Night draped over the Pavilion, calm and still. The fires of rebuilding had dimmed, leaving only the quiet glow of the phoenix runes spread across the sect grounds.
Inside the sanctum, the Phoenix Legion finally lay down to rest. Their armor dimmed, their swords set aside, their hearts still raw with the emotions of reclaiming their home. For the first time in years, they could sleep under their own roof.
Haotian stood at the center of it all, his gaze sweeping over them. Yinxue had already begun to doze, frostfire aura fading into a gentle shimmer. Ziyue clutched her sword loosely against her chest, her breathing steady. Shuyue lingered the longest, her eyes soft with worry, until he touched her shoulder and spoke quietly.
"Rest. Tonight is yours. Starting tomorrow… we'll have all the time we want together."
She nodded reluctantly, and at last joined her sisters.
When silence fell, Haotian turned and walked toward the tallest peak overlooking the Pavilion. He stopped at its edge, gazing into the night. His golden eyes narrowed, galaxies swirling faintly in their depths.
"Now… let's see how long it takes."
He stomped his foot. A soundless barrier expanded outward in an instant, cloaking the entire Pavilion in silence. Whatever happened outside tonight, no sound would disturb the girls' sleep.
Moments later, the horizon shifted.
Shadows poured across the land, blotting out the starlight. Dozens. Hundreds. Then thousands. The demons had come, a tide of abyssal qi rolling toward the Pavilion in answer to its rebirth.
Haotian didn't move. He only folded his arms and watched.
The first demons crossed the boundary. The Cries of the Phoenix Array stirred awake.
One hundred and eight ice phoenixes erupted into the sky, their cries sharp and piercing, wings blazing rainbow frostfire. The night lit as if dawn had arrived, the sheer force of their combined presence scattering the shadows.
Demons screamed.
The array unfolded layer by layer. Illusion veils swallowed the first waves, demons staggering and striking at phantoms. From hidden angles, elemental spear bolts tore through them — lightning bolts that split chitin, frostfire lances that froze and burned in the same breath.
Those who broke through stumbled into the defensive barriers, only to be crushed or sliced apart by retaliating phoenix wings.
The killing went on and on, a symphony of slaughter.
From his peak, Haotian's golden eyes never wavered. His arms remained crossed, his posture tranquil. He had designed this formation to hold without his hand. Now it executed flawlessly.
The night rang with the cries of phoenixes and the death screams of demons.
But inside the Pavilion, none of it reached the sleeping disciples. The soundless barrier held, blanketing them in silence, as if the world outside had not turned into a battlefield.
Only Haotian knew the truth.
That tonight, beyond the calm glow of their chambers, there was only blood and slaughter.
The Phoenix Legion surged out from the Pavilion like a tide of light. Their rainbow-armored ranks marched in perfect formation, blades gleaming like phoenix wings, a living storm of Daos.
Their first target was a fallen sect ground buried under demonic corruption. The gates, once proud, now bled abyssal qi; the halls echoed with screams that were not human.
The demons waiting inside roared as the Phoenix Legion descended.
Formations activated in unison. Frostfire storms swept the courtyards, illusions lured demons into spear bolts of lightning and wind, and entire squads merged five or six Daos into dazzling storms that burned through hordes in seconds. The phoenix armors lit brighter with every strike, wings of light flaring behind the disciples as they pressed deeper.
The fight was swift, efficient, and overwhelming. The demons broke like waves against a cliff.
When the last abyssal shriek faded, the phoenix banners stood tall over the reclaimed ground. Another stronghold liberated. Another victory sealed.
But it was only the beginning.
For the next thirteen days, the Phoenix Legion struck again and again. Every dawn, they marched out. Every night, they returned to their reborn Pavilion — their Phoenix Nest — their home and fortress. It became their base of operations, the safe haven where they could rest and regroup before the next assault.
And with each battle, the rankings shifted.
At first, whispers spread as Phoenix Legion names began to flood the board. Then astonishment as the flood became a wave. And finally — disbelief, when the inevitable happened.
Every single slot from Rank 1 to Rank 751 was Phoenix Legion.
The Blood Trial roared in uproar.
The name "Taixun" — once a proud first place — now sat at Rank 752. And just below him glowed the names of Yanfei and Yueru, both rising fast.
Across the continent, sects and clans reacted in shock. "Unthinkable." "Impossible." "The rankings are broken." Yet there it was, undeniable: the Phoenix Legion had taken it all.
Haotian himself had barely increased his score. His name still shone at the very top with the same monstrous tally. But what drew the most attention was who followed behind him.
