The two Dragon Turtles were still chatting as they burrowed through space and disappeared from sight.
Su He sighed helplessly. Were Dragon Turtles always so impulsive? He turned to Su Huanian, but didn’t see a hint of worry on her face.
“Aren’t you worried?” They were going to trouble the Fenghuang Palace! The palace had means to not fear the Dragon Turtles!
Su Huanian shook her head: “Elder Cyan Thunder must be confident!”
She saw clearly the Dragon Turtle clan’s attitude towards Little Turtle. From Su He to Little Girl, they would hold them in the palm of their hands. Since they dared to take Little Girl to Fenghuang Palace, they must be fully confident in protecting her from any harm.
Su Huanian wasn’t worried, but she couldn’t help feeling reluctant since Little Girl had been taken away right after hatching. However, she was never good at expressing such emotions.
Beside them, Phoenix Ritual shook her head, her phoenix feathers rising and piercing through space, chasing after Cyan Thunder.
“Little Girl should at least call me Great Grandmother. How can I let Cyan Thunder take all the glory? A small gift for you, rest assured, no one can harm her!”
Little Girl is much safer than you, with no enemies in sight, unlike you with your second identity as a Peacock.
Phoenix Ritual looked at Su He and sighed, “Cyan Thunder is right, Feng Chaofei is a once-in-a-million-year talent in our clan. Although not as defying as Bailings, he is still the pride of the phoenixes. Yet, twenty thousand years ago, for some unknown reason, he harbored evil thoughts and attempted to kill his kin to consolidate their bloodline, foolishly dreaming of advancing further as a true phoenix. Yun Li hatched during that great battle, transforming into a peacock, and perished three thousand years ago because of Feng Chaofei.”
As she spoke, her tone wasn’t filled with anger or hatred, but rather endless exhaustion and sorrow.
She stared at Su He unblinkingly, as if trying to see her daughter’s shadow in his half-grown peacock true form.
But eventually, she turned her head away, unable to bear the sight as the similarities were too much.
“However, Feng Chaofei never laid a hand on the young phoenixes, so you needn’t worry too much. The only time he approached a young phoenix was six thousand years ago, when he got close to Phoenix Ritual. Back then, Phoenix Ritual was always challenging Bailings to duels, and Feng Chaofei ended up running straight into Bailings’ hands.” She laughed as she spoke of this.
Then she turned to Su He, “Phoenix Ritual still doesn’t know about this. Don’t you let it slip!”
Phoenix Ritual is proud, always challenging Bailings to duels, yet protected by Bailings. If she knew about this, she might not be able to get over it.
Su He prayed for Feng Chaofei for a moment. Six thousand years ago was just before Bailings’ moment of Spiritual Tranquility, probably not at her peak.
Phoenix Ritual laughed, “Bailings was best at deduction. After that incident, she imprisoned Phoenix Ritual in the Liuli Volcano, where she mined for two thousand years until we received Bailings’ last words and took her out. Perhaps after those two thousand years, the danger had passed.”
Su He didn’t know what to say. The Phoenix Clan was already among the top races in the heavens, yet they sought to advance further… Rosefinch?
The Rosefinch and the phoenix only look similar, but they’re not really related, right? But then… Rosefinch Gate, Rosefinch.
Now connecting the dots, Su He couldn’t believe it was just a coincidence.
There were no legends of the Basalt, Rosefinch, White Tiger, and Orient Loong God in this world, but his recent encounters were clearly not far from the Four Divine Beasts.
There was also the Underworld witchcraft that had now fully integrated into his true form of the Dragon Turtle, which he could study later.
The ghosts summoned by the Underworld carried unknown histories.
Beside him, Can-Chen Daoist, Qian Qianzi, and others quietly enjoyed the show. Phoenix Ritual didn’t use voice transmission or isolation, allowing them to partake in the spectacle.
Phoenix Ritual laughed heartily, “I’m telling you all this not to make you timid. Whether you’re a Dragon Turtle or a Peacock, what’s there to fear with the protection of both clans?”
She looked at Su He, “Unlike the Dragon Turtles, my Phoenix Clan still has kin in our ancestral lands. I was guarding our lands, but I broke through the barrier because of your second form. Now that things here are settled, I should return. Would you like to come with me?”
Su He pondered for a moment and shook his head, “Why don’t you go ahead, and if needed, you can call me, alright?”
The Phoenix Clan was different from the Dragon Turtles. After all, Su He’s second form was a Peacock, and the Phoenix Clan was extremely sensitive. Not everyone could accept him like Phoenix Ritual.
By bloodline, Phoenix Ritual was his grandmother, but the other phoenixes were not!
Phoenix Ritual fell silent for a while, then nodded. With the incident of Feng Chaoyang, the Phoenix Clan had indeed become more stubborn.
Her crown of feathers trembled, and two snowflakes landed on Su He and Su Huanian, “This is a treasure, consider it a meeting gift! If you two can produce offspring with the Phoenix Clan’s bloodline, the Phoenix Clan will gift you a hundred, a thousand times more!”
