In the instant the feather appeared, the forbidden zone trembled. The figure in the black robe, the master of the forbidden zone, hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head in submission. The distant sound of the zither turned into a trembling note.
This was the feather of the Flame Phoenix.
For the Nanhuang Continent, the Flame Phoenix wasn't only the ruler of the Phoenix Forbidden but also the entire continent. It was also the emperor of all the forbidden zones in this continent.
The fog returned and continued to squirm and gather.
However, it was very strange. This time, no matter how the master of the forbidden zone tried, the three figures still couldn't form.
Xu Qing's parents' figures only formed an outline before dissipating. As for Grandmaster Bai, although the outline had formed, it couldn't be clearly seen. In the end, it could only dissipate.
This scene caused Xu Qing's gaze to freeze as he looked at the master of the forbidden zone.
A long time later, under Qingqin's cracking voice, the hoarse voice of the master of the forbidden zone echoed.
"Two human souls were sacrificed to the god. I have no power to summon them."
"And one soul isn't in Wanggu."
With that, the master of the forbidden zone fused into the fog. The thick fog here also retreated rapidly and gathered in the deepest part of the forbidden zone from all directions, forming a sealing force that blocked the external world and itself.
Clearly, this trip was extremely unpleasant for her. Hence, after saying everything, she sealed herself.
What followed was the rejection from the entire forbidden zone.
Xu Qing fell silent.
He had already guessed that he might not be able to see his parents' figures. Back then, Peerless City was sacrificed to the god's fragmented-face.
However, Grandmaster Bai's soul made Xu Qing a little puzzled.
"Not in Wanggu?"
Xu Qing frowned. He recalled Grandmaster Bai's death and finally looked in the direction of Purple Earth.
His last stop in the Nanhuang Continent was to go to Purple Earth to pay respects to Grandmaster Bai and visit his childhood companions.
"Looks like I have to ask Chen Feiyuan and Ting Yu about the details of Grandmaster Bai's death."
After that, he cupped his fists toward Daoist Sima and Qingqin.
"I'll have to trouble the two seniors to wait for me for a few days. I plan to let a spirit pet of mine evolve here."
Daoist Sima glanced at the shadow under Xu Qing's feet and nodded slightly before leaving with his men. As for Qingqin, she let out a cackle, before flying straight toward the area blocked by the fog in the depths of the forbidden zone.
Clearly, it was quite interested in the master of the forbidden zone.
The zither music trembled and the fog churned. Qingqin's figure disappeared into the fog.
As for what would happen inside, it was hard for Xu Qing to judge. However, no matter what the outcome was, Qingqin, who had the Flame Phoenix feather, wouldn't suffer a loss.
Hence, Xu Qing turned and walked toward his house in the forbidden zone back then.
At that moment, dawn wasn't far away. At the moment dawn broke, Xu Qing arrived at the place where he had fought with the Thunder Team and the black-scaled wolf back then.
Xu Qing sat down cross-legged and calmly spoke.
"Back then, I sealed you here."
"Then today, use this place as the boundary. Don't go deep into the forbidden zone or the cluster of temples. You can spread to other places as you please."
"Let me see how much you can grow."
As soon as Xu Qing finished speaking, the shadow under his feet instantly spread out for a thousand feet. Countless eyes opened from within. When they looked at Xu Qing, they transmitted their emotions.
"Thank you… Master…"
With that, the 1000-foot-long range instantly blurred and spread rapidly in all directions, far away from Xu Qing, covering the vegetation that hadn't been transformed by the master of the forbidden zone.
Endless anomalous substances gathered from all directions and surged into the shadow. The sound of chewing spread from all directions.
Regardless of whether it was plants or trees, they seemed to be the shadow's food.
It was the same for the mutated beasts here. Their wails echoed in the forbidden zone. After the scavengers who entered heard the wails and sensed the change in their surroundings, they all trembled and chose to escape immediately.
The shadow thought a little but ultimately, didn't dare to devour these scavengers. It wasn't sure of Xu Qing's thoughts about this, so it continued to devour the mutated beasts and anomalous substances here.
Gradually, its aura became stronger and stronger. As for the plants and trees it devoured, they didn't really disappear. Instead, their appearances changed; the plants and vegetation grew eyes and the trees became coffins.
The mutated beasts devoured by the shadow would grow a large number of eyes and revive.
It was as though it was using this method to devour the authority of this forbidden zone.
Just like that, three days passed.
Approximately 10% of the forbidden zone emitted the aura of the shadow and had its appearance changed.
The shadow seemed to be full and couldn't continue to devour. It receded from all directions and returned to the place where Xu Qing was sitting cross-legged. It emitted fluctuations of joy and indicated that it was about to break through.
Xu Qing opened his eyes and looked over coldly.
"Barely at the point of breakthrough after devouring 10%, useless."
The originally smug shadow shivered and hurriedly transmitted its emotions.
"Continue… slowly… stronger…"
"Break through as soon as possible." Xu Qing snorted coldly.
The shadow shuddered and hurriedly shrank. Very soon, a huge tree that was 1,000 feet tall appeared in front of Xu Qing.
The massive tree stood tall, its canopy resembling an umbrella, exuding an astonishing aura. Amidst its grandeur, it also emitted a remarkable presence. Its branches were devoid of leaves but covered in a multitude of crimson eyes.
However, what was revealed in each of its eyes wasn't cruelty but obedience.
Hence, it looked even more bizarre.
Ling'er peeked out from the cuff of Xu Qing's sleeve, gazing at the towering tree. With a delicate voice, she spoke.
"Good luck!"
Her words clearly encouraged the shadow, causing it to be extremely excited. As the tree swayed intensely, waves of earth-shattering rumbling sounds rang out from its body.