Second, third, and fourth place belonged not to old sect geniuses, nor to vaunted prodigies of the continent. They belonged to Yinxue, Ziyue, and Shuyue.
Their scores were so far ahead of fifth place that it wasn't even a competition. The three sisters had become legends overnight, their names etched across every whisper of the Blood Trial.
That night, the Phoenix Legion gathered in their Nest. Banners fluttered in the cool wind, phoenix firelight illuminated their armor, and laughter rolled through the halls.
They celebrated not just their victories, but their total domination of the rankings.
For the first time in the history of the Blood Trial, one Legion ruled the board entirely.
And at the center of it all, Haotian watched with a faint smile. His sisters leaned close, warmth and pride radiating from their eyes. The disciples sang, laughed, and drank beneath the phoenix banners, their cheers echoing into the night sky.
The Blood Trial had been turned upside down.
The Phoenix Legion now stood as the undisputed rulers of the battlefield.
The golden ranking board burned across the trial grounds, reshaping fates with a single update.
At the very bottom of the top list, one name stood in disgrace:
Taixun – Rank 752.
The once-proud number one gnashed his teeth, veins bulging at his temples. His fists split from the force of his grip, and his Sovereign aura cracked the ground.
"Seven hundred and fifty-two?!" he roared. "I was first! I was supreme! And now I'm shoved beneath these nobodies?!"
The disciples around him flinched, edging back as his mid-stage Sovereign qi lashed wildly. But no matter how he raged, the board did not change.
His voice dropped to a hiss, red eyes burning."Haotian… this is you. You and your damned legion. I'll make you crawl."
Elsewhere, Yanfei stared down at her talisman, her frostfire aura trembling with awe.
Rank 753 – Yanfei.Rank 754 – Yueru.
And at the very top, blinding in gold:
1st Place – Haotian.
Her breath caught. Memories surged — the central tournament, her losses in alchemy and forging, the way he had bested her with impossible perfection. She smiled faintly, heart pounding. "So… you really are here."
Ru Mei gasped next. "Haotian! He's number one!" She quickly told her story of the Azure Sky Sect's forbidden trial, where he had saved her life. Yan Lan added her own memory, describing how he had fought an abyssal beast so they could escape. Lan Xin spoke softly, recalling his encouragement for her zither Dao, words that had carried her until now.
Then they all turned to Yueru.
Her fingers tightened around her talisman. She hesitated before finally whispering, "I know him too. This dao sword… he gave it to me."
The others froze, then broke into knowing smiles.
Yanfei leaned in with a smirk. "And now you're blushing? Yueru, don't tell me…"
Ru Mei clapped her hands together. "She likes him! Just look at her face."
Lan Xin giggled. "She's not denying it either."
Yueru flushed crimson, shaking her head quickly, but her silence only made their laughter grow louder. To them, it was innocent — a shy girl caught with a crush.
But inside, her heart whispered fiercely: It's not a crush. I am already his woman.
She said nothing more, holding her sword close to her chest.
Yanfei broke the teasing with sudden resolve. "Enough. If he's here, then we need to find him."
Ru Mei nodded, her eyes blazing. "He's the reason I'm alive. I owe him that much."
Yan Lan crossed her arms, a rare fire sparking in her gaze. "We'll track him down. He won't hide from us."
Lan Xin smiled softly, but her determination was no less than theirs.
Even Yueru, still flushed, lifted her chin. She said nothing, but her silence was its own vow.
Together, the five girls turned their eyes toward the trial grounds, already moving to gather information. The Phoenix Legion's domination of the rankings had left ripples everywhere — and if Haotian's name was tied to it, then his location could not remain hidden for long.
Step by step, they began their search.
Their path would soon lead them straight to the gates of the Phoenix Nest.
The mountains around the Phoenix Nest were still and quiet, the cries of the phoenix array silent in dormancy.
On one of the high peaks, Haotian stood with his hands folded behind his back. His eyes of the Universe flickered faintly as he looked into the distance. A group of thirty figures was making its way up the valley path — their auras human, not demonic.
He narrowed his eyes. Humans?
For a moment, the killing array stirred, ready to strike. Then, recognizing their chi signatures, Haotian raised his hand. The phoenixes of ice faded back into their nodes. "Standby," he whispered. He allowed the group to advance unchallenged.
At the main pavilion gates, the thirty newcomers halted. The gates loomed tall, sealed and silent. Not a sound came from within.
Ru Mei frowned. "Is this really the place? It looks… deserted."
The others shifted uneasily, looking around at the empty courtyards beyond the walls.
