The Prodigies War

The Underworld Emperor Spirit Refining Kettle!

Underworld Son revealed disdainful, ice-cold murderous intent the moment it appeared, making him appear conceited and confident.

At the same time, Lin Xun abruptly froze in place because a life-threatening killing intent was pointed at his back.

"It’s been thousands of years since this kettle appeared in the world. I wonder if anyone still remembers its fearsome reputation. It’s been silent for far too long...It's a pity that the person it's going to kill this time is such a tiny bug..."

Underworld Son sighed softly.

The melancholic yet proud attitude he displayed caused several people to gasp.

It was at this moment, however, that the big black bird slammed the black wok onto the Spirit Refining Kettle that was hovering in the air.

"Hahaha, why are you still acting so pretentious at such a time? Your bird grandpa will help you safe-keep this treasure!"

The big black bird laughed maniacally, clearly pleased with itself.

Underworld Son was dumbfounded and looked as if he had been struck by lightning. His lips quivered uncontrollably as he nearly coughed blood due to anger.

Everyone was also stunned. Who could have anticipated that Underworld Son’s ultimate trump card, the Spirit Refining Kettle, would be stolen by a black bird before it could show its power?!

Lin Xun couldn't help but gasp as well. What kind of treasure was the black wok that even the Spirit Refining Kettle was unable to resist?

"You’re asking for death!"

Underworld Son almost went crazy with anger as he charged at the black bird.

The Spirit Refining Kettle was essentially everything he had. It wasn’t only a divine artifact, but also had numerous blessings and treasures sealed within it.

If it was lost, how would he be able to rise to prominence?

"Run!"

With a flap of its wings, the black bird zipped away like a lightning bolt.

Whoosh!

Lin Xun quickly followed.

He had originally intended to use this chance to subdue Underworld Son. However, the black bird’s sudden escape made him feel that something wasn’t right.

"None of you can escape!"

With a thunderous roar, Underworld Son glowed brightly and suddenly transformed into thousands of blood-colored figures.

The Myriad Apparition Art!

They covered the sky like a giant blood-colored curtain and shot forth at astonishing speeds.

Everyone was stupefied and could only watch in awe as Underworld Son chased after Lin Xun and the big black bird.

By the time they returned to their senses, Lin Xun and the others were already long gone.

……

The black bird was unbelievably quick as it zipped through the sky like a streak of light.

Lin Xun employed the Hornless Ice Dragon Step. Although he wasn’t slow, he was slightly surprised that he was unable to catch up to the black bird.

Meanwhile, blood-colored phantasms filled the entire sky behind them.

"I'm going to kill you!"

Underworld Son’s roar echoed, filled with endless hatred.

He had originally planned to recruit a group of powerful subordinates at the Divine Underworld Altar to serve him and aid him in his ambition of conquering the world.

Who could have expected that Lin Xun and the big black bird would appear to ruin his plans?!

Worst of all, his Spirit Refining Kettle had been stolen, which made him go crazy with hatred.

The blood-colored Underworld River flowed in the distance.

Upon arriving at the river, the black bird waved its wings and shouted, "Quick, get on, I'll carry you across!"

Lin Xun jumped and landed, feet first, on the black bird’s back.

This made the black bird very dissatisfied as it grumbled, "I’m letting you ride me, not step on me!"

Lin Xun rolled his eyes, "I’ve no interest in riding you."

Black bird: "......"

There was no time to bicker. With a flap of its wings, the black bird launched itself into the air above the Underworld River.

Rumble!

The river suddenly began to bubble vigorously as terrifying white bone corpses surfaced one after another like evil ghosts that were bursting out from hell.

All of them pounced at the black bird.

Lin Xun’s scalp turned numb as he gasped, thinking that it would have been impossible to cross the Underworld River if not for the small black boat.

Omm~

The black wok clasped in the black bird’s claws emitted a curtain of light that just barely neutralized the attacks from the Underworld River.

"The weakest of these corpses has the combat power of the King stage and there is no lack of frightening Saint stage existences among them. Although they died thousands of years ago, their battle lust has yet to be fully eroded."

The big black bird quickly transmitted in a slightly pleased voice, "If it were not for Grandpa Bird’s big wok, even a Saint expert would be hard-pressed to defend against these attacks."

Lin Xun acknowledged with a grunt. He began to inspect the black wok as he said, "Can I borrow it and have a look?"

The big black bird warily exclaimed, "Don't even think about it!"

"You can't escape!"

Underworld Son’s hysterical howling echoed in the distance.

The big black bird muttered, "What a noisy guy."

Soon after, it chuckled and said, "Then again, I have to acknowledge that the Spirit Refining Kettle is an amazing treasure with astonishing origins. With it in my possession, Grandpa Bird will be unstoppable when I enter the Ancient Nebula Road in the future!"

Lin Xun glanced back and saw thousands of Underworld Son clones still relentlessly chasing them.

However, it would be difficult for them to catch up for the time being.

Because the black bird was moving so quickly it looked as if it was teleporting. In terms of escaping, Lin Xun had to admit that he was inferior to the bird.

Phew~

Lin Xun secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that they were nearly about to reach the other side of the river.

