Leaving the Heavenly Dragon Realm.
Ling Fan then had Xue Yi, Yan Xi, Han Xiaoya, Lu Jiuwen, Old Man Gu, Toad, and Heavenly Horse emerge from the Samsara Divine Cauldron.
Everyone looked at Ling Fan as if he were a monster.
Lu Jiuwen and Old Man Gu, the powerhouses of the Qing Xuan Sect, were understandable. After all, they had lived through the era when Emperor Qingyun suppressed all realms, so their shock was not as profound.
However, Xue Yi, Yan Xi, Han Xiaoya, Heavenly Horse, and Toad had not experienced that era; they had only heard of Ling Fan's past glory.
Therefore, witnessing Ling Fan's feat of single-handedly venturing into the Heavenly Dragon Realm and refining the Ancestral Dragon Seal into a Dao artifact within the Samsara Divine Cauldron had a tremendous impact on them.
Ling Fan's expression was calm, as he accepted their worshipful and awestruck gazes.
He appeared unfazed.
He looked at Xue Yi and asked, "Xue Yi, you witnessed the process of the Supreme Ancestral Dragon Seal's advancement to a Dao artifact this time. Has it helped you in breaking through to Heavenly Venerate?"
Lan Xue Yi nodded, "It has given me great inspiration. I can faintly feel the threshold of Heavenly Venerate, but it's unlikely for me to break through in a short period. My accumulation is still far from enough."
Ling Fan was not disappointed. Ascending to Heavenly Venerate was like crossing a narrow bridge with a thousand soldiers. Throughout history, prodigies were as numerous as carp in a river, but how many achieved Heavenly Venerate?
The vast majority of geniuses, until their bones turned to dust, could not glimpse the profound mysteries of the Heavenly Venerate realm.
Ling Fan's mind suddenly stirred.
His deep gaze shifted towards a distant direction.
Everyone was very curious.
Lu Jiuwen seemed to have recalled something and asked, "Ling Fan, is that direction perhaps towards the True Phoenix Realm?"
Ling Fan nodded.
"That's right."
Lu Jiuwen's eyes widened, "You're not planning to wreak havoc on the True Phoenix Realm right after finishing with the Heavenly Dragon Realm, are you! The True Phoenix Realm is also one of the Ten Heavenly Realms, on par with the Heavenly Dragon Realm. Moreover, the True Phoenix Realm doesn't have countless Dragon clan powerhouses like the Heavenly Dragon Realm. The True Phoenix Realm has very few powerhouses, but each of them possesses terrifying, world-shattering cultivation. They are the elite of the elite. Other Heavenly Realms dare not provoke people from the True Phoenix Realm lightly. The key is, Ling Fan, the True Phoenix Realm is not like the Heavenly Dragon Realm, where a group of old fossils are wary of the Supreme Ancestral Dragon. The powerhouses of the True Phoenix Realm may not necessarily give the Supreme Ancestral Dragon face."
Ling Fan said, "For Xue Yi to break through to Heavenly Venerate, she must overcome the seventh tribulation of the Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix Body. And only the True Phoenix Realm can help Xue Yi quickly pass the seventh tribulation. Therefore, no matter how dangerous the True Phoenix Realm is, I must go."
Seeing Ling Fan's resolute words, Lu Jiuwen could only swallow the rest of his words.
A delicate hand was placed upon him.
Ling Fan turned his head and saw Xue Yi's exquisitely beautiful face.
She said nothing, nor did she engage in pleasantries or act coy with Ling Fan. She simply looked at him quietly. She knew very well that Ling Fan would do anything for her, and likewise, she was willing to pay any price for him.
Everything was understood without words.
"Everyone, I apologize for the inconvenience, but please continue to cultivate within the Samsara Divine Cauldron. I will be taking Xue Yi to the True Phoenix Realm."
Ling Fan made a grand gesture, sending Yan Xi, Han Xiaoya, the two demon beasts Toad and Heavenly Horse, and the powerhouses of the Qing Xuan Sect into the Samsara Divine Cauldron. Then, holding Xue Yi's hand, he tore through the void and soon disappeared into the desolate and silent borderlands of the Heavenly Realm.
...
In a vast and boundless world.
Unlike the wild and ancient nature of the Heavenly Dragon Realm.
This world was filled with sacredness everywhere. Mountains towered, rivers flowed majestically, and there were many giant ancient phoenix trees standing like heavenly pillars in the corners of this world. Magnificent nests and palaces, like those from myths, were built upon them. They were exquisitely crafted, a stark contrast to the rugged style of the Heavenly Dragon Realm.
