Chapter 153: Source World 5 (part 3 of 3)

The painting is seven feet tall. The painting of the Phoenix isn’t of a young Phoenix, but of a Phoenix nearing adulthood. The elegant figure stood atop the auspicious cloud, with long tail feathers hanging down. Enchanting as a dream, with unparalleled uniqueness. An Ying’s expression finally changed as well. But not because of that painting of the Phoenix, but because of the image in the oval mirror hanging above the painting.

The indistinct phantom being projected in the air from the mirror, shows the image of the Little Phoenix holding his head with a frown.

A repressed cry of pain was immediately transmitted out from the mirror. An Ying’s expression had already become extremely unsightly due to intense worry. He suddenly spread his arms out, in the next moment, a dazzling red light shot to the sky, accompanied by the unique roar of the Soaring Serpent. He had unexpectedly changed into his original form under the heavy suppression of the Netherworld’s yin qi without any fear!

The Soaring Serpent’s colors abruptly changed, from red to black. Bone wings gradually grew from his back, while his lower half also became a serpent’s tail inch by inch. He looked at Kong Ming with a fierce murderous intent, and struck Kong Ming, who was in front of him, with full force!

“Ah–!”

Another cry of pain was unexpectedly transmitted out from the mirror. This time, the Little Phoenix was obviously no longer able to suppress it due to too much pain. An Ying’s heart trembled because of this, and his movement stagnated, causing his attack to miss Kong Ming. But was directly slapped by the other’s palm overflowing with ghost power on the shoulder instead.

Kong Ming’s expression naturally changed as well upon hearing the Little Phoenix’s cry of pain, then hurriedly made a counterattack in order to go see the other. He turned around and immediately teleported into the hidden partition. His figure swiftly disappeared into the painting, and headed straight towards the location of the Little Phoenix by way of another enchantment.

The Little Phoenix was currently experiencing a splitting headache.

The scenes he saw in the Three-Life Stone were very familiar. The constant turning of the pages, made his chest, along with his head very painful. He was in all those countless different scenes. But he still couldn’t remember any of the train of events.

Something seemingly started to erupt one after another, these eruptions made his gaze turn black. The feeling of falling into a dark place gradually arose, looking for the lock of memory. But there wasn’t anything here, aside from the empty silence and nothingness.

The pain continued to deepen, causing the Little Phoenix to let out another uncontrollable cry of pain. Fortunately, his sanity finally came to the end of darkness, where he faintly saw a trace of light.

There wasn’t any locks nor keys. But there’s a man, who came out from that trace of light, giving him a good-looking smile. Then, in a low tone of voice, called out to him.

“Tong Tong.”

The Little Phoenix slowly reached out his hand, wanting to grasp the other’s palm. However, just as his fingertips had touched the other, the other instantly crumbled into ashes. A burning sensation subsequently coursed through his whole body.

“Tong Tong, Tong Tong……”

Kong Ming anxiously called out the Little Phoenix’s name tirelessly, without even a moment of rest. After some unknown period of time, the eyes of the person in his arms opened at long last.

But the other’s gaze were still unfocused, and was still breathing heavily due to pain. His forehead was completely covered with sweat, as well as a terribly pale complexion. Kong Ming’s chest became stuffy due to distress, and placed the Little Phoenix in an even tighter embrace, “Tong Tong, I’m sorry. I had no idea that this would happen……”

The Little Phoenix slowly blinked, and looked up at Kong Ming, who was holding him. After having taken a long look at his face, did he unexpectedly say in a soft voice.

“.…..elder brother?”

Kong Ming froze.

Despite being so confused that he had no idea where he was, nor what he was doing, the Little Phoenix still went on to say: “Elder brother, I……”

The remaining unsaid words turned into an incredibly piercing cry of pain brought about by the sudden onslaught of a terribly sharp pain in the head.

“Ah–!”

In the same instant, the already enormous Soaring Serpent grew again. The serpent’s head rose to several feet high, with a roar that almost broke through the Netherworld. Half of the palace was swept by the serpent’s thick and sturdy tail. Possessing the same destructive force, the sharp bone wings, tore through all the enchantments in the Netherworld!

— Kra – boom!!!

The Soaring Serpent finally broke in from the collapsed barrier. After seeing the Little Phoenix’s struggling and crying out in pain, his expression turned even more frantic. The serpent spoke in human language: “Kong Ming, let go of him!”

Kong Ming seemed to have not heard it, and only tightened his hold on the Little Phoenix subconsciously.

“Kong Ming! I said, let go of him!!”

The Soaring Snake fiercely roared, almost no one could force it to this point. Before it’s voice fell, a burst of golden light suddenly burst forth from within the Little Phoenix’s body, which constantly intensified. Very soon, the golden light violently surged up and gradually converged in midair, then condensed bit by bit into a phantom image that spread its wings, which seemingly wanted to fly.

The slightly drooped head, desire to spread it’s wings, noble demeanor, and gorgeous tail feathers, — Is just like the Phoenix depicted in that painting.

Amidst the Soaring Serpent’s daze, the golden phantom fell without warning, and all of which went into the Little Phoenix’s body. The Little Phoenix began to tremble unceasingly, as if unable to bear this. After just a short period of time, he suddenly shook, and opened his eyes once again.

Coming in contact with that pair of eyes just as he had lowered his head, Kong Ming couldn’t help but truly loosen his grip.

It was no longer the pale gold of a fledgling Phoenix, but of a deep golden hue that is as brilliant and dazzling as the sun. Within the Four Realms, only a single being can possess this color of eyes.

The King of birds, the ancient Phoenix.

A millennia has yet to pass, but this day, has finally arrived.