thefictionvixens Chapter 579 News of the Phoenix Clan
Chapter 579 News of the Phoenix Clan
Time passed day by day, and a hundred years went by in the blink of an eye.
A hundred years is but a fleeting moment in the vast and ancient world.
But for Chu Yang, it was a long and tedious period.
He observed the runes on the stone tablet again and again, trying different methods time and time again, but he could never find the key to refining the stone tablet.
"How am I supposed to refine this damn stone?!"
Chu Yang couldn't help but swear and slammed his fist on the stone tablet.
The stone tablet remained motionless, but a sharp pain shot through his fist.
"Ouch!" Honghuang Chuyang clutched his fist, wincing in pain. "This thing is really hard!"
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose in the soul palace within the sea of consciousness, followed by the voice of the immortal Chu Yang: "Everyone, I've found a clue!"
Honghuang Chuyang's spirits lifted, and he quickly entered the Soul Palace.
"How's it going? Any discoveries?" he asked eagerly.
The voice of the immortal Chu Yang carried a hint of excitement, yet also a touch of helplessness: "According to ancient records, to refine that stone tablet, one must either possess pure Phoenix bloodline or cultivate the most profound Phoenix techniques; neither is dispensable."
Devouring Chu Yang curled his lip: "The Phoenix Clan? They're almost extinct! Where are we supposed to find their bloodline? Even if there are still some left in the Primordial World, there probably aren't many!"
Dou Qi Chu Yang chimed in, "Isn't there any other way?"
The immortal swordsman Chu Yang smiled: "The bloodline of the Phoenix Clan is indeed hard to find, but the cultivation technique is not necessarily hopeless. A few years ago, I discovered a broken Phoenix Clan jade slip in an ancient ruin, which recorded a top-level cultivation technique called 'Nirvana Rebirth Technique'..."
He paused, his tone becoming serious: "However, this technique requires the bloodline of the Phoenix Clan to cultivate; otherwise, one will suffer a backlash and die."
As he spoke, the immortal Chu Yang passed on the contents of the "Nirvana Rebirth Technique" to the other three Chu Yangs.
Honghuang Chuyang suddenly felt a profound and complex scripture appear in his sea of consciousness, and a scorching aura flowed through his body.
"What an overbearing technique!"
Honghuang Chuyang exclaimed in amazement, "Even without the Phoenix Clan bloodline, simply comprehending this scripture would be of immense benefit to my cultivation!"
Devouring Chu Yang looked eager to try: "Phoenix bloodline...hehe, this prehistoric world is so big, maybe we can actually find a few that slipped through the net."
"It seems I need to find a way to get some Phoenix bloodline..." Honghuang Chuyang muttered to himself.
Although Yingzhou Island is rich in spiritual energy, it no longer holds much significance for him now.
Without refining the stone tablet, one cannot control the core of the island, and all efforts will be in vain.
"I'll go back to the Primordial World first. You can continue studying the stone tablet."
Honghuang Chuyang said to the other three, "Anyway, I already know the location of Yingzhou Island, so I won't be afraid of not being able to find it next time I come."
After saying that, he left the Soul Palace and returned to the Primordial World.
The primordial world is extremely dangerous.
Finding the Phoenix Clan bloodline is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
However, Chu Yang is not one to give up easily.
After leaving Yingzhou Island, Chu Yang spent nearly two years traveling to the Undying Volcano.
In my memory, the immortal volcano was a habitat for the Phoenix Clan, with flames erupting and lava flowing year-round.
But what lay before him now was a desolate, black, scorched wasteland, barren of vegetation and devoid of any sign of life.
The air was filled with a pungent sulfur smell, which was very unpleasant.
"What's going on?" Chu Yang frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
He unleashed his divine sense, meticulously searching every inch of land and every trace of life, but still found nothing.
"Could it be... that the Phoenix Clan has truly become extinct?" This thought sank his heart.
Having found nothing from his trip to the Immortal Volcano, Chu Yang had no choice but to head south in search of the Vermilion Bird Clan.
The Vermilion Bird and the Phoenix both belong to the bird race. After the great calamity of the dragon and phoenix, the Vermilion Bird race suffered heavy casualties, but it was not wiped out. The surviving clan leader also had the strength of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.
Perhaps we can get some clues from them.
The South is hot all year round, with the air filled with humid and hot moisture.
Chu Yang sped along and finally arrived at a continuous, crimson mountain range.
Several enormous, fiery red birds circled above the mountain range; they were members of the Vermilion Bird clan.
Chu Yang landed on a mountain peak and bowed to the Vermilion Bird circling in the air, saying, "I am Chu Yang, a disciple of the Intercepting Sect. I have something to ask the patriarch of the Vermilion Bird Clan."
A slightly smaller Vermilion Bird swooped down and landed in front of Chu Yang, speaking in human language: "Human, what business do you have with my Vermilion Bird clan?"
