Chapter 734

Chapter 734: The Legend of the Five Phoenixes (Thanks to Juilianzhihuan for becoming a patron)

The morning breeze blew across the mountains and wilderness, bringing with it fresh scents and floral fragrances, touching the skin and noses, causing one to involuntarily lose oneself in its embrace.

In a corner of ruins outside a secluded valley, a figure rose from the rubble, shaking off the dust, and slowly opened their eyes.

This…

He was somewhat surprised by everything before him. The sea of flowers sprawling over the hills, the forests adorned with vines, the waist-high green shrubs, and the morning wind brushing against his face. Everything had changed since last night.

He remembered holding a blade, his body not fully recovered, yet still joining the defense battle. He was caught in the aftermath of the conflict, rolling through a chaotic explosion and sea of fire, falling into this corner, and passing out.

Unexpectedly, upon waking up, the world seemed completely unfamiliar.

Was this a world decades or even centuries later, or had he stumbled into some hidden utopia? This white-robed man struggled to stand and slowly made his way up the hill.

The grass at his feet was filled with endless white orchids, making him reluctant to tread on them, but he carefully carved out a path through the flower beds.

Gradually, everything in the distance began to fill his vision.

It was still that secluded valley, the inward-sloping cliff walls still bore familiar scorched marks, and the watchtower below remained unchanged from the previous night. However, the entrance of the valley was now surrounded by lush vegetation, making it unrecognizable.

Among the pale-skinned Chizhou people and the subjects of the Dynasty, they walked through the mountains and fields, searching for survivors. Occasionally, joyful cries of relief could be heard.

Unlike the previous night, anyone who wasn’t immediately killed upon discovery had their injuries mostly healed, posing no immediate threat to their lives. It seemed like a miracle that had occurred under the starry sky and the wind last night.

“Yinchen Brother~” A familiar voice came from below the hill, and he couldn’t help but look down, searching for the one calling his name.

“Here, here!” A girl around fifteen years old waved happily and climbed up the small hill.

“It’s Caiwei,” Li Yinchen looked at the intact girl and felt a surge of joy. He hadn’t expected her to have survived.

Soon, Caiwei, panting from the climb, circled around Li Yinchen and jumped up and down excitedly.

“It’s good that nothing happened to you, Yinchen Brother.”

“Of course, my Yinchen Brother is amazing,” Li Yinchen responded with a hearty laugh.

Afterward, Caiwei supported Li Yinchen as they walked into the secluded valley, answering his questions and recounting everything that had happened the previous night.

The dreamlike scene of the stars falling, and the myriad winds sweeping across the mountains.

—

Deep within the forest of the shrine.

A beautiful maiden in a white dress sat on a tree branch, resting and dozing off. She held a plump warm yellow Daiju bird in her arms, while a blue-black crow perched on a nearby branch, watching vigilantly.

The girl’s eyes were slightly closed, her delicate eyebrows rising and falling gently with each breath. Her silver snow-like hair cascaded from her face to her neck, contrasting beautifully with her fair skin.

Inside the main hall of the shrine, five people knelt and conversed quietly. At the top of the hall, a fierce yet beautiful black bird stood with its eyes closed, resembling a statue.

The one leading the group was Qingling, former disciple of Granny Ge Luo. She explained the origins of the black bird above them.

“It is one of the branches of the Nine Phoenixes, known as the Guiche. It is renowned for illuminating the underworld and overshadowing the heavens with darkness.”

The Nine Phoenixes were ancient mythical birds from the time of the Great Flood, possessing nine heads and magnificent forms, serving as totems for many tribes in the Eastern Continent. Over time, several branches emerged from their lineage, including Guiche and Gui Che. Many believed that the Five Virtues Phoenixes were derived from the legacy of the Nine Phoenixes.

Compared to the brutal Nine Phoenixes of ancient times, the Five Virtues Phoenixes better fit the spiritual aspirations of modern humans, embodying more civilization and enlightenment. As a result, fewer people mentioned the Nine Phoenixes nowadays. Temples and shrines mostly worshipped the Five Virtues Phoenixes, which was also the official worship of the Dynasty.

Last night, Granny Ge Luo performed an ancient blood sacrifice ritual, combining the power of a thousand miles of dragon veins, to advance this mysterious black bird. This was necessary to defend against the attacks of the Cloud-Treading Serpent and numerous demons. According to the agreement between Ge Luo and the bird, it would guard these twilight mountains for a hundred years, suppressing any escaped demons.

