Chapter 1622: Phoenix Sovereign
At the very center of the Dongling Immortal Pool's Heavenly Realm stood an immortal palace wrapped in drifting clouds.
This was the secluded cultivation ground of the sect master, Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan. He rarely showed himself, and most affairs of the sect were handled by the eight Hall Masters. Only matters that could shake the foundation of the sect would bring him out in person.
Events such as the Northern Barbarian invasion and the attack on Dongxian River had kept him far from peace in recent months.
Before long, under the guidance of three Hall Masters, Ling Feng entered a grand and imposing hall.
At the very front stood a gray-robed man before the sect master's throne. His aura had returned to its simplest state. At a glance, he looked like an ordinary, frail scholar. If they had met elsewhere, Ling Feng would never have taken him for a martial arts expert.
Yet the more unfathomable a person seemed, the more terrifying they usually were.
In his hands, Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan held a handful of grain, carefully feeding a small bird perched nearby. The bird had three colorful plumes atop its head.
"Ahem. Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, Phoenix Sovereign."
Lei Wensheng and the others seemed used to this scene. They stepped forward and bowed.
"Phoenix Sovereign?"
Ling Feng's eyelids twitched. That harmless-looking bird was the Phoenix Sovereign they spoke of?
"Greetings, Sect Master."
Ling Feng also bowed deeply. Before the master of a sacred land, proper respect was only natural.
"You've finally arrived."
Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan placed the grain into the bird's feeder and slowly turned around. His gaze settled on Ling Feng.
"You are the one who took first merit in the Hall of War, correct?"
"Yes," Ling Feng replied calmly.
The man before him felt like a gentle middle-aged scholar, with no oppressive aura at all. It was easy to feel at ease around him.
"Young heroes truly emerge in every generation. I also heard that you played a major role in retrieving the Divine Desolation Atlas."
"It was mostly chance. My intention was only to rescue my fellow senior brothers," Ling Feng answered without arrogance or humility.
"Heh, you are quite honest."
Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan smiled faintly. "If I recall correctly, I still owe you a promise. Have you decided what you wish to ask of me?"
Ling Feng nodded. "I have."
"Speak. Whatever it is, I will grant it."
The sect master took his seat, and a quiet yet undeniable authority spread through the hall.
Ling Feng bowed deeply. "I have no other request. I only wish to participate in the Sunset Heaven Selection and compete against the geniuses of the Dongling Region."
"Oh?"
Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan paused in slight surprise. This was hardly even a request. With Ling Feng's strength and his victory over the Unrivaled Young Emperor, his participation was already assured.
Even Lei Wensheng and Zuo Feiqing showed subtle changes in expression. A promise from the sect master was priceless, yet Ling Feng used it so lightly.
"Is that truly your only request?" the sect master asked again.
"Yes," Ling Feng said with a nod. "As a disciple of the sect, it is my duty to act for its sake. I would not dare ask for more. Besides, the contribution points I received are already sufficient."
"Hahaha!"
Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan laughed heartily. "Good. Very good. If all disciples were like you, the sect would have nothing to fear in its growth."
"You praise me too highly," Ling Feng replied with a slight smile, lowering his head.
In truth, he had considered asking for a supreme technique. Yet at the moment he was about to decide, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Earth Spirit Hall."
It was the voice of Elder Gui.
The transmission had reached him alone, unnoticed by anyone present. Only the top Half-Saint experts could manage such a feat.
Ling Feng understood immediately. Elder Gui wanted him to join the Earth Spirit Hall.
Given all that Elder Gui had done for him, including gifting the Five Emperors Seal and helping him break through, Ling Feng had no reason to doubt him.
If he asked the sect master for a technique, he would effectively become a nominal disciple under him. Joining another hall afterward would be inappropriate.
It was better to choose his words carefully and avoid putting the sect master in an awkward position.
"Very well. Then I grant your request. You may represent the Dongling Immortal Pool in the Sunset Heaven Selection."
Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan nodded, his expression calm and unreadable.
Ling Feng bowed again. "Thank you, Sect Master."
The sect master continued, "Now that you have advanced to the inner sect, which hall do you intend to join?"
Ling Feng hesitated slightly before answering, "Among the eight halls, I am most familiar with the Earth Spirit Hall, the Profound Thunder Hall, and the Tempest Wind Hall. However, before I joined the sect, I made an agreement with Lin Mu, the younger brother of Saint Lady Hui Yue. I promised that once I entered the sect, I would join the Earth Spirit Hall. A man's word is his bond. Now that I have advanced, it is time to fulfill that promise."
He turned toward Saint Lady Bi Luo and bowed deeply.
"I ask the Hall Master to accept me."
Saint Lady Bi Luo froze for a moment, clearly not expecting this decision.
On the throne, Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan was briefly at a loss for words. The argument he had prepared to guide Ling Feng into becoming his disciple was completely blocked by that simple statement about keeping one's word.
"Very well, very well."
He shook his head with a smile. "Since that is your decision, Junior Sister Bi Luo, take him into the Earth Spirit Hall."
Saint Lady Bi Luo gave a helpless smile but nodded. "In that case, Ling Feng, from today onward, you are a member of the Earth Spirit Hall."
"Thank you, Hall Master. Thank you, Sect Master."
Ling Feng bowed to both of them. With that, he officially joined the Earth Spirit Hall and became an inner sect disciple.
...
After offering a few more words of praise, Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan dismissed them.
As Ling Feng and the others departed, the previously silent Phoenix Sovereign finally spoke.
"It seems that boy already has ties with those three old fellows. Earth Spirit Hall... heh, that must be Elder Gui's doing."
"So it is Elder Gui..."
Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan smiled faintly. "Rare for him to take an interest in a disciple."
He paused, then added, "The Blood Shadow Alliance has been making frequent moves lately. Phoenix Sovereign, it may be time to seek the aid of your Phoenix clan."
"If your lips are gone, your teeth grow cold. My clan has enjoyed the protection of the Dongling Immortal Pool for thousands of years. It is only right that we contribute."
The Phoenix Sovereign nodded. In the next moment, it transformed into a streak of light and vanished from the hall.
Soon after, a massive three-colored phoenix appeared high in the sky. With a single beat of its wings, it flew off toward the western horizon and disappeared.
Left alone in the grand hall, Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, murmuring softly,
"Senior Brother... even after a thousand years, do you still seek to overturn the Dongling Immortal Pool?"
It turned out that the mysterious leader of the Blood Shadow Alliance was none other than his former senior brother.
Comments