Chu Yang cut to the chase: "I would like to inquire about the whereabouts of the Phoenix Clan. Would you be able to provide that information?"
Upon hearing this, the Vermilion Bird's eyes flashed with mockery: "The Phoenix Clan? Heh, you've come to the wrong place. They're extinct long ago. You should give up on that idea!"
Chu Yang felt a chill run down his spine as the scene of the Undying Volcano flashed before his eyes once more.
To be precise, the Vermilion Bird clan also has a trace of Phoenix blood. Although this trace of Phoenix blood is thin, it is better than nothing.
If I could get the help of the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief, I might be able to extract a trace of Phoenix Clan bloodline, which should be enough for me to cultivate the Nirvana Rebirth Technique.
However, Suzaku's attitude gave him some trouble.
"Extinct..."
Chu Yang repeated those three words in a low voice, his heart filled with bitterness.
The sight of the immortal volcano, coupled with the confirmation of the Vermilion Bird, forced him to accept this cruel reality.
Is there really no other way?
Chu Yang took a deep breath, suppressing his disappointment, and spoke again: "I know that the Vermilion Bird Clan and the Phoenix Clan are both birds. Perhaps... your clan still retains some records about the Phoenix Clan?"
Upon hearing this, the Vermilion Bird's expression softened slightly, but its tone still carried a hint of arrogance: "What does the Phoenix Clan's affairs have to do with a human like you? You'd better leave quickly; my Vermilion Bird Clan does not welcome outsiders."
Chu Yang cursed inwardly, thinking how arrogant and conceited the Vermilion Bird Clan truly was!
However, Chu Yang did not show it on his face, and maintained a humble attitude: "I did not mean to offend you, but the matter is of great importance, so please be lenient."
As he spoke, he took out a pill that emitted a rich medicinal fragrance from his storage bag and handed it to the Vermilion Bird: "This is a Nine-Turn Golden Pill, which can help you improve your cultivation. I hope you will accept it."
The Vermilion Bird, seeing the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, a greedy glint in its eyes, snatched the pill, sniffed it, and a satisfied expression appeared on its face: "You're smart! Since you're so sincere, I'll take you to see the clan leader. As for whether the clan leader is willing to tell you about the Phoenix Clan, I can't guarantee that!"
Having said that, the Vermilion Bird flapped its wings and flew high into the mountains.
Seeing this, Chu Yang was secretly delighted and quickly followed.
The Suzaku clan's territory is located in a huge volcano deep within the mountains.
Inside the crater, lava churned, heat waves blew, and the air was thick with the smell of sulfur.
Chu Yang followed the Vermilion Bird, passing through layers of lava and flames, and arrived in front of a palace built of crimson rocks.
At the palace gate stood two Vermilion Bird Guards clad in fiery red armor, exuding a powerful aura that clearly indicated they were not to be trifled with.
The Vermilion Bird stepped forward, whispered a few words, and the two guards made way for him.
Chu Yang followed the Vermilion Bird into the palace. In the center of the hall, there was a huge, fiery red throne, and on the throne sat a burly, imposing middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man wore a fiery red robe and a golden crown with phoenix wings. His eyes were like lightning, and he exuded an imposing aura without being angry.
Judging from the aura emanating from him, he was clearly a powerful expert at the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.
"Chieftain, this human has something to ask of us," the Vermilion Bird said respectfully.
The middle-aged man's gaze fell on Chu Yang, and a powerful pressure instantly enveloped him, making it difficult for Chu Yang to breathe.
"Human, what brings you to my Vermilion Bird Clan?" The middle-aged man's voice was deep and carried an undeniable air of authority.
Chu Yang took a deep breath and, under immense pressure, spoke: "I am Chu Yang, a disciple of the Jie Sect. I would like to inquire about the Phoenix Clan from the Clan Chief."
"You're the disciple of the sage who slew the Nine-Headed Serpent? You want to learn about the Phoenix Clan?"
Upon hearing this, a complex look flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes, and his tone became somewhat low: "Why are you asking this?"
Chu Yang was overjoyed. It seemed that the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief really did know something!
He quickly revealed that he needed the bloodline of the Phoenix Clan to refine the stone tablet. Of course, he concealed the specific location and function of the stone tablet, only saying that it was for cultivating a divine power.
After listening, the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief remained silent for a long time, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
The atmosphere inside the main hall was solemn. Chu Yang dared not make a sound and could only wait quietly for the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief's reply.
Suddenly, the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief raised his head sharply, a resolute glint in his eyes, and said, "I can help you, but you must agree to one condition."
"I've heard that you, Chu Yang, are a master of formations. I need you... to help me repair the protective formation of the Vermilion Bird clan."
