23 XXIII

"Father… don't!"

Before Rokas could raise his hand, Feng Xue'er stepped in front of him and deflected the Phoenix flames.

"Xue'er… you must not trust strangers so easily. That man, without a doubt, holds malicious intent!"

'Pardon??? I'm like the least menacing guy around.' Rokas raised an eyebrow. 'I mean, look at my cute baby face.'

[System: The Heavenly Demon… cough.]

"But how could a complete inheritor of the Phoenix be malevolent?" Feng Xue'er shook her head. "You must be mistaken, father."

"A complete inheritor of the Phoenix?" Feng Hengkong scoffed. "There is only one Phoenix in the world! To lie about such a thing is absolutely despicable. Fortunately, I am here to dispose of him or he would have fed you with even more lies."

'Man… everyone loves villainizing me nowadays. Fine, I'll use a little force.'

"Calm down."

Rokas spoke, using his Authority over Feng Hengkong. A golden Phoenix mark appeared on his forehead as Feng Hengkong's turned red… and he was forced on his knees. Thereafter, every drop of blood in his body was thoroughly suppressed by overwhelming divine authority.

"This power… Lord… Ph-Phoenix… God?" Feng Hengkong blinked in confusion as he stared at the ground, incapable of looking up. He, a proud Emperor, even stuttered in his speech.

"Dispose of me?" Rokas frowned, stepping forward. Each of his steps were like resounding thunder to the Divine Phoenix Emperor.

"You forget yourself. If I so wished your entire Divine Phoenix Sect would be suppressed to the Elementary Profound Realm. Now wouldn't that be amusing… how quickly would the Sacred Grounds take everything, do you think? Perhaps it would just be your local sects who would do the deed first…"

"Forgive me… I am… a fool! I beg for your forgiveness, Lord Phoenix God. Allow this Feng Hengkong to redeem himself. I won't fail you ever again, I promise…"

"Long Ke…"

'Fear tactics are a wonderful thing.' Rokas observed with an indifferent expression, freeing Feng Hengkong from his curse. "It's good that we're on the same page."

[System: Daddy, how did you meet mommy? Version 1: I ate her old disciple and was kinda naked when I woke up. Version 2: We had a fight, she was naked after, I dressed her up and took her to a cave. Version 3: I barged into a profound palace, beat up some people and yeah. Version 4: I spit in her drink and we went up from there. Version 5: Kinda made your grandfather kneel on the ground, no big deal.]

'Now that you've said that… I really do make great first impressions.'

"Well…" Feng Hengkong cleared his throat, standing up. "Lord Phoenix God… am I mistaken or is your profound strength only at the Tyrant Profound Realm?"

"You are not mistaken at all. Although, even if that may be the case, I doubt there is anyone in this world who can be my match." Rokas replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Do the Sacred Grounds worry you?"

"Lord Phoenix God… is correct. The greed of the Sacred Grounds is insatiable. Not even a year ago, the Sun Moon Divine Hall turned its eyes on us… and almost revealed the truth of our Phoenix Spirit's passing. Fortunately, the Absolute Monarch Sanctuary shielded the Divine Phoenix Sect. However…. I fear that this benevolence will not last forever."

Rokas nodded, stroking his chin. "So you want me to be your new protector?"

"Until Xue'er grows into a Phoenix God herself…"

"Now, I'm afraid that I don't really have the time to babysit your Divine Phoenix Sect." Rokas shook his head. "But… the Sacred Grounds won't be a problem in the future either."

"Oh…?"

"Actually, can you leave me and Xue'er for a while?"

"... As you wish, Lord Phoenix God."

Feng Hengkong dipped with a swiftness. Although Rokas being male was a cause for concern, he was also the complete inheritor of the Phoenix. Such a person should naturally have a benevolent heart.

"Father… can be very protective." Feng Xue'er remarked. "But he means well."

"As a father myself, I get it…" Rokas shrugged. 'If some stranger would be getting too close to my daughter, I'd be throwing hands too.'

"Big Brother Long is a father?" Feng Xue'er blinked with a surprised expression. "But you look so young…"

"Yeah… that's why I can't make the Divine Phoenix Sect my priority. There are things far more important to me. But that doesn't mean that I won't help at all… how many stages of the World Ode do you have?"

"Four stages… does Big Brother Long have the rest?"

'Big Brother Long just sounds so wrong to me… if I hear it a third time, I'll yeet myself out of here.' Rokas sighed. "Please, if you're going to call me big brother, use my first name instead."

"Alright… Xue'er will do that next time." Feng Xue'er nodded.

