Word Count: 2,802 Words
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"Young Tribe Leader Jiu Feng is truly formidable. To think he could actually obtain the Bodhisattva Heart!"
"My heavens, Young Tribe Leader Jiu Feng truly lives up to his name!"
"Heh, I knew it. Our Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe has always dwelt among divine trees. The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would naturally choose Young Tribe Leader Jiu Feng. Once he exits seclusion, our Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe will surely be invincible. When that time comes, even the Dou God Clans won't intimidate us."
"Hehe, when Jiu Feng returns, I'd wager he'll directly assume the position of Tribe Leader."
Ying Huang nodded in agreement. After all, a Tribe Leader didn't necessarily step down only upon death. Given Huang Tian's current talent, he would likely reach late-stage 5-star Dou Saint once he exited seclusion. From there, he would need to devote even more time to pushing for 6-star or even breaking through to 7-star, allowing his bloodline to revert to its ancestral form and striving to reach the level of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix royal lineage. Tribal affairs would naturally be beneath his attention.
The Supreme Elder's revelation sent a strange glint flickering through the eyes of the young Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe members. Each began harboring private designs of their own.
If the Young Tribe Leader position was to be re-selected, they would have a chance to compete. Of course, some harbored entirely different ideas. Feng Qing Er might be the Saintess, but she could still run for the Young Tribe Leader position.
If they could curry favor with Feng Qing Er, or better yet, tie the knot with her, their status would naturally rise with the tide, granting them access to far greater resources.
Ying Huang saw the distinct ambitions stirring behind each pair of eyes and drained his cup in one gulp. "Let me give you fair warning. Even if the Young Tribe Leader position is re-selected, it's essentially already been decided internally that it goes to that girl Qing Er. Don't waste your time scheming. Focus on your cultivation. If you can't enter the Azure Skies Heaven Realm by virtue of being Young Tribe Leader, then strive to earn the qualifications on your own merit."
The blunt reminder made the others hasten to nod. Indeed, with Feng Qing Er's current strength and bloodline level, the Young Tribe Leader position was hers beyond question. They were merely ordinary geniuses within the tribe and simply couldn't compare to Feng Qing Er, who had consumed the Desolate Beast Heaven Spirit Pill.
"Eh? We're out of wine. Shopkeeper, bring more wine!" Huang He found the pot bone-dry and shouted loudly, but no one responded.
"Sigh, Huang He, you really have drunk yourself stupid. Sound is blocked in here. You'll have to go yourself."
Another Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe member walked to the door and pulled it open. He happened to spot someone dressed in waiter's garb passing by. "Hey, waiter. Fetch the best wine brew your shop has."
"Right away, honored guest. Please wait a moment."
The door swung shut. The humble waiter slowly straightened his posture, and a meaningful smile spread across his face as he glanced back toward the room.
Had any Hall of Souls Tianzun been present, they would certainly have turned pale with fright, for this waiter bore an appearance identical to the Tenth Tianzun's!
'Jie Jie, these Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe people are still as boastful as ever. But they truly do possess abundant resources. Sigh, what a pity. If Dragon Island hadn't split apart, Zi Yan would certainly have granted me access to all manner of secret realms and inheritances. Why would I even need to scurry about on my own like this?'
This waiter was, of course, Xiao Yan.
'I wonder how that girl Zi Yan is doing. Once I refine the Bodhisattva Heart, I should have enough strength to help her unify Dragon Island.' A touch of concern stirred in his heart for the little girl who had once chattered endlessly by his side.
By his rough estimation, the Bodhisattva Heart should be enough to raise his cultivation by one star. As a 2-star Dou Saint, he could roam the Dou Qi Continent freely, and helping Zi Yan unify Dragon Island would present no real challenge.
'Jie Jie Jie, if this Azure Skies Heaven Realm could push me all the way to 3-star Dou Saint, that would be perfect.' He knew this was impossible, though. The gap between Dou Saint levels was simply too vast. Ordinary secret realms couldn't provide such massive energy all at once. Even with his High Tian Class Qi Method, it would be useless if the secret realm's energy wasn't sufficiently pure.
The term 'Half-Saint' existed precisely because that realm corresponded to merely half a star of the 1-star Dou Saint level. Half-Saints alone were divided into three tiers. One could easily imagine how enormous the energy gap between full Dou Saint levels truly was.
'This Azure Skies Heaven Realm should be similar to Dragon Island's Void Lightning Pool and the Nine Serene Yellow Spring, a special body-tempering ground. The energy is violent and unsuitable for direct cultivation, but it stays permanently open for tribe members to temper their bodies.'
Xiao Yan had naturally overheard every word of the conversation inside the private room. A brief stretch of eavesdropping was all he needed to piece together exactly what sort of place the Azure Skies Heaven Realm was.
