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Chapter 569: Chapter 569: Unfriendly Arrival

Xu Fu, still dressed in his purple robe, wore a serene expression. As he approached, he nodded slightly in Bao'er's direction, then at the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, ignoring everyone else. Xu Fu and Bai Ye were seated on the opposite side of the Blue Flame Emperor, silently waiting for the Grand Alchemy Conference to begin.

As more people arrived, the surrounding area of the grand square slowly filled up. The northern section, where Zhong Shan and his group were seated, gradually filled with prestigious guests, including members of major alchemical sects from across Shenzhou.

This gathering brought together the majority of Shenzhou's top alchemical talents. If this event were attacked, it would plunge Shenzhou's alchemical world into a severe decline. However, no force dared to cause trouble at the Grand Alchemy Conference, which was endorsed by various empires and sacred lands. To do so would be suicidal.

Almost all participants had arrived, creating a grand spectacle with nearly ten thousand people. However, a set of seats next to Xu Fu remained conspicuously empty, indicating the absence of another highly esteemed alchemical sect.

The missing sect was from the Taishou Empire! Zhong Shan quickly deduced this, noting that the northern seats were reserved for large or ancient alchemical sects and representatives from empires and sacred lands. Despite showing no outward reaction, Zhong Shan was most concerned about the Taishou Empire. Until the very last moment, their representatives had not arrived. Were they not participating?

"Seal the venue!" The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage announced loudly.

Sealing the venue meant no more latecomers could join the Grand Alchemy Conference. The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, being the most respected figure in the alchemical world, commanded immediate silence and compliance from the crowd.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

A deep, resonant crow suddenly echoed throughout the Grand Alchemy Conference. Unlike the harsh cawing of a typical crow, this sound was like a tolling bell, striking deeply into everyone's hearts. The caw resonated like a thunderclap, overshadowing the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage's command, as if deliberately challenging his authority.

Everyone felt a sudden wave of heat spread through the square, making them feel stifled. A massive pressure descended from the sky, indiscriminately compelling everyone to bow in submission. The center of the square was swept by this pressure, creating a dust storm that spread in all directions.

People looked up in shock.

A blinding golden light shot down from the sky, forcing those with lower cultivation to avert their gaze. Those with higher cultivation saw a golden sun descending rapidly. Inside the sun was a gigantic crow, not just any crow but a golden crow with three legs, surrounded by blazing flames. It was as if the sun itself was falling to the earth.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The three-legged golden crow spread its wings and let out another resounding caw, sending another bell-like shockwave through everyone's hearts.

The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage's eyes flashed with anger, and even the Blue Flame Emperor raised an eyebrow.

A three-legged golden crow—the Crown Prince of the Taishou Empire had arrived! But the Crown Prince had not adhered to protocol, instead descending from the sky in the most dramatic fashion, as if challenging the entire Grand Alchemy Conference. Why? Was it provocation, arrogance, lack of thought, or something else?

The ten-zhang tall three-legged golden crow spread its wings, flames soaring skyward. This was the king of crows, the mightiest of its kind, wielding the most destructive fire of all—True Sun Fire! It was said to be able to burn everything in the world.

Of course, this was only a claim. The current three-legged golden crow's power was far from reaching that level, merely demonstrating the potency of True Sun Fire.

Legend has it that True Sun Fire is the greatest fire in Shenzhou, the emperor of flames, commanding all other fires.

As soon as the three-legged golden crow appeared above the square, it directed its head towards the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, as if challenging his authority.

The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, at the Imperial Extreme Realm, was the stabilizing force of the Blue Flame Empire. Similarly, the three-legged golden crow was also at the Imperial Extreme Realm, its powerful aura pressing towards the northern square.

The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage's eyes grew cold, as if he was about to teach this impudent creature a lesson. The Blue Flame Emperor, being at the Royal Extreme Realm due to inheriting his position, turned pale, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes.

"Chirp~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

A sudden clear cry resonated from the northern square, spreading in all directions.

It was Tian Ling'er. From her right arm, a green light shot into the sky.

"Chirp~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

In front of the ten-zhang tall three-legged golden crow appeared a palm-sized, fire-red bird. This bird was peculiar, with a body covered in red feathers but surrounded by blue flames.