"The Phoenix that I gained my inheritance from only had the fifth and sixth stages. Given that it was incomplete, I didn't bother forcefully comprehending them. However… if we put our stages together, then we'd both have the genuine World Ode of the Phoenix. That's actually why I came here."

"Oh… let's do it do it then, Big Brother Ke." Feng Xue'er spoke with an enthusiastic voice.

They exchanged their stages of the World Ode of the Phoenix, completing the first six stages. Afterwards, Rokas left Feng Xue'er to comprehend those stages and spread them to the rest of the Divine Phoenix Sect once she was done.

[Feng Xue'er (Hierophant V) Confidant Rank: 0 → 1]

Feng Hengkong ensured that Rokas had the best living conditions possible within the Divine Phoenix City, granting him treatment akin to a sacred ground master. Amusingly enough, he didn't even know his name… nor did he ask for it. Instead, he was always called Lord Phoenix God.

"Ah… so that time you went into that valley, it was for her," Jasmine stated, furrowing her brows slightly. "In truth, your paths have led to one important thing after the other as if you already knew they were there. The Phoenix and Dragon God divine spirits especially. This knowledge that they spoke of is quite useful, it seems… but what is its source?"

'I am absolutely not dropping the 'I read the novel lol' card… so I have to waffle a little. Dreams? Hmm… it would be nice to remove the mysterious air but, equally, would it even be necessary?'

"... Dreams," Rokas replied mysteriously.

"Dreams? You don't sound too convincing."

"Believe what you will, Jasmine."

…

Rokas was enjoying the very best bath he had ever had in his existence. Feng Hengkong had prepared some next-level medical bath just for him and, truthfully, he was starting to consider becoming the Divine Phoenix Sect's protector. Or their benefactor, at the very least.

The water… simply felt heavenly, tranquil, warm and endlessly soothing. Rokas could close his eyes and rest there for hours. Even in regards to meditation, he was progressing faster than usual with minimal effort.

'I think I found my new favourite way of meditation…'

As he rested, eventually, Xia Qingyue left his Inner World and floated towards the edge of the bath.

"Would you mind if I joined you?"

"Why would I?" Rokas tilted his head, smiling slightly. "I was starting to get a little lonely here, anyway…"

"I see…"

Xia Qingyue took off her clothes within what seemed an instant and dipped inside, right next to Rokas. She had become increasingly smooth over the months, knowing exactly what got him going. She sneaked her right hand onto his member while kissing him on the lips with lust that was unbecoming of such a fairy.

Was it the blessing of Shared Growth that she sought or was it his unbridled love? Perhaps both… they did come hand-in-hand, more or less.

"The Ranking Tournament's tomorrow…" Rokas remarked, tilting his head a little as he glanced at Xia Qingyue. "You sure you want to wake up tired?"

"Who is the strongest participant from the Divine Phoenix Empire?"

"The thirteenth prince, I'd reckon…"

"And where would his profound strength be?"

"Somewhere under the Tyrant Profound Realm…"

"Then I can afford to wake up tired."

Xia Qingyue smiled slightly as she proceeded without any hesitation.

~

The following day.

Rokas made his way to the Ranking Tournament's arena a little late, having had overslept a little. He was accompanied by Cang Yue and Xia Qingyue, who both wore veils on this occasion. Naturally, the entrance was guarded by disciples of the Divine Phoenix Sect.

"We're entering this tournament on behalf of the Blue Wind Empire." Cang Yue presented her participant emblem and so did Xia Qingyue. "Please do forgive us for being late."

"I… *ahem*... forgive my incompetence." The disciple turned away, trying to control his breathing. "You two wonderful ladies are attending this tournament for the Blue Wind Empire? Last I heard, all of the seats were full and there weren't any prepared for the Blue Wind Empire's participants… but I'll try my utmost to find some for you."

"That will not be necessary." Rokas shook his head, smiling a little as he tapped his shoulder. "I'll speak with the Divine Phoenix Emperor myself."

[System: On some karen type ishh.]

'Hey… I have the qualifications to have some luxury, don't I? Besides, Feng Hengkong would go out of his way to offer them even if I didn't approach.'

Rokas walked forward, followed by Xia Qingyue and Cang Yue. By the time he reached the Ranking Tournament's arena, he saw fifteen centre seats which were all filled by distinguished members of the Divine Phoenix Sect. Rokas nonchalantly approached, causing Feng Hengkong's eyebrows to knit themselves.

"Lord Phoenix God." Feng Hengkong instantly stood up from his seat and bowed his head, causing everyone present to look confused. Other than Feng Xue'er, the spectators thought that the Divine Phoenix Emperor just had a brain fart moment.

