The morning after the dinner with Bai Yuchen, Yifan woke to find a formal summons waiting on the breakfast table. The Council required his presence for what they called "orientation"—a week-long intensive education on Phoenix duties, supernatural law, and his role in the cosmic hierarchy.
"It's mandatory," Mo Ran explained, reading through the document. "Every newly manifested Phoenix must complete orientation within two weeks of their Council presentation. It's actually one of the few sensible rules they have—you need proper education about what you are and what's expected of you."
"A week? Starting when?"
"Tomorrow. You'll stay at the Council compound, attend classes, meet with various experts." She looked up. "Tianyu can't accompany you. This is for Phoenix alone."
Yifan's stomach dropped. A week away from the estate, from Tianyu's protective presence, alone in the Council compound surrounded by strangers. "That seems designed to make me vulnerable."
"It is, somewhat. They want to assess you without Dragon's influence, see who you are independently." Mo Ran's expression was sympathetic. "But it's also legitimate education. You need to understand Phoenix history, your abilities, the political landscape. I'll be there—I'm assigned as your advisor for the week."
Tianyu took the news with visible displeasure, ice forming on his teacup. "I don't like you being away from my protection for that long."
"I'll have Council protection. Even they wouldn't allow Phoenix to be harmed in their own compound." Mo Ran was matter-of-fact. "Besides, this gives you time to handle the investigation into the apartment fire without worrying about Yifan's safety."
"Investigation?" Yifan asked.
"I've been tracking the perpetrators," Tianyu said. "Following magical signatures, questioning informants. Someone coordinated those attacks, and I intend to find out who." His expression was cold enough to make the room temperature drop. "And when I do, they'll learn why crossing the Dragon King is a fatal mistake."
The casual threat should have been alarming. Instead, Yifan found it comforting—having someone powerful enough and devoted enough to hunt down his enemies.
That afternoon, Qingqing found Yifan in the library, reading through historical texts about previous Phoenix incarnations. She'd been settling into estate life with surprising adaptability, making friends with some of the staff and filling notebooks with observations about the supernatural world.
"So you're leaving for a week," she said, climbing onto the window seat beside him. "Council boot camp for legendary Omegas?"
"Something like that. Are you going to be okay here without me?"
"I'll manage. The staff likes me, I've got plenty to document, and honestly?" She grinned. "This is fascinating. Yesterday one of the fox spirits taught me basic illusion magic. Turns out humans can learn some supernatural skills with training."
"Really?"
"Minor stuff only. But still—magic, Fanfan! Actual magic I can do!" Her enthusiasm was infectious. "Though I'm going to miss having you around to explain things. Some of the staff are still wary of the random human."
"They'll warm up. You're good at making people like you."
"Unlike some people who just manifest legendary power and expect everyone to bow." But her tone was teasing. "I'm proud of you, you know. For handling all this with grace. I'd have had a breakdown by now."
"I have had breakdowns. Several. I just hide them well."
"That's fair." She nudged his shoulder. "For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice. With Tianyu. I know I don't know all the political implications or whatever, but he looks at you like you're his entire world. That's rare."
"Is it obvious?"
"Painfully. The man can barely function when you're in the room. It's actually kind of adorable for an ancient terrifying ice dragon." She paused. "Just promise me you're choosing him because you want to, not because you feel obligated by past life stuff."
"I promise. Past life memories inform my choice, but they don't control it. I'm choosing Tianyu as Shen Yifan, based on who he is now, not who he was a thousand years ago."
The next morning, Yifan packed a bag and said goodbye to Tianyu in their bedroom. The Dragon King was trying to appear calm, but ice kept forming on every surface he touched.
"It's only a week," Yifan said, taking his cold hands. "Seven days. Then I'll be back."
"Seven days where I can't protect you. Where other Alphas will have access to you. Where the Council can pressure you without me there to intervene." Tianyu's jaw was tight. "I hate this."
"I know. But I need this education. Need to understand what I am beyond what you've told me." Yifan kissed him softly. "And maybe a week apart will be good for us. Make us both more certain about what we want."
"I'm already certain."
"Then prove it by letting me go without making it harder." Yifan pulled back. "Trust me. Trust that I can handle a week of classes without falling for another Alpha or being manipulated by the Council."
"I trust you. It's everyone else I don't trust."
The Council compound was even more impressive than Yifan remembered from his presentation. The week of orientation was held in a separate wing—a complex designed specifically for Phoenix education, apparently used only once every thousand years or so when a new Phoenix manifested.
His quarters were luxurious but isolated, clearly designed to keep Phoenix separate from general Council business. The room was decorated in Phoenix colors, with artwork depicting previous incarnations on the walls. Yifan found it unsettling to see his own face—or faces similar to his—staring back from paintings centuries or millennia old.
