Chapter 111: Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix

“No good!” Long Yun’s face dramatically changed. The aura emanating was so immense that it instilled a deep fear within him. The one exuding this aura possessed power even surpassing Xu Xianzhi’s, rivaling that of the venerable monk Du Yu.

His true energy burst forth, striving to break free from the oppressive pressure of this aura. Right before him stood the stone gate to the Tomb of Life and Death; if only he had a moment’s respite, he could enter it.

Yet, compared to the overwhelming might of his opponent, his true energy was but a flickering flame, utterly incapable of resistance.

Yan Qingqing’s delicate brows furrowed tightly as she too sensed the immense aura, her entire body trembling uncontrollably. It was not fear, but the crushing weight of the power that overwhelmed their ability to endure.

“Hmph. Last time you barely escaped by luck. This time, you think you can still fish in troubled waters? This immortal fetus is not yours to claim!” A gray figure descended from the sky, hovering some thirty feet away from the two.

Long Yun’s eyes flickered in hesitation. What a demon! Though bearing human form, his entire being was enveloped in a dense, malevolent aura, revealing his true identity.

“Who are you?” Long Yun gritted his teeth, his bloodline from the Primordial Dragon God giving him unyielding resolve. Even in death, he would never bow to demonic forces.

“Not bad, you possess some willpower. Eh?” The figure suddenly showed a look of surprise, then burst into laughter. “So you are descendants of the Primordial Dragon God, and a scion of the Phoenix clan! Heaven truly favors me. Absorbing the essence of both of you, my demonic arts will reach perfection. Once I enter the Tomb of Life and Death, no constraints will bind me!”

The mysterious man laughed maniacally, his face contorting slightly. Long Yun’s heart skipped a beat—his lineage as heir to the Primordial Dragon God was beyond doubt.

Yet the man claimed Yan Qingqing was a descendant of the Phoenix clan as well. He recalled that Yan Ruo Qing was a direct disciple of the Phoenix Pavilion, and now Yan Qingqing apparently shared that heritage.

Could there truly be a special bond between Yan Qingqing and Yan Ruo Qing? Otherwise, why the striking resemblance?

Lost in thought, a pair of icy-cold small hands tightly grasped his large ones, bringing Long Yun back to reality. He glanced at Yan Qingqing.

Her face was pale as death. Even earlier in the stone chamber, her energy had not fully recovered, and now, under such immense pressure, she had reached the limits of her endurance.

Long Yun’s heart ached as he pulled her gently into his embrace. He unleashed his bloodline power, shielding their bodies. For a moment, the demonic aura was unable to penetrate.

“Brother, Uncle Canglang said that I possess pure phoenix blood, and you carry the Primordial Dragon God’s bloodline. That is why I felt so familiar when I first saw you. Uncle Canglang forbade me from telling you this secret. Brother, you won’t blame me, will you?” Yan Qingqing whispered softly in his arms.

The wild little demon girl of the past now revealed a tender, gentle side, as soft as flowing water.

Long Yun shook his head amid the overwhelming pressure, his breath ragged. “Silly girl, from the moment you called me brother, there is no right or wrong between us. Brother will always forgive you, no matter what mistakes you make.”

Yan Qingqing’s beautiful eyes shimmered with tears. “Brother, are we going to die?”

“Don’t worry. Brother won’t let you die!” Long Yun said firmly.

Yan Qingqing nodded heavily. “Uncle Canglang said that the Phoenix clan descended from the Dragon God bloodline. When a man and woman with pure Dragon God and Phoenix blood unite with mutual love, their blood can fuse to form an extremely powerful attack!”

She bit her lip and continued, “This move has a beautiful name—‘Dragon and Phoenix Bring Prosperity.’ It was created by the Primordial Dragon God for his beloved wife, the first matriarch of the Phoenix clan. But at that time, both had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and never had the chance to use it.”

“Instead, they infused this technique into their bloodline. If descendants of the two clans face peril, they can use their essence blood to activate it.”

Yan Qingqing’s gaze locked onto Long Yun’s face. “But Uncle Canglang said there’s one condition for using this move: the man and woman must harbor genuine love for each other.”

Long Yun was taken aback. He had never heard of such a legend before, and now felt confused. This technique required a deeply loving couple.

But did he truly love Yan Qingqing? Or was he merely fond of her as a sister?

Unable to discern his feelings, a white figure haunted his heart, stirring a sense of guilt.

“Qingqing, there’s no such technique. Uncle Canglang must be spreading hearsay. Don’t let your mind wander,” Long Yun said through gritted teeth, sweat soaking him under the immense pressure.

Yan Qingqing parted her cherry lips but was suddenly overwhelmed with sorrow. She quickly turned her head away, tears cascading like a waterfall.

“Hmph! A mere nascent innate realm, yet you dare resist my divine might? Kneel before me!” The demonic cultivator shouted fiercely, pressing both hands down.

A terrifying force surged downward. Long Yun could no longer withstand it and spat a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground with Yan Qingqing.

Her eyes glazed with despair, she stared at Long Yun’s blood before her, determination flickering in her gaze. She bit her lip hard, drawing blood that trickled down her chin to drip onto the blood he had spat.

Yet, there was no response. For a moment, Yan Qingqing’s heart felt as if cut by a blade. She choked back sobs, her delicate body trembling, her emotions shattered.

“Qingqing, what’s wrong?” Long Yun noticed her condition, his expression darkening. Sensing the overwhelming force descending, he rolled over and pinned her beneath him.

Yan Qingqing seemed oblivious, murmuring, “As expected, no effect… no effect.” Tears streamed down again like torrents.

At that moment, the overwhelming force engulfed them both!

“Whoosh—” In a critical instant, the blood they had mingled on the ground suddenly emitted a chilling aura that sent shivers down the spine. An invisible power enveloped them.

No matter how fiercely the overwhelming force struck their bodies, it was blocked by this mysterious power, causing no harm whatsoever.

The demonic cultivator’s expression changed abruptly. The two were now completely wrapped in a golden radiance!

Dragon’s roar shakes the heavens! Phoenix’s cry echoes across the world!

A dragon and a phoenix—two colossal spectral figures rose and intertwined, ascending slowly. Indeed, the Dragon and Phoenix harmonized!

Long ago, when Long Yun was in the Earth Core Realm, he had once experienced a similar phenomenon in a coma with Yan Ruo Qing of the Phoenix Pavilion.

Back then, both were unconscious and had just met. Yan Ruo Qing had nearly slain Long Yun, so love was out of the question.

But the event had truly occurred and had saved their lives.

Now, once again, their essence blood fused, forming the Dragon-Phoenix harmony, no—rather, the Dragon and Phoenix manifesting!

The enormous dragon and phoenix shadows hovered in the air, their immense pressure engulfing hundreds of miles around. The demonic cultivator felt as if plunged into an icy abyss, chilled to the bone.

“Retreat!” The cultivator dared not linger, his speed soaring to the utmost, dissolving into a wisp of blue smoke as he fled far away.

The divine dragon’s eyes flashed like lightning, beams shooting forth like meteors chasing the moon, striking the fleeing figure’s back.

The demonic cultivator spat a mouthful of blood, his body collapsing as if falling apart. Enduring agonizing pain, he increased his speed and managed to escape.

Dragons soaring, phoenixes dancing—the entire Tomb of Life and Death trembled with the aura of love. The dragon and phoenix intertwined, forming a fierce storm that spread in all directions.

Meanwhile, beneath the golden radiance, Yan Qingqing ceased her smile. Her crescent-shaped eyes reappeared, and a rosy blush blossomed across her face, filled with tender affection.