"The Blood Oath Scroll summons the power of the stars, manifesting as the Vermilion Bird, bound to my will."
With an ancient, hoarse voice echoing, a star in the southern sky of the Immortal Realm burst into dazzling white light. Moments later, a fiery-red Vermilion Bird, dozens of feet tall, appeared before Jia Lang and Wang Miao.
Jiang Yuan had summoned the second of the Four Sacred Beasts—the Vermilion Bird—for the first time in front of everyone.
"Caw!"
The Vermilion Bird, wreathed in flames, spread its wings and let out a piercing cry. It soared into the air, its eyes cold and emotionless, staring down at Jia Lang and Wang Miao below.
[Sacred Beast: Vermilion Bird] Level: 120 HP: 30,000,000 Attack: 500,000 Special Skills: [Vermilion Bird's Kiss]: The Vermilion Bird's normal attacks have an area-of-effect property. [Nirvana Rebirth]: Provides the host with a "Nirvana Rebirth" buff. When the host suffers fatal damage, they gain one chance to revive on the spot. [Ultimate · Flaming Blood Feathers]: The Vermilion Bird spews flames, striking a single enemy four times. Each hit deals damage equal to 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of its own attack power.
After checking the Vermilion Bird's stats, Jiang Yuan silently muttered, "Nice!"
Especially the ultimate skill—four consecutive strikes. Compared to this, the Black Tortoise's "Flood of Eight Wastelands" was utterly pathetic!
"How dare you, a rogue immortal, commit murder!"
Seeing Jiang Yuan ready to fight without a word, Jia Lang pointed at him and shouted. He wasn't one to back down, either, as his aura burst forth.
"A mere rogue immortal, defying your superiors—what crime is that!"
Jia Lang's aura exploded, instantly giving him a sharp edge. Waves of immortal energy radiated from him, exuding an inexplicable pressure.
[Immortal Ascension Platform Low-Ranking Clerk: Jia Lang] Level: 190 Realm: First-Tier Earth Immortal HP: 80,000,000 Defense: 50,000 Attack: 100,000 [Description]: A low-level immortal official in the Immortal Realm, responsible for guarding the Immortal Ascension Platform.
"A lowly clerk dares to abuse his power? Is there no law in the Immortal Realm?"
After checking the opponent's stats, Jiang Yuan faced Jia Lang, a First-Tier Earth Immortal, without fear. He pointed his fingers like a sword and shouted in accusation.
"Heh. Law? Here, I am the law!"
Faced with Jiang Yuan's rebuke, Jia Lang showed no guilt. Instead, he straightened his back, looking arrogant and haughty.
Jiang Yuan never expected that as the soon-to-be Northern Star Lord, freshly ascended to the Immortal Realm, he would witness the dark side of its officials. He decided to strike first and teach this lawless minor clerk a lesson!
"Secret Mark!" "Go!"
Jiang Yuan threw a skill at Jia Lang, then pointed at him, ordering the Sacred Beast Vermilion Bird to attack.
"Caw!"
The Vermilion Bird's eyes blazed with fire. It let out a clear cry and spat a stream of flames as thick as an adult's arm at Jia Lang.
"How dare you!"
Jia Lang hadn't expected Jiang Yuan, a rogue immortal who had just ascended, to actually attack an immortal official. He shouted in anger, then quickly raised his hands in front of him, forming a barrier of light to block the flames from the Vermilion Bird.
"Fellow cultivator, have you lost your mind? Attacking an immortal official is a grave crime! Stop at once!"
Wang Miao, standing nearby, urgently advised Jiang Yuan, hoping he would calm down.
"Hmph!"
Jiang Yuan snorted coldly at Wang Miao's advice, ignoring him entirely.
He still had a trump card to play. When the time came, it would be unclear who was truly defying their superiors!
The barrier of light in front of Jia Lang shattered after just a few seconds. The Vermilion Bird's flames touched Jia Lang, instantly turning him into a human torch.
The flames from the Vermilion Bird's mouth were its lifebound fire, "Southern Brightness Fire," said to burn all things in the world. It was incredibly fierce, even more potent than the famous True Samadhi Fire!
"Ah!"
Although the Vermilion Bird summoned by Jiang Yuan wasn't the true divine beast, its flames still carried some properties of the Southern Brightness Fire. Jia Lang, now ablaze, let out agonizing screams, rolling on the ground in an attempt to extinguish the flames.
As Jia Lang rolled, the health bar above his head began to drop. In just over ten seconds, it fell to over 50 million.
"Stop! Stop now! Do you intend to kill an immortal?"
Watching Jia Lang on the verge of being burned alive, Wang Miao shouted at Jiang Yuan in panic.
"Killing a corrupt official like him—what of it?"
Jiang Yuan gave Wang Miao a cold glance and said flatly.
"Mad! Absolutely mad!"
Wang Miao looked at Jiang Yuan, shaking his head and muttering. Then he quickly turned around, stepped into the nearby teleportation array, and swiped his hand over it. A map of the Immortal Realm appeared. Wang Miao tapped on a point labeled "Southern Heavenly Gate" and vanished.
Jiang Yuan watched Wang Miao leave via the teleportation array, knowing he was going to fetch reinforcements. He didn't mind, thinking it would be good to let Wang Miao bring someone reasonable to settle the matter fairly!
"Stop attacking!"
Jiang Yuan silently commanded the Sacred Beast Vermilion Bird. The bird ceased spewing deadly flames. Jia Lang, lying on the ground, had half his body charred black, with a faint smell of roasted meat wafting through the air.
"Jia Lang, do you admit your mistake?"
Jiang Yuan looked down at Jia Lang and asked.
"You dare attack an immortal official—you're dead!"
Jia Lang let out a pained groan, opened his smoke-blackened eyes, and glared at Jiang Yuan with venomous hatred.
"Is that so? I'd like to see how I'll die."
Jiang Yuan scoffed lightly in response, but secretly pulled out the Northern Star Lord token from his inventory, gripping it tightly in his hand.
Before long, the teleportation array lit up with white light. Wang Miao led a squad of soldiers back through the array.
"Reporting to the True Lord, this man defied his superiors and attempted to harm an immortal official. Please, True Lord, bring this villain to justice!"
Wang Miao bowed to the leader, then pointed at Jiang Yuan, calling him a criminal and a thug.
Jiang Yuan glanced at the newcomer, and the opponent's stats immediately appeared before him.
[Immortal Realm Guardian Divine General: Jade Spirit Official] Level: 300 Realm: Third-Tier Spirit Immortal HP: 200,000,000 Defense: 120,000 Attack: 150,000 [Description]: A divine general responsible for protecting the Immortal Realm, commanding the Immortal Realm Garrison.
Oh ho, after reading the leader's introduction, Jiang Yuan couldn't help but laugh!
He hadn't expected Wang Miao to bring the Immortal Realm's security captain!
"Bold villain, daring to attack an immortal official! Men, seize him!"
The Immortal Realm security captain glanced at the charred Jia Lang, then waved his hand. A squad of armored immortal soldiers stepped forward, ready to arrest Jiang Yuan!