Chapter Eighteen: The Harmonious Song of Dragon and Phoenix

The Ice Phoenix let out a piercing cry, its massive wings suddenly beating against the air, unleashing a torrent of chilling power that rampaged through the battlefield, striving to break free from the binding black threads. Under the onslaught of icy energy, the sinister demonic aura seemed to be pushed apart, struggling to maintain its hold. Even the enormous demonic shadow suspended in midair quivered faintly, then spoke in a deep voice, “A trapped beast still fights back. Do you think you have a chance to escape?”

With these words, the shadow flicked its fingers, sending dozens of black rays shooting out, striking the Ice Phoenix’s wings. The sharp force tore straight through them, causing the majestic creature to convulse violently, its body trembling uncontrollably, a series of mournful cries escaping its throat.

The giant hand swept down once more, transforming into a sky-filling palm print that descended upon the Ice Phoenix. Already gravely injured, the Phoenix would surely suffer devastating harm if that palm landed.

Witnessing this, Long Yun felt a sharp pang in his heart. The demonic shadow seemed unconcerned with him—his cultivation was far too insignificant. Seizing this moment, his internal energy surged madly, and a powerful sword intent burst forth, shattering the threads binding him. In a flash, he moved to stand before the Ice Phoenix.

Against its immense form, Long Yun was but a wilted leaf caught in the wind, fragile and uncertain. Yet his sword intent was unwavering; raising his sword, he unleashed hundreds of strikes at once.

Hundreds of sword energies wove a dense net extending several meters around him. He poured every ounce of strength into this attack, but against an innate realm master, his power was far too weak.

The giant hand crashed down, pulverizing the sword energies before Long Yun, enveloping him in an overwhelming aura. He felt as if he had been swallowed by the sea, unable to move a single muscle. The pressure threatened to burst his veins, driving his blood to the brink of eruption.

“Hmm? Not bad for one who has condensed energy in seven apertures.” The demonic shadow murmured in surprise, withdrawing most of its force. It did not wish to destroy the body it coveted.

Yet even the remaining power was more than Long Yun could withstand; his body was flung backward like a severed kite, blood gushing from his mouth.

The Ice Phoenix raised its head in a long cry, gratitude flickering in its phoenix eyes. Its injured wings swept out, wrapping Long Yun within, and its form suddenly contracted, transforming once more into the figure of the white-robed maiden.

But now, the maiden was in utter disarray—her flowing sleeves were completely gone, exposing arms white as jade. Long Yun lay against her, his meridians shattered, struggling to remain conscious, his face deathly pale, his body covered in wounds, his blood-soaked robes a testament to the agony he endured.

These wounds had been inflicted by the immense pressure, his veins rupturing, his skin splitting, a sight enough to shock the heart.

“How are you?” The white-robed maiden asked softly, her tone still cold as frost, yet gentler than before. Long Yun slowly opened his eyes. Through his haze, he beheld a face of unparalleled beauty—so exquisite it defied description, as if such a visage could not exist in this world, more an artifact of perfection than a mortal being.

She was like a celestial maiden, ethereal and untainted, her beauty transcendent and otherworldly. She resembled the goddess of the icy mountains, with skin like jade, untouched by the mortal world. Long Yun was utterly stunned by her appearance.

The maiden seemed to sense his gaze; she snorted coldly, pushed him from her shoulder, sending his body crashing to the ground once more.

Long Yun smiled bitterly to himself. Her arm was icy cold, as though devoid of warmth, just like her demeanor—an insurmountable chill in every aspect.

“With such beauty, dual cultivation with me would be no loss at all!” The demonic shadow laughed heartily. The blood pool beneath his feet churned, countless streams of blood essence erupting from its depths, all swallowed in a single breath.

“Let’s finish this. I won’t waste more strength playing with you two!” Seeing Long Yun incapacitated and the maiden bleeding from her injured arm, the demonic shadow grew impatient. The shadow moved, dark demonic energy billowing forth, enveloping the pair.

The white-robed maiden’s expression was icy, her gaze flashing with an indescribable light. Her wounded arms trembled, and within her eyes, a faint blue glow flickered.

At the same time, an enchanting golden radiance burst forth from Long Yun. It blazed outward like a star, spreading its light in all directions.

With a metallic roar, Long Yun, though prone, suddenly levitated, unleashing an angry howl that echoed like the cry of a dragon, piercing the heavens.

A powerful energy surged outward, instantly enveloping the maiden. An invisible force drew her gaze, and, uncontrollably, her body drifted toward Long Yun.

As she neared him, her icy gaze melted into gentle warmth, like a wife greeting her husband. She opened her arms, embracing Long Yun.

Soft warmth and fragrant sweetness enveloped him; Long Yun had no time to react, a captivating scent filling his senses. He wanted to warn the maiden, but his voice had become the resonant cry of a dragon.

In turn, he embraced her, his eyes clouded with confusion. The two held each other tightly, their consciousness plunging into darkness together.

At that moment, a violent storm erupted from their joined forms.

Brilliant light exploded, engulfing their entwined bodies. From within, an ancient, powerful aura spread outward.

Wherever it passed, all demonic energy shattered into fragments.

Then, a golden dragon and a blue phoenix soared skyward, their calls intertwining, flooding the heavens with dazzling sacred light.

It was as if the first thaw of spring had come; the sacred aura purified all traces of demonic energy, even burning the demonic shadow until it emitted a wretched scream.

Dragon and phoenix entwined, light flooding the world, as if divine rain had descended from the heavens, refining every trace of evil.

“No! You… This is impossible! How could such powerful divine energy exist? Ah—!” The demonic shadow’s roar echoed in disbelief.

“Blood pool, strike! Let evil rule the world!” With a furious shout, the blood pool beneath his feet transformed into waves of crimson, surging forth to engulf the dragon and phoenix above.

With a roar, the great dragon swept its tail, shattering the blood pool and dissolving all crimson essence into nothingness beneath the sacred light.

Dragon and phoenix danced, blue wings wrapping tightly around the dragon’s body, the dragon curling in response, entwined with the blue phoenix.

Thunder rolled; a pillar of light shot skyward, purifying the foul air, erasing all demonic energy, never to return.

All traces of blood vanished, leaving the entire space transformed into a paradise, a gentle aura spreading everywhere.

The demonic shadow had disappeared along with the blood pool; the sacred energy, nemesis of the demon realm, cleansed the darkness entirely.

Now, only the dragon and phoenix remained, entwined in blissful abandon.

The golden dragon breathed, the blue phoenix sang, waves of tender affection flowing between them, their energies fused inseparably.

No one knew how long had passed before the light faded. The golden dragon and blue phoenix vanished from the air.

From the dissipating glow, two figures fell, still tightly embraced—Long Yun and the white-robed maiden, both completely unconscious.