"Father… do you need water?" Feng Ximing, the Crown Prince, inquired. "I don't see our Ancestral Phoenix God around, never mind anywhere near that person."

"If you know what is good for you… you will show respect to the Lord Phoenix God!" Feng Hengkong frowned, glancing back.

"There's no need for such formalities." Rokas chuckled, shaking his head. "I wondered if you lot had any seats reserved for me, three to be exact? Turns out that there weren't any for the Blue Wind Empire's participants…"

"Ah… so you come from the Blue Wind Empire?"

"Mn." Rokas nodded. "So can you make space?"

"Of course… Feng Lingshan, Feng Bu and Feng Cao, make space for the Lord Phoenix God and his companions."

"Father, with all due respect, have you gone mad?" Feng Ximing inquired once again.

"This… how could we allow people from the Blue Wind Empire to hold even one of our dignified fifteen central seats?" Feng Lingshan shook his head.

"Lord Phoenix God… forgive their insolence. They simply cannot see the truth that is right before them." Feng Hengkong sighed. "Even if temporarily, you should open their eyes."

"You said it not me." Rokas smiled, suppressing all of their bloodlines except for Feng Hengkong and Feng Xue'er.

"This… can't be…" Feng Ximing's eyes steadily widened as his profound strength was suppressed to almost nothing. It felt as if everything around him was violently shaking alongside a colossal mountain pushing him downwards. Breathing became so difficult that he was forced to open his mouth… remaining seated seemed like the hardest thing in the world.

This was the same for everyone else…

Then it stopped.

"Can I have my seats now?"

"Certainly…" Feng Lingshan rose almost instantly, even though he had a terrible headache. He did not question Rokas anymore… having sensed his Phoenix aura come out in full force. "Forgive me for my insolence, Lord Phoenix God."

"It's alright, everyone makes mistakes from time to time," Rokas spoke in a cheerful tone as he finally sat down. "What's the hold-up? I got those two seats for you both."

"I said that I did not mind standing…" Xia Qingyue replied. "You caused quite the scene for just three seats."

'Not just any seats…'

"You worry too much." Rokas shrugged. 'What's the Divine Phoenix Sect going to do? At this point, even the Sacred Grounds are barely worth contending with me.'

"Well, these seats shouldn't go to waste." Cang Yue sat down beside Rokas.

In the end, Xia Qingyue sat to Rokas' other side. As they waited for the distinguished guests from the Sacred Grounds, Rokas wondered who would appear this time.

"Lord Phoenix God… how could you be affiliated with the lowly Blue Wind Empire?" One of the elders questioned.

"Lowly? Why, I am prince-consort of the Blue Wind Empire." Rokas frowned. "You know, I don't take too kindly to insults aiming directly at my wife's nation."

"I..." The elder suddenly choked on his own words. "I… apologise, Lord Phoenix God."

"Big Brother Ke attained another complete inheritance from the Phoenix in the Blue Wind Empire." Feng Xue'er explained. "Although, I think he has already awakened his soul and body… that's why his suppression is so strong."

"There was another spirit?" Feng Feiyan, Feng Hengkong's older brother, questioned with a shocked expression. "Ah… then it only makes sense. For there to be two complete inheritors of the Phoenix in the world, that is a great blessing-!"

Suddenly, the sky flashed open as an aura trembled across the earth. Clad in simple green robes, a graceful figure floated in the skies. His long black hair was bound in a simple ponytail that reached his waist. The features of his sunken face were completely ordinary for a man of his age… none too ugly but none too outstanding either.

Although, one thing could not be mistaken. His cold arrogance for the world beneath him.

'Best villain himself?' Rokas blinked, analysing the figure in the skies. 'The peak of the Sovereign Profound Realm, ordinary face, green robes…'

"Sword Master Xuanyuan Wentian!" Feng Hengkong instantly rose from his seat and bowed, followed by the rest. Rokas was the last to rise. "This junior… is beyond honoured to make your acquaintance for the second time!"

'So it really is him…'

[System: Don't start fanboying now.]

'... I won't, for obvious reasons.'

"Hmm… the Primordial Profound Ark and its mysteries simply intrigue me."

Xuanyuan Wentian swept his gaze, observing all fifteen of the people seated in the central seats. His expression broke for a moment as he saw Rokas, Cang Yue, Xia Qingyue and Feng Xue'er. The following moment, he returned to his calm expression as he descended and seated himself at the centre of the Sacred Ground's reserved seats.

'I know he sensed our profound strengths… why else would he react in such a way? Man, the Mirror of Samsara sure does love cooking up troublesome plots…'