Su He laughed heartily, while Su Huanian blushed, her jade-like skin tinged with pink. She gripped her Fairy Sword tighter, only to see Phoenix Ritual already taking flight, transforming into an Ice Phoenix that tore through space and left.
She wasn’t joking. The matters of childbirth were mysterious and unrelated to one’s Cultivation Level or Realm. There might be a surprise.
“They’ve left, and so should I.” Battle Cultivators sheathed their swords, looking at Su He with blazing eyes. Little Girl’s hatching had caught him off guard, but he wasn’t clueless.
This disciple, he was very satisfied with! No one had taught him, yet he reached the third rank of Martial God on his own, a talent beyond imagination.
Could it be that the unity of soul and body made him more suited for the Martial God’s path? Or was it because of his pure heart?
He needed to prepare a discipleship proposal. This disciple, he was determined to take!
“Su He, Fairy Su, now that matters here are settled, I shall take my leave. We’ll meet again in the Xuantian Realm!” Battle Cultivators acted swiftly, doing as they wished.
Su He hurriedly stopped him, “Elder Battle Cultivator, you’ve crossed realms to aid me, and I’ve yet to express my gratitude. How can I let you leave so hastily?”
That would be improper!
Battle Cultivators laughed heartily, “What need for thanks? Having a fight with Cyan Thunder is the best thanks!”
For a being on the Martial God’s path, what could be more interesting than a fight?
Beside them, Qian Qianzi tilted her head in thought, “So getting pinned to the ground after only two moves counts as a fight?”
Battle Cultivators: “…”
He raised his head, looking at the sky, as if he hadn’t heard Qian Qianzi’s voice, “With Fairy Ji not around, I won’t bother Yunmeng Marsh. Farewell!”
He cleaved through space with his sword and leaped in, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Cutting through space and traversing the cosmos, such a departure was very stylish.
Can-Chen Daoist stroked his beard, looking at Nanming Zhenren. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with strange expressions. Perhaps Battle Cultivator wanted to show off in front of his future disciple’s parents? Was that why he acted so childishly?
Crossing worlds and breaking through space was a privilege of mature Four Divine Beasts. His forced departure would burden the space, enough to give him a hard time.
Hopefully, when the ten-year period was up, Little Girl wouldn’t see a sickly master.
Su He looked at the two with odd expressions, reverting to his true form of the Dragon Turtle, “You two elders aren’t also leaving for something, are you?”
Can-Chen Daoist chuckled, “Coincidentally! Before you woke up, we had arranged with Manager Dai to visit Wangshu Pavilion for a shopping spree. It’s rare for Manager Dai to be so generous, offering us a 30% discount. As for thanks—having the chance to discuss with elders Phoenix Ritual and Cyan Thunder for two months, Su He, you didn’t charge us admission, we’re already grateful!”
Because they all came from different realms to help their children, Phoenix Ritual and Cyan Thunder didn’t hold back, sharing their knowledge. Hundreds of thousands of years of experience, even just sharing the detours they took, was immensely valuable.
Living long has its perks: broad knowledge. Problems that could block one’s path for a hundred years were no issue for the two Divine Beasts—even if their paths differed, if they hadn’t encountered it, their subordinates surely had.
Qian Qianzi giggled, “I was actually heading to Tianxing Palace for business. If it weren’t for the elders’ discussions being so captivating, I would have left long ago!”
“Let’s go, let’s go!” Everyone began to leave.
“If you feel bad, Su He, you could update the game in Qian River, or even cancel the bet. If we keep gambling, my silly dog will end up betting away his food bowl!” Nanming Zhenren said, looking at the toad beside Su He.
The toad had just leaped out from Qian River, counting its recent winnings.
The toad didn’t gamble, it only ran the house. Though it only took a 2% cut, it won a fortune.
Su He suddenly realized why he had been receiving a steady stream of law feedback from Qian River during his two-month slumber: the toad had been managing the gaming house.
A wise frog indeed!
“Feel free to visit Xuantian Sect when you have time,” the Xuantian Sect Leader said, bowing and leading a group through space to leave.
After flying ten thousand miles, Dai Rui stretched out a hand in front of the Sect Leader.
The Xuantian Sect Leader didn’t understand why.
Dai Rui shook her head and sighed, “Sect Leader Brother, the sect rules state that disciples keep their personal gains, but the elders, First Seats, and Sect Leaders must contribute a portion to the sect.”
The Xuantian Sect Leader’s mouth dropped open, stunned for a moment before reluctantly placing two fruits in Dai Rui’s hand.
Can-Chen Daoist and Nanming Zhenren were dumbfounded, feeling enlightened. The fruits were clearly the ones Phoenix Ritual had taken out to entertain guests, and he had pocketed a few?
The dignified Xuantian Sect Leader doing such a thing?
No wonder Manager Dai confiscated them as punishment, it was a disgrace to Xuantian! Thinking this, they saw Dai Rui’s eyebrows furrow, looking at the Sect Leader with disdain, “Is that all?”
