Chapter 406: Chapter 312: Celestial Phoenix, Demon Extermination! (Double Chapter) (Part 2)

He also didn’t expect that Song Changming, locked in a sealed pill furnace that day, could really escape and get away.

And, indeed, he survived until now!

"This! Truly an unexpected delight..." Master Baitian’s face gradually took on a sinister smile.

Over the years, he has conducted experiments, both official and unofficial, refining dozens of furnaces of elixirs.

In the end, without exception, all failed.

It was precisely due to such accumulated failures that he increasingly felt Song Changming’s role as a perfect catalyst.

Dragon snakes and even dragons as a primary ingredient can be recaptured!

In Da Lai, such fierce beast demons are extremely rare, but in the Ancient Abyss Country, they can be found if one has the will!

However, a catalyst like Song Changming is too difficult to find.

"Had he not escaped back then, perhaps he would have already successfully refined the elixir that year, reopened his eyes, and completed the evolution of the demon race bloodline within him!" he thought.

It was as if as long as he found Song Changming, all the thorny problems in alchemy would be easily resolved!

"Yes!" The Tiger Demon quickly responded, even though it was seriously injured at the moment, it didn’t dare to delay the Celestial Master’s important business, leading the way.

On the other side.

Song Changming sat alone in the camp, cross-legged, concentratedly refining the blood qi within him.

Beside him were several fresh corpses of the demon race, but they were drained of blood qi essence, and their skin and flesh appeared dry like dead wood.

Around Song Changming, layers of fresh, red blood qi energy fluctuated back and forth, rhythmically moving with his breathing.

Within it, lightning-fire energy interwove and was simultaneously refined and absorbed by Song Changming using the Witch Refining Technique.

He purposely selected demon race corpses with the dual attributes of lightning and fire, just like when he once refined the Thunderlight Leopard.

The lightning-fire energy within these demon beasts could enhance the development of his "Near Fire Tao Body" and "Thunder Roar Body" physical traits, which was a dual benefit.

Footsteps approached from outside the camp, and Fu Yuan’s voice followed.

"Changming, it’s time to depart."

Upon hearing this, Song Changming halted his refinement, took a deep breath, and the demon race’s blood qi energy floating around him was inhaled into his body through his nose and mouth.

He opened his eyes, storing the remaining blood qi energy in his body, to be refined later when he had more time.

Clenching and unclenching his fists, he felt his strength slightly increase again, slowly advancing towards the constant state of the Power of Four Dragons.

He grew increasingly satisfied with this Witch Refining Technique.

He stood up and walked out of the camp, encountering a landscape of mountains and waters.

Dense forests stretched for miles, mountain peaks rose one after another, and there were many rivers and lakes.

Anyone with a keen sense would discover the faint demon qi floating here.

According to investigations, this place was occupied by many demon swarms that had fled from the West Valley Road.

Many of those remaining demons that failed to capture Mingju City initially fled and hid here.

Therefore, after the army had rested for several days, it moved again to this location to eliminate the gathered demon swarms.

"Thank you for your hard work." Song Changming nodded to Ma Guxi, who was guarding the camp for him.

Since saving Ma Guxi and decisively defeating the Thunderlight Leopard, Ma Guxi had become utterly loyal to Song Changming.

Ma Guxi often assisted Song Changming, becoming his closest assistant within the army.

During such practices on the march, the Centurion Ma Guxi would also voluntarily stand guard for Song Changming, willingly serving as a protector.

"It’s my duty, General." Ma Guxi earnestly nodded.

Fu Yuan merely watched with a smile, not saying much but rather reminded them.

"Let’s go. General Xing is looking for you. We should be encountering those demon races today, a battle is inevitable, Changming, don’t let cultivation affect your combat readiness at this time."

Song Changming was diligent in cultivation, which was his strength, but sometimes, in Fu Yuan’s view, he was too focused on it.

Usually, on the eve of battle, soldiers would choose to conserve their energy, maintaining their strongest state to face the enemy, and wouldn’t generally cultivate at this time.

It appeared that Song Changming was somewhat unconventional in this respect on the journey.

"Don’t worry, it won’t affect me." Song Changming indicated he knew his own limits.

In reality, although Song Changming was enthusiastic about cultivation and possessed a hardworking nature, he also knew how to balance and was not truly a cultivation maniac who disregarded eating and sleeping.

He understood that working beyond his limits would only affect the accumulation of his life span.

The reason for his vigorous cultivation during this march was the easy access to large quantities of demon race corpses.

Such an optimal opportunity to refine the essence of demon race blood qi was rare, and he considered it a waste not to seize the chance to cultivate at every available opportunity.

Fu Yuan nodded, not saying more.

He believed that the usually composed Song Changming would not act recklessly or delay important matters.

The military camp was soon packed up, and the army moved forward, officially entering the dense forest, tracking the demon qi all the way.

This time, the 41st Flag Army dispatched five thousand elite troops to felling demons, with every soldier possessing at least Qi Refining combat power!

Led personally by the Main Flag Master Wang Tianshuang, joined by many Little Flag Masters and Commanders, high-end forces were present in full, demonstrating a strong desire to eliminate demons.

Song Changming walked behind Xing Tiexin, glanced at the vast number of scout teams scattered in the sky, and looked at the Grand Marshal Wang Tianshuang, leading in front.

Ever since witnessing this Grand Marshal’s incredible combat power during the city defense, one couldn’t help but feel reassured following such a leader.

He was indeed a true Stabilizing Needle, a pillar reaching the sky!

Even entering this demon qi-laden primitive forest, everyone felt less anxious; the presence of a strong commander naturally boosted morale.

Besides their 41st Flag Army, three other Cuiqi Armies also dispatched elite troops, advancing into the forest from three other directions, forming an encirclement.

Cluck...

On each gigantic tree, many birds stood on branches, intently observing these batches of Human Race Army passing by.

They weren’t demons, just unawakened wild birds.

But they couldn’t be careless, as among them could be spies deployed by the demon race.

In this brief period, the demon race might already understand the arrival of Song Changming and the Human Race Army through these "eyes."

It was unavoidable, demon races had numerous strange demon techniques, virtually impossible to prevent them all.

Not long after the group entered the dense forest, a swarm of black birds flew in from the distance, drawing attention from all sides.

Song Changming also noticed immediately that these black birds were each only palm-sized, quite tiny, and flew very swiftly.

By the time the scout troops reported back, the black bird swarm had already approached the army’s location.

"They are Thunderbirds, numerous and potentially controlled! Be cautious!" Fu Yuan descended quickly from the air, speaking urgently.

"Thunderbirds?" Song Changming was puzzled, hearing it for the first time.

But soon, he understood why these black birds were called by that name.

As these Thunderbirds dove down, accelerating, they cut through the air leaving dark, blurry beams.

The next moment, the dense forest ahead erupted in continuous blasts, booming incessantly!

It felt as if hundreds or thousands of grenades were being tossed down, conducting carpet bombing.

Thunderbirds, also known as Self-destructive Birds!

Song Changming finally recalled a bit, vaguely remembering seeing a distant cluster of tiny spots during a previous city defense battle, striking the large City Protection Rune Array with similar explosive booms.

Thinking back, those were Thunderbirds as well.

In mere moments, heaps of trees ahead were blasted to tatters, dust flying, and the inconspicuous little black birds had already reached the soldiers’ position. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Watch out!" Xing Tiexin drew his long spear and unleashed dense Innate Qi Aura into the bird swarm, triggering numerous consecutive explosions in mid-air.

These Thunderbirds would explode not only when alive but also after death.

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