Chapter 109: Phoenix Ode to the World Classic · Fragment (III)

"No, let me try," Yun Che said, undeterred by Feng Baichuan's words. He spoke earnestly, "I know my own strength, and I do have the qualifications to attempt this trial."

Yun Che raised his palm, his fingers outstretched, as profound energy surged, causing his entire hand to burst into a large cluster of orange-red flames. This flame startled Feng Baichuan, who exclaimed in surprise, "You actually possess fire-element profound arts?"

"That's right, and it's a very high-level fire-element profound art," Yun Che nodded. However, his biggest trump card for attempting the Phoenix trial was his heaven-defying physique, which made him impervious to all flames. Of course, he couldn't reveal this, as Feng Baichuan would never believe it even if he did. "Since this is the Phoenix trial, it must primarily involve fire. I'm proficient in fire-element profound arts and have a certain resistance to fire profound energy, so I might be able to pass the trial easily."

Feng Baichuan still shook his head, saying, "The Phoenix trial is indeed primarily based on the power of fire, but you're thinking too simply. How can the flames ignited by a mortal's profound energy compare to the fire of a divine beast like the Phoenix? Ten years ago, I also attempted the Phoenix trial. But as soon as the trial began, I had only taken a few steps within the trial grounds before the lava flames burned me so agonizingly that I gave up after just a few breaths. Although you possess fire-element profound arts and will have some understanding, control, and resistance to fire profound energy, the Phoenix fire is far more terrifying than you can imagine. The ancestor who first passed the Phoenix trial also had fire-element profound arts and barely succeeded at the Spirit Profound Realm. Subsequent ancestors who passed did so because they had the Phoenix bloodline, which provided strong resistance, and none of them were below the Spirit Profound Realm in power. With your current profound energy, it's simply impossible."

Yun Che calmly said, "Since Patriarch Feng has attempted the Phoenix trial, you also know that if one feels they can't endure it during the trial, they can choose to give up. Therefore, as long as one doesn't foolishly persevere and chooses to withdraw when it becomes unbearable, there's absolutely no life-threatening danger. Your clansmen who died in the trial likely never emerged because they tried to force their way through. I won't do that. I value my life greatly. If I feel that something is impossible, I'll immediately choose to withdraw. This way, there will be no danger whatsoever. Since there's no danger, whether I succeed or not, there's no harm in trying, is there?"

Yun Che glanced outside and continued, "If, by any chance, I succeed, it could at least enhance my profound energy to some extent, offering a bit more hope against the villains outside."

Feng Baichuan's brows furrowed, and he sighed softly, "After all, you are young. Hearing that it's a trial left by a divine beast like the Phoenix, it's impossible not to be curious. While you were speaking with me just now, your gaze darted towards that sealed formation at least three times. Since you're so eager to attempt that trial… fine, I'll open the door to the trial for you. However, before that, you should heal your injuries. Also, during the trial, if you feel you can no longer endure, you must immediately choose to withdraw… otherwise, while the illusions are false, the flames are real Phoenix flames. Forcing yourself to resist them truly leads to death."

"Understood!" Yun Che nodded cheerfully.

With Yun Che's medical expertise and the abundant supply of medicinal materials from the treasure vault, his injuries were entirely negligible. By the next day, the wound on his shoulder had completely healed, and he felt no pain even with extensive movement, though a bowl-sized scar remained. If he wished, this scar could be fully removed within half a month.

A day passed, and as expected, the Black Demon Mercenary Group remained outside, continuously clamoring. The members of the Phoenix remnant clan had finally calmed down, though only temporarily. They held the food and water distributed by Feng Baichuan, anxiously dreading the thought of tomorrow.

At this moment, Feng Baichuan stood with Yun Che and Lan Xueruo before the sealed formation of the trial grounds.

"Junior Brother Yun, are you truly determined to try this? Although it's a trial, it might also hide immense dangers. You only have Level One of the Elementary Profound Realm, what if… what if…" Lan Xueruo tugged at Yun Che's arm, continuously trying to dissuade him.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. You know I have fire-element profound arts; it's not that easy for me to run into trouble in a fire trial," Yun Che reassured her.

"But…" Lan Xueruo wanted to say more, but seeing Yun Che's calm, water-like gaze, she knew that no amount of persuasion would change his mind. She could only sigh softly and say, "Then, no matter what, you must be careful."

"Are you ready?" Feng Baichuan asked, standing in front of the sealed formation.

"Please, Patriarch Feng, open the seal for me," Yun Che nodded.

Feng Baichuan slowly nodded and reminded him again, "If you feel you can no longer endure, you must come out immediately. Do not push yourself."