Mo Ran was in the adjoining suite, close enough to reach quickly if needed. "Your schedule is posted on the desk. Classes start tomorrow morning at eight. Tonight is for settling in and reviewing preliminary materials."
The preliminary materials were extensive—thick binders covering Phoenix history, abilities, political role, mating customs, and something called "cosmic responsibilities" that Yifan didn't even begin to understand.
He was deep in a text about Phoenix heat cycles when someone knocked on his door. Opening it revealed Ji Haoyu, the Qilin Alpha, holding what appeared to be antique books.
"Phoenix. I hope I'm not intruding." His gentle smile was disarming. "I heard you were beginning orientation and thought you might appreciate some additional reading materials. Texts from my personal library that aren't in the Council's curriculum."
"That's... thoughtful. Thank you." Yifan accepted the books, noting their age and careful preservation.
"May I come in? Just for a moment. I promise I'm not here to press courtship." At Yifan's hesitation, Haoyu added, "Your advisor can be present if that makes you more comfortable."
They settled in the sitting area, Mo Ran joining them to maintain propriety. Haoyu was the picture of scholarly courtesy, discussing the books he'd brought—texts about Phoenix philosophy, spiritual practices, the cosmic role of renewal and rebirth.
"The Council will teach you the political aspects," Haoyu explained. "But they often neglect the spiritual dimension. Phoenix isn't just a political position—it's a sacred calling. You're meant to be the bridge between life and death, destruction and renewal."
"That sounds like a lot of pressure."
"It is. Which is why having a mate who understands that spiritual dimension matters." His green eyes were knowing. "Dragon is powerful, devoted, possessive. But does he understand the Phoenix's spiritual role? Or does he see you primarily as his lost love reborn?"
It was a pointed question, and cleverly delivered. Yifan could see the manipulation even as he recognized the legitimate concern behind it.
"Tianyu sees both," Yifan said carefully. "The person I am now and the sacred nature I carry. He's spent a thousand years studying Phoenix lore. I think he understands better than most."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps his understanding is clouded by personal grief and desire." Haoyu's smile remained gentle. "I'm not trying to undermine your choice. I simply want you to consider all aspects before committing eternally."
After he left, Mo Ran said, "Clever. He presents as helpful and scholarly while planting seeds of doubt. That's Haoyu's method—subtle manipulation disguised as wisdom."
"I noticed. But he's not wrong that I need to understand the spiritual aspects."
"No, he's not. Which is what makes him effective." She gestured at the books he'd left. "Those are genuine treasures, by the way. Rare texts that would help your education. He's not lying about wanting to help—he's just also using it as courtship."
The first day of formal orientation began with history. An elderly dragon named Master Chen led the class, which consisted of just Yifan—apparently Phoenix education was always one-on-one given its rarity.
"We'll begin with your past incarnations," Master Chen said, pulling up what appeared to be a magical projection showing a timeline. "Phoenix reincarnates approximately every thousand years, sometimes more, sometimes less. We have records of seventeen confirmed incarnations, though there may be more lost to time."
The timeline showed faces, names, lives lived and ended. Some Phoenix had lived long lives, becoming powerful political figures. Others had died young, their potential unrealized. Several had bonded Dragons. A few had chosen other mates. One had apparently refused to bond at all, declaring themselves too valuable to be tied to any single territory.
"The incarnation you're most directly connected to is Lady Feng, who lived a thousand years ago," Master Chen continued. The projection shifted to show the portrait Yifan had seen in Tianyu's estate. "She bonded Lord Dragon but died at twenty-three under tragic circumstances. Her death sparked significant political upheaval."
"What exactly happened?" Yifan asked. "I know the basic story, but not the details."
Master Chen looked uncomfortable. "That's recorded in classified archives. You'll have access to those later in the week."
"Classified? But it's my past life."
"Yes, but the details involve current political figures who prefer certain facts remain private." He moved the presentation along quickly. "Let's discuss your abilities instead."
The next several hours covered Phoenix powers in detail. Fire manipulation was just the beginning—Yifan learned about healing tears, the ability to sense death and dying, precognition during dreams, and something called "rebirth fire" that could restore life under very specific circumstances.
"Most Phoenix never fully master all abilities," Master Chen explained. "It takes decades or centuries of practice. But understanding your potential is crucial."
The afternoon session focused on heat and bonding mechanics, taught by a female Alpha named Doctor Lin who specialized in Omega health.
"Phoenix heat is unique," she explained clinically. "More intense than normal Omega heats, lasting longer, producing stronger pheromones. This is because Phoenix biology is designed for bonding with extremely powerful Alphas—Guardian-class beings who need proportional stimulus."
