31 The Phoenix Clan

Hello, There. This is me, Nine_Clouds!

It's been thirty-one chapters, what do you think about the story so far?

--- Chapter 30 ---

"Phoenix?" 

"The Primordial Divine Beast?" 

The three ladies were dumbfounded.

They have heard stories about the 'Phoenix' from the Divine Phoenix Empire that neighbored their Blue Wind Empire. 

In the past, the Divine Phoenix Sect received the legacy of the Phoenix and took over the Grand Asura Kingdom, renaming it into the Divine Phoenix Empire.

From this story, one can see the significant meaning of possessing such a legacy. 

Strength to dominate an entire empire!

To this day, the Divine Phoenix Empire still worships the Phoenix.

How could such a legacy remain in this remote place without anyone knowing?

"No, no. Don't let your imagination run wild." Yu Long chuckled at their reactions. "This clan indeed connected to the Divine Phoenix Empire, but not in the way you thought it was." 

"Let's visit the clan first." 

He casually walked to the village, "You'll know more as soon as we talk with them." 

But how did you know then? The three ladies stared at Yu Long's back in confusion.

Even then, they followed Yu Long to the small village surrounded by tall walls.

Upon their arrival, a gasp echoes one after another.

"Outsiders..." 

"There are actually outsiders visiting our clan." 

"I thought no one knew about our clan's existence anymore..." 

Xia Qingyue frowned as her ability to see one's soul and characteristics activated. When she saw these people with small fire tattoos on their foreheads, she couldn't help but notice their pure souls.

Yes, pure souls!

Every single one of them!

Xia Qingyue also noticed the faint helplessness on their faces, but when they saw her and Yu Long, the 'helplessness.' seemed to change into hope.

"10th Level of Elementary Profound Realm..." Lily mumbled in disbelief.

"Aren't they supposed to be inheritors of Phoenix's blood?" She patted her head. "This kind of cultivation base, even a group of Shadow Apprentices much stronger than this." 

"Looks and feels properly, Lily... That flame mark on their forehead. It's limiting their profound sensitivity and aspect." Hong Guan commented solemnly. 

"Ultimately preventing them from breaking through into the Nascent Profound Realm." 

After some thought, Hong Guan furrowed her brows and added, "I don't know what happened to these people. However, It was most likely punishment or some sort." 

'You don't know how spot-on you are, Hong Guan.' Yu Long shook his head gently. 

A woman's intuition is a cheat.

"Hello." Someone calmly approached them.

It was a red-haired man in his late twenties. 

He's around 178 centimeters with a humble appearance. He wore a plain blue robe, making him look even more ordinary. 

There is an air of peacefulness around this man.

"Hello." Yu Long responded, cupping his hand at the red-haired man.

The red-haired man was stunned at Yu Long's gesture before smiling faintly. "My name is Feng Baichuan." He introduced himself to them.

"I'm the leader of this small clan." 

"It seems that you discovered our small settlement by accident. Or maybe not." 

"This might sound weird, but how should I refer to esteemed guests?" 

Yu Long nodded and replied, "No, it's not weird. Clan Leader Feng." 

"My name is Yu Long." 

"This charming young lady is Xia Qingyue." 

"That good-looking woman in green is Lily."

"And lastly, the beauty in the red dress is Hong Guan." 

"Greetings." The ladies politely bowed to Feng Baichuan.

Feng Baichuan was troubled, "Please do not bow to me."

"Haha, it's okay." Yu Long waved his hand casually. "Showing some courtesy should be fine, no?" 

"W-Well..." Feng Baichuan could only nod at the end. 

The red-haired man sighed and asked, "Please forgive my rudeness. May I ask what's the purpose of your visit?" 

Yu Long played a clueless expression before replying, "This... Clan Leader Feng, I sensed a rich aura of flame here. Is this place perhaps where the Guardian Clan of Phoenix's Legacy resides?" 

After Yu Long mentioned this, every clan member seemingly stopped like statues and put a pained look on their faces. They instinctively touched the flame imprint on their forehead.

"Guardian Clan..." Feng Baichuan smiled bitterly. "We don't deserve such a title." 

"I could feel that four of you aren't bad people. Please follow me, and I will explain our clan's situation more." 

"Sure." Yu Long and others followed Feng Baichuan to his house. 

Feng Baichuan called for his wife and asked her to make tea for the guests.

As they sat down around a round table, the mood slowly became heavier and heavier.

Feng Baichuan's wife placed several cups of tea on the table, giving them a nod and leaving the room.

"As I said earlier..." Feng Baichuan sighed in sorrow.

"We do not deserve to be called 'Guardian Clan' anymore." 

"Right now, we are just a small clan that carried the ancestor's sin and curse of the Phoenix..." 

"But why so?" Xia Qingyue asked in bizarreness.

"Yes, we noticed that every adult in the clan is only at the 10th Level of Elementary Profound Realm." Hong Guan added immediately. 

"I'll be frank, but with such strength, I'm surprised your clan could survive living in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range." 

"There must be a reason, right?" 