The Nine Serene Yellow Spring was a water-attribute body-tempering ground, the Void Lightning Pool was lightning-attribute, and this Azure Skies Heaven Realm was a fire-attribute body-tempering secret realm. It happened to be incomparably suited to him.
A delighted smile broke across his face. The ancients always said phoenixes were auspicious beasts that brought good fortune. Sure enough, the ancients had not deceived him.
…
One day later, after a period of rest, Ying Huang tore open a spatial rift and led the group out of the Yellow Springs Mountain Range.
The Yellow Springs Mountain Range was protected by spatial barriers established by the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe to prevent Dou Saints from ripping through space to launch surprise attacks. Even a 1-star Dou Saint couldn't tear through space and travel freely within its borders. One had to fly beyond the mountain range first before spatial travel became possible.
With a Dou Saint leading the way, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe delegation quickly returned to their own territory. Several of them formed hand seals, and the Space Lock opened to reveal a void world. They stepped through and vanished from sight.
A long while later, a dark shadow emerged from the void. Xiao Yan gazed at the now-empty space before him and shook his head. Last time, Feng Qing Er had guided his way. Without her now, he would have to infiltrate on his own.
Meow! ~o(=∩ω∩=)m
Mao Wu, who had evolved to a Heaven Seed Flame, emerged from the void and sprawled directly atop Xiao Yan's head, letting out a jaunty cry.
"It's up to you now."
Meow meow! (Leave it to me!)
With a soft huff, Mao Wu opened its mouth and spat out a cluster of pitch-black flame. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe was, after all, the strongest magical beast tribe on the Dou Qi Continent. The spatial lockdown around their ancestral small world was naturally incomparably sturdy.
Had Mao Wu still been at the Earth Seed Flame level, it might have needed some time. But as the Heaven Seed Flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame, the task was as effortless as turning one's hand.
In moments, a black hole silently materialized.
'Evolution truly makes all the difference.' Xiao Yan's own control over space was far inferior to Mao Wu's.
He could have approached the Gu Clan and asked for access to a similar treasure land, but that would have meant restrictions at every turn. At the very least, he couldn't afford to act recklessly. The Gu Clan was Xun Er's maiden home, after all. It wouldn't do for him to cause too much damage.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, however, was a different story entirely. Even if he wrecked something here, he wouldn't feel the slightest heartache!
'It's been a while since I've worn a Soul Robe. Jie Jie Jie.'
Xiao Yan smiled cunningly and slipped into the Tenth Tianzun's Soul Robe.
…
Within the Phoenix Nest secret realm of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, a beautiful figure clad in a seven-colored dress sat cross-legged. Behind her loomed a massive, vivid illusory image of a Seven-Colored Heaven Phoenix.
Compared to the legendary Ancient Heaven Phoenix, this illusory image lacked a measure of innate nobility and carried a hint of bewitching allure. Even so, within the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, a Seven-Colored Heaven Phoenix image of this clarity was already considered extremely high-tier.
Who else could this person be but Feng Qing Er?
With each breath she drew, wisps of blood-qi seeped from the red crystals arranged beside her and flowed into the Seven-Colored Heaven Phoenix image. The illusory phoenix absorbed them gradually, refining them into streams of exceptionally pure blood-qi energy that filtered back into Feng Qing Er's body, strengthening her bloodline strength and cultivation bit by bit.
Her status now far exceeded what it had been when she first arrived at the Wind Lightning Pavilion. Aside from the three Dou Saint level Supreme Elders and Tribe Leader Huang Tian, she stood above the myriad members of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe. Resources, naturally, were never in short supply.
"Hm?"
Feng Qing Er's eyes snapped open. Her elegant brows knitted as an inexplicable wave of panic surged through her chest and her heart clenched tight.
'What's happening? Why do I suddenly feel so uneasy? Have I been pushing myself too hard in cultivation lately?' She placed a jade-white hand over her chest and pondered for a moment. A trace of worry flickered through her beautiful eyes, but unable to identify the cause, she set the matter aside. After cultivating a while longer, she withdrew from her meditative state and stepped out of her secluded chamber.
A gust of fragrant wind drifted ahead of her. Before she even appeared, one could already sense beauty and grace approaching.
"It's Miss Feng Qing Er!"
"What 'Miss'? You must address her as 'Your Highness' now!"
The moment Feng Qing Er emerged from the secret realm, all the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe members present who had been preparing to enter rose to their feet. Hands at their sides, they called out respectful greetings.
She stepped through the spatial ripple, a hidden fragrance trailing like cloud and mist, flower shadows flickering in her wake. In the blink of an eye, Feng Qing Er appeared before a wide square, resplendent in her seven-colored silk dress.
Her beautiful eyes were cool and clear. That noble countenance carried a touch of quiet confidence. Ever since the Asura Slave Seal had been removed, Feng Qing Er seemed to glow with renewed vitality. That familiar confidence and pride had returned to her gaze once more.
Already tall and slender, her pair of long, jade-white legs drew every eye. Her silk robe, cinched at the waist, outlined the flawless curves of her figure. Her face bloomed like a peach blossom, suffused with the freshness of returning spring. Her entire being radiated exuberant vitality, and her rosy complexion was so fine and delicate it seemed the lightest touch might bruise it. She was, quite simply, peerlessly beautiful.
"Tribe Sister Qing Er, it seems you've made yet another breakthrough in the Phoenix Nest trials. Truly worthy of celebration." Several tribe members of considerable cultivation and status stepped forward one after another.
Feng Qing Er's gaze settled on the man who had spoken. She gave a small nod and replied in an even tone, "Tribe Brother Huang He, long time no see."
"Hehe, I've been rather busy lately and haven't had a chance to see Tribe Sister. I just returned from a mission with Supreme Elder Ying Huang. Having received some rewards, I came to cultivate in the Phoenix Nest."
Feng Qing Er showed little reaction. Going on missions was perfectly normal, and she herself had only just exited seclusion.
Just as she prepared to leave, her brows drew together. She sensed something strange and immediately looked toward one side of the square. There, leaning casually against a stone pillar, stood a figure in a black robe with a hood concealing their face.
She couldn't see the face beneath the hood, but Feng Qing Er's intuition was razor-sharp. For reasons she couldn't explain, the sight of that black robe stirred a faint sense of familiarity within her.
It wasn't that the robe itself was special. Pure black robes like it could be seen anywhere. What tugged at her memory was the figure wrapped within it—that build, that posture. She felt certain she had seen that silhouette somewhere before.
The instant Feng Qing Er's brows knitted and her gaze fixed on that spot, the countless tribe members watching her naturally turned to look as well, curiosity burning in their eyes.
"Who is that? Why are they dressed so strangely?"
"What's strange about it? Some families within the tribe favor darkness and often wrap themselves up like that."
"Eh? I can't even sense their aura. It's being blocked by Spiritual Strength."
In the span of a moment, a single frown from Feng Qing Er had set the various half-transformed bird-folk across the square whispering among themselves.
With her current status and strength, a single look from Feng Qing Er could decide a great many things.
The young members who harbored feelings for her saw her frown and immediately seized the chance. They scrambled forward to surround the black-robed figure, each eager to leave a favorable impression in their goddess's heart.
"Hey, which family are you from? State your name."
"Take off that black robe. Her Highness wishes to see you."
Several youths who had reached Rank 7 or even Rank 8 and fully completed their transformations closed in on the black-robed figure.
Outside the Phoenix Nest, members from vassal families looked toward the commotion as well. Countless gazes in the square fixed on the black-robed figure. Everyone held their breath, quietly anticipating what would happen next.
Whether magical beast or human, all loved to witness drama, especially when it promised to be grand!
Strangely, the black-robed figure paid no heed whatsoever to the encirclement, acting as though the crowd simply didn't exist. He leaned against the stone pillar, his gaze directed at the mysterious space ahead that was sealed by powerful energy.
The Phoenix Nest was a trial-type secret realm of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, similar in nature to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. By passing its trials, one could obtain Blood-Qi Crystals to accelerate cultivation. The small world sealed before him by that tremendous power was the Azure Skies Heaven Realm itself. The Phoenix Nest was merely one of the cultivation grounds within it.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"Her Highness is looking at you. Don't be disrespectful!"
Their anger rose with each word, yet the black-robed man didn't so much as lift an eyelid. His voice emerged slow and slightly hoarse from beneath the hood.
"You're blocking my view."
The dismissive arrogance in his tone instantly sent the faces of those Heaven Demon Phoenix youths flushing crimson. Their expressions twisted with embarrassment, and flashes of anger sparked in their eyes.
"Hmph, I'd like to see which vassal family's so-called genius you are, pulling this kind of act here!" Huang He's expression turned cold as he spoke icily.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe was a vast race, after all. The very names of the three Demon Phoenix Saints—Ying Huang, Kun Huang, and Feng Huang—spoke to the sheer number of branches and lineages the tribe encompassed.
"Before my mood sours, scram." The black-robed man's slightly hoarse voice drifted out lazily from beneath his hood.
"Who do you think you are?!" His words instantly stoked the crowd's fury. Several members glared at him with open hostility, murderous intent beginning to stir.
Not far away, however, Feng Qing Er's brows only drew tighter. She had never heard this voice before, yet when it reached her ears, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. That tone, that way of speaking... she was certain she had encountered it somewhere before.
"Fine. I want to see just what ability you possess!"
A fully transformed youth with the strength of a 9-star Dou Ancestor flashed forward. His hand morphed into an eagle claw and shot directly for the hood.
The instant someone struck, the other members surrounding the black-robed man cursed inwardly at being a step too slow. They attacked in quick succession, each scrambling to distinguish themselves before Feng Qing Er.