Chapter 958: Chapter 948: Don’t Leave Me
"Mother, what exactly happened back then?"
The Ice Phoenix wiped her tears and asked, desperately wanting to know what happened in the past.
The Phoenix Clan Leader looked at the Ice Phoenix, her eyes filled with endless sorrow and pain, and slowly began to recount that tragic battle from years ago.
The Phoenix Clan Leader sighed and said, "Child, hundreds of thousands of years ago, the five Divine Beast races of the Demon Realm — the Ancient Dragon Race, the Ancient Phoenix Race, the Ancient Qilin Race, the Ancient Golden Crow Race, and the Ancient Celestial Divine Tiger Race — lived in peace, jointly guarding the Demon Realm."
"However, all that tranquility was shattered by the ambition of the Ancient Dragon Race."
The Phoenix Clan Leader slightly tilted her head back, as if recalling that distant past; her eyes were filled with agony.
The Phoenix Clan Leader continued, "In order to continue their Divine Beast bloodline, the Ancient Dragon Race secretly targeted the Ancient Qilin Race. They launched a surprise attack while the Qilin Race was unprepared."
"They captured the Qilin clansmen one by one, even those at the Demon Venerable level were captured, and then cruelly devoured their Divine Beast bloodline."
"Many members of the Ancient Qilin Race fell victim to their treachery. The Dragon Race then secretly launched an attack, severely injuring the Qilin Race. It was only through a desperate resistance that the message was sent to the other Divine Beast races."
"Devouring Divine Beast bloodline?" The Ice Phoenix’s eyes widened in shock; her heart filled with anger and sorrow.
"Isn’t the Ancient Dragon Race too cruel?" The Nine-tailed Spirit Fox was also stunned.
The elder said helplessly, "If it weren’t for the Qilin Clan Leader activating the Divine Beast Origin Bloodline, they wouldn’t have been able to break the Myriad Dragons Barrier, let alone get the message out."
The Phoenix Clan Leader continued, "Upon learning that the Ancient Qilin Race’s bloodline had been devoured, we — the Ancient Phoenix Race, the Ancient Golden Crow Race, and the Ancient Celestial Divine Tiger Race — had no choice but to join forces to fight against the Ancient Dragon Race."
"The battle was exceptionally fierce. The five races suffered heavy casualties, their strong warriors fell one after another, plunging the entire Demon Realm into chaos."
The Phoenix Clan Leader’s voice trembled, her face showing an expression of pain and rage.
If it weren’t for the ambition of the Dragon Race back then, the five Divine Beast races wouldn’t have faced extinction, and the Demon Realm wouldn’t have fallen to its current state.
Suppressing the anger in her heart, the Phoenix Clan Leader continued, "In that battle, our Ancient Phoenix Race also paid a heavy price, and countless clansmen died in combat."
"Even I couldn’t withstand the leader of the Ancient Dragon Race. If it weren’t for the Phoenix Divine Flame that allowed me to be reborn, I fear I would have already died."
"The battle among the five Divine Beast races spread to the entire Demon Realm, dragging countless races into the fray; countless Demon Beasts perished."
Upon hearing this,
the Ice Phoenix clenched her fists tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
The Nine-tailed Spirit Fox was also filled with fury, her gaze full of murderous intent.
"In that life-and-death battle, I joined forces with the other three clan leaders to fight against the leader of the Dragon Race. We fought with all our might, ultimately resulting in mutual destruction, almost all members of the five Divine Beast races perished, leaving the Demon Realm desolate."
The Phoenix Clan Leader took a deep breath and continued, "You were just born at that time. To protect the Phoenix Race’s bloodline, I withstood severe injuries and used our Divine Beast bloodline to seal you away."
"Afterwards, I forcibly condensed a Primordial Spirit Clone to take you to the Cultivation Realm, but due to the weak Spiritual Qi there and the lack of strong power, you remained in a state of slumber."
"Without enough powerful energy for you to absorb, my Primordial Spirit Clone couldn’t expend energy, so I stayed with you in the Cultivation Realm for tens of thousands of years."
The Ice Phoenix’s tears streamed down, her voice choked with emotion, "Mother, you were always by my side, yet I didn’t know."
The Phoenix Clan Leader looked at the Ice Phoenix warmly, her eyes full of maternal love, and smiled, "As a mother, how could I bear to abandon my child? It’s just a pity that my Primordial Spirit Power ran out and I couldn’t wait for you to awaken."
Beside them, the elder added, "To see you, the master didn’t hesitate to forcibly condense her Residual Soul into a Primordial Spirit, sacrificing her hope of revival. It was only tens of thousands of years later that I sensed the presence of the Phoenix Race’s bloodline in the Demon Realm."
Upon hearing this,
the Ice Phoenix was overwhelmed with grief. She knelt on the ground, crying and saying, "Why is it like this? I hate myself for not waking up sooner, then mother wouldn’t have had to die, why?"
The Phoenix Clan Leader gently stroked the Ice Phoenix’s hair and lightly smiled, "Child, it’s not your fault. All of this is the nightmare brought by the Dragon Race."
"Seeing you alive and well is enough for me, child. You must be strong and live well, doing what you want to do."
The Nine-tailed Spirit Fox, listening nearby, couldn’t help but shed tears.
The Nine-tailed Spirit Fox approached and helped the Ice Phoenix up, gently comforting her, "Ice Phoenix, don’t be too sad. The Phoenix Clan Leader sacrificed so much for you. You must not let her expectations down."
The Ice Phoenix wiped away her tears, gazing at the Phoenix Clan Leader with determination, "I will do my best and never let mother’s expectations down."
The Phoenix Clan Leader showed a contented smile, joyfully saying, "Good child, remember, wherever and whenever, you are the pride of the Ancient Phoenix Race, the pride of your mother."
"I don’t ask you to guard the Demon Realm, nor do I ask you to revive the Phoenix Race. I just want you to live happily."
The Ice Phoenix solemnly nodded, saying, "Mother, I will live well. I have many friends who care about me."
The Phoenix Clan Leader’s figure became increasingly transparent, knowing her time was short.
The Phoenix Clan Leader, with red eyes, choked back a smile, "Child, my power is exhausted and I’m about to disperse. Take good care of yourself and live happily."
The Ice Phoenix tightly held the Phoenix Clan Leader’s hand, crying and calling out, "No! Mother! Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me!"
The Phoenix Clan Leader herself felt countless pangs of reluctance in her heart, but she was powerless. She choked back a smile, "Child, don’t be sad. To see you once more, I have no regrets. Child, I am leaving now..."
With that, the Phoenix Clan Leader’s figure gradually faded and disappeared into the air.
"Farewell, Master!" the elder said mournfully, respectfully, "Master, don’t go too far, please wait for me."
"Mother!" The Ice Phoenix knelt on the ground, crying out in sorrow.
The Ice Phoenix’s heart was filled with immense grief, overflowing with memories of her mother and guilt.
The Nine-tailed Spirit Fox stood by, not knowing how to comfort her, simply staying quietly by the Ice Phoenix’s side, her eyes full of sadness.
After a long time, the Ice Phoenix slowly stood up.
The Ice Phoenix wiped away her tears, her gaze filled with determination. She knew she couldn’t drown in her sorrow; she had to live happily for her mother’s sake.
The Ice Phoenix looked at the Nine-tailed Spirit Fox and lightly smiled, "Thank you, Nine-tailed Clan Leader, for staying with me all this time."
