Chapter 2119 — The Royal Phoenix Clans’ Response

After a moment of silence, the leader slowly nodded her head and said, "I’ll bring it up with the other leaders. It’ll probably take a few days to receive an answer."

"We can wait."

The leader retrieved a communication jade slip from her spatial ring and began sending messages, notifying each and every leader of the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans about the situation.

She had expected it would take several days for them to reply, but to her surprise, many of the leaders responded within mere minutes.

"Six of the other nine clans have responded and agreed to attend the meeting. However, three have refused," she informed Yuan.

"Who refused?" Yuan asked.

"The Crimson Rebirth Phoenix Clan, Immortal Ember Phoenix Clan, and the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan. They’re ranked 8th, 4th, and 1st in the Royal Clans," she explained. "So, do you still want to have this gathering?"

He nodded, "Yes, I don’t need all of the Royal Clans on my side—just enough to convince you to give me the Ancient Seal."

The leader’s mouth dropped.

"You’re seriously doing all of this just for the Ancient Seal? Why do you even want it? Besides being a key that opens the Primordial Realm, I don’t think it has any other uses," she said.

"I’ll tell you after I acquire the Ancient Seal," he said with a calm smile.

"Fine. Then, when do you want the gathering to happen? What about the location?"

"As soon as possible. As for the location, I’ll let you decide."

"I understand. Give me a moment to think."

A few minutes later, she said, "I can’t really think of anything, so let’s just hold it where we usually do—at the Undying Fiery Summit. Since this topic is too sudden, it’ll take at least a month or two for everyone to be prepared. Let’s hold the gathering three months from now just to be safe."

"Sounds good." Yuan agreed.

"Then I’ll let the others know."

The leader immediately notified those who agreed to the gathering of the location and time. Soon, they responded with acknowledgement.

"Alright. It’s done."

"Thank you. Now, let’s talk about the Rising Phoenix Clan. Although this could wait until the gathering, we might as well do it now since we’re already here."

"What do you want from the Rising Phoenix Clan?" she asked, a faint frown of worry creasing her brow.

"Nothing material," Yuan replied. "I want the Rising Phoenix Clan to serve me. Or, if you prefer a better phrasing, I want you to work with me."

"That’s—"

Yuan quickly interrupted the leader as she opened her mouth, "Listen to my offer before you give me an answer."

The leader slowly closed her mouth and silently nodded.

"Not only will we improve the Rising Phoenix Clan’s bloodline purity, but we’ll also help your bloodline evolve into a superior one—if it’s possible."

"What... did you just say?" The leader’s eyes widened so far that it seemed her eyeballs might pop out.

"Primordial Phoenixes like Feng Yuxiang have the ability to improve other phoenixes’ bloodline purity, but I can do that and evolve it."

"How can a mere human have the ability to—"

The leader abruptly cut herself off as a thought struck her. The possibility of it being true was almost nonexistent. Yet, it was not entirely zero.

She wanted to voice the question lingering in her mind, but the courage to ask it never came, so she held her tongue and remained silent.

Yuan noticed her weird facial expression and could guess what she was thinking, but he didn’t say anything, only offering a mysterious smile on his face.

"If... If you really have that ability, then the Rising Phoenix Clan will serve you," she said. "However, how are you going to prove your ability? Surely, you’re not expecting me to just take your word for it."

"Of course not. As for the evidence... I’ll prove it to you during the gathering."

"In that case, I’ll wait until then to provide you with my answer."

Yuan nodded.

"Fair enough."

"Anything else you want to talk about?" The leader then asked.

"No. We’ll leave for now. See you again in three months at the Undying Fiery Summit."

"Okay."

Yuan and Feng Yuxiang left the room shortly after.

"Where are you going, Young Master?" Feng Haoyu asked them.

"I’m going to leave for three months."

"Leave? Why?"

"Your mother will tell you everything."

"I understand..."

Though he still had many questions, Feng Haoyu decided to wait until later.

Once Yuan and Feng Yuxiang departed from the Rising Phoenix Clan’s territory, Feng Haoyu and the elders immediately approached the leader for answers.

She did not withhold anything, openly recounting the entire situation to them—including the revelation that Yuan was not the true Primordial Phoenix, but that title belonged to Feng Yuxiang.

"What?! Feng Yuxiang was the Primordial Phoenix?!" The Grand Elder exclaimed.

"That’s impossible! How did that man use True Primordial Fire, then?!"

"Hmph. It was probably some trick. I bet he was only acting like he could use it when, in reality, it was Feng Yuxiang who was using it," remarked one of the elders.

"Although we were tricked, it doesn’t change the fact that they have a Primordial Phoenix, and Feng Yuxiang’s bloodline purity is even above that of the one with the Celestial Emperor."

"They already fooled us once. What’s to say they aren’t still deceiving us? What if Feng Yuxiang isn’t truly a Primordial Phoenix either?" another elder asked, his voice thick with skepticism.

"That’s very unlikely," said the leader, backing Feng Yuxiang. "Not only is it impossible to trick the Golden Phoenix Needle, but it’s impossible to fake her True Primordial Fire, too."

Suddenly, someone spoke up.

"Young Lord, what are your thoughts on this matter? You swore loyalty to that man, yet he turned out to be a fraud. He’s not even a phoenix, let alone a Primordial Phoenix."

Everyone turned their attention to Feng Haoyu, who was deep in thought.

"What? You swore loyalty to him?" the leader asked, her frown deepening as she heard this for the first time.