Chapter 230: Rebirth Of The Phoenix (2)
Xie Zhenting nodded calmly as though speaking of something insignificant. "You require rest, Your Greatness. We should return to the palace."
Ningyan still could not fully process what was happening.
Three hundred years.
He had remained trapped within that cavern for three hundred years?
The thought felt unreal.
Yet before he could speak further, Xie Zhenting had already begun guiding him forward.
And as Ningyan walked through the clan, every phoenix beast lowered themselves further in reverence. Some smiled brightly. Others stared at him with worship shining openly in their eyes.
Ningyan avoided all of their gazes.
He did not understand any of this.
The hidden phoenix clan was beautiful beyond imagination, alive with spiritual energy so dense it almost resembled mist. Golden lanterns drifted through the skies, phoenix cries echoed faintly through the mountains, and every path led toward the enormous imperial palace standing at the center of the clan.
Ningyan was brought there directly.
Servants bathed him. Fed him. Dressed him.
Everything was done with extreme care and reverence, as though he were something sacred.
Eventually, he was left alone within a magnificent chamber.
Silence filled the room.
Ningyan slowly walked toward the mirror.
The reflection staring back at him almost looked unfamiliar.
His white hair had been carefully arranged and shortened to his waist, decorated with intricate golden ornaments. Black robes draped elegantly over his tall frame, making the black veins faintly visible beneath pale skin seem almost artistic rather than ominous.
He looked older. Sharper. Dangerously beautiful. Like a being carved from darkness and divinity alike.
Ningyan stared at himself for a very long time.
Then quietly, "Su Ningyan."
He repeated the name slowly, testing it again.
His reflection stared back silently. Then the corners of his lips slowly curled upward into a wild, almost unhinged smile. "Su... Ningyan."
^°^
The hidden Phoenix Clan was ablaze with celebration.
Golden lanterns floated across the heavens like scattered stars while phoenix fire danced endlessly throughout the vast clan grounds. Music echoed through the clan, layered with laughter, cheers, and the sound of wine cups colliding beneath the night sky.
Tonight was the return banquet of the Beast God.
The divine ruler who had returned after three hundred years. They proclaimed.
At the highest point of the grand hall, Su Ningyan sat upon the throne reserved only for the Phoenix Beast King. Which was also him.
Black robes draped elegantly over his tall frame while long white hair cascaded behind him like flowing moonlight. The demonic crimson-black veins beneath his pale skin had faded slightly beneath the candlelight, making him appear less terrifying and more dangerously beautiful.
A wine cup rested loosely between his fingers. Untouched.
Below him, phoenix dancers spun gracefully across the hall, their sleeves fluttering like flames while musicians played melodies that shook lightly through the palace.
Everyone was smiling. Drinking. Embracing one another in celebration.
But Ningyan merely watched in silence.
His violet eyes remained cold and distant as they moved across the crowd.
He did not belong here.
The feeling sat heavily within his chest.
Xie Zhenting approached the throne before bowing respectfully.
"Your Greatness," he said softly, "would you like to step away for some air?"
For the first time that night, Ningyan finally looked relieved.
He rose from the throne immediately.
The hall quieted instinctively as every gaze followed him, but Ningyan ignored them completely and stepped out of the banquet palace with Xie Zhenting walking beside him.
The roaring celebration slowly faded behind them.
Cold night wind greeted them the moment they entered the quiet palace corridors.
Ningyan finally lifted the wine cup to his lips and took a sip.
His brows furrowed.
He disliked the taste.
Without another word, he simply continued holding the cup as they walked side by side beneath glowing lanterns.
Beside him, Xie Zhenting glanced at him silently.
A complicated look crossed the phoenix’s face.
"You must feel overwhelmed," he finally said.
Ningyan let out a slow breath. "I am overwhelmed."
His voice was calm, but distant.
"I have been told I remained trapped within that place for three hundred years..." His eyes lowered. "Yet I cannot remember anything before it."
The wind stirred softly through the corridor.
Ningyan finally stopped once they reached the open terrace overlooking the hidden phoenix clan below. Endless lights stretched across the mountains beneath the night sky.
He turned toward Xie Zhenting. "What happened to me?"
For the first time that night, Xie Zhenting’s expression darkened.
He stopped walking.
Pain slowly surfaced within his purple eyes before he lowered his head. "Our people were slaughtered."
His voice carried restrained grief. "The Divine Beast Clans feared our strength... so they eradicated our kind."
Ningyan’s fingers tightened around the wine cup.
Xie Zhenting continued quietly. "And you..."
