CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 363: VAJRA UNBREAKABLE DIVINE SKILL

Chen Guan was keen to learn this Secret Skill. Despite the cultivation requirements not quite matching, he decided to give it a try.

And upon attempting, he actually managed to learn the Secret Skill. Dark golden particles surged into his body, enabling him to acquire the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill.

Chen Guan secretly activated the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill, and his skin immediately turned a dark golden color. It was somewhat different from the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, but it was still a kind of Body Protection Divine Skill.

Even though the defensive power of the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill was stronger than the Azure Heaven Dominating Body of the same level, when Chen Guan looked down at himself, he was slightly disappointed.

"Hmm, although it’s very powerful, it’s a bit different from what I imagined." Chen Guan was pleased to acquire a second Body Protection Secret Skill with stronger defense, but it lacked the offensive capability of the Azure Heaven Dominating Body.

Though the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill differs by just one word from the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, the two body protection techniques have some differences.

The Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill merely makes the body impenetrable, but the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill not only offers a stronger enhancement function but also allows changes in body weight and center of gravity, making the stance as steady as Mount Tai, ensuring steadfastness.

Don’t underestimate this unyielding effect; ordinary Body Protection Divine Skills, even if they can withstand attacks, would still be knocked off balance after being hit, unable to counterattack in such situations, ultimately becoming like turtles being toyed with to death.

However, with this unyielding effect, one can somewhat ignore the attacking power’s impact and continue to do what needs to be done while taking the damage without being hindered.

Especially for some leverage-based Secret Skills, the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill is simply its nemesis.

The Azure Heaven Dominating Body actually has a similar effect, except it doesn’t increase body weight like the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill does.

"If I can combine the Azure Heaven Dominating Body and the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill to develop a Composite Secret Skill, it would surely be unrivaled, dominating the battlefield." Chen Guan thought it was a good idea and planned to study it thoroughly when time allowed.

"What should the new Secret Skill be called... Vajra Dominating Body... doesn’t sound good... Azure Heaven Divine Skill... not quite there... Azure Heaven Unbreakable Dominating Body Divine Skill... too long..." Chen Guan even started thinking of names for the Secret Skill before it was created.

This Secret Skill is one he definitely wants to try and practice, as survival is critical. Other Composite Secret Skills might be set aside, but this one must be practiced.

Just as Chen Guan was considering looking at other Secret Skill Cores, Shi Zhimen and Bai Yueguang, along with a few others, entered the main tent.

"Commander... there’s something we all find peculiar... so we’d like to ask you to decide..." Bai Yueguang began.

"What is it?" Chen Guan pondered and asked.

"Apart from seeing a few phoenixes over the River of Flames on the first day we arrived, during our battles with the Secret Spirit group these past days, we haven’t seen any phoenixes. And today, there were none seen near the River of Flames either." After exchanging glances, Bai Yueguang continued to speak.

Chen Guan mused over and said, "This is the phoenix’s territory, and it’s the phoenix that gathered the Secret Spirit group. Yet, the phoenix is absent now. That’s indeed odd. Have any scouts been sent to investigate the situation?"

"We sent scouts with camouflage abilities to infiltrate and investigate the River of Flames as soon as we arrived. He just returned, reporting no signs of phoenixes, but he did uncover something unusual."

Zhu Hongzhi paused for a moment before continuing, "Upstream of the River of Flames, a large number of Secret Spirit carcasses were found. It seems the Secret Spirits there are also very afraid to go upstream and dare not set foot in that area."

"Have you taken a close look at those carcasses? Do you know how they died?" Chen Guan contemplated the question.

They hadn’t reached that area themselves, so it wasn’t they who killed them. So who was it?

Did someone reach the River of Flames before them, or was it the Secret Spirits themselves?

"The Secret Spirits are down to bones, with peck marks still visible. It doesn’t seem like human work; it appears to be the doing of some carnivorous avian Secret Spirit." answered Zhu Hongzhi.

"Phoenixes?" Chen Guan had also considered that possibility.

Besides the phoenixes here, known as the rulers, no other Secret Spirits would have the guts to feast along the River of Flames.

"It’s a strong possibility, but without eyewitnesses, we can’t be certain," answered Zhu Hongzhi.

"If it’s the phoenixes’ doing, then it’s very strange. They called together other Secret Spirit tribes from the Phoenix Forest, not to claim the Qilin Mountain Range? Why would they eat the Secret Spirits at such a time?" Chen Guan couldn’t figure it out.

"I have a conjecture, but it’s just a guess and may not be accurate." Bai Yueguang spoke up.

"Speak." Chen Guan encouraged Bai Yueguang to share her speculation.

"Could it be that the phoenixes summoned the Secret Spirits here, not to contend for our Qilin Mountain Range?" Bai Yueguang suggested.

"Then why go to all this trouble? Just to satisfy its appetite?" Chen Guan saw Bai Yueguang was pausing and interjected, knowing she had more to say.

"In the Blessed Land Secret Realm, there’s a Secret Spirit called the Illusionary Serpent. When it lays eggs, its body becomes very weak and cannot hunt. Thus, before laying, it uses its Illusion Technique to bewilder some Secret Spirits and drags them into its nest as a food reserve..." Bai Yueguang didn’t directly answer but mentioned the behavior of a specific Secret Spirit.

"So you’re saying the phoenix is about to lay eggs and calls these Secret Spirits over as reserve food? But based on the state of these Secret Spirits, they don’t seem hypnotized, nor have we heard of phoenixes having illusion abilities. Besides, can it eat so many Secret Spirits?" Chen Guan pondered.

"It might not need illusion abilities; perhaps it’s some unknown ability. As for why so many Secret Spirits were summoned, I also thought about it. I believe it’s not just for reserve food. Possibly, it needs these Secret Spirits to protect it during egg-laying."

"If it calls upon the entire Phoenix Forest’s Secret Spirits to protect it for egg-laying, then the phoenix laying eggs is probably extraordinary. And the Secret Spirits it guards against are likely not simple either," Chen Guan realized why they came to him overnight.

They were worried about unexpected changes. If what they speculated were true, in their future assault on the River of Flames, facing Secret Spirits that even phoenixes are wary of might lead to unanticipated losses.