She pulled up diagrams that made Yifan grateful for the clinical environment. "Your first heat was relatively mild because you were newly manifested. Subsequent heats will intensify until you bond. Once bonded, heats become more manageable—still present, still intense, but focused entirely on your mate rather than broadcasting to all nearby Alphas."
"What about the bonding itself? How does that actually work?"
"The mechanical process is straightforward—Alpha's bonding bite during heat, deep enough to inject venom into the gland at the base of your neck, while knotted together. The venom creates permanent magical and biological connection." She showed diagrams of the bonding gland, the venom's pathway. "But Phoenix bonding is more complex than normal Omega bonding. The connection is spiritual as well as physical. You'll share thoughts, emotions, life force. Your mate will effectively become immortal or near-immortal, their lifespan extending to match yours across multiple rebirths."
"That's a significant gift to give someone."
"Yes. Which is why choosing your mate is considered a cosmic decision, not just a personal one. You're not just choosing a partner—you're choosing who gets to essentially transcend normal Alpha mortality."
The evening was spent reading the texts Haoyu had provided. They were fascinating, covering Phoenix philosophy from perspectives Yifan hadn't encountered. One text described the Phoenix as "the eternal student, learning and dying and being reborn to learn again." Another discussed the psychological challenges of carrying multiple lifetimes of memories.
That night, Yifan called Tianyu using the communication crystal Mo Ran had provided—apparently supernatural beings had their own technology that worked better than phones in magically dense environments.
"How's orientation?" Tianyu's face appeared in the crystal, concern evident despite the magical translation.
"Overwhelming. They covered seventeen past lives today, plus detailed anatomy of bonding glands. My brain is full." Yifan shifted on his bed. "How's the investigation?"
"Progressing. I have leads on who purchased the magical accelerants used in your apartment fire. Should have answers within days." His expression darkened. "How are the other Alphas behaving? I know Haoyu visited you."
"How did you know that?"
"I have sources in the Council compound. I'm not spying, exactly, but I'm... staying informed."
"Haoyu brought me books. He was perfectly appropriate, Mo Ran was present, and he left after twenty minutes." Yifan smiled slightly. "You can unclench."
"I'm not clenched."
"There's ice forming on whatever you're holding."
Tianyu looked down at his hand, which was indeed encased in frost, and sighed. "Fine. I'm clenched. I hate having you there without me."
"I miss you too. But I'll be back in six days."
"Six days, fourteen hours, approximately thirty-seven minutes. Not that I'm counting."
After ending the call, Yifan lay in bed staring at the ceiling, processing everything he'd learned. The weight of Phoenix expectations was enormous—he wasn't just choosing a mate for himself, but making a decision that would affect the cosmic balance, territorial politics, and his own eternal cycle of rebirth and death.
No pressure, he thought wryly.
The second day brought more intensive study. Morning session covered Phoenix political roles and responsibilities—mediating territorial disputes, blessing important supernatural events, maintaining neutrality between factions. Afternoon focused on power training, where Yifan worked with an instructor to refine his fire manipulation and practice abilities he hadn't known he possessed.
"Try healing," the instructor said, presenting a plant that had been deliberately damaged. "Phoenix tears contain life essence. Even without crying, you can channel that energy through intent."
It took an hour of concentration, but Yifan finally managed to restore the plant, watching its withered leaves green and strengthen. The sensation was strange—like pouring part of himself into something else, giving life force to spark renewal.
"Good. That's the essence of Phoenix nature—the ability to restore what's been destroyed, to bring life from death." The instructor smiled. "This is why you're so valuable. Not just politically, but cosmically. You represent hope that nothing is ever truly lost."
By the third day, Yifan was settling into a routine. Classes filled his days, studying occupied his evenings, and nightly calls with Tianyu kept him grounded. He was learning to understand his Phoenix nature not as a burden but as a complex identity he was still discovering.
Bai Yuchen requested an audience on the fourth day, appearing at dinner time with an invitation.
"The Council allows social visits during orientation," he said with his characteristic charm. "I was hoping you'd join me for a walk in the gardens. Chaperoned, of course."
The Council gardens were beautiful in twilight, magical lanterns illuminating paths between carefully cultivated plants from every supernatural territory. Yuchen walked beside Yifan with easy confidence, Mo Ran trailing at a discrete distance.
"How are you finding orientation?" Yuchen asked.
"Educational. Overwhelming. Makes me realize how little I knew about what I am."
"That's by design. They keep Phoenix ignorant during childhood, then flood you with information during orientation. It's easier to shape someone who's overwhelmed." His silver eyes glinted. "Don't let them tell you who you have to be. Phoenix is what you make of it."
"That sounds like a sales pitch."
"Everything I say to you is a sales pitch. I'm courting you, not hiding my intentions." He grinned. "But it's also true. The Council has expectations based on previous Phoenix incarnations. That doesn't mean you have to meet those expectations."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Yuchen said, "Dragon called me."