Yanfei crossed her arms, her frostfire aura sparking with impatience. Finally, she drew in a deep breath and shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Haotian! I know you're here! Come out right now!"
The thirty flinched, covering their ears as the cry echoed through the valley like a thunderclap.
When the echo faded, Yueru pressed her palm to her face. Her usual calm expression cracked in exasperation. "Couldn't you have just knocked? Do you want to call every demon in the continent here?"
Yanfei turned to snap back, the sparks of an argument already igniting — when the ground trembled.
In an instant, seven hundred and fifty figures appeared around them, materializing like shadows from thin air. Every single one radiated the aura of a Sovereign.
The newcomers froze in shock.
From the front rank, a woman in gleaming rainbow armor stepped forward, her frostfire sword at her side. Her voice was calm but edged with authority.
"Who are you," Yinxue demanded, "and why are you calling for Haotian?"
The name alone made Yanfei's and Yueru's eyes widen. Their moods shifted instantly — relief and joy flooding them.
Before either could speak, the air shimmered. A familiar figure appeared at the front of the Phoenix Legion ranks, his cosmic dragon armor glowing faintly under the dawn light.
"Yanfei," Haotian said, his golden eyes narrowing. "Couldn't you have called out normally? Or knocked? Do you really want to alert every demon on the continent?"
The thirty newcomers froze. Then, as one, voices broke the silence.
"Haotian!"
Before the others could move, one figure flashed forward in a blur of speed. She threw her arms around him, her cold demeanor melting into warmth.
"Haotian…" Yueru whispered, her voice trembling as her lips curved into a rare smile. "I found you at last."
Haotian blinked, stunned, his hand resting lightly against her shoulder. His voice was quiet, almost disbelieving."Yueru… how did you get here?"
She tilted her face up at him, her eyes shining. "We searched everywhere for your whereabouts… and finally, we found you here. It's been too long since we last met."
Her smile lit her entire face, unrecognizable from the icy composure the others knew her by.
Behind them, Yanfei's and the others' jaws dropped. Their eyes narrowed in fury — Yueru had stolen the first step forward.
Yinxue, Ziyue, and Shuyue exchanged looks, their frustration flaring all at once. Each thought the same: Oh? You think you'll steal him from us? Not a chance.
The three sisters strode forward together, their voices turning playful — yet edged like blades.
"Haotian is ours," Yinxue said smoothly, slipping to his side. "Don't even think of approaching," Ziyue added, her tone deceptively sweet. Shuyue simply smiled, hugging Haotian's arm tightly as if to seal the point.
The others faltered, taken aback by the sisters' united front.
Only Yueru remained beside him, her smile undeterred. The sisters did not push her away. After all, they had already agreed among themselves: Yueru was different. She was the fourth sister.
Haotian had promised to take responsibility for her — though they kept that part carefully unspoken.
But for the rest? Their message was crystal clear.
He belongs to us.
The tension between the two groups thickened as the thirty newcomers realized exactly what kind of battlefield they had just walked into.
The towering gates opened at Haotian's gesture, the wards and illusions parting to allow the thirty newcomers inside. The Phoenix Legion kept their disciplined ranks, but many pairs of curious eyes followed the group as they walked past — Yanfei, Yueru, Ru Mei, Yan Lan, and Lan Xin at their head.
Inside the Nest, the air shimmered with the resonance of 750 Sovereigns. Phoenix flames flickered along the pavilions, and the cries of the protective array pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. To the thirty newcomers, it was overwhelming — the aura of a sovereign army that dwarfed even the most powerful sects of the Central Continent.
Yanfei's team whispered among themselves in disbelief. "Seven hundred and fifty Sovereigns… in one sect? Impossible…"
Meanwhile, the three sisters kept close at Haotian's side, their eyes sharp and watchful. When Yanfei stepped forward to greet him, Yinxue slipped an arm around his waist. When Ru Mei tried to ask questions, Ziyue interrupted smoothly, redirecting the conversation. When Lan Xin's gaze lingered on him too long, Shuyue squeezed his hand and smiled sweetly — a silent warning.
The newcomers began to notice. A few whispered to each other about the sisters' open possessiveness. Others speculated in hushed tones if Haotian was already bound to them.
The Phoenix Legion disciples, however, had no doubts. To them, the bond was already obvious. Some laughed quietly, others gave looks of envy, and a few offered teasing congratulations when the newcomers weren't looking.
Yueru stayed quiet for most of the walk, but she never strayed from Haotian's side. Every glance she stole at him carried warmth that her companions noticed. It didn't take long before Ru Mei elbowed her with a smirk. "You're glowing."
