Chapter Thirty-One
Along the way, Ayin couldn’t help but quietly ask, “A Jin, Chief Chang Qin and Feng Yin are not related by blood. Why did you apologize to the Fox race’s tribal chief for the wrong you did to Feng Yin back then? Is it just because Chief Chang Qin is on good terms with the Phoenix Sovereign?”
Logically speaking, even as an elder, Chang Qin had no real standing to hold Gu Jin accountable.
Gu Jin sighed and replied softly, “I heard from my senior brother that at the grand banquet celebrating Feng Yin’s birth on Phoenix Tree Island, Chief Chang Qin once asked the Phoenix Sovereign to arrange a marriage between Feng Yin and her nephew. If Feng Yin had been born successfully back then, Chief Chang Qin would likely have already sent betrothal gifts to Phoenix Tree Island. Given this connection, her anger toward me is understandable.”
Hearing this, Ayin frowned and said, “Even the Phoenix Sovereign cannot decide Feng Yin’s marriage, let alone the Fox race’s tribal chief.”
Her reply was so matter-of-fact and straightforward that Gu Jin was taken aback. He patted Ayin’s head, sighing at her childishness, and didn’t take her words to heart.
As the two approached Tranquil Lake and saw the scene in the distance, they couldn’t help but freeze in astonishment.
Tranquil Lake was hidden in the Fox race’s back mountains. At its center, a small island had miraculously formed, covered by a towering phoenix tree several dozen feet tall—twice the size of the one in the Nine Nether Purgatory. Its lush branches and leaves enveloped the entire lake center. Golden light shimmered around the phoenix tree, radiating a warm yet powerful Spiritual Power. At that moment, hundreds of sleeping young foxes were suspended beneath the tree, absorbing its Spiritual Power.
No wonder the Fox race had produced far more high-tailed foxes over the past few millennia—it was all thanks to the nourishment of this phoenix tree. No wonder the Fox race’s Elders were so wary of them entering Tranquil Lake to retrieve Feng Yin’s Soul. After all, the two of them were from the Immortal Tribe. If they harbored ill intentions and took the opportunity to destroy the phoenix tree, the Fox race would likely suffer a devastating blow.
However, since this phoenix tree could nurture the entire Fox race’s young, its Spiritual Power must be immense. As a divine tree, why would it willingly remain with the Fox race, supporting the Demon Tribe’s descendants?
Gu Jin was puzzled, but he saw Chang Huo stop three meters away from Tranquil Lake, bowing respectfully in the direction of the phoenix tree from a distance and not taking another step closer.
“Immortal Tribe? Chang Huo, Chang Qin actually allowed an Immortal Tribe member into Tranquil Lake. Youngster from the Immortal Tribe, are you here to retrieve the Soul of my Phoenix Clan’s sovereign?”
An aged voice echoed from the center of the lake. Gu Jin halted and looked toward the phoenix tree. A vague, enormous human face had shape-shifted from the tree trunk, appearing benevolent and wise from afar.
It could actually shape-shift? That meant it was already a Demigod. Sensing the immense Divine Power emanating from the phoenix tree, Gu Jin was startled. But hearing its words, he felt a surge of joy and quickly replied respectfully, “This junior is Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain. As you said, I am indeed here for the Fire Phoenix’s Soul.”
As he spoke, he untied the Fire Phoenix Jade from his waist and held it in his hand. “I have already recovered two Souls and one Spirit of the Fire Phoenix. Please allow this junior to enter the island to retrieve the Soul and return it to the Phoenix Clan.”
“So you’re Dong Hua’s disciple. No need for such formalities.” The phoenix tree’s branches swayed as if waving a hand. “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” As it spoke, a red glow rose from the tree’s heart. The glow gently brushed against the tree’s face before skillfully flying into the Fire Phoenix Jade.
With a flash of red light, another Fire Phoenix imprint was engraved onto the jade. After this Soul entered, the Spiritual Power of the Fire Phoenix Jade increased by at least threefold. Clearly, this Soul had recovered remarkably well over the past decade, nurtured by this phoenix tree."Senior? You know my master?"
"Just some old acquaintances from years past." The phoenix tree spoke, not continuing further, clearly unwilling to dwell on the past.
"How did you know I would come?" Gu Jin wondered inwardly, looking toward the phoenix tree. It possessed demi-god power and could shape-shift, so naturally it could leave the Demon Realm. Why did it remain with the Fox race instead of returning to Phoenix Tree Island?
"Ten years ago, when my clan's sovereign's soul suddenly descended, her soul was mixed with a trace of your immortal power. A few days ago, when you entered Tranquil Mountain, I sensed that immortal power and knew it was you."
"So that's how it is. Thank you, senior, for nurturing Feng Yin's soul these ten years." Gu Jin hurriedly expressed his gratitude to the phoenix tree, carefully fastening the Fire Phoenix Jade at his waist.
"No need to thank me. She is my clan's sovereign; it is my duty to care for her."
"With your divine power, senior, you surely did not cultivate it here in Tranquil Mountain. Why have you stayed in the Fox race's sacred land instead of returning to Phoenix Tree Island?"
Since the Primordial God Qing Tian created heaven and earth, phoenix trees have always accompanied the Phoenix Clan. This phoenix tree was nearly as large as the Ancestral Phoenix Tree on Phoenix Tree Island and likely descended from the Ancient Realm alongside the Phoenix Clan sixty thousand years ago.
"In those years, I left Phoenix Tree Island for certain reasons and later encountered some calamities. In my moment of peril, I was saved by the Fox King. I promised him I would remain in Tranquil Mountain for thirty thousand years, using my spiritual power to nurture the young foxes, repaying his kindness."
"I see. And the thirty-thousand-year term..."
