Chapter Fifty-One: The Phoenix Clan Spirit in Retreat

“If that old fellow would just come out and do something,” Junyang said, lifting the spiritual spring tea from the table and taking a sip, smacking his lips. “He’s been so frightened by his demotion that he’s hidden inside the family crest for half a million years.”

“Half a million years? How do you know, Senior Brother Junyang?” Feng Qinghe asked in puzzlement.

“There’s a resonance among ancient divine beast clans, and the connection between clan spirits is even stronger.”

“A resonance?” Feng Qinghe looked at Junyang, bewildered. He had never sensed any such connection with Junyang.

Junyang saw his confusion. “You can’t sense my bloodline because, after the clan spirit was demoted, the divine souls of you younger generation have weakened a great deal. It’s normal you don’t sense it. Don’t you remember? In the lower realm, I recognized your Phoenix bloodline at a glance.”

Feng Qinghe thought back—it was true. If Junyang hadn’t suddenly discovered his Phoenix heritage and spoken of it, his master might never have come forward to take him as a disciple, and they would have just missed each other entirely.

“If the Phoenix clan’s spirit has been hiding in the family crest for half a million years and refuses to come out, it’s even less likely to offer any help,” Yan Qingye remarked.

Junyang shrugged. As for that old Phoenix clan spirit, there was nothing he could do. “Then the only way is for Little Junior Brother to become the Phoenix clan leader, form a full contract with the clan spirit, and ask again.”

“Senior Brother Qinghe, are you prepared for tomorrow’s competition?” Ming Chenyu changed the subject.

Feng Qinghe smiled with great confidence. “As long as she doesn’t resort to tricks.”

Ye Linyi, still fuming over the Purple Cliff Hall, snorted coldly. “If she dares to cheat, I’ll slap her flat.”

Everyone chuckled, and the tense atmosphere eased somewhat.

All matters would have to wait until Feng Qinghe became the Phoenix clan leader before being discussed further.

On the other side, Qin Junwei sensed the shattering of the Immortal Confinement Array in the guest courtyard the moment it happened.

You Xiyue had deliberately made no effort to conceal what happened at the guest courtyard entrance. The conversation inside couldn’t be overheard, but smashing the array was another matter—let it serve as a warning to those Purple Cliff Hall people, lest they overstep their bounds. They were truly bothersome.

Upon learning the whole story, Qin Junwei was indeed intimidated. The array, an immortal-grade formation, had been crushed with a single step. Perhaps the rumor about the five family heads being swatted away was true after all.

“This doesn’t bode well.”

Elder Qingmei, Liu Ruhui, was puzzled by Qin Junwei’s sudden remark. “What doesn’t bode well?”

“Of course, Feng Tianwu’s succession as the Phoenix clan leader doesn’t bode well. That little girl who is Feng Qinghe’s master must be quite powerful.”

“She’s just a girl with a bone age of barely over ten—how strong could she be? An Immortal King?” Liu Ruhui was completely unconcerned.

Qin Junwei’s gentle smile only deepened, as if plotting something. “Take extra precautions. If Feng Tianwu can become the Phoenix clan leader, it would be extremely beneficial not only for Purple Cliff Hall but for the entire Thirty-Two Layered Continent.”

“This is certain. I’ll remind Tianwu again,” Liu Ruhui replied, rising to his feet, saluting Qin Junwei, and leaving to look for Feng Tianwu.

Once Liu Ruhui had gone, Qin Junwei took the Qin clan crest from his robes, now faintly emanating a black demonic aura, squeezed it tightly, and left Feng Tianyang’s courtyard.

Back at the guest courtyard, the atmosphere grew ever more cheerful. Suddenly, Yan Qingye’s jade slip began to vibrate.

He took it out with a puzzled look, only to find it was a call from his own father.

“You rascal, what trouble have you stirred up now?”

