The entrance to the Vermilion Bird Tomb was hidden behind a waterfall.
Whether Xu Yi observed with her divine sense or her naked eye, the area behind the waterfall was a solid rock face.
However, when she held the spirit key and passed through the waterfall with Ji Buwang, a completely different scene unfolded.
The mountain wall was gone, replaced by vast expanses of fiery red mountain stones.
Even the sky held a faint crimson hue.
"Is this the Vermilion Bird Tomb?"
Xu Yi surveyed her surroundings. Besides the rocks, the ground was also dotted with numerous pits of varying sizes and depths.
The walls of these pits were smooth, with scorched marks at the edges, suggesting they were caused by attacks infused with fire spirit energy.
But wasn't this supposed to be the Vermilion Bird Ancestor's secret realm?
Why did it appear so desolate and ravaged?
It looked as if a great battle had taken place.
Xu Yi recalled the sect's ancient texts, finding only scant records about the Vermilion Bird Ancestor. They simply described his life and the contributions he made to the sect.
Like Xu Yi, the Vermilion Bird Ancestor possessed a single fire spirit root, granting him an innate and powerful affinity for fire spirit energy.
After establishing his foundation, he chose to specialize in spells that used spiritual fire as their primary attack method. He later even created his own unique cultivation technique called the Nine Flames of the Vermilion Bird, earning him the title Vermilion Bird Ancestor.
However, neither the cultivators of the Xuanji Sect nor those of the Jiuzhou Continent had ever linked the Vermilion Bird Ancestor to an actual Vermilion Bird.
All cultivators subconsciously assumed the Vermilion Bird was a mythical being, incapable of existing in the mortal world.
This included Xu Yi and Ji Buwang.
Had it not been for their experience at Mount Huofen, they would not have believed in the existence of the Vermilion Bird.
"The Vermilion Bird Ancestor chose to enter nirvana within his own spatial artifact. It is said that for hundreds of years after his death, fire dragons still raged within the Vermilion Bird Tomb, making it inaccessible. Only as the spiritual energy of the secret realm gradually dissipated did the sea of flames finally subside."
Xu Yi nodded silently, understanding why there were so many traces of fiery scorching within the secret realm.
"Let's look around first."
Despite entering the secret realm, Xu Yi had no clear direction. She could only explore while observing, hoping to find some clue.
Ji Buwang had no objections, and the two began to move swiftly through the Vermilion Bird Tomb.
Meanwhile, the Xuanji Sect was filled with joyous celebration.
All disciples had received news from Elder Qingfeng: a grand sect ceremony would soon be held for Ancestor Xu Yi, and major sects from across the Jiuzhou Continent would be invited to attend.
This was a joyous occasion that the Xuanji Sect had not experienced in centuries.
Furthermore, with the elders having recently imposed a ban, all disciples had been suppressing their emotions. Now, they finally had an outlet.
The disciples eagerly prepared, working systematically under the guidance of the elders.
The Xuanji Sect did not conceal their plans for the grand ceremony, and countless disciples were dispatched to make purchases.
News of the Xuanji Sect's ancestor's emergence spread like a gust of wind, quickly reaching every corner of the Jiuzhou Continent.
Many who knew Xu Yi were almost stunned into disbelief when they received the news.
Was this the same Xu Yi they knew?
Profound Clarity Sect.
Chen Tao and Wang Yian looked at each other, their gazes darting about, but neither dared to speak.
Before them, Long Haotian sat on a stone bench with a darkened expression, emanating a chilling aura, appearing to be on the verge of an outburst.
Wang Yian had not yet figured out how to speak when an excited yet clear female voice echoed from a distance.
"Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Chen, ah! And Senior Brother Long, you're all here!"
Qu Xiaoxiao ran over with excitement, completely oblivious to the winks from Wang Yian and Chen Tao.
She took a few breaths and quickly said, "Did you all receive the news? Senior Sister Xu, Ancestor Xu of the Xuanji Sect!
Heavens! I couldn't believe my ears when I heard this news! I actually know an ancestor of the Xuanji Sect!"
Qu Xiaoxiao clasped her hands over her chest, her face filled with a dreamy expression.
She knew Senior Sister Xu was powerful, but she had never imagined she possessed such a prominent and noble identity.
Thinking about how she had spent time with Senior Sister Xu before, Qu Xiaoxiao felt as if she could bubble with joy.
She truly was so fortunate.
However, there were those even luckier than her, namely the three senior brothers before her, who were rumored to be close friends with Senior Sister Xu.
How enviable.
Qu Xiaoxiao wanted to see their reactions, but to her surprise, they didn't seem particularly happy. Instead, their expressions were strange.
Especially Senior Brother Long, whose face was frighteningly grim.
Qu Xiaoxiao's smile slightly faded, and she looked confused.
"Why aren't you happy?" she asked cautiously.
"Hmph, happy? How could we not be happy?" Long Haotian suddenly stood up and said coldly, "It's a dream come true for us to be friends with the Xuanji Sect's ancestor. I am extremely happy!"
With that, Long Haotian snorted again and left with a sweep of his sleeve.
Qu Xiaoxiao watched his retreating figure, frowned, and stomped her foot in annoyance. "What's wrong with Senior Brother Long? Why is he speaking so sarcastically? I didn't provoke him, it's so inexplicable."
Her good mood had been completely ruined by Senior Brother Long.
"Junior Sister Qu, you really hit a sore spot. Didn't you see we dared not speak just now?" Chen Tao also stood up, shook his head, and slowly walked away in another direction.
Qu Xiaoxiao was completely bewildered and quickly went to grab Wang Yian's sleeve, who was also about to leave, asking, "Senior Brother Wang, tell me what's going on."
Wang Yian shrugged helplessly. "Alas, it's nothing really. Senior Brother Long is just in a bad mood. I apologize on his behalf."
Qu Xiaoxiao persisted, "No! There must be something! And it must be related to Senior Sister Xu! Senior Brother Wang, please tell me, or I won't be able to sleep!"
Qu Xiaoxiao tugged insistently at Wang Yian's sleeve, her face a picture of pleading.
In that instant, something flashed through Wang Yian's mind.
He tried to recall it carefully but couldn't grasp the feeling, so he gave up and began to consider how to answer Qu Xiaoxiao's question.
"Senior Brother Long is just a bit disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Qu Xiaoxiao blinked, confused. "Why would he be disappointed? Aren't they good friends? Isn't he happy?"
"Precisely because they are good friends."
Seeing that Qu Xiaoxiao still didn't understand, Wang Yian gave an example: "It's like you and Junior Sister Sun. You're inseparable best friends, but then suddenly one day, Junior Sister Sun becomes the ancestor of the Profound Clarity Sect. How would you feel?"
Qu Xiaoxiao blinked her eyes and slowly released Wang Yian's sleeve. "Oh, so that's how it is. I think I understand."
The companion she usually cultivated and played with had suddenly become her elder. Anyone in her position would feel awkward.
No wonder Senior Brother Long wasn't very happy.
"So, don't provoke Senior Brother Long these few days. Stay away from him." Wang Yian, fearing Qu Xiaoxiao might inadvertently hurt Long Haotian's feelings again, couldn't help but reiterate his advice.
"I understand, thank you, Senior Brother Wang."
Qu Xiaoxiao smiled sweetly and ran off with light steps.
Wang Yian chuckled and turned to leave.