"Is almost up..." The aged voice echoed slowly, its branches swaying slightly. "You should go now."
"Yes, senior." Gu Jin suddenly asked, "I have received your help, senior, but I still do not know your name."
"What, do you intend to plead on my behalf at Phoenix Tree Island?"
Gu Jin nodded. "I imagine you had your reasons for leaving Phoenix Tree Island back then. My family has some connections with the Phoenix Sovereign. When I return to Phoenix Tree Island, I would like to mediate on your behalf before the Phoenix Sovereign, so you may return to the clan sooner."
"You have met the current Phoenix Sovereign?" Upon hearing Gu Jin mention Feng Ran, the ancient tree seemed to suddenly come to life, its voice trembling slightly.
"Yes, I once met the Phoenix Sovereign on Phoenix Tree Island."
"What is her name?"
Gu Jin was taken aback. "What?"
"I said, what is the name of the current Phoenix Sovereign?"
"Her surname is Feng, her given name Ran. This Phoenix Sovereign has endured many hardships and only returned to her position through Nirvana Rebirth three hundred years ago."
"Feng Ran... so her name is Feng Ran... Every Phoenix Sovereign endures trials, but thirty thousand years have already passed." The blurred giant face on the tree trunk showed no expression, but the voice was filled with profound melancholy and reminiscence. "Young man, there is no need to plead for me. Cause and effect revolve in cycles. Like you, I must bear the consequences of my mistakes. You should go now."
It seemed this senior had ties with the previous Phoenix Sovereign—a distant past, likely events from tens of thousands of years ago, far beyond his ability to intervene. Gu Jin sighed inwardly, bowing respectfully in the direction of the phoenix tree before leading Ayin back the way they came.
After a few steps, the voice of the phoenix tree sounded again from behind.
"Young man, if fate allows you to return to Phoenix Tree Island, tell Feng Yun for me: even if given another chance, my choice, Wu Xi, would still be the same as it was sixty thousand years ago."
"Cherish those around you. Remember, all things in this world follow the laws of fate. Without breaking, there can be no establishment; from the brink of death, new life emerges."Gu Jin and Ayin did not turn their heads, so they did not know that when these words were spoken, Wu Xi’s eyes, weathered by ten thousand years of vicissitudes, were gazing at the two of them.
"Yes, Senior," Gu Jin replied softly after Wu Xi finished speaking. He gave a slight nod and then led Ayin away.
"A Jin," Ayin tugged at Gu Jin’s sleeve once they had left the Tranquil Lake, looking up to ask, "What did that senior mean by what he said just now?"
Gu Jin shrugged his shoulders. "I didn’t quite understand either. Perhaps Senior Wu Xi was reminded of the past when he saw us and felt a bit sentimental."
"Oh," Ayin scratched her head. "For some reason, I feel that this senior is quite familiar and dear, as if..."
"As if what?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Ayin shook her head sheepishly and pointed toward the mountain’s exit. "It’s getting late. Let’s meet with Tribal Chief Chang Qin and leave the mountain."
Gu Jin smiled helplessly, patted Ayin’s head, and headed toward the council hall.
This phoenix tree felt familiar and dear, as if... they had known each other for a long time.
Perhaps it was too absurd. In the end, Ayin did not voice this thought.
And so, from beginning to end, Gu Jin never heard it.
Such is the way of the world. Even if given another chance, some things are destined and will not change.
Just like Wu Xi and Feng Yan sixty thousand years ago, and Gu Jin and Ayin sixty thousand years later.
The two returned to the council hall to bid farewell to Chang Qin and the Elders of the Fox race.
Watching their retreating figures, Chang Mei worriedly said, "Tribal Chief, they did not bring back the young chief, but they took Feng Yin’s soul. The Immortal and Demon tribes are like fire and water—if the Demon Emperor learns of this, might he think our Fox race is colluding with the Immortals?"
Although Sen Jian and Chang Qin were on good terms, as the Fox race grew increasingly powerful, the other royal families of the Tiger Demon tribe had grown deeply wary of them. If someone deliberately accused or sowed discord, it would surely damage the relationship between the two races.
"Gu Jin’s visit to the Fox race cannot be hidden from the Demon Emperor. Do not worry. Tomorrow, I will personally go to the Third Heaven to explain to the Demon Emperor the reason for the Immortal’s entry into our tribe. Chang Mei..."
"Yes, Tribal Chief?"
"Senior Wu Xi’s promise to our tribe only has one year left, correct?"
"That’s right. The young foxes in our tribe can only be nourished by his Spiritual Power for one more year."
"If no new nine-tailed foxes can be born, the Fox race will decline in my generation." A faint sigh escaped her lips.
"Tribal Chief, where exactly has the young chief gone? Why don’t the five of us go out and investigate properly..."
"No need. He has his own fate. When the time comes, he will naturally return."
Chang Qin interrupted Chang Mei’s words, gazing at the gradually disappearing figures of the two.
"Now is not the time. I hope that when he returns, he will have become a true king."
At the Immortal-Demon boundary of the Demon Realm’s First Heaven, Gu Jin was about to take Ayin’s hand to lead her across the boundary when he reached out and grasped nothing.
"Ah! A Jiu, how are you here?"
Ayin’s delighted voice rang out crisply. Gu Jin turned to see the little fox that had disappeared on Purple Moon Mountain crouching at Ayin’s feet, looking up with big eyes and pawing at the hem of her skirt.
The little fox’s gaze was pitiful and watery—likely any Lady would find it unbearable.
Thinking this to himself, Gu Jin withdrew his empty hand and looked down at Ayin, who was cradling the little fox with great affection, his eyes narrowing slightly.The Fox race are creatures most adept at seduction.
What the Mother Goddess and Aunt Feng Ran said is indeed the truth.
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