After speaking, he bit his finger and sprinkled a drop of blood onto the sealed formation. Instantly, the formation flashed with red light, then rapidly spun and disappeared, revealing a strange, dark-red entrance ahead. Inside the entrance, it was pitch black; nothing could be seen, like a terrifying, bottomless abyss.

"Since our ancestors discovered this trial ground, no outsider has ever entered it. You are genuinely the first. This trial ground can only be opened once a month, and regardless of success or failure, a person can never enter a second time in their life. Think carefully about whether you want to go in."

Yun Che nodded, gave Lan Xueruo a reassuring look, and then stepped into the entrance of the trial ground without hesitation.

The moment he stepped into the entrance, the scene before his eyes suddenly twisted. He then felt a wave of dizziness, and his body swayed as if caught in a storm. He instinctively closed his eyes. After a long while, the sensation of weightlessness slowly faded. He opened his eyes, only to see complete darkness.

Where… was this? Why was it only pitch black? There was nothing… shouldn't the Phoenix trial feature things like seas of fire or lava?

Just as he pondered, two narrow golden lights suddenly appeared in the darkness ahead. These two narrow golden lights then slowly opened like a pair of squinting eyes… No! They *were* a pair of eyes! A pair of immensely huge golden pupils embedded in the dark space.

The Phoenix's eyes!!

"Greetings, human. Welcome to the trial grounds. You are the first trial participant without a Phoenix bloodline in a thousand years."

A majestic voice echoed in his mind, clearly a female voice. Yun Che gazed at the golden eyes and tentatively asked, "Are you… the Phoenix Spirit?"

"Indeed. I am a wisp of the Phoenix's undying soul left here, yet I exist independently from the Phoenix, maintaining this trial ground and welcoming all trial participants. Phoenix Spirit is the most fitting title for me."

"Why did the Phoenix leave this trial ground here?" Yun Che casually voiced the question in his mind.

Yun Che's question was casual, and he didn't expect the Phoenix Spirit to answer. To his surprise, the Phoenix Spirit generously provided an answer: "In ancient times, the three flame-element divine beasts—the Phoenix, the Golden Crow, and the Vermilion Bird—fought fiercely for thirty-six days to claim the title of Flame Ancestor of the Divine Realm. Ultimately, all three suffered severe injuries. The Phoenix, gravely wounded, fell upon the Azure Cloud Continent and remained here for thirteen years until its injuries healed. During those thirteen years, the Phoenix deeply felt that although the humans of the Azure Cloud Continent were weak, their nature was pure. Thus, it left behind two trial grounds to provide a small opportunity for the humans of this continent."

"I see."

"However, the Phoenix also decreed: if humans on the Azure Cloud Continent were to use the Phoenix's power to harm the world, all their power would be stripped, and a bloodline punishment would be imposed! Unfortunately, a thousand years ago, a certain lineage committed heinous crimes using the Phoenix's power. They were permanently stripped of the Phoenix's power and subjected to a bloodline curse. Since then, no one has passed this trial. As the first person without the Phoenix bloodline in a thousand years, I hope you can break this millennium of silence here… So, are you ready?"

"Yes, I can start anytime," Yun Che said, taking a deep breath, his expression calm. In terms of his profound energy alone, entering such a trial would be considered overestimating his abilities. However, having devoured the Evil God's fire seed, he now possessed a body impervious to all flames. Relying on this heaven-defying advantage, he wasn't completely without confidence facing this trial from a flame divine beast.

"Very well. The trial consists of three stages: Stage One: Purgatory Flame Demon; Stage Two: Phoenix Arrows; Stage Three: Fallen Heart Flame. If you wish to give up during the trial, you can call out at any time, and I will immediately let you leave the trial grounds. Forcing your way through the trial carries the risk of death… I wish you success."

As the Phoenix Spirit's voice faded, the pair of massive golden eyes in the dark world slowly vanished. Yun Che's vision spun once more. In an instant, the darkness completely disappeared, and the world around him had astonishingly turned crimson.

The sight before him left him stunned for a long time. The ground beneath his feet was a deep red, striking like scorching-hot iron laid out. The terrain was uneven, strewn with jagged rocks, and mountains both tall and short rose and fell, their bodies also crimson, as if ready to erupt with towering flames at any moment. Looking up, the sky was also entirely crimson.

On the fiery red ground, clusters of flames were scattered everywhere; some were only a few inches high, while others shot up more than ten meters. On either side, pools of red-hot lava churned like boiling water… painting a terrifying scene of a lava purgatory.

Undoubtedly, the wind here was scorching, and the air temperature was frighteningly high. No wonder Feng Baichuan retreated after only a few breaths in the first stage. Just the temperature alone would require a True Profound Realm practitioner to use all their profound energy to barely resist, let alone an Elementary Profound Realm practitioner.

But for Yun Che, the temperature here could be described with two words:

Comfortable!

It felt as comfortable as lounging in warm water.