However, the black bird suddenly stumbled as if it had been attacked and shrieked, "Kid, run away!"

Its voice was filled with deep fear.

Rumble!

The black bird’s warning was still a split second late. A string of black prayer beads appeared out of thin air, each bead blooming with mysterious Buddhist runes.

The Buddhist runes swiftly transformed into Buddha phantasms!

There were a total of twenty-four Buddha phantasms. Each appeared infinitely tall as if crowding heaven and earth as endless Buddhist light flowed around them.

"Doh! Doh! Doh!"

Sanskrit chanting descended as if seeking to subdue demons and gods, accompanied by a solemn and compassionate aura.

Everything happened far too quickly!

It was as if someone had been waiting here with a trap for the big black bird and Lin Xun to fall into!

A chill instantly enveloped Lin Xun's body and mind, causing his hair to stand on end as he sensed a deadly killing intent.

Rumble!

Palms made from black Buddha light emerged and approached from all directions. They covered the sky and land and possessed an unshakable power that could subdue anything and everything.

It was an Earth Treasury Temple technique and an extremely terrifying one at that!

Lin Xun had once killed the eighteen sons of the Earth Treasury Temple during a lightning tribulation. Hence, he was naturally able to recognize the fighting aura that was unique to the Earth Treasury Temple disciples.

"Slash!"

At the critical moment, Lin Xun pulled out all of his potential to elevate his power to the maximum and unleashed the Impermanence Slash.

Rumble!

An earth-shaking collision followed.

Lin Xun’s entire body was wracked by severe pain as he was repeatedly struck by the many Buddha palms. He sustained serious injuries and was barely able to hold on to his consciousness.

Despite this, Impermanence Slash was still able to display its power and slaughtered one of the Buddha phantasms!

Lin Xun immediately seized the opportunity and escaped from the small opening.

However, a calm and indifferent voice sounded before Lin Xun could catch his breath, "Heretic, you can't escape. I've been waiting a long time for you."

It was a monk dressed in black with a smooth forehead, an extremely handsome face, and a strange black Buddhist symbol shaped like a lotus flower imprinted between his brows.

A halo of black Buddha light floated behind his head, making him appear pure and holy as if no techniques could affect him.

Ancient Buddha Son!

Lin Xun immediately identified the other party.

"Subdue!"

Ancient Buddha Son didn’t give Lin Xun any respite. A black alms bowl immediately appeared above his head and closed in on Lin Xun.

Lin Xun’s spirit throbbed as if it was trying to break out of his physical shell.

The black bird anxiously shrieked, "Avoid it!"

Lin Xun took a deep breath and chose to retreat.

However, a demon-slaying pestle suddenly swept out from the side and smashed at him.

Although Lin Xun managed to block the blow, it knocked him down from the air.

Rumble!

A large white hand suddenly reached out from the river of blood, grabbed Lin Xun’s ankle, and dragged him into the Underworld River.

A wave crashed over the spot where he disappeared, erasing all traces of him.

Ancient Buddha Son’s expression was unchanged from start to end. From the moment he attacked, he knew that he only needed to keep Lin Xun above the Underworld River and he would sooner or later meet his end.

Swish!

The demon-slaying pestle and the black alms bowl returned to Ancient Buddha Son’s hands as the Buddha phantasms surrounding the area faded away.

"How despicable! Don’t you feel ashamed to use the Twenty-Four Heavenly Buddha Phantasms, the Brahma Cleansing Bowl, the Fearless Demon-Subduing Pestle, and the Great Zen Restriction in a sneak attack?"

The big black bird’s ice-cold voice brimmed with endless rage.

How could it not feel angry after Lin Xun was knocked into the Underworld River right under its nose?

Ancient Buddha Son's expression remained calm as he placed his hands together and said, "Little Uncle, he is a heretic who must not be spared. It is an immeasurable merit to have eliminated him no matter how despicable the means employed."

"Who is your Little Uncle?! Stop with your one-sided delusion! Just you wait, I will sooner or later destroy the Earth Treasury Temple!"

The big black bird’s eyes burned red with hatred. It turned around and flew away with a flap of its wings.

Ancient Buddha Son's expression remained indifferent as he watched the big black bird leave. He then looked at the turbulent blood-colored Underworld River one final time before he also departed.

He had painstakingly set a trap here and employed every card in his arsenal for the sole goal of killing Lin Xun!

Now that the deed was done, he could finally go on his way.

The big black bird’s hatred was of no concern to Ancient Buddha Son.

After all, if I don't go to hell, who will go to hell? There would be no peace in Earth Treasury Temple until all heresy was exterminated!

Rumble!

Moments after Ancient Buddha Son left, Underworld Son appeared and scanned the area with his red pupils.

He had naturally witnessed Lin Xun being attacked earlier and dragged into the river.

The terrifying methods shown by Ancient Buddha Son had made his heart shiver in fear.

"All of you must die no matter who you are!"

Underworld Son left these words behind as he disappeared.

Under the surface of the river, Lin Xun futilely struggled as he was dragged deeper and deeper into the river.

His heart trembled as various scenes flashed in his mind; a mountain of corpses, a sea of blood, a pile of bones...Ancient Buddha Son’s indifferent face, the anxiously screaming big black bird...