Everyone stared tensely at the cocoon.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes slightly.
Probably because it was the final Nirvana, this cocoon wasn't the same as the last one.
Under everyone's watch, intricate runes appeared on its surface. As the patterns intertwined, they formed the image of a strange creature—a massive bird spreading its wings, burning with black fire.
Yun Jin's expression shifted.
She'd seen that image before in ancient texts. It looked a lot like the legendary divine beast, the Phoenix.
But the Phoenix of legend was a sacred creature, pure and radiant. The one before her, however, burned with black flames that radiated an unsettling, malevolent aura.
"Wait, is that... the divine Phoenix? No, that's wrong. The Phoenix shouldn't have such a sinister aura," Qing Yun muttered, his gaze turning sharp. "Whoever created this Nirvana Codex must've seen a real Phoenix before."
The Demon Sovereign actually inherited something like that?
"A Phoenix? No, that's not right," Xuan Feng said after studying it closely. "It's just a demonic rune."
But his expression suddenly froze, a flicker of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
Was he seeing things?
He could've sworn the Phoenix's eyes had moved.
Xuan Feng started doubting his own senses—
Then, the black Phoenix moved for real. It spread its wings and flew out of the cocoon.
The black Phoenix circled it, round and round, crying in a voice that was strange and bone-chilling. With each cry, the cocoon's color deepened until it turned pitch black, as if it'd just been dipped in ink.
Finally, the black cocoon shattered apart. Yang Yun sat at the center, pale-faced.
"The Demon Sovereign!"
"He's not dead after all!"
"Quick, kill him!"
Someone shouted and lunged forward. But the moment their attacks entered the Phoenix's range, they vanished into thin air.
Panic rippled through the crowd. What the hell was that?
Could the black Phoenix really not be harmed?
Qing Yun instinctively glanced at Yun Jin and sent her a voice transmission. "Xiao Jin, do you know what's going on?"
She shook her head calmly. "Let's wait and see."
She could feel the terrifying energy hidden within that black Phoenix, a force powerful enough to destroy everything. She wasn't without means to fight it, but the scene stirred her curiosity.
In her past life...
Yang Yun had been beheaded by her Master Ji Wusi's own sword.
He had waited a long time, but Yang Yun's Primordial Soul never appeared. He'd assumed his sword had been too effective and destroyed the soul along with the body.
After three days without results, hr had left. But the moment he departed, Yang Yun had activated the final layer of the Nirvana Codex and completed his true rebirth.
That Nirvana Codex was terrifyingly powerful. It could keep the cultivator's soul intact and grant nine chances at rebirth.
In her past life, Yang Yun hadn't mastered it at first, his use of it still clumsy. But later on, once he became fully adept, he even learned how to hide his soul after losing his body.
Just like during that battle with Ji Wusi—his soul had hidden in the void until Ji Wusi left, then he triggered the Nirvana Codex.
Now Yun Jin was wondering.
Had he already mastered that ability this time?
If so, why would he choose to transform into a cocoon in front of everyone?
He could've waited until they all left before secretly using the technique.
Her gaze deepened with intrigue.
Yang Yun's choice... was very interesting.
A theory began forming in her mind.
To others, there was only one Demon Sovereign standing before them.
But to her, there were two—Yang Yun and the Demon Soul. They were bound together, sharing life and thought, but they weren't of one heart.
Yang Yun wanted to reclaim full control of his body.
The Demon Soul wanted to return to its original form.
Their goals conflicted, but since the Demon Soul was far stronger, a delicate balance had barely been maintained between them. Now, it looked like Yang Yun was ready to break that balance.
Strangely, Yun Jin found herself looking forward to it.
The black Phoenix circled a few more times, then opened its beak and spoke in a deep, resonant voice. "Weak creature, I am the Netherfire Phoenix. Since you've completed the final stage of the Nirvana Codex, I shall grant you one request. Speak, weak one—what do you desire?"
Netherfire Phoenix?
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes again.
That Phoenix wasn't its true body, only a spirit born from the rune formation. Yet even so, the power it radiated was already close to the limits of this world.
Then what kind of strength would its real body have?
She didn't dare to imagine it too deeply.
Meanwhile, the Demon Soul's voice echoed in Yang Yun's mind. "Quick, tell the Netherfire Phoenix to kill everyone here! Especially Yun Jin! Kill her now!"
Yang Yun didn't obey immediately.
The Demon Soul's control flared, the demonic runes writhing like black vines that pierced into his flesh. "Don't forget, everything you have came from me! My techniques, my power! We're one being! We're so close to success, and you dare hesitate now?!"
It roared furiously.
Yang Yun trembled in pain, fear flashing across his face. "I know, I'll make the request now."
"That's better." The Demon Soul smirked in satisfaction and momentarily reined in its control.
Yang Yun lowered his head toward the Netherfire Phoenix and said respectfully, "Honored Senior Netherfire Phoenix, I have only one request. Please help me eliminate a living being."
"Not one, kill them all!" the Demon Soul snapped irritably, but then went silent.
It realized only one person there posed any real threat—Yun Jin.
As long as she died, the rest were no concern.
"Xiao Jin, the Demon Sovereign might be asking the Netherfire Phoenix to attack you," Qing Yun warned nervously, subconsciously stepping in front of her.
He knew he was far too weak to protect her, but he couldn't help it.
Yun Jin looked at him, her expression unreadable. She didn't think that was necessarily the case. If she guessed right, Yang Yun's target might not even be her.
Inside the shattered cocoon, Yang Yun knelt.
He carefully hid his real thoughts from the Demon Soul and said quickly, "I request the Senior to remove the being that poses a direct threat to my life. After that, please allow me to live."