Words of the Ancient Phoenix

Words of the Ancient Phoenix . . . 

Below, Qin Wentian and the others awaited with bated breath. After a fleeting moment, a brilliant burst of light cascaded downward, forming a path composed of parasol leaves that stretched towards the apex of the towering tree. Amidst the radiance, Nanfeng Yunxi materialized, her voice resounding with a beckoning call, "Qin Wentian, ascend."

Qin Wentian's eyes glittered with intrigue as he gingerly placed his foot on the leafy path, commencing his ascent. Curiosity coursed through him. Why had Nanfeng Yunxi summoned him to the peak?

This place, the ancestral sanctum of the Southern Phoenix Clan, held the legacy that now belonged to Nanfeng Yunxi. Despite being her protector, Qin Wentian knew he remained an outsider in the eyes of the Southern Phoenix Clan.

Nanfeng Qing'er and Nanfeng Shengge exchanged astonished glances as they watched Qin Wentian's ascent. It was a rare occurrence to see him being called up. They tilted their heads to gaze at the radiant aura enveloping the tree's pinnacle, granting it an ethereal quality that obscured their view of the events unfolding above.

"Jiang Ziyu, can you perceive anything?" Nanfeng Shengge inquired, her curiosity piqued as she looked at Jiang Ziyu, who stood beside Nanfeng Qing'er.

Jiang Ziyu shook his head, his expression revealing the inscrutable nature of this sacred place. "This is the most enigmatic location within your ancestral sanctum. How could one hope to unravel its mysteries?"

Nanfeng Shengge nodded in understanding. Only the Holy Successor possessed the authority to traverse this spiritual realm and claim the legacy.

With each deliberate step, Qin Wentian finally reached the summit of the parasol tree. There, he beheld a resplendent golden tree whose leaves gleamed like the hues of a setting sun. A palpable aura of profound power emanated from this enigmatic place, where a genuine, age-old saint beast—an authentic phoenix—stood in all its majesty.

"Qin Wentian pays his respects to the senior," Qin Wentian reverently intoned as he bowed before the ancient phoenix. Here, in the ancestral sanctum of the Southern Phoenix Clan, he encountered not a mere fledgling, but a venerable and potent saint beast. This being possessed a formidable presence, rivaling even the immortal emperors who stood atop the immortal realms.

Qin Wentian's demeanor exuded a deep sense of respect, his eyes reflecting the reverence he felt for the magnificent ancient phoenix. This was no ordinary encounter; it was a meeting with a true legend.

"There's no need for such formality," the ancient phoenix gently chimed in.

"Nanfeng Yunxi wished to have a conversation with you," she explained to Qin Wentian. He acknowledged with a respectful nod. Nanfeng Yunxi now radiated with a divine aura, her beauty transcending mere mortal qualities. As the Holy Successor of the Southern Phoenix Clan, she wielded substantial influence and authority, even capable of rallying formidable immortal kings to her cause. What made her even more remarkable was her acquisition of the Phoenix Ancestor's legacy, granting her the qualifications to vie for the position of Southern Phoenix Matriarch in the future.

"From you, I can discern the essence of Emperor Yi's secret art," the ancient phoenix's ethereal voice resonated from all directions.

"Senior is acquainted with Ancient Emperor Yi?" Qin Wentian inquired, mildly surprised. He had assumed that the phoenix, dwelling in the Southern Phoenix Clan's ancestral lands, wouldn't venture into the immortal realms.

"I coexist with the Southern Phoenix Clan, privy to knowledge of the immortal realms far surpassing your own," the ancient phoenix replied. Qin Wentian offered a sheepish smile, realizing his oversight. He couldn't help but concur. An existence tied to the Southern Phoenix Clan since time immemorial undoubtedly possessed knowledge beyond his wildest imaginings.

"Yi once reigned over an era. His unparalleled talent shone from a tender age. His secret art struck terror into the hearts of many, an attack-oriented technique that embodied the essence of dominance. What you've grasped is merely the rudiments—a basic introduction to the God's Hand. The true depths of this technique are still beyond your reach," the ancient phoenix elaborated.

"I am aware of that. The God's Hand I learned in the City of Ancient Emperors is indeed as you've described—a foundational introduction," Qin Wentian acknowledged. The God's Hand had been his chosen path when he was still at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm.

"Allow me to show you something," the ancient phoenix proposed. A brilliant light enveloped them, revealing a series of scenes. In the skies, a formidable figure stood alone, surrounded by numerous immensely powerful experts. They collectively unleashed their divine auras, striving to obliterate the supreme figure. Unfazed, he extended his hand, unleashing a palm imprint of god-like proportions, containing an overwhelming force of annihilation, poised to obliterate everything in its path.

As the scenes unfolded before him, Qin Wentian's heart raced with a fervor of anticipation. The supreme experts who once stood unassailable were rendered powerless in the face of this astounding force. The God's Hand obliterated their very world, reducing all living beings to naught. None could oppose it; a single palm obliterated these ancient powers and their eons-old existence. Everything vanished with a solitary strike, leaving the entire realm quaking, its surface rent asunder. Not a blade of grass remained.

"Complete annihilation," Qin Wentian muttered, his body trembling as he pondered the might of a true expert—an awe-inspiring force far beyond his imagination. In one scene, the peerless figure spotted an enemy attempting to escape through space, venturing into another dimension. Yet, his outstretched palm shattered the spatial barriers, bridging an astronomical gap to seize the fleeing foe, who struggled futilely before succumbing to the unparalleled figure's devastating blow.

The luminous screen receded, and the scenes dissipated. Qin Wentian sighed in awe; the full version of a peak-level secret art was utterly terrifying. The might of the complete God's Hand far surpassed his wildest fantasies.

