Chapter 358 – The Death of the Cuckoo Bird

“They speculate that the person couldn’t resist the allure of those top-tier wondrous items growing inside the forbidden volcano and ventured deeply to harvest them.

As a result, they encountered the magma riot and missed the best opportunity to retreat…”

Yin Muqing pressed her lips tightly together, her expression filled with complexity.

Even though Ling Yu repeatedly emphasized the truth and accuracy of this news, she still couldn’t fully believe that the man, with three heads and six arms, as powerful and imposing as a Demon God, could just die so easily in a volcanic eruption.

“Casualties in secret realm exploration are not unusual. The mental fortitude of Hidden Stars is usually disproportionate to their strength, making them relatively fragile and unstable. Similar incidents have happened before.”

Ling Yu sighed, lamenting, “It’s a pity, though. If this person had survived and joined our operation, our Xia State’s chances of securing the Phoenix Egg would have significantly increased.

The Distant Star Federation has completely discarded their dignity and still wants to use the Ice God.

Although the union has already stopped this idea, it’s said that they keep submitting applications and even have plans to unilaterally tear up the agreement regardless…”

Yin Muqing remained silent, her gaze complexly surveying the surroundings.

She and Ling Yu were now located somewhere on the edge of the Deep Mist Zone. Ten kilometers ahead was a blazing inferno gradually spreading.

Within the sea of flames, dark red magma flowed rampantly. Looking down from a height, it seemed as if the Ember Mountain secret realm was gradually shedding its green hide, revealing the red and black flesh beneath.

Perhaps, this was the original appearance of Ember Mountain.

This thought emerged in Yin Muqing’s mind.

At the edge of the forest where the flames spread, stood a large number of Phoenix bloodline natives.

These natives, with their long hair and red skin, looking extremely different from ordinary humans, were all kneeling.

Led by figures akin to elders within their tribe, they continuously bowed towards the advancing flames, murmuring something under their breath.

Flames and magma passed over their bodies, scorching their flesh, yet they chose not to avoid it. Instead, there was not a hint of pain on their faces; rather, they showed expressions of enjoyment.

Their posture was incredibly devout, as if this was a supreme honor for them.

There were several other teams in the area similar to Yin Muqing’s, but no one paid attention to these Phoenix bloodline natives.

Everyone was quietly waiting, constantly monitoring the messages and instructions coming through on their communicators.

This was a joint deployment of the “Hunting Legends” operation. If the third hunting plan proceeded smoothly enough, the creature suspected to be the Phoenix that carried the Phoenix Egg would most likely pass through this location.

Their task was to do everything possible to impede it when it arrived, and if they couldn’t capture it, they would at least drive it in the predetermined direction to form a trap.

It was like a net, with each of them being a part of it.

After waiting for a while, the magma and flames were almost at Yin Muqing and her team’s feet.

At this moment, Ling Yu suddenly spoke urgently, “It’s coming, get ready!”

Yin Muqing’s expression became stern as she quickly drew her alloy combat blade from her waist.

Not long after, she sensed an extremely potent legendary aura and more than ten powerful energy fluctuations rising ahead, rapidly approaching their position.

“Caw-“

A melodious and clear bird cry came from a distance, and an exceptionally magnificent, orange-red great bird appeared in Yin Muqing’s field of vision.

The great bird was carrying a colossal snow-white egg in its embrace, with a dozen figures closely following behind it.

“Now!”

Ling Yu shouted lowly, and without hesitation, Yin Muqing swung her blade in a backhand strike toward the rapidly approaching orange-red great bird.

“Boom-“

Immediately, dozens of attacks erupted in the area, all aimed at a single target.

At the same time as they all launched their attacks, the Phoenix bloodline natives kneeling by the magma and flame edge suddenly began shouting loudly.

With fervent expressions, they charged at Yin Muqing and the others, attacking with a fearless determination to defend their charge to the death.

“Slash-“

Ling Yu casually swung his blade downward, cutting several approaching Phoenix bloodline natives into two.

As he watched their bodies turn to ash and reveal pitch-black figures emerging from the remains, Ling Yu furrowed his brow and scoffed coldly, “We should have cleared the area in the first place…”

Of course, discussing this now would be meaningless.

Fortunately, despite the surprise attack by the Phoenix bloodline natives, their overall strength was low. In the presence of the exploration team members eligible for the hunt, they were hardly a threat, only causing a minor disturbance.

The attacks aimed at blocking the great bird worked effectively. The orange-red great bird carrying the Phoenix Egg was hindered.

Ling Yu and several formidable powerhouses charged forward again. After a few rounds of attacks, the elegant orange-red great bird suddenly exploded with a “boom!”

Amid the golden-red light rain scattered in all directions, an orange shadow emerged.

A cuckoo bird with a crowned head, clutching a Phoenix Egg several dozen times its size, flapped its wings rapidly, transforming into a streak of white light, attempting to break through the encirclement.

“Stop it!”

Seeing their long-pursued prey finally reveal its true form, the participants, invigorated, sprang into action.

Yin Muqing joined the fray as well.

She had a vivid memory of this bird-it was the same cuckoo bird that had once fooled her and many others with a Phoenix Feather dangling from its beak.

Back then…

Yin Muqing couldn’t help but recall Lu Yuan, the wielder of the demon blade. It was due to this mysterious cuckoo bird that they had witnessed his true power.

