I thought carefully—the force of the golden Vermilion Bird’s strike just now was immense. In my current state, I couldn’t possibly withstand it.
"Good, I’m glad you understand. I kept warning you, but you didn’t notice at all. Every single blow I delivered was enough to kill you. It’s just that, in the instant I struck, I held back—so you’re still alive."
Someone brought up this issue to me before, but I never paid attention. Except when my inner darkness is triggered and my attacks carry killing intent, I’m usually just trying to defeat my opponent.
"There’s nothing reassuring about your attacks. Ethan Zhang, Lan Yin knew this perfectly well—that’s why he tricked you into using that method."
I let out a surprised sound and stared at the golden Vermilion Bird.
"I’ll make an exception and help you this once. No need to break the Phoenix Blade—here."
As the golden Vermilion Bird spoke, he raised his hand. A ball of golden flame appeared in his palm and slowly drifted toward me, then began circling around my body.
In an instant, I felt a scorching heat about to erupt, making it impossible to breathe. I gasped for air, staring at the golden flame before me.
"Use this flame I’ve given you to deal with the one outside. For now, I’ve stored it in the Phoenix Blade. When the time comes, you can control it freely—but you’ll only get one chance. This small amount is equal to ten years’ worth of flame you’d get from breaking the Phoenix Blade and releasing its power continuously."
My heart skipped a beat. Eyes wide, I stared at the golden Vermilion Bird in disbelief, then looked back at the ball of golden flame.
"Just now you said Lan Yin knew exactly what I was like, so he deliberately let me in here. What did you mean?"
Thinking back, when Lan Yin talked about these things, he was animated and excited. But now that I reconsider, his expression revealed more than simple joy—it was the look of someone who'd set a trap and was savoring his success.
"Hmph. He knows the Four Sacred Realm needs you to go there, but right now he can't control the flame of the Fourth Phoenix Rebirth. Even if the Blue Wraiths outside are powerful, that guy is no pushover. The flames released are just ordinary Vermilion Bird fire—not even close to the fire of rebirth."
I let out a frustrated sound—sure enough, I'd been fooled by Lan Yin. I hung my head, feeling thoroughly annoyed.
"And Lan Yin knows perfectly well that he's shamelessly asked for our help many times. He broke the Phoenix Blade—a sacred thing to us—so he can't just come begging. He has to rely on you to get us involved. When did that kid get so clever?"
I listened in a daze. Thinking back, Lan Yin had schemed endlessly over Mo Yu's situation.
"Forget it. Since I'm already out, there's nothing I can do. Ethan Zhang, remember this: true strength isn't just talk. To defeat true evil, you need not only a good heart, but also a darkness greater than theirs. Otherwise, you'll never be their match."
I nodded, and gradually, I began to fade away in this space.
"By the way, who are you really?"
Just then, with a flash of golden light, the golden Vermilion Bird returned to his original form and watched me silently.
"Call me the Will of the Vermilion Bird, Ethan Zhang. I await the day you truly grow—not the weak version of you now."
Suddenly, I snapped awake. As I opened my eyes, Lan Yin’s smiling face was right in front of me.
"You did it, Qingyuan. Heh."
"Next time, just tell me directly, will you?"
I grumbled, but Lan Yin countered with righteous conviction.
"Qingyuan, think about it—if a scheme can’t fool even your own people, how can it trick anyone else? We’ve already got it, the golden flame. With this, we can handle that monster outside."
My body still felt overheated. Lan Yin stood up and removed the Crimson Veil.
"Let’s go, Qingyuan. For now, that guy’s protection lets you bear the flame, but don’t push it—if you hold on too long, it won’t work."
"What about the Vermilion Bird’s combat form?"
I immediately asked. Lan Yin glanced at me.