"He did?"
"Threatened to freeze me solid if I overstepped during courtship. Very territorial, very predictable." Yuchen's expression turned thoughtful. "I respect it, actually. He's making his claim clear. But Yifan—understand that his protectiveness can become imprisonment. The line between keeping you safe and keeping you controlled is very thin."
"Tianyu respects my autonomy."
"Now. When you're new and he's worried about losing you. But give it a century. Two. Five. Will he still respect your independence when you've been bonded for lifetimes? Or will his possessive nature eventually cage you?"
It was a fair question, one that nagged at Yifan despite his certainty about his choice. Eternity was a long time. People changed. Would Tianyu's careful restraint last forever, or would it eventually erode into the control he clearly wanted to exercise?
"That's the risk of any relationship," Yifan said finally. "People change. Circumstances change. You can't guarantee forever."
"No. But you can choose a mate who values freedom inherently rather than one who restrains himself with effort." Yuchen stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "I'm not saying Dragon doesn't love you. He clearly does. I'm saying consider whether his kind of love is what you want for eternity."
On the fifth day, Yifan was given access to the classified archives Master Chen had mentioned. In a secure room deep beneath the Council compound, he read the full account of Lady Feng's death.
The details were more brutal than he'd imagined. The Council hadn't just demanded she break her bond with Tianyu—they'd planned to use ancient magic that would have caused excruciating pain, possibly destroyed her mind, and left her empty enough to be bonded to their chosen candidate. Lady Feng had learned of the plan and chosen death instead, walking into purifying fire during a public ceremony, making her choice visible to everyone.
Tianyu's response had been immediate and devastating. The report chronicled his rampage with clinical detachment—thirty-seven Council members killed, five clan territories attacked, hundreds of deaths. It had taken combined forces from every major territory to subdue him, and even then, he'd only stopped when they'd sworn on binding oaths never to force Phoenix's choice again.
Reading it made Yifan understand the depth of trauma Tianyu carried. He hadn't just lost his mate—he'd watched her choose death over the Council's cruelty, and his grief had nearly destroyed the entire supernatural world order.
No wonder he was so careful about giving Yifan choice. He'd learned what happened when choice was taken away.
That evening's call with Tianyu was different.
"I read the full report about Lady Feng," Yifan said without preamble.
Tianyu went very still. "I see."
"They were going to destroy her mind. Actually destroy it. That wasn't mentioned in the simplified version I'd heard."
"No. The Council prefers to minimize their culpability." His voice was carefully neutral. "They call it 'ancient history' now. Water under the bridge. As if massacring Council members is something that just gets forgiven with time."
"Do you regret it? Killing all those people?"
"I regret that circumstances made it necessary. I don't regret protecting her memory or making sure the Council never dared try something similar again." His ice-blue eyes met Yifan's through the crystal. "Does knowing the full extent of my violence change your choice?"
"No. If anything, it makes me more certain." Yifan spoke firmly. "You loved her enough to burn down the world when they hurt her. That's not a flaw—it's proof that you mean it when you promise to protect me."
"You're not afraid of me?"
"I'm afraid of a lot of things. But not you. Never you."
On the sixth and final day, orientation concluded with a ceremony. The Council formally acknowledged Yifan's completion of Phoenix education, presenting him with a crystal pendant that marked his official status. He was now Phoenix Reborn in every legal and political sense—no longer a student but a full member of supernatural society's highest echelon.
"You've done well," the eldest Council member said during the private ceremony. "Better than most Phoenix at this stage. You understand your responsibilities and your power."
"Thank you."
"One more thing." She held his gaze seriously. "Your choice of mate will be announced in three weeks. The Council hopes you'll choose wisely—considering not just your heart but the good of all territories."
"I'll choose what's right for me. Everyone else's good is secondary."
"Spoken like true Phoenix." She almost smiled. "Good. Too many of your predecessors let politics dictate their hearts. It rarely ended well."
That evening, Yifan packed his belongings, ready to return to the estate. He'd survived a week of intensive education, courting Alphas, and Council pressure. He'd learned more about his nature, his past lives, his cosmic responsibilities.
And through it all, his choice had remained constant.
Tomorrow, he'd return to Tianyu. They'd have two more weeks of official courtship period—time for other Alphas to make their cases, for Yifan to demonstrate he'd seriously considered his options.
But his decision was already made. Had been made, really, since that first heat when Tianyu had cared for him with such devoted tenderness.
Now he just had to navigate the remaining political theater until he could make that choice official.
He fell asleep thinking about ice sculptures and cold embraces and the way Tianyu looked at him like he was the entire world.
Two more weeks. He could survive two more weeks.
And then, finally, he could claim the forever he wanted.