The Vermilion Bird Clan Chief's voice, like a dull drumbeat, struck Chu Yang's heart.
Chu Yang's eyelids twitched, and he thought to himself: It's not that simple after all. He pretended to ponder for a moment, but in reality, he was weighing the pros and cons of this deal in his mind.
Repairing the formation shouldn't be difficult for him; Chu Yang now has plenty of confidence in his skills with formations.
Besides, it also grants access to information about the Phoenix Clan's bloodline, so why not?
"Clan leader, how badly is this formation damaged?" Chu Yang asked cautiously, as if assessing the difficulty of the mission.
The clan chief sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice: "This protective array is a remnant from ancient times. After countless years, it is already in a dilapidated state. It was severely damaged during the great battle between the dragon and the phoenix, and now it is riddled with holes. No one in our clan can repair it."
He paused, a hint of worry in his eyes, "This formation concerns the fate and safety of my Vermilion Bird clan. If it cannot be repaired, I'm afraid..."
He didn't say anything more, but the meaning was already self-evident.
Chu Yang chuckled inwardly. This old guy was quite the actor, but that was exactly what he wanted.
"In that case, I will do my best," Chu Yang said, cupping his hands. "However, repairing this formation is not something that can be done overnight; it will probably take some time."
"As long as you can repair the formation, it doesn't matter how long it takes! We've already prepared the materials for repairing it!"
A hint of joy flashed in the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief's eyes, and his tone softened considerably. "As for the news about the Phoenix Clan that you wanted..."
The Vermilion Bird Clan Chief took a deep breath and slowly said, "The Phoenix Clan has not been wiped out..."
Chu Yang felt a chill run down his spine and listened intently.
"They have more than ten left... and have migrated to another secret realm." The clan chief's voice was deep, as if carrying an ancient secret.
"The entrance to this secret realm is extremely well hidden; only those with phoenix blood or who possess special tokens can enter."
Chu Yang frowned. This was somewhat different from what he had expected. He thought the Phoenix Clan had really become extinct, but he didn't expect that the entire clan had migrated to the secret realm.
"What is that token?" Chu Yang felt a surge of excitement. It seemed that this trip to the Vermilion Bird Clan was the right decision.
The Vermilion Bird Clan Chief took out a palm-sized crimson scale from his robes and handed it to Chu Yang: "This is one of the tokens for opening the secret realm, called 'Phoenix Feather,' which was transformed from a feather from the Phoenix Ancestor!"
Chu Yang took the phoenix feather. It was warm to the touch, and the scales faintly shimmered with a crimson-gold light. An ancient and mysterious aura wafted over him.
He carefully observed the patterns on the phoenix feather and discovered that these patterns were somewhat similar to those on the stone tablet he had refined!
"It seems the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief wasn't lying to me!" Chu Yang thought to himself.
With the token in hand, Chu Yang was quite excited and couldn't wait to repair the formation and then head to the secret realm to explore it further.
"Chieftain, where is this protective array located? When shall we begin its repair?"
The Vermilion Bird Clan Chief rose and led Chu Yang out of the main hall, heading towards the depths of the volcano.
"This protective array is located beneath our clan's sacred ground—the Nirvana Pool."
As the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief walked, he said, "The Nirvana Pool is where our clan's patriarchs have been reborn through Nirvana, and it is also where our clan's fortune gathers, so this formation is of utmost importance."
After passing through a winding lava passage, the two arrived at a huge underground cave.
In the center of the cave, there was a pool of churning golden lava, radiating a suffocating heat.
Above the lava floats a huge crimson rock, carved with intricate and mysterious runes—the protective array of the Vermilion Bird clan.
"This... is the Nirvana Pool?"
Looking at the churning lava before him, Chu Yang was secretly amazed. The Vermilion Bird Clan really liked living in places like this.
However, both the Phoenix Clan and the Vermilion Bird Clan are fire-loving races, so they should be used to this kind of place.
"good."
The Vermilion Bird Clan Chief nodded and said, "The magma in this Nirvana Pool is not ordinary magma, but 'Nirvana Fire' containing the essence and blood of our ancestors, possessing powerful purifying and healing abilities."
"This is also why my Vermilion Bird clan was able to survive the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity!"
As he spoke, the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief pointed to the floating rock and said in a deep voice, "This protective array is powered by the Nirvana Flame. Now that the array is incomplete, the Nirvana Flame is also becoming unstable. If it is not repaired in time, I'm afraid..."
He didn't say anything more, but Chu Yang could guess the consequences: the formation would collapse, the Nirvana Flame would go out of control, and the Vermilion Bird Clan would probably be finished.
"Don't worry, Chieftain, I'll take a look and then begin the repairs."
Chu Yang took a deep breath, walked to the foot of the rock, sat cross-legged, and began to carefully observe the operation of the formation. (End of Chapter)