The cost was significant; nearly ten thousand Chizhou people voluntarily passed away during the ritual, and Granny Ge Luo herself was nearly consumed. This resulted in the creation of this incredibly powerful bird, whose soul was extraordinarily vigorous, burning like a flame, breaking through barriers and obstacles in the chaotic trials.

“It has been accompanying Master Ge Luo since childhood. If not for the summoning by Master Ge Luo, it might still be slumbering on a desolate mountain. Therefore, I believe it will honor the agreement set by Master Ge Luo and stay here for a century,” Qingling explained calmly.

She had seen this bird when she was young; it was already enormous then. She never imagined it would recover so quickly after the heavenly anomalies.

Compared to humans, demonic beasts faced immense difficulties advancing to the third stage but found it much easier afterward. Advancing to the seventh stage was easier for them than for humans. However, reaching the eighth and ninth stages was equally challenging for both, and humans with experience and knowledge to pass down might have an advantage.

“If it is a promise made by Master Ge Luo, then it can be trusted. So, I hope the Dynasty will let this bird remain here,” said a middle-aged man in purple and white robes sitting to the left. Clearly, he represented Zhaoye Palace.

“Master Yingdeng speaks wisely.”

Another woman in a tangerine-yellow dress echoed. She had a full and graceful figure, a rare beauty, and was the representative of the Xiangyu Sect, Fairy Jin Hua.

Though the two major sects had little contact, they stood together in critical moments, speaking in unison.

Besides Qingling, Yingdeng, and Jin Hua, the other two representatives present were Bumoyin from the Jinzhan Xuanhua Mansion and Tu Haochang from the Dynasty’s officialdom.

Seeing that the representatives of the two major sects agreed to leave the bird here, they did not argue further, tacitly agreeing.

They then discussed subsequent arrangements. Finally, they touched upon the key event that had changed everything—the young lady who had caused the celestial anomalies.

“If referring to Jialan, the Xiangyu Sect is willing to vouch for her, ensuring she does not misuse her power and cause harm,” Jin Hua naturally intended to fully protect her fellow disciple.

“Although Zhaoye Palace has faced rebellions, it still retains some honor. We hope the central authorities will not be too harsh on this disciple,” replied Master Yingdeng, reciprocating Jin Hua’s support.

Upon hearing this, Tu Haochang pondered deeply. As a high-ranking official of the Dynasty, his thoughts were far from simple.

This young lady, who had caused the celestial phenomena, was not merely a prodigy that could be easily overlooked. Her influence and actions suggested she was akin to a newly emerged Five Virtues Phoenix.

Such a person would be beneficial if used by the Dynasty, but if allowed to wander freely, she could gradually gather substantial support and influence, posing a threat to the central authority.

If he were in the central court, he would likely advise the emperor to bring this young lady into the palace for upbringing and education, to stabilize the realm.

However, seeing the intentions of the two major sects to protect her alone, unwilling to return her to the central court, and given his current position in the frontier regions, lacking sufficient military strength compared to these sects, even if he tried forcefully, it would likely lead to poor outcomes.

Moreover, the Xiangyu Sect had contributed greatly to the Dynasty in the past, with countless disciples and alumni serving in various roles. It wouldn’t be easy to forcibly take action against them. Even the current emperor would consider the old graces of Phoenix Red and refrain from being too aggressive. Therefore, he wouldn’t dare to act rashly.

In the end, Prefect Xiyou had no choice but to remain silent and default, waiting to report back to the central court later.

As for the last person, Bumoyin, she had little influence and was there to witness and report back, awaiting further instructions.

But if asked about her personal opinion, this lady from the Bu family had become a complete admirer of the silver-haired girl, almost ready to shout in excitement.

After all, what could be more astonishing than encountering a Five Virtues Phoenix during a journey? If this silver-haired girl were to become like Phoenix Red in the future, she would undoubtedly become an object of admiration and aspiration for many.

Dragon-drawn colorful phoenixes, bearing seven colors and descending, drawing water from the five lakes and seven seas, adjusting the clouds and mists of the dragon veins across thousands of miles, to stabilize the realm and usher in a glorious era.

This was the dream of countless people.

—

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