World's Strongest Martial Warrior

The geniuses from the eighteen sub-palaces had formed a temporary alliance, yet each harbored their own secret agendas and schemes. They split into factions, each sub-palace fighting its own battles.    

This division took its toll. Several of the less powerful young prodigies faced life-threatening crises and were forced to use their jade talismans to escape from the Primeval Immortal King's Remains.    

The situation escalated when a Half-step Golden Immortal emerged among the waves of Primeval Underworld Immortals. Luo Shock Scale and Yi Qiankun had to exert a tremendous effort to defeat this formidable adversary.    

The clashes between the other geniuses and the Primordial Underworld Immortal were fiercely intense. Ultimately, they succeeded in vanquishing all the Ancient Netherworld Immortals, but at a steep cost. Nearly half of the young geniuses who had ventured into the mountain were eliminated, leaving a mere twenty to thirty individuals.    

These survivors were the elite among the geniuses from the eighteen branch palaces. Having overcome the onslaught of Ancient Underworld Immortals, Peter Parker and the remaining few found their path forward much less obstructed.    

Before long, they reached the mountain's summit. There, an immense and enigmatic structure came into view, shaped like a phoenix nest. It was resplendent and emitted a captivating fragrance. The immortal light that had pervaded the ancient Immortal King's remains seemed to radiate from this very phoenix nest.    

"It's the legendary phoenix nest. This must have been the resting place of an immortal phoenix, which explains the presence of a king-grade immortal medicine," Luo Shock Scale whispered, gazing at the nest in awe.    

Yi Qiankun's eyes sparkled as he added, "This phoenix nest likely belonged to a fire-attribute immortal phoenix, possibly a descendant of the Vermillion Bird. That means the king-level immortal medicine here is probably the Vermillion Bird Immortal Fruit."    

The Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit!    

Upon hearing Yi Qiankun's theory, everyone was taken aback. Since the Ancient Era's Immortal Tribulation, the Immortal World had seen the birth of very few king-grade immortal medicines—merely twenty or so had been documented.    

Among these, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit stood out as a legendary item. It emerged from the resting place of the ancient and mythical Vermilion Bird. Consuming this fruit promised a miraculous rebirth and the acquisition of unparalleled abilities.    

The Vermilion Bird, a member of the Phoenix family, was an esteemed and rare immortal beast in the Immortal Dimension, even more scarce than the Phoenix itself. It was said that not even a thousand Phoenixes could equal the birth of one Vermilion Bird.    

In the Primordial Era, a Vermilion Bird of immense power, rivaling that of an Immortal Emperor, made its home in the Immortal World. Its true resting place was rumored to yield the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit, potentially elevating it to the status of a legendary emperor-level immortal medicine.    

However, the phoenix nest before them was not that of an ancient Vermilion Bird. It was more likely a sanctuary for a descendant of the Vermilion Bird, carrying its bloodline. Thus, the fruit it bore was "merely" a king-grade immortal medicine.    

Still, such a medicine was enough to make countless Great Luo Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings green with envy.    

"I never imagined stumbling upon the legendary phoenix nest. Fortune truly smiles upon me today," someone mused.    

The gathered prodigies couldn't hide their excitement as they gazed upon the scene. The vibrant lights within the nest shone brilliantly, a testament to the abundant natural resources and intoxicating fragrances. Even without the Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit, securing any other immortal medicine from this place would be a significant triumph.    

Peter Parker looked up at the phoenix nest, his brow furrowing with concern. This nest was home to the progeny of the Vermilion Bird. Should any descendants remain within, venturing into the nest would be tantamount to courting death.    

Despite the absence of Vermillion Bird descendants in the phoenix nest, gaining entry would be no simple feat. Peter Parker could sense the presence of numerous birds within, each possessing formidable power comparable to that of a Golden Immortal. Even with the combined efforts of all the young prodigies present, infiltrating the phoenix nest would pose a significant challenge.    

Moreover, the young prodigies from the eighteenth palace each harbored their own hidden agendas, likely complicating their entry even further.    

"Everyone, the fabled phoenix nest lies before us. I trust you've all witnessed it," announced one of their number. "Beyond the king-level immortal medicine housed within the Vermillion Bird Immortal Palace, there are also numerous rare, supreme-grade immortal medicines. Should you manage to enter the phoenix nest, it presents a tremendous opportunity for us all."    

Luo Shock Scale was acutely aware of the dangers lurking inside the nest. His eyes swept over the group of young prodigies. "However, the phoenix nest is home to many formidable Ancient Underworld Immortals. If you wish to claim the immortal medicines within, I advise you to give it your all."    

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Luo. We'll give it everything we've got," many geniuses replied, their smiles belying a lack of true commitment.    

Luo Shock Scale could only shake his head in secret at the crowd's half-hearted responses. Despite being the most esteemed prodigy of the first branch palace and enjoying a widespread reputation throughout the Nameless Immortal Palace, he had no authority over the prodigies from the other branch palaces.    

Nevertheless, Luo Shock Scale didn't pin his hopes on the eighteenth palace's prodigies. He had brought them along for his own purposes, knowing that ultimately, he must rely on his own abilities to secure the Royal Immortal Vermilion Bird Immortal Fruit.    

Without further comment, Luo Shock Scale led the group toward the increasingly large and vibrant phoenix nest.    

Suddenly, a cacophony of shrill cries erupted from the nest. Following this, a massive bird, over a hundred feet in length and resembling a phoenix, burst forth.    

Luo Shock Scale's eyes narrowed as he called out urgently, "Everyone, be on your guard! We're facing a mutated Ancient Underworld Immortal, born from a Phoenix-Tailed Bird!"    

The Phoenix-Tailed Bird, once a mere commoner among birds, underwent a remarkable transformation by dwelling year-round in the abode of phoenixes, slowly acquiring a semblance of their majestic traits.    

Despite lacking the noble lineage of the phoenix, the Phoenix-Tailed Bird emerged as a formidable being. It became clear that the Ancient Underworld Immortals residing within this nest had all evolved from Phoenix-Tailed Birds.    

"Attack!"    

Leading the charge was Luo Shock Scale, whose prowess in the Fourth Stage of the Heavenly Immortal Realm unleashed with full force as he lunged at a Phoenix-Tailed Bird of the Ninth Stage.    

Explosions echoed...    

Simultaneously, the prodigies from the eighteenth branch palace sprang into action, each engaging in fierce combat with the Phoenix-Tailed Birds that soared from the nest.