree — one could practically call it immortality. As long as one did not face the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations that plagued the god realm, one would never have to worry about drawing near to the end of one's allotted years.
After all, the Divine Path meant true longevity equal to the heavens and the earth, radiance equal to the sun and the moon. Outside of the calamities and tribulations unique to the god realm, there was virtually no threat to one's existence.
Suddenly, the Vermilion Bird's spiritual sense shuddered. Then, as though a needle had been driven straight into its sea of consciousness, a mysterious force pierced into its mind.
"Oh?"
The Vermilion Bird's expression shifted, and it blurted out: "Chen Shao?"
It had given away a single Vermilion Bird Feather to only one person —
"Something's wrong — could Chen Shao be in danger?"
The Vermilion Bird had always maintained a good relationship with human cultivators, and its bond with Jiang Chen in particular was an especially close one. What's more, Jiang Chen had been something of a savior to it.
The Vermilion Bird was an incredibly loyal and righteous divine avian. It had always felt that its ability to complete this cycle of nirvanic rebirth was entirely thanks to Jiang Chen.
As such, the Vermilion Bird had long since come to regard Jiang Chen as family. The moment it sensed his peril — the moment it realized Jiang Chen had crushed the Vermilion Bird Feather — it was consumed with shock.
How could it possibly continue with its cultivation and its pursuit of enlightenment? Its divine form blurred as it soared upward from the boundless sea of volcanic fire, trailing a vast crimson inferno behind it. The surrounding void was set ablaze, transforming into an ocean of red flame.
The Vermilion Bird had been nesting on Corpse Purgatory Hell Island for so long that virtually no sea creatures dared approach within a hundred li. As a result, the surrounding waters remained peaceful, and even the Vermilion Bird's overwhelming aura of power did not cause too great a disturbance.
"Xiao Xuan, Xiao Xuan…" The Vermilion Bird's call was low and carried an edge of urgency.
Where once it only commanded a region of a few dozen li, Long Xiaoxuan now held sway over several hundred li of surrounding sea.
Hearing the Vermilion Bird's summons, Long Xiaoxuan surged upward from the seabed, erupting through the surface atop a towering wave. "What are your orders, Brother Vermilion Bird?"
The Vermilion Bird was an ancient divine avian and by seniority should have ranked above Long Xiaoxuan. But both of them carried the bloodlines of the Four Divine Beasts, and neither wished to conduct their relationship on the basis of seniority.
So Long Xiaoxuan and the Vermilion Bird had simply decided to treat each other as equals.
"Xiao Xuan, let's go."
"Go where?" Long Xiaoxuan had never seen the Vermilion Bird look this anxious before. Seeing its obvious agitation, it sensed that something was very wrong.
"Chen Shao is in trouble. He just crushed the Vermilion Bird Feather," the Vermilion Bird said gravely.
"What? Why didn't he crush a dragon scale to notify me?" Long Xiaoxuan was shocked.
"He knew we were together — crushing one was enough. Why waste two?"
Long Xiaoxuan considered this and realized it made sense. "Then let's set out right away. Oh — Brother Vermilion Bird, do you have any idea roughly where Chen Shao is? How far from here?"
"I don't know the exact distance, but roughly…" The Vermilion Bird was straining its spiritual sense to its fullest, trying to pinpoint the location. Suddenly, its expression shifted slightly. "Chen Shao is close — very close. He's in this stretch of sea. Yes, yes — Chen Shao must be being hunted and is fleeing toward Corpse Purgatory Hell Island!"
"How close is 'close'? Can we get there in time?" Long Xiaoxuan was even more anxious than the Vermilion Bird. He and Jiang Chen had shared hardships together — their bond ran deep.