Feng Baichuan gazed into the distance and answered, "You're right." 

"We used to prosper."

"We used to be bathed in glory, existing for a very long time due to the Divine Phoenix." 

"However, we incur Heaven's Wrath!" 

"Heaven's Wrath..." Lily whispered to herself. She can't imagine the action that could lead to such a result.

"Yes. A long time ago..." Feng Baichuan recalled his father's story. 

"An ancestor of the clan passed the phoenix trial and obtained the phoenix bloodline."

"They flourished into a large sect after 12 generations."

"Nonetheless, During that generation, one of the ancestors fought with someone using the power of the Phoenix. The flames accidentally spread to a small town and burned thirty-two thousand innocent people..."

"The Phoenix God's Spirit was enraged by our ancestor's action and cursed our bloodline to get suppressed to the 10th level of Elementary Profound."

"Afterward, our strength declined rapidly with no other choice than isolating ourselves in the mountain range next to the ruins of the Phoenix for a thousand years. We prayed to Phoenix God that the curse could get released."

"I doubt people outside know about our existence anymore..." He laughed in self-mockery.

"As for why we live comfortably in this remote place. The Phoenix ruin nearby releases the aura of Phoenix God, which deters dangerous beasts away, allowing us to live comfortably." 

"How unfair..." Xia Qingyue uttered after hearing the story. Even Hong Guan and Lily thought the same.

"Clan Head Feng, your generation did nothing wrong, no? Why did you have to carry the sin of your ancestor?" 

"Also, didn't you say the sin was an accident?" 

Feng Baichuan shook his head calmly and responded, "Because my Ancestor still killed those innocent lives." 

"Even if it was an accident, lives are still lives!" 

"We must protect Phoenix Ruin and its image. The power given to us comes with responsibility." 

"And my ancestor broke that responsibility!" Tears are coming from Feng Baichuan's eyes. "Even until this very moment, the Phoenix clan still felt ashamed of our past actions." 

"Generations after generation, we carried the shameful will and were taught to repent. Because it's our responsibility now!" 

"Here." Yu Long, who had been quiet all this time, placed down a napkin for Feng Baichuan.

"Thank you." Feng Baichuan still thanked him despite his emotional state.

Hong Guan bit her lips and glanced at Yu Long, "Is there a way to break the curse?" 

'Why are you staring at me?' Yu Long chuckled inside.

'He's the clan head, not me!' 

Feng Baichuan wiped his tears, "There is a way to break the curse." 

"But it's 'extremely' dangerous and difficult." 

"And that way is?" Lily questioned in suspense.

"Only those with true phoenix bloodline could break the curse." Feng Bauchian finished his words. "And to obtain true phoenix bloodline, one must pass Phoenix Trials like our ancestor years ago." 

"Aside from this method, there is no other way." 

"Big Brother, Young Master!" Xia Qingyue and Lily showed a pleading look at Yu Long after realizing how pitiful the Phoenix Clan was.

Yu Long was 'actually' taken aback by their actions. 

He ruffled his hair and said, "Don't be pessimistic, Clan Leader Feng." 

"I might have a way to break the curse." 

Yu Long shrugged, "Of course. Passing the Phoenix Trials is convenient and more straightforward."

"Still, with my expertise, trying another method doesn't sound bad. What do you think?" 

"D-Do you really have a way?" Feng Baichuan's body trembled.

"In theory, yes. All I need is your blood and some time." Yu Long returned confidently.

"Then, take my blood. If you succeed, then you'll be our greatest benefactor." Feng  Baichuan's gaze becomes firm.

Yu Long rubbed his chin, "Not so fast." 

"Can we visit the Phoenix Ruin first?" 

'I'm afraid the Phoenix God will intervene with my method." 

"This... I might have to talk with my clansmen first." Feng Baichuan put on a complex expression.

"It's okay. You can discuss it with your clansmen, but give me your blood first." Yu Long smiled in understanding.

"Okay!" Feng Baichuan excitedly ran toward the kitchen.

"Woah, woah, hold down your horse." Yu Long grabbed Feng Baichuan's hand and stopped him.

"Are you going to take a sharp object and hack yourself?" 

"Uh... Yes?" Feng Baichuan tilted his head and then realized how absurd his action was.

"..." Xia Qingyue.

"..." Lily.

"..." Hong Guan.

"..." Even Feng Baichuan's wife afar was speechless.

Yu Long's mouth twitched as he handed a syringe, "Use this instead." 

"To use this tool, you have to stab and pull this. Then..." 

Feng Baichuan's eyes lit up in marvel. He followed Yu Long's instructions and drew his blood out.

It was painless.

"Stop, this is more than enough." Yu Long said, gently pulling the syringe off Feng Baichuan's arm. "In the meantime, you can discuss with your clansmen, Clan Head Feng." 

"Then, wait for my good news." Feng Baichuan bade farewell and left them in the room.

"I should be the one who says that." Yu Long waved his hand carefreely.

Stretching his fingers, he looked at the syringe and said, "Now for the nifty part..."