Chapter 2066 — Arriving at the Rising Phoenix Clan

"So, how should we approach the Rising Phoenix Clan?" Yuan asked Feng Yuxiang as they traveled on the flying treasure.

"..."

When Feng Yuxiang didn’t respond, Yuan opened his eyes and turned to her, only to find her staring at him with a dazed expression, completely mesmerized by his new appearance.

"Feng Feng?" he called out to her again.

This time, she snapped out of it and stammered in a panic, "H-Huh? What did you just say? Sorry, I was thinking about something..."

"I asked if you have any suggestions on how we should approach the Rising Phoenix Clan," he repeated calmly.

"I’ve thought about it for the past year, but I still can’t come up with anything. After all, I severed our ties when I left—so it would be strange to just return as if nothing ever happened," she sighed.

"Why don’t you just do what you did with the dragon clans?" she suddenly said.

"You mean pretend to be a Phoenix Emperor? Does such a title even exist among the phoenix clans?" Yuan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course. It would be weird if we didn’t."

Yuan pondered for a moment before speaking, "While that might have worked in the lower heavens, I doubt the Rising Phoenix Clan, one of the Royal Phoenix Clans, would fall for such a trick."

"That’s true..."

She added after a brief pause, "Additionally, even if you show up as a Phoenix Emperor, I cannot imagine how you’ll convince them to hand over something as precious as the Ancient Seal."

Yuan closed his eyes to ponder again.

A few days later, he asked, "Dragons deeply respect—sometimes even revere—those with a stronger bloodline. Is it the same with phoenixes?"

Feng Yuxiang nodded, "Not just phoenixes. It’s basically like that for every single beast race out there."

"In that case..." He paused for a moment before continuing, "This might be a long shot, but if pretending to be a Phoenix Emperor won’t work, why not appear as a Primordial Phoenix instead? Your bloodline is essentially the ancestor of phoenixes, right?"

"That’s correct. The Primordial Phoenix is the most ancient and powerful phoenix bloodline."

Suddenly, Feng Yuxiang’s expression shifted, as if a thought had struck her.

"If you’re going to do that, why not try to recruit the Rising Phoenix Clan?" she suggested. "As far as I know, they’ve been trying to improve their bloodline for a long time. With your Immortal Monarch’s Bloodline, you could easily win them over. Of course, you won’t be going there as the Immortal Monarch but as a Primordial Phoenix."

"Now that I think about it, the position of Phoenix Emperor is too lowly for someone like you, Young Master," she added.

Yuan nodded, "That does sound like a good idea. Not only would it benefit me to have one of the Royal Phoenix Clans on my side, but they might be more willing to hand over the Ancient Seal if I present myself as a Primordial Phoenix."

"Then let’s go over our plans."

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, three months had already gone by since Yuan consumed the Primordial Phoenix’s Blood Essence.

The Rising Phoenix Clan was a small yet powerful clan situated in the Nirvana Crest—a mountain range where, according to legend, those who perish within its bounds could be reborn as a phoenix.

Just like the dragon clans, due to the rarity of pure and authentic phoenix bloodlines, the phoenix clans were primarily composed of beasts related to phoenixes but not true phoenixes themselves. Only the core members of the clan were true phoenixes.

To expand their power and influence, the Royal Phoenix Clan continuously recruits new beasts into their ranks. Because of this, the Nirvana Crest is always bustling with a steady flow of immortal beasts coming and going.

Much like a sect, the Rising Phoenix Clan puts every recruit through rigorous trials and tests the quality of their bloodline. In the world of beasts, the strength of one’s bloodline determined one’s potential, making it the most vital measure of worth.

As thousands of powerful beasts lined up, forming a long queue at the Nirvana Crest, they suddenly sensed a formidable presence steadily approaching their way.

"Which idiot is showing off before the Rising Phoenix Clan? Who are they trying to impress?"

Though the presence was formidable, it was nothing they hadn’t felt before. After all, there was always someone trying to show off now and then, hoping to attract the attention of the Rising Phoenix Clan.

However, when the phoenixes within the Rising Phoenix Clan sensed this presence, they were shocked to find their own bloodlines reacting to it—something that only happened in the presence of a bloodline vastly superior to their own.

Very quickly, members of the Rising Phoenix Clan began to gather outside their residence, standing in quiet anticipation as the powerful presence drew steadily closer.

Soon, they realized it wasn’t just a single presence approaching but two, and one of them felt oddly familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar at the same time.

Eventually, the figures came into view, and the phoenixes’ eyes widened in shock when they recognized one of them.

"That woman... isn’t that Feng Yuxiang?"

"What?"

"...You’re right! That’s Feng Yuxiang!"

"What’s she doing here? It’s been thousands of years since I last heard from her."

"Do you think she’s trying to return to the clan?"

"So soon? Didn’t she just leave?"

The phoenixes immediately began to speculate upon seeing Feng Yuxiang. Although it had been thousands of years since she had left them, such a span of time was nothing to them, and in their eyes, it felt as if she had only just departed.

"Is it just me, or is there something very different about her? Though her appearance is the same, her aura is very different, not to mention her presence."

"Who’s that next to her?"

"Wait a second... Isn’t that the Ancient Phoenix Robe he’s wearing?"

Soon, Yuan and Feng Yuxiang arrived at the Rising Phoenix Clan, coming to a halt directly in front of their grand residence.