The peerless figure, of course, was none other than Ancient Emperor Yi.

"This is a record of Yi annihilating one of his adversaries. Understand that, regardless of an ancient clan's profound heritage or the might of its experts, when confronted by a supreme expert, they are utterly defenseless," the ancient phoenix intoned, her words deliberate. "Even the Southern Phoenix Clan, which may seem incomparably powerful to the masses, would crumble instantly in the face of a peak-level adversary nearing the divinity realm in cultivation."

"You possess the wisdom to anticipate danger in times of peace, a true visionary," Qin Wentian remarked.

"This isn't foresight. To beings like us and the Southern Phoenix Clan, ten thousand years is but a fleeting moment. In that time span, countless geniuses arise in the immortal realms, with some ascending to the pinnacle. In our stratum of the immortal realms, hidden currents continuously flow, peace perpetually teetering on the precipice of war. Over the ages, we've managed to maintain a fragile equilibrium between peace and chaos, but who knows what might tip that balance?" the ancient phoenix calmly stated. Her tone bore no lamentation or sorrow. Having witnessed countless world-altering events and participated in numerous brutal wars over countless years, her perspective and understanding far surpassed Qin Wentian's, who had not even lived a century.

Qin Wentian nodded, recognizing his limited perspective. How brief had his existence been? In the grand tapestry of the immortal realms' history, he was but a minuscule speck, a mere drop in the vast ocean. His horizons paled in comparison.

Nonetheless, he found himself intrigued. Why was the phoenix within the Southern Phoenix Clan's ancestral grounds sharing such insights with him?

"I know the whereabouts of Yi's complete secret art," the ancient phoenix revealed, causing Qin Wentian to lock eyes with her. Truly, an ancient existence with an eon-spanning life could harbor such knowledge.

"Please guide me, Senior," Qin Wentian humbly requested, convinced that the ancient phoenix intended to disclose the information. Why else would she have summoned him to this place?

"Stay in the Southern Phoenix Immortal City for a few days until Nanfeng Yunxi emerges from her seclusion. It won't take long. Once she emerges, she will lead you to the location," the ancient phoenix replied.

"Understood. Thank you, Senior," Qin Wentian acknowledged with a respectful nod.

"You may return now. All of you can exit the ancestral lands," the ancient phoenix spoke, her voice carrying the weight of countless eons. Qin Wentian bowed once more and withdrew. Once he had left, the ancient phoenix shifted her gaze to Nanfeng Yunxi, her words laced with curiosity and wisdom, "Have you truly made your decision?"

Nanfeng Yunxi smiled warmly and nodded in affirmation. "Yes, I have."

"Very well," the ancient phoenix responded, her demeanor wise and understanding. "Then, please, take a seat."

Nanfeng Yunxi gracefully settled into a cross-legged position, and brilliant phoenix runes materialized, wrapping around her form.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian had returned to the ground, where the curious gazes of those present bore into him. They wondered what he had witnessed atop the sacred tree.

"Don't ask me about it. Matters within the ancestral lands of the Southern Phoenix Clan are not to be divulged, right?" Qin Wentian grinned playfully, addressing Nanfeng Qingruo and Nanfeng Shengge, who were both eagerly awaiting his account.

"Of course," Nanfeng Shengge concurred with a knowing smile. At that very moment, a gentle breeze swept through, causing parasol leaves to flutter in the wind. Gradually, the dimension faded away, and the group within the ancestral lands reappeared.

"It's time for us to depart," Nanfeng Qingruo announced, leading the way as they retraced their steps along the path they had taken earlier. Soon, they rejoined Nanfeng Aoxue, Nanfeng Xihua, and the other holy maidens, along with their protectors. Nanfeng Aoxue's gaze turned icy as she immediately noticed the absence of one holy maiden.

"Yunxi obtained the inheritance, didn't she?" Nanfeng Ji inquired, directing her gaze towards Nanfeng Shengge and Nanfeng Qingruo. While they may have been rivals, they were, above all else, sisters of the Southern Phoenix Clan. Some of them shared strong bonds, while others had more contentious relationships.

"Mm-hmm," Nanfeng Shengge responded with a faint nod. "Brother Qin displayed exceptional skill and talent within the ancestral lands."

All eyes turned to Qin Wentian, including those of Jun Mengchen and Purgatory, who approached. Jun Mengchen couldn't resist giving Qin Wentian a thumbs-up and joking, "Senior brother, it seems you've secured a Holy Successor among your close, beautiful female friends."

Qin Wentian scowled playfully at Jun Mengchen. "Cut the nonsense. Let's go."

"Alright. By the way, that golden condor still wants a rematch with me," Jun Mengchen provocatively mentioned, turning to look at Zong Zhan. His words ignited a fierce gleam in Zong Zhan's eyes. Zong Zhan cast a glance at Qin Wentian, surprised that he had succeeded in escorting Nanfeng Yunxi to the final stage, ultimately enabling her to claim the inheritance. It was truly astonishing.

The group then exited the ancestral lands, where the elders of the Southern Phoenix Clan awaited them. Seeing the participants emerge, the elders exchanged knowing glances, fully aware of the outcome. They couldn't help but feel a sense of astonishment.

Who could have predicted that Nanfeng Yunxi, initially considered one of the weaker candidates among the holy maidens, would emerge as the Holy Successor?

"We extend our gratitude for your participation," one of the clan's elders addressed the group, offering their appreciation. "We have organized an immortal banquet for you to enjoy food and drink before your departure. If any of you wish to stay as our clan's guests for a time, you are welcome to do so. We will ensure your needs are met."

The eyes of the participants sparkled with varied thoughts. The competition for the Holy Successor had finally come to an end!