Chapter 2113 — Returning to the Rising Phoenix Clan

After a month of traveling nonstop, Yuan arrived at his destination, the Rising Phoenix Clan.

Even before he reached their residence, Yuan sensed a change in the atmosphere compared to his last visit. It was much stiffer and heavier, almost as if something grim had occurred recently.

"I wonder what happened." Feng Yuxiang muttered as she appeared beside Yuan.

"There’s only one way to find out."

As Yuan and Feng Yuxiang approached their territory, several powerful presences suddenly appeared to intercept them.

"Halt right there and identify yourselves!"

"I’m Feng Yuxiang, and this is my Young Master. We have an appointment with your leader," Feng Yuxiang said calmly.

"Appointment? We haven’t been informed of any such thing," the guard replied with a frown. "You’ll have to turn around and leave."

"You can ask either Feng Zhenyan or the Grand Elder. They’re expecting us." Feng Yuxiang continued.

"Look here. I don’t care if you have an appointment or not. Unless you’re more important than the Celestial Doctor, you will not see our leader!" The guard roared.

"Celestial Doctor?" Yuan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, and he asked, "Is the leader sick?"

"Mind your own business. This isn’t something for an outsider to know about."

However, the very next moment, they sensed another presence approaching. When the guards saw who it was, they quickly lowered their heads with respect.

"I thought I sensed your presence, Young Master."

This individual was none other than Feng Haoyu.

"Y-Young Master?" The guards stared at him with wide eyes filled with disbelief, as none of them could fathom why their young lord would address someone in such a manner.

"What do you think you’re doing? They’re our esteemed guests." Feng Haoyu then said.

"T-That’s..."

"But due to the situation, I won’t blame you guys. Leave. I’ll handle things from here."

"Yes, Young Lord."

Once the guards left, Feng Haoyu faced Yuan and said, "I apologize for that."

"No worries. What’s the situation right now? I heard you’re waiting for the Celestial Doctor." "Please, follow me. This isn’t a subject we should be speaking about out in the open."

Yuan nodded and followed Feng Haoyu to a private room.

Once they were seated, Feng Haoyu spoke, "The situation is quite dire right now, so everyone is on edge. Our leader—my mother—returned two weeks ago, but she returned greatly injured."

"What happened to her?"

"We’re still unsure of the situation. She collapsed shortly after returning and hasn’t regained consciousness since, hence why we contacted the Celestial Doctor, who is known as the most experienced doctor in the Nine Heavens."

Yuan glanced at Feng Yuxiang and asked, "What’s the difference between the Celestial Doctor and the Divine Doctor you introduced before?"

"Well," Feng Yuxiang explained, "the Divine Doctor mainly treats mortals, while the Celestial Doctor specializes in treating immortals. He’s essentially in a completely different league compared to Li Shizhen."

"When will the Celestial Doctor arrive?" Yuan then asked.

"He should arrive next week."

"Do you think I can have a look while we wait?"

"Are you also a doctor?" Feng Haoyu looked at him with wide eyes.

"Well, I wouldn’t call myself a doctor, but I do specialize in curing poison and curses."

"In that case, please take a look at my mother!"

Yuan nodded, "Alright. Bring me to her."

Sometime later, Feng Haoyu brought Yuan and Feng Yuxiang to his mother’s private residence, where the Grand Elder and several unfamiliar individuals were gathered.

"Who are they?" The people in the room questioned the moment they saw Yuan.

"Senior Primordial Phoenix!" The Grand Elder greeted him instead.

"What? He’s the Primordial Phoenix that you were speaking of?" The others in the room were utterly shocked to learn this.

Yuan ignored their gaze and approached the woman sleeping on the bed.

However, his path was immediately blocked by someone.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Step aside, Elder Yikong. The Young Master is an expert with poison and curse, and we already know that she’d been cursed," Feng Haoyu said out loud.

"Can you really trust him? Although you have sworn your loyalty to him, you barely even know him! It’s not too late to stop your nonsense!" Another elder spoke, criticizing his decision to follow a stranger.

"I may not know much—if anything—about him," Feng Haoyu said calmly, "but I trust my judgment of people. And my judgment tells me he’s someone who can be trusted."

"Grand Elder! Please say something! The Young Lord is out of his mind!" The elders turned to look at their eldest and most experienced.

The Grand Elder took a deep breath before speaking.

"Senior Primordial Phoenix, I ask for your understanding regarding their skepticism. As a phoenix, I possess the ability to read one’s character through their flames. After experiencing your True Primordial Fire firsthand, I can say with certainty that you are not someone of ill intent, but I cannot speak for the others."

He then turned to look at the others and continued, "Senior Primordial Phoenix has no reason to harm the leader. He may be a stranger, but he possesses the Primordial Phoenix’s bloodline, and just from that, we are obligated to give him a chance."

The elders fell silent.

"Relax. I am just going to check her condition and nothing else." Yuan reassured them a moment later. "Of course, if you still refuse to trust me, we can all wait for the Celestial Doctor to arrive. Though it might be too late by then."

"W-What the hell do you mean it might be too late?!"

"Do you really think you can scare us with such nonsense?!"

The elders exclaimed, their faces full of anger.

Yuan shook his head and explained, "I’ve only been in this room for a few moments, and I can already sense her bloodline weakening significantly. If we wait an entire week, she may not die—but she likely won’t recover properly from whatever’s afflicting her either."

Hearing this, the elders turned to look at their leader and swallowed nervously.