In fact, Qingniao was also taking a huge gamble by slitting her own throat.
Compared to waiting for the Demon Emperor to successfully emerge and wreak havoc, she would rather stake her life trying to save Lin Feng.
According to Zhenren Ziyu, in this world, no one besides Lin Feng could contend with the Demon Emperor.
For the sake of all living beings, Qingniao had thrown caution to the wind.
*Screech!*
The sharp dagger sliced across Qingniao’s snow-white throat, her crimson blood scattering like shattered rose petals, tracing a tragically beautiful arc through the air.
"Qingniao!"
Ye Chen roared with a heartbreaking cry, unable to believe that Qingniao would be foolish enough to take her own life.
Watching the woman he loved collapse in a pool of blood, his heart ached beyond words.
Li Xiang was equally dumbfounded, utterly perplexed as to why Qingniao would do such a foolish thing.
Just as they were all lost in confusion, a mournful phoenix cry pierced the heavens.
*Whoosh!*
Qingniao was engulfed in a fiery crimson light, and a phoenix, wreathed in flames, spread its wings and soared upwards.
The colossal fire phoenix, seemingly forged from molten flame, embraced both Qingniao and Lin Feng with its wings.
Then, before everyone’s astonished eyes, Lin Feng and Qingniao hung suspended in mid-air, subjected to the searing flames.
"What are you trying to do? Playing games in front of this marshal?"
The Demon Marshal, witnessing the scene, waved his hand in annoyance.
Instantly, a black mist materialized into a black flood dragon, which roared and charged at the fire phoenix.
Unexpectedly, upon collision, the flood dragon seemed to suffer severe damage. With a piteous cry, it instantly evaporated.
"Divine Soul protection, this young girl is actually the reincarnation of a phoenix?"
The Demon Marshal, Qiulong, had a dawning realization, his expression growing solemn.
Simultaneously, Lin Feng and Qingniao, amidst the burning flames, gradually began to awaken. The injuries on their bodies also started to heal at an incredibly rapid pace.
Phoenix rebirth, a new life through fire!
It wasn't just Lin Feng’s situation that improved; the near-death Duan Liang also suddenly felt much better.
As if granted a new lease on life, he dusted himself off and rose from the ground.
Lin Feng opened his eyes and looked at the sacred fire phoenix before him. His sharp mind immediately grasped what was happening.
Clearly, Qingniao had resorted to ending her own life to force her divine soul to manifest, all to save him.
This was Qingniao’s gamble paying off. If it had failed, that foolish girl would have lost her life.
While deeply moved, Lin Feng realized the danger had not yet passed.
Seizing the moment before the Demon Marshal could react, he immediately unleashed his "Flying Pig" technique, charging towards the Seal Demon Pagoda.
This time, Lin Feng didn't hesitate. He extended his hand, reaching for the Seal Demon Lid at the entrance of the pagoda.
Unfortunately, the Seal Demon Lid was embedded too firmly in the pagoda. No matter how hard Lin Feng tried, he couldn't remove it.
"Kid, what are you doing? If I didn't kill you this time, I'll kill you again! Let's see how you revive then!"
The Demon Marshal, mistaking Lin Feng's actions for an attempt to prevent the Demon Emperor's emergence, erupted in fury, his killing intent reignited.
Lin Feng was frantic. Seeing the Demon Marshal about to deliver a fatal blow, he quickly took out the Netherworld Demon Jar, attempting to place it onto the Seal Demon Lid.
To his surprise, when the Seal Demon Lid touched the Netherworld Demon Jar, they attracted each other like opposing magnetic poles.
The Seal Demon Lid, previously unmovable, was drawn off the Seal Demon Pagoda by the Netherworld Demon Jar.
As the Seal Demon Lid was successfully removed, the towering Seal Demon Pagoda began to shake violently.
Boundless black mist, like black tornadoes, surged towards the pagoda from all directions.
The clear sky turned overcast, crackling with thunder and lightning.
Across the vast landscape, various wild beasts let out piteous cries.
It was as if the gates of hell had been flung open, an aura of dread that unsettled the soul.
"When Yin and Yang invert, that shall be my day of emergence!"
"Ten thousand years have passed, Old Man Heavenly Emperor, are you ready to face my wrath?"
A hoarse yet commanding voice echoed, and with a thunderous roar, the Seal Demon Pagoda shattered into pieces.
The Demon Marshal, Qiulong, seeing this, knelt in ecstatic welcome.
Ye Chen also realized the Demon Emperor's imminent emergence and knelt alongside Qiulong.