His voice nearly broke. "You died trying to save us."
The words echoed softly through the night.
"When we finally found you, we performed a forbidden ritual to return you to us." His eyes slowly lifted toward Ningyan. "To make you stronger. Strong enough to avenge our fallen kin."
Tears now shimmered visibly within Xie Zhenting’s eyes.
But strangely, Ningyan did not feel sadness. Only rage.
A darkness rushed suddenly through his body.
His violet eyes flashed crimson-black for a brief moment before settling once more.
The pressure around him intensified dangerously.
Then Ningyan spoke. "If that is true..."
His voice was low and absolute. "Then I shall avenge them."
The night wind roared suddenly around the terrace. "I will make our beast kin rise again."
The vow rang with terrifying certainty.
Xie Zhenting stared at him before a smile slowly spread across his face, one filled with relief, satisfaction... and devotion.
"We have already declared war upon the lower clans of the beast realm," he said quickly. "The Heavenly Realm will follow afterward."
His gaze sharpened. "Would Your Greatness lead the next battle personally?"
Ningyan looked at him calmly and answered without hesitation. "Of course."
A faint smile finally curved against his lips. "I should stretch my legs."
Xie Zhenting’s smile deepened.
He followed after Ningyan as they continued through the corridor.
"If Your Greatness finds the night dull..." Xie Zhenting said carefully, "I could arrange company for you."
Ningyan leaned against one of the jade pillars before casually pouring the untouched wine into a nearby flower basin. "What sort of company?"
Xie Zhenting parted his lips. "If you desire someone familiar..."
His silver eyes locked onto Ningyan. "I could personally accompany you tonight."
Ningyan looked down at him quietly.
Xie Zhenting was handsome, elegant and refined. His purple eyes carried intelligence, devotion, and something deeper lurking beneath them.
But Ningyan could already tell that this phoenix was ancient. Far older than he appeared. Old enough to perhaps stand beside his father’s generation.
The thought unexpectedly amused him.
A faint smile curved against Ningyan’s lips.
"I doubt you truly wish for that," he said. "Besides... I am not in the mood for such company."
Xie Zhenting merely watched him silently.
Ningyan pushed himself away from the jade pillar.
"Let us focus on the matter at hand." His eyes sharpened slightly. "Vengeance."
The air around him grew heavier.
"Summon the generals and front-line commanders." His robes swayed behind him as he walked past Xie Zhenting. "We should discuss war."
Xie Zhenting stood there watching Ningyan leave.
A smile spread across his face. One filled with quiet fascination.
Afterward, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
~•~
Later that night, the war chamber within the Palace was illuminated by floating spiritual flames.
Massive maps of the Beast Realm and Heavenly Realm hovered above the center table, countless markings spread across mountains, clans, and territorial borders.
Several phoenix generals had already gathered.
Among them stood General He Yuting. A striking silver-haired phoenix beastwoman whose sharp crimson eyes radiated authority and battlefield experience.
Beside her stood Shi Zekai, stern-faced and heavily built, while Tu Ruilin lounged casually near the map table with a flirtatious smile playing against his lips. The only other woman present was Guo Manyu, whose quiet demeanor concealed dangerous spiritual pressure.
At the head of the chamber sat Ningyan.
Xie Zhenting stood beside him.
General He Yuting gestured toward the glowing map.
"The former Phoenix Clan territory within the Beast Realm should be our first target," she stated calmly. "We reclaim our homeland first before extending the war further."
The others nodded in agreement.
Ningyan observed the map silently for a long moment. "I do not think we require an army."
Everyone immediately looked toward him in shock.
Tu Ruilin blinked first.
"But... Your Greatness," he said carefully, "the Divine Beast Clans may intervene if we move openly."
Ningyan finally lifted his gaze. His violet eyes were calm. Cold. "I will handle the Divine Beast Clans myself."
The pressure in the chamber subtly deepened.
"You all simply do what is necessary." He rose smoothly to his feet. "Remain within this chamber and prepare accordingly."
Shi Zekai frowned deeply. Clearly displeased.
"With respect, Your Greatness..." he began slowly, "this plan is too dangerous—"
Ningyan’s violet eyes darkened into crimson-black.
The demonic pressure that exploded from his body smothered the entire chamber like a mountain collapsing onto their shoulders.
"Does anyone object to my decision?"
Dead silence.
Shi Zekai lowered his head, avoiding eye contact entirely. "...No, Your Greatness."
"Good." The crimson-black glow vanished.
Ningyan turned away and walked out of the war chamber.