“What do you mean? I haven’t done anything!” Yan Qingye moved the jade slip as far away as he could, since Yan Yaofeng’s roar was so loud it seemed his spit would fly right out.

“And you have the nerve to say you haven’t done anything?” Yan Yaofeng’s shouting grew louder, and Yan Qingye could almost feel the spray.

“I really didn’t...” Yan Qingye started to deny it, but caught Ming Chenyu’s gaze and his bravado faded. “Could it be Uncle Ming...”

“Ha! Figured it out? You rascal, why did you go blow up their pill room? Ours is nearly empty now, thanks to that old Ming Chengwu.”

Yan Yaofeng grew more agitated. “As soon as he could walk, that old fox came to our house to extort us. He’s getting more outrageous by the day.”

Yan Qingye scratched his head, not daring to make a sound as Yan Yaofeng ranted on about Ming Chengwu’s outrageousness, going on and on until Yan Qingye couldn’t help coughing.

Yan Yaofeng snapped, “What are you coughing for? Isn’t this all your fault?”

Yan Qingye glanced awkwardly at Ming Chenyu. “I... I’m with the Phoenix clan, and Chenyu is here too...”

“Oh...” Suddenly, Yan Yaofeng’s tone turned uncharacteristically warm. “Just joking, haha...”

Ming Chenyu knew his father well. Given a rare opportunity to take advantage of the Yan clan, he’d fleece them for all they were worth. Ming Chenyu smiled. “I know, Uncle Yan. I won’t tell my father what I heard today.”

“Oh... haha...” Yan Yaofeng, warm a moment ago, at once started scolding Yan Qingye again. “You rascal, why did you blow up their pill room?”

“For alchemy,” Yan Qingye replied sheepishly.

“No wonder the pill room exploded, with you making pills!”

Yan Qingye protested, “What’s wrong with me? I already refined the Reviving Purple Pill, and Master even praised my skills.”

Yan Yaofeng fell silent for a while, clearly shocked. “You... actually made a Reviving Purple Pill?”

His rascal of a son had only been gone a few days, and already managed to make a Reviving Purple Pill in the Ming family? Was his son a prodigy? A sudden surge of pride welled up in Yan Yaofeng.

“Of course,” Yan Qingye said, full of confidence. “I’ll have someone deliver my very first pill to you shortly.”

“Good! Good!” Yan Yaofeng burst out laughing. “My son is truly capable. If the Ming family’s pill room blew up, so be it.”

Yan Qingye grumbled quietly, “Weren’t you just calling me a rascal?”

“What did you say, you little—!”

“Nothing, nothing. Wait for my pill,” Yan Qingye said, severing the connection.

He tucked the jade slip into his robe, then took out a lump from his storage pouch, stretched out his hand, and held it out to Feng Qinghe.

Feng Qinghe frowned at the lump. “This is...?”

“Reviving Purple Pill. Senior Brother Qinghe, please have someone deliver it to my father for me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Feng Qinghe took out a handkerchief and placed it on the stone table. “Wrap it yourself.”

Yan Qingye, oblivious to Feng Qinghe’s distaste, wrapped it up with great care and proudly handed it over.

Feng Qinghe accepted it, pinching the corner of the handkerchief, stood up, and bowed to You Xiyue. “Master, I’ll take my leave.”

You Xiyue nodded in response.

Feng Qinghe left the guest courtyard and casually summoned someone to deliver Yan Qingye’s Reviving Purple Pill to the Yan residence.

Before long, Yan Yaofeng received the package.

He especially called his steward, Yan Er, to his side, showing off with pride. “This is the very first pill Qing’er ever refined.”

“The young master can refine pills?” Yan Er was astonished.

“Of course. Qing’er even said that our little elder praised his alchemy skills.”

With that, Yan Yaofeng carefully unfolded the handkerchief, revealing the indescribable lump inside.

“This is... the pill praised by the little elder, made by the young master?” Yan Er took two steps back, asking with utmost caution.