The blue flames danced around it, causing the surrounding space to tremble.

The small bird angrily chirped at the three-legged golden crow.

"Chirp~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

A massive surge of blue flames erupted from the small bird, shaking the flames around the three-legged golden crow.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" "Chirp~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The crow and the bird clashed, neither willing to back down.

The red bird was the Vermilion Bird, which had been hidden within Tian Ling'er. Upon awakening, it had somehow gained the ability to control flames, always surrounded by blue fire.

The Vermilion Bird had clearly been provoked by the three-legged golden crow. Although the crow was not directly confronting the Vermilion Bird, the impact of its flames was palpable.

Golden True Sun Fire spewed towards the Vermilion Bird.

"Xiao Hong!" Tian Ling'er exclaimed in surprise.

"Chirp!"

The Vermilion Bird cried out, its blue flames clashing with the True Sun Fire.

"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The collision of the two fires incinerated everything around them, a powerful shockwave radiating in all directions, creating an overwhelming spectacle.

"What kind of fire is that? It actually withstood True Sun Fire? Am I seeing things?"

"How is that possible? How can any flame withstand the True Sun Fire?"

"Isn't the True Sun Fire the strongest flame?"

... The voices of astonishment came from all directions. According to Shenzhou's historical records, no flame had ever dared to rival the True Sun Fire. The True Sun Fire was considered the world's strongest flame, establishing the crow tribe's prestigious status in Shenzhou. But what was happening now? The True Sun Fire had been blocked by another flame?

"Vermilion Bird? Southern Bright Flame?" Xu Fu muttered from not far away, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The three-legged golden crow, enraged that its infallible True Sun Fire had been blocked, prepared to unleash an even stronger attack.

"Shen Qi, that's enough!"

A loud voice, as clear as a bell, echoed from the sky.

The three-legged golden crow, though reluctant, withdrew. It then shrank to the size of a palm.

Seeing the golden crow retreat, the Vermilion Bird's eyes flashed with triumph.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" The Vermilion Bird joyfully flew around before descending into Tian Ling'er's palm.

"Xiao Hong, you're awake! You scared me!" Tian Ling'er playfully patted the Vermilion Bird's head.

The Vermilion Bird tilted its head, looking displeased, but when Tian Ling'er took out its favorite Fire Spirit Rice, it happily flapped its wings and started eating.

At that moment, a group of figures slowly descended from the sky. The three-legged golden crow, now palm-sized, quickly flew to the foremost person, perching on his shoulder.

This was a man in a golden robe, very burly and exuding arrogance. A red line ran down his forehead, and his eyes gleamed with a haughty indifference. Behind him were nine individuals, each dressed differently.

The man in the golden robe was none other than one of the key figures Zhong Shan had been watching—Seventh Prince of the Taishou Empire, Crown Prince Chongtian, Lu Chongtian!

Zhong Shan clenched his fist. Lu Chongtian, brother to Crown Prince Lingtian!

Bao'er and Qianyou immediately grasped Zhong Shan's fist with their delicate hands, comforting him.

Feeling the softness on his fist, Zhong Shan took a deep breath, looked at the two women, and nodded.

Crown Prince Chongtian and his entourage landed slowly. He glanced at the Vermilion Bird in Tian Ling'er's palm with slight surprise, but quickly concealed it and turned his attention to the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage.

"Just in time. Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, it's been a while!" Crown Prince Chongtian greeted with a smile.

"On time? The Grand Alchemy Conference does not welcome such an entrance!" The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage replied in a flat tone.

"The Taishou Empire comes with great sincerity and under the Emperor's decree. We hope that after this conference, the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage will join our Taishou Empire. We have prepared the position of Imperial Alchemy Patron for you!" Crown Prince Chongtian declared with a smile.

Crown Prince Chongtian's statement caused a stir in the entire square. What did this mean? Was it an invitation or a threat? Was he forcing the Alchemy Sage to join the Taishou Empire?

The earlier display of power by the golden crow, directly challenging the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, seemed to be an attempt to diminish his authority.

The arrival was clearly unfriendly!