Yueru's cheeks flared pink, but she didn't deny it. That blush told them everything.
The three sisters noticed too. They didn't drive her away — but they didn't let her get too close, either. There was tension in every smile they gave her, and the air seemed to thicken every time she brushed near Haotian.
When the evening fell, the thirty newcomers were shown quarters within the Nest. The Phoenix Legion remained curious but respectful. For now, they were allies — but everyone could feel the weight of rivalries forming.
And in the heart of the Phoenix Nest, Haotian sat with the three sisters at his side, reflecting on how the bonds of the past had now collided with the bonds of the present.
The night promised more than peace.
The towering gates closed behind the thirty newcomers as they entered the Phoenix Nest. The Phoenix Legion dispersed back into their daily routines, but the air lingered heavy with curiosity and tension. Yanfei's team looked around in awe, drinking in the sight of a sect rebuilt on top of ash and blood, defended by seven hundred and fifty Sovereigns.
Haotian, after settling them into the grounds, made a simple announcement: "Today, there will be no missions. Rest. Restore yourselves. The body and mind must relax if they're to endure the days ahead."
The order was met with cheers and sighs of relief. For weeks, the Phoenix Legion had fought nonstop, marching from one fallen sect to another. For the newcomers, who had lived in constant battle since entering the Blood Trials, the idea of a full day of rest seemed almost unreal.
The sun reached its peak before the sound of splashing water and laughter echoed through the Nest.
Haotian had rebuilt the sect's old bathhouse — though without the elemental treasures that once gave the waters unique cultivation properties, the pools were ordinary. Ordinary, but warm, deep, and soothing. And for the women who had not known a true bath since the start of the trial, it was bliss.
The Phoenix Legion women entered first, their rainbow-trimmed armor set aside. The new arrivals hesitated at the threshold, their cheeks warm as they exchanged glances.
Yinxue rolled her eyes with a playful smile. "We're all girls here. What's there to be shy about?"
Shuyue chimed in, her voice light. "Exactly. Come on — it's not a battlefield. It's a bath. Relax."
Slowly, the newcomers followed, slipping into the steaming pools. The water loosened stiff muscles, washing away weeks of grime and tension.
The air filled with laughter and chatter. Yanfei leaned back against the stone edge, sighing contentedly. "I can't even remember the last time I bathed like this."
Ru Mei splashed water at her with a grin. "I've never seen you look so… normal."
Lan Xin strummed her fingers against the water's surface like invisible strings, weaving ripples into melody. "This feels like home again."
The Phoenix Legion disciples welcomed them warmly, teasing and joking until the newcomers' shyness dissolved into giggles. For a few hours, there were no rivalries, no Blood Trials — only women sharing warmth and relief.
Meanwhile…
The men of the newcomers' group had been given rooms in a side pavilion. With no bathhouse privileges, they sat in quiet meditation, sighing at the muffled sound of laughter drifting from across the courtyard.
"Figures," one muttered. "We're stuck meditating while they get hot springs."
Another chuckled. "Don't complain. At least we're alive."
Elsewhere, Haotian spent the day at work, his focus set not on rest, but on rebuilding what was needed. The alchemy lab was first. Stones were carved into runic shelves, workbenches polished smooth, and furnaces aligned. He moved with effortless precision, each motion weaving form and function until the chamber gleamed with readiness.
By dusk, the Nest had grown quieter. The newcomers had been given rooms, their fatigue easing into sleep. The Legion, restored by warmth and laughter, prepared for the days to come with renewed vigor.
Haotian stood alone in the half-lit alchemy hall, wiping the stone dust from his hands. He lifted his gaze toward the moonlight streaming through the window.
For one day, he thought, they deserved peace.
But he knew peace was fleeting. Night would bring its own trials.
The moonlight poured over the Phoenix Nest, bathing the halls in silver glow. Inside Haotian's chamber, the three sisters rested against him, laughter and whispers fading into quiet warmth.
But before sleep could settle, a soft knock sounded at the door.
Shuyue stirred, frowning. "Who…?"
Before Haotian could answer, the door slid open. A figure stepped inside, her face illuminated by the pale light.
It was Yueru.
Her eyes avoided the three sisters, but her voice was steady. "I… couldn't sleep. Not after finally finding you again."
The sisters sat up, exchanging looks — irritation and curiosity mixed in their eyes. Yinxue folded her arms. "You shouldn't just barge into another's chamber at night."
Yueru bit her lip, then turned her gaze to Haotian. "I don't care. I've waited too long." Her cold facade melted away, revealing vulnerability in her trembling smile.