Such a rare opportunity, and he didn’t pocket more!
Can-Chen Daoist: “…”
Nanming Zhenren: “…”
The customs of Xuantian Sect were indeed peculiar. Wouldn’t they be robbed of all their possessions on this trip? They were used to carrying treasures with them as independent cultivators.
Was it still time to go back and find Su He?
…
Su He watched Liu Ru turn into a white light and head west, as the elders who came to help left one after another. The discussion ground was left with only him and Su Huanian.
The once bustling place suddenly became empty.
In the distance, snowflakes fell, but this hundred-mile territory was like early summer, lush and blooming. Two Divine Beasts had discussed, many powerful beings had debated. If a Formation was set up now to preserve the Dao rhythm, this place would surely prosper.
In the future, the beasts that breed here for a hundred years will have no chance of becoming Divine Beasts, but the odds of becoming top Exotic Beasts will surely increase manyfold.
Su He slowly came back to his senses and looked at Su Huanian, who was still recovering from serious injuries but already looked much better.
“Sister, I think I need to establish a Daoist Temple!” Su He said seriously. Not just a temple, but also to accumulate some wealth.
During this period of discussion, Uncle Lei had generously supplied various spiritual fruits, thanking the elders on his behalf. But he couldn’t always rely on his parents.
The longer one cultivates, the more Dao friends one makes. If one doesn’t even have a place to entertain Dao friends and immortal delicacies, it would be unbecoming.
A small world doesn’t count as a Daoist Temple, just a hidden residence for Su He, connected to Bailings’ great tomb. It’s not suitable for people coming and going.
Su Huanian tied up her hair and chuckled, “Where do you want to establish your Daoist Temple, Dongyun Mountains?”
Su He shook his head. Dongyun Mountains were well-located, with Elder Qing Cang of Xuantian Sect to the east and Ji Feixue in Yunmeng Marsh to the west, ensuring safety. But the place was too small.
And Su He wanted the sea!
“Sister, where would you like to live?” According to Su Huanian’s temperament, she wouldn’t return to Qing Yuan Mountain. When establishing the Daoist Temple… could he… take her with him?
Su Huanian was startled, her heart in turmoil, unsure how to respond. Under a tree in the distance, a giant red cocoon, a zhang high, began to emit tearing sounds.
The camel that had been napping under the cocoon immediately jumped up, panting loudly.
Su He glanced over, recognizing the familiar aura on the cocoon.
“Green Snake?”
Su Huanian nodded, “It must be the cocoon she spun after I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was hanging there.”
It was time for the evolution to complete, to break out of the cocoon.
The giant cocoon writhed, but Green Snake didn’t emerge, instead falling silent.
“Should we help her?”
Su Huanian shook her head, “Her aura is stable.”
Breaking out of the cocoon, like hatching, was a very private matter. It was best for Green Snake to do it herself, to avoid ending up like a butterfly that, without the struggle of breaking free, could never fly.
The two of them waited quietly, and after a while, they heard an angry cry from inside the cocoon. A sword light pierced through, creating an opening, and two delicate hands reached out, revealing arms as smooth as jade, tearing open the cocoon.
Su Huanian immediately stood in front of Su He, blocking his view.
“Green Snake is transforming into a human, it’s a matter of a woman’s reputation, don’t look!”
Su He turned away, only to hear Su Huanian’s surprise.
“What’s wrong?” Su He asked anxiously.
“It’s nothing.”
As Su Huanian spoke, she flicked a piece of clothing towards the giant cocoon. Moments later, the cocoon split open completely, and a figure swam out.
Rustling sounds indicated she was tidying up, and when Su He turned back, he was dumbstruck.
Nuwa… no, she had grown wings!
The emerald snake tail remained, but the upper body was human, with the human and snake parts meeting at a perilously delicate point.
Graceful and supple like the waist of a fifteen-year-old girl.
Dressed in Su Huanian’s clothes, the fairy garment adapted to the wearer, covering only the upper half, with the snake tail gently swishing behind, and a pair of white wings unfolding. With a light flap, she swam over to them.
“Thank you, Sister, for your protection!” Green Snake bowed gracefully to Su Huanian. Then she turned to Su He, “Thanks to you too!”
A turtle and a snake had met in insignificance, but there was no need for excessive politeness.
Su He circled around her curiously, full of wonder. He conjured a water hand, wanting to poke her waist, but then thought better of it and gave up.
“What race are you now? Do you have any special abilities?” Su He asked curiously. A new character, a new skin—aside from being beautiful, what men cared about were the skills.
Green Snake thought for a moment and reached out to grab something from Su He and Su Huanian, tying them together.
Su He felt as if something had been added to him, but he was puzzled.
He looked at Green Snake for an explanation.
Green Snake also seemed a bit confused, “Marriage ties? I seem to be able to see others’ marriage ties, and I can matchmake and tie the red string!”
Su He: “…”
That’s not a Divine Ability, that’s a damn vocation!
Su He laughed heartily, “Girl, tell me! What do you want? The stars or the moon?”