Meanwhile, Duan Liang, seizing the opportunity, stealthily approached Lin Feng.
"You little brat, what exactly are you doing?"
"You've provoked the Demon Marshal, and now even the Demon Emperor is about to break free. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"
Duan Liang was on the verge of tears. Ever since meeting Lin Feng, nothing good had happened.
However, upon seeing the intact Netherworld Demon Jar in Lin Feng’s hand, Duan Liang was stunned.
"Damn it, kid, you found the lid for the Netherworld Demon Jar?"
Duan Liang’s eyes widened in shock. He had been searching for the Seal Demon Lid for years with no success.
Lin Feng had borrowed the Netherworld Demon Jar for just a few days and had found the Seal Demon Lid, restoring the broken artifact to its complete form.
This kid was truly something!
"Daoist Priest, can you please stop bothering me?"
"If it weren't for finding this damn lid, I would have almost died?"
Lin Feng's mood was foul. He had encountered the Demon Marshal, Qiulong, whom he couldn't defeat, and had nearly been killed.
This feeling of powerlessness left him deeply frustrated.
"Fine, I won't bother you. But the Demon Emperor is about to emerge. While the Demon Marshal is distracted, why aren't we running?"
Duan Liang urged.
"No, I can't leave yet. Don't forget, I was the one who released the Demon Emperor. I am his benefactor."
"I must make him aware of this life-saving debt."
Lin Feng said with a serious tone.
Duan Liang was again astonished. "Damn it, kid, you have a lot of ideas! You actually expect a Demon Emperor to be grateful to you? Is that even possible?"
"Whether it's possible or not is another matter. Running isn't my style. This time, I'll go all out."
Lin Feng was unsure if the Demon Emperor's favor towards him would reach fifty points.
If it didn't, he wouldn't be able to use the 'Concentric Lock'.
He could only do as Qingniao had done and gamble.
If he won, all would be well.
If he lost, it would be complete ruin!
As Lin Feng and Duan Liang were whispering, the Seal Demon Pagoda had completely collapsed.
A black-winged Roc flew out from the pagoda, its body expanding infinitely. Its massive black wings blotted out the sun and covered the sky.
The Roc let out a sky-shattering roar, shattering countless surrounding mountains.
Mountains crumbled, and the world itself seemed to change color.
The Roc transformed into a streak of ethereal light, descending to the ground and taking the form of a human figure.
The figure was clad in black armor and stood two meters tall.
His expression was devoid of emotion, his deep-set eyes like twin pools stained with blood, radiating an infinite killing intent.
His face, chiseled like a blade, with sharp, distinct features, was etched with a sense of ancient weariness.
As if he had traversed countless ages, he gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.
After a long moment, he raised a finger, and the mass of dark clouds scattered like shattered glass, dissipating with a crack.
Duan Liang, terrified by this display of power, trembled uncontrollably.
"The Demon Emperor is too strong. With just a flick of his finger, the heavens tremble. His divine power is boundless!"
Duan Liang swallowed hard, deeply awestruck by the Demon Emperor's might.
Lin Feng was no less shocked. The Demon Emperor's emergence had caused the heavens and earth to change color, mountains to collapse, and his power was unimaginably immense.
"Your Excellency, Qiulong greets your successful emergence!"
The Demon Marshal, Qiulong, his face beaming with joy, scrambled forward to prostrate himself before the Demon Emperor.
The Demon Emperor nodded slightly, his hands clasped behind his back, and in an instant, he appeared before Lin Feng.
His pale, bloodless face was pressed close to Lin Feng's.
At that moment, Lin Feng felt his very blood freeze.
He felt as though a colossal mountain was pressing down on him, the immense pressure causing his legs to sink into the ground.
The Demon Emperor was too powerful, so powerful that he instilled an unprecedented sense of helplessness in Lin Feng.
In the Demon Emperor's presence, he felt like an ant, an ant at the mercy of slaughter.
"Kid, you were the one who removed the Seal Demon Lid and released me, correct?"
The Demon Emperor gazed intently at Lin Feng, his blood-red eyes like swirling vortices capable of piercing the soul.
"Yes, I released you, because I believe you should not have been imprisoned, and no one in this world can restrain you."
"You are the true master of this world, transcending the Three Realms, supreme and unique."
Lin Feng, enduring the terrifying pressure, spoke as sincerely as he could.
"Hmph, well said. For the favor you've shown me, take your people and leave."
The Demon Emperor withdrew his face, and Lin Feng felt a great deal of relief.