Immortality Starts With Diligence(Xianxia Litrpg)

588. The Decree of a True Immortal, the Annihilation of the Phoenix!

In any realm, none could overlook a True Monarch—especially not in the Ancient Continent. Presently, the only True Monarch was the Phoenix, though many still believed Lin Fei retained that title. Yet, even so, there were only these two.

The sudden emergence of an unfamiliar True Monarch was clearly not one of the Ancient Continent's own. He must have come from the Divine Realm, a feat in itself not easily accomplished.

With a swoosh, the Phoenix surged into the sky, currently overseeing the Eternal Life Alliance as Lin Fei and the spirit of the Phoenix had delegated the alliance's affairs to it.

The Phoenix would only consult them on matters of great importance. Thus, upon sighting an unknown True Monarch, the Phoenix grew anxious and immediately took flight.

"Esteemed fellow, hold a moment," the Phoenix positioned itself in front of the Golden Crow Taoist.

"Hmm?" the Taoist queried, sensing the aura of the Phoenix, he promptly asked, "Are you the Phoenix?"

"Indeed, I am the Phoenix," it replied guardedly. "May I know who you are and why you have come to the Eternal Life Alliance?"

"Ha-ha-ha, indeed it is you," the Golden Crow Taoist laughed heartily. "Phoenix, I am the Golden Crow Taoist from the Taihao Palace, here under the imperial command to slay you!"

"What, from the Taihao Palace? You were sent by Taihao?" a shock coursed through the Phoenix. The name Taihao was taboo, an untouchable dread in its heart. Since escaping its bonds, the Phoenix had been constantly fearful of being discovered or even hunted by Taihao.

Now that someone from Taihao had finally arrived, the Phoenix felt a strange relief; it confirmed that Taihao was aware of its escape and clearly indicated his intent—Taihao would not let it go. The Phoenix had no other choice but to resolutely follow Lin Fei, for only Lin Fei could protect it.

"If Taihao himself came to slay me, it would be effortlessly done. But you, a mere True Monarch, can slay me? Do you think that because I have not been seen for so many years, anyone can make bold claims?" the Phoenix's gaze turned icy.

In the next moment, the aura around the Phoenix erupted, the surrounding temperature seemingly soaring rapidly. Terrifying flames enveloped the Phoenix, and the void itself twisted.

Unburdened by the suppression of a True Monarch-level world during this period, and having gained various resources through the Eternal Life Alliance, the Phoenix's strength had swiftly recovered.

Now, it had regained more than ninety percent of its power, making it a genuine True Monarch—a True Monarch-level exotic beast, far more formidable than an ordinary True Monarch. After all, it too was an exotic beast from the ancient era of True Monarchs.

A gleam of sharpness flickered in the eyes of the Golden Crow Taoist.

"They say the Phoenix is the ancestor of all birds, mastering flames that can scorch heaven and earth. But I, too, possess such flames," declared the Golden Crow Taoist as he extended his hand. A hum resonated as fierce flames ignited around him.

"Phoenix Fire, strike!" the Phoenix wasted no time and unleashed its signature Phoenix Fire.

"Golden Crow Fire!" the Taoist countered, unwilling to be outdone. Flames burst forth from him as well.

With a resounding boom, the two fires blazed furiously, scorching the grand hall of the Eternal Life Alliance. The two combatants took to the void, initiating a fierce battle that drew the attention of the other powerhouses of the Alliance.

"What on earth is happening? Why is the grand hall gone?"

"It seems the Elder Phoenix is in a fierce battle with a strange strong figure."

"The Elder Phoenix's strength surpasses even the divine. He is a True Monarch and only another True Monarch could possibly match him in battle without falling short."

"But how could there be another True Monarch-level powerhouse in the Ancient Continent? Could it be a True Monarch from the Divine Realm?"

"Someone from the Divine Realm again?"

"Regardless, this True Monarch-level powerhouse is extremely formidable, seemingly equal to Elder Phoenix. We must notify the Alliance leader immediately; only he can subdue this person."

Amidst the chaos, members of the Eternal Life Alliance hastened to inform Lin Fei. Meanwhile, in the void, the battle between the Golden Crow Taoist and the Phoenix grew increasingly intense.

"True Phoenix Form!"

In a burst of true fire, the Phoenix unleashed its full might. Surprised to find itself unable to overcome this True Monarch, the Phoenix wondered if the times had indeed changed so drastically. Had it truly become ineffective? Or had it fallen behind the times?

With the release of the Phoenix True Form, a colossal divine bird appeared in the void—undeniably the Phoenix itself. Its body spanned tens of thousands of meters, stretching across the void, its entire being seemingly ablaze with roaring flames.

The surrounding void continuously collapsed under the sheer force of its power, easily capable of shattering the void of the Ancient Continent.

"True Golden Crow Form!" Facing the Phoenix's true form, the Golden Crow Taoist showed no sign of weakness and similarly manifested his true form. A roar followed, and in the void, a divine bird of equal magnitude appeared, its back illuminated by what seemed like a colossal star, radiating endless light and heat.

Both the Golden Crow and the Phoenix are divine birds in their own right. Now, in their massive true forms, they clashed and tangled in the void, an epic battle of celestial proportions.

With a resounding crack, the void shattered. Terrifying flames surged outwards, spreading fiercely in all directions. Some flames even reached the ground, igniting everything in their path. Water proved ineffective against these flames, which grew only more intense.

"This battle cannot continue; otherwise, the Eternal Life Alliance will suffer terrible losses. Our headquarters will be reduced to ashes," worried voices echoed among the members.

"But who can stop them now? Only the Alliance leader has the strength to do so. Anyone else would simply be marching to their death."

"Is this the power of True Monarchs? Truly terrifying."

Amidst these discussions, the situation grew increasingly grim for the Eternal Life Alliance, yet they were powerless to intervene.

"A fine display, Phoenix!" the Golden Crow Taoist shouted as they parted. "Your strength has scarcely diminished over the years. But even if you could defeat me, to kill you is a certainty."

The massive form of the Golden Crow sprawled across the void, its gaze on the Phoenix, still icy.

"Do you think Taihao himself would come to the Ancient Continent?" the Phoenix called out defiantly.

"To kill you, why would His Majesty need to come personally? A mere decree is enough!" The Golden Crow Taoist suddenly reverted to his human form, extending his hands reverently. He called out loudly, "I summon His Majesty's decree!"

In the next instant, a golden light emerged, signaling the appearance of the imperial decree in the Golden Crow Taoist's hands, emitting a mysterious, vast, and holy aura.

Seeing the decree, the Phoenix's expression changed dramatically, sensing the intense, murderous aura of Taihao emanating from it. The Golden Crow Taoist invoked the decree with great ceremony, "By His Majesty's decree, the Phoenix shall be subdued!"

As his words fell, the golden imperial decree unfolded like a vast net, ensnaring the Phoenix within its grasp.

"No..." the Phoenix cried out in agony as the decree took effect. Strands of golden light cascaded down, filled with an aura of annihilation. Each strand of light threatened to obliterate the Phoenix's physical body. The divine decree appeared potent enough to truly annihilate the Phoenix.