From time to time, clear phoenix cries pierced the sky.
Giant phoenixes bathed in flames, cultivating themselves.
This world seemed perfect.
However, if any powerhouse dared to trespass.
Even a Heavenly Venerate would immediately feel a sense of dread.
Within this world lay beings that even Heavenly Venerates feared, their auras terrifying and ancient, their power unimaginable.
This was the True Phoenix Realm, one of the Ten Heavenly Realms.
...
A majestic figure suddenly tore through the barrier of the True Phoenix Realm and appeared within it.
"Who goes there!"
A quasi-Heavenly Venerate powerhouse of the True Phoenix Realm, as if facing a great enemy, sweated profusely and bravely blocked the way.
The majestic figure did not speak, nor did he even glance at the quasi-Heavenly Venerate of the True Phoenix Realm.
"How dare you!"
The quasi-Heavenly Venerate powerhouse of the True Phoenix Realm was furious.
Every phoenix was an incredibly proud and noble existence. This person dared to show him such contempt; how could he tolerate it?
Just as he was about to risk his life to defend his dignity and challenge this terrifying, suddenly appearing powerhouse.
A majestic voice rang out, "So it is Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu gracing us with his presence. We apologize for not welcoming you sooner!"
The pupils of the phoenix at the quasi-Heavenly Venerate realm constricted. He almost fell from the sky, startled by the name.
Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu!
This was a behemoth whose name reverberated throughout all realms!
His status and power were such that he could stand on equal footing with the ruler of their True Phoenix Realm.
"You may withdraw."
The voice then said to the quasi-Heavenly Venerate phoenix.
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the command, this quasi-Heavenly Venerate phoenix felt as if he had been granted a great pardon and respectfully withdrew.
"Why has Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu come to my True Phoenix Realm instead of guarding Heavenly Venerate Dao Yi in the Central Heavenly Court? It seems our True Phoenix Realm has no dealings with your Heavenly Court. If there is nothing else, please take your leave."
Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu, with a divine halo suspended behind his head, like an unparalleled divine king, spoke with a voice like a booming bell, "Among all the realms, only the True Phoenix Realm is aloof and proud, walking its own path. It truly lives up to its reputation. However, these are troubled times. His Majesty Dao Yi has gone to the Nether Ancient Void God Realm and has not yet returned, and Emperor Qingyun has reappeared in the world. If your True Phoenix Realm wishes to remain detached, it may not be able to enjoy peace alone—you must have already learned of Emperor Qingyun's return."
Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu continued, "If I recall correctly... in that world-shattering battle of yesteryear, your True Phoenix Realm's supreme powerhouse, Ancestor Phoenix, was annihilated by Emperor Qingyun, body and soul. Since then, you have been in decline, forced to reside below the Heavenly Dragon Realm, the Heavenly Demon Realm, and my Central Heavenly Realm. Do you not wish to avenge this grievance?"
"This is our True Phoenix Realm's own affair. We will naturally seek revenge from Emperor Qingyun. When did our True Phoenix Realm fall to the point where we need to join forces with others? Moreover, Emperor Qingyun, after his rebirth, is no longer as powerful as he was in his prime. He is merely at the quasi-Heavenly Venerate cultivation level, which in my eyes is like an ant. I will not be like your Heavenly Court, giving Emperor Qingyun a chance to linger on."
The voice continued proudly.
Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu said, "Heh heh, I naturally believe that Phoenix Emperor, you have this strength. But you probably don't know yet that not long ago, Emperor Qingyun emerged from the Myriad Dragon Mausoleum Palace in the Heavenly Dragon Realm and has already elevated his Supreme Ancestral Dragon Seal to the Dao artifact level. I believe you understand what this means. Perhaps even the old fossils below the Six Paths of Reincarnation might not be able to deal with him now. Moreover, he possesses the Supreme Ancestral Dragon Seal, allowing him to borrow a portion of that old dragon's power at any time. Who would dare underestimate him now?"
Upon hearing Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu's words.
The Phoenix Emperor fell silent.
"...Emperor Qingyun's comeback is a bit too fast," the voice said in a deep tone.
"That's why I've come to find you today. As long as Emperor Qingyun is not dead, neither you nor I will be able to sleep and eat peacefully," Heavenly Venerate Yuan Wu seized the opportunity.
The voice said, "Do you want my True Phoenix Realm to join the ranks of those围剿 Emperor Qingyun? Do you have his whereabouts? He is now a Heavenly Venerate. Perhaps even Heavenly Venerate Dao Yi cannot easily deduce his movements."