The sisters bristled, ready to object. But Haotian raised his hand gently, silencing them. He could see the truth in Yueru's eyes — longing, pain, and the bond they had shared that night long ago.
Yueru stepped closer. "Do you remember what you promised? That you'd take responsibility for me?"
The three sisters exchanged sharp looks. They all knew what those words meant, though unspoken.
Haotian exhaled softly, nodding once. "I remember."
The room grew heavy with silence. Then, slowly, Yueru crossed the space and knelt at his side, her hand brushing against his arm.
The sisters sighed, a mix of resignation and mischief sparking in their eyes. Ziyue smirked faintly. "If you're going to intrude, then you'd better be ready for the consequences."
Yueru blushed but didn't retreat.
That night, laughter and playful tension gave way to something deeper. The soundless barrier sealed the chamber, and though the Phoenix Legion slumbered unaware, within those walls, Yueru's place among them shifted forever.
As twilight faded into night, Haotian stood at the heart of the Phoenix Nest, watching the disciples settle down.
"Everyone," he said, his voice steady and firm, "sleep early tonight. You've had your rest, but tomorrow the hunts resume. A break is fine, but don't become complacent. Light training at dawn. Understood?"
The Phoenix Legion groaned and protested, some laughing, others sighing, but none dared to disobey. His gaze silenced them. With reluctant smiles, they bowed and returned to their rooms.
Then he turned to the thirty newcomers. "That includes you as well."
They stiffened, exchanging uneasy glances. One of the men muttered, "But—"
Haotian's golden eyes sharpened. "My home, my rules. To your rooms. Now."
The weight of his tone left no room for debate. Grumbling like children scolded by their elder, the newcomers shuffled away to their quarters. Only one among them lingered. Yueru paused at the courtyard's edge, looking back at him.
At his side, the three sisters smiled knowingly, their amusement hard to hide. Shuyue even winked at Yueru, who blushed before hurrying off.
Later that night, inside Haotian's chamber, the sisters lounged with him, laughter soft as they prepared to rest. He had just removed his armor and let out a long sigh when —
Knock. Knock.
Haotian froze. His brow furrowed. "Who is it?"
A soft voice answered through the door."It's me… Yueru. Brother Haotian, may I come in?"
The sisters exchanged wide-eyed looks, then turned slowly to him. Silence lingered for a heartbeat before Yinxue's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
Without a word, she stepped forward, caught Haotian's face in her hands, and kissed him deeply.
Haotian blinked in surprise, his body half-turned toward the door. But Yinxue pressed on, her lips insistent, her aura hot with playful possession. Her eyes flicked sideways at her sisters.
Ziyue and Shuyue giggled in unison.
Yinxue pushed him gently back onto the bed without breaking the kiss. Ziyue slipped forward, pinning down one of his hands with mock seriousness. Haotian looked at her incredulously. "Really?" he murmured, amused despite himself.
Shuyue only laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she strode toward the door. She slid it open smoothly.
There stood Yueru, startled, her eyes wide. "I—uh… is Haotian—?"
"Yes," Shuyue interrupted brightly, taking her wrist. "You're just in time."
Before Yueru could resist, she was pulled inside and the door slid shut.
Her gaze landed on the bed — Yinxue astride Haotian, kissing him hungrily, Ziyue holding down his arm with a playful grin.
"What is this?!" Yueru gasped, her composure cracking completely.
Shuyue leaned in behind her, voice low and teasing. "Now? Now it's nightly bondding time." Her fingers brushed Yueru's shoulder, tugging at her outer robe until it slipped free.
Yueru gasped and tried to cover herself, face burning crimson.
"Haotian already told us everything," Shuyue whispered, smiling warmly yet mischievously. "We've accepted you as our fourth sister. None of the others are allowed… but you are." She leaned closer. "So take this chance, Yueru. Make it yours."
Yueru's heart pounded. Her eyes darted between them — the sisters' boldness, Haotian's quiet exasperation, the fire in her own chest she could no longer deny.
On the bed, Yinxue finally broke her kiss and looked at Yueru with a sly grin. "Enough hesitating. You're one of us now." She tugged at her own robes, baring her flawless figure without shame.
Yueru's lips trembled. She bit them hard before blurting out, "Haotian—take me too! Make me one of the sisters!"
Haotian exhaled, shaking his head with a wry smile. "You girls…" He flexed and slipped free from Ziyue's playful restraint, sitting up as the room erupted in laughter and teasing touches.
The night stretched long. Moans, laughter, and calls of his name filled the chamber — all safely muted beneath Haotian's soundless barrier.