Facing numerous opponents, he had defeated Mattis, the wielder of the Extreme Battle Saber, and triumphed in the mortal Earth Armament confrontation. His reputation soared like a comet rapidly rising in the secret realm…

Unexpectedly, things had changed so drastically in such a short period.

Yin Muqing sighed inwardly, not quite understanding why she felt so much nostalgia and sorrow.

The dozen or so figures chasing the Phoenix Egg quickly arrived, cornering the cuckoo bird holding the egg.

Despite its small size, this bird, whose origin was unknown, moved with incredible speed. Even though it was surrounded by over a dozen powerhouses, none of whom were below the third-stage, not a single person managed to touch it.

Every attack missed as the cuckoo bird deftly evaded.

Seeing their encirclement about to be broken through by the cuckoo bird, it was at this moment…

“Boom-“

A thunderous, ear-splitting noise suddenly erupted.

Then came the second, the third…

Yin Muqing looked up and saw dozens of figures rushing in from all directions.

Each of them exuded an aura as imposing as dragons, soaring straight into the sky.

Among them were no less than seven or eight sky level mechas, and the rest were all renowned powerhouses whom Yin Muqing recognized.

Among them was Yang Nan, whom Ling Yu had mentioned previously.

With the arrival of these dozens of powerhouses from various factions, the previously loose encirclement instantly became as tight as an ironclad barrier.

“Bzzzz-“

As soon as the five sky level mechas from the Distant Star Federation arrived, they immediately fired a barrage of deep yellow energy beams.

These beams intertwined, instantly forming a deep yellow super force field that enveloped the cuckoo bird clutching the Phoenix Egg.

Caught within the force field, the cuckoo bird’s previously agile movements became sluggish.

At this moment, led by Oresa, more than a dozen supernova and modification system powerhouses launched a terrifying energy offensive, like a vast net swiftly closing in on the cuckoo bird.

Yin Muqing saw the cuckoo bird dart left and right, urgently screeching “cuckoo, cuckoo,” but unable to find a breakthrough.

When the concentrated attacks rained down, the cuckoo bird barely dodged a few times before helplessly colliding with an energy beam.

With a loud “Bang,” it exploded into a burst of tiny blood splatters.

Yin Muqing watched as a few shattered orange feathers drifted before her eyes, unexpectedly feeling a sense of discomfort and growing even more dejected.

Silently, she sheathed her alloy long blade, losing all desire to fight.

With the cuckoo bird’s death, all that remained was the solitary, gigantic white egg.

Instantly, everyone’s gazes became intensely fervent.

The Phoenix Egg!

The legendary Phoenix Egg!

It could potentially hatch a true Phoenix; the name Phoenix itself speaks of immortality, the secret of eternal life…

Various thoughts raced through everyone’s minds, and the atmosphere became tense and subtle.

But just then, right before everyone’s eyes, the unsupported Phoenix Egg suddenly started moving on its own.

Its speed was incredibly fast, even surpassing that of the cuckoo bird earlier.

In just an instant, it pierced through the super force field created by the five sky level mechas of the Distant Star Federation and “swish”-it shot out from the encirclement.

Then…

To everyone’s surprise, it flew straight towards Yin Muqing, who was on the outermost edge of the encirclement, and “poof”-it jumped into her arms.

“Uh…”

The series of changes happened so quickly that no one present had time to react.

Including Yin Muqing.

Standing there, clutching the colossal egg almost as big as half her body, Yin Muqing was utterly stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Until…

Ling Yu’s thunderous shout snapped her out of her daze.

“Run!!”

Yin Muqing awakened as if from a dream. In that instant of regaining her senses, she saw no fewer than twenty attacks hurtling straight toward her.

Each attack was powerful enough to obliterate her, a meager third-stage combatant, ten times over.

Without thinking, Yin Muqing instantly unleashed all her strength and darted off in a random direction.

“Boom!”

A massive explosion erupted behind her, and she felt intense pain in her back from the terrifying energy waves, as if her combat suit had been ripped apart.

“Hmph!”

Yin Muqing heard a cold grunt, followed by the roar of mecha engines and violent collisions.

Using her mental power, she sensed what was happening behind her.

She saw the forces belonging to the Xia State, including Yang Nan, Ling Yu, and two sky level mechas, frantically trying to block those from other factions who were trying to chase her down.

But the united forces led by the Distant Star Federation were overwhelmingly powerful.

The disparity in strength was too great. In just a few breaths, the Xia State’s defenses were torn apart.

Yin Muqing saw Oresa, adorned with sky armament and flanked by golden steel wings, his eyes icy and emanating a murderous aura, leading several sky level mechas swiftly towards her.

In just the blink of an eye, the distance between them was significantly reduced.

Yin Muqing’s heart pounded wildly, overwhelmed by intense panic, bewilderment, and the looming shadow of death.

She had no idea what to do.

She didn’t even understand why the Phoenix Egg suddenly leapt into her arms.

She wanted to throw the Phoenix Egg away, but discovered that it suddenly emitted a powerful suction force, anchoring her firmly to it.

Then…

“Boom!”

The enormous Phoenix Egg suddenly swerved, hauling Yin Muqing along as it bolted towards the depths of the secret realm!

“Roar Roar Roar-“

Totally at the mercy of the Phoenix Egg, Yin Muqing’s mind was buzzing, a complete mess.

She heard inexplicable shouts from the Phoenix bloodline natives below, and then saw them, one after another, soaring into the sky. These natives fearlessly obstructed the pursuers closing in behind her.