Chapter 114: Phoenix Ode to the World Fragment (8)

"So, the first to fourth stages of the Phoenix Imperial Decree are in the trial grounds on Divine Phoenix Continent, and here, only the fifth and sixth stages exist?" Yun Che simply wanted to gain power from this Phoenix trial, but he never expected to hear such a secret. The Phoenix Sect, which dominated the Divine Phoenix Empire and awe-inspired the Profound Sky Continent, was known to be powerful because of their Phoenix blood and the Phoenix's strength within their bodies. But no one knew there was such a profound secret behind it.

"No! The first to fourth stages of the Phoenix Imperial Decree are no longer in the trial grounds on Divine Phoenix Continent; they are now in the hands of the Phoenix Sect. The Phoenix Spirit that developed a rebellious will handed them over to the Phoenix Sect, making them the sect's treasured canon and helping the Phoenix Sect dominate the Profound Sky Continent. The trial grounds were preserved to grant pure Phoenix blood and Phoenix God Pills to Phoenix Sect disciples who passed the trial, because only by passing the trial can one obtain Phoenix blood and Phoenix God Pills. This was a rule set by the Phoenix in the past, and even we, as soul clones, cannot resist or change it. The same applies to the Phoenix Imperial Decree."

"Then why could the Phoenix Spirit on Divine Phoenix Continent hand the Phoenix Imperial Decree over to the Phoenix Sect? Also, if only the fifth and sixth stages are here, without the first four, it's impossible to cultivate. As a Phoenix Spirit, you should know the power imprints of the first four stages, right?" Yun Che questioned.

"No, I don't know. Though we are Phoenix Spirits, we have no right to review the Phoenix Imperial Decree, much less to give it to others. Our sole authority is to grant it to humans who pass the trial for one month of study. However, during our fierce battle, the jade tablet containing the Phoenix Imperial Decree was destroyed, and its counterpart was also shattered. The shattering of the jade tablets caused the rule imprints left by the Phoenix in the Phoenix Imperial Decree to scatter, which allowed it to gain complete control over the broken jade tablet it possessed, meaning the first four stages of the Phoenix Imperial Decree. The latter part fell into my hands, also freely controllable. However, I will never go against the Phoenix's will. As for the first four stages, I have no knowledge whatsoever. So, it is impossible for you to obtain the first four stages from me."

"I see." A wave of disappointment washed over Yun Che. Although the jade tablet containing the Phoenix Imperial Decree was shattered, the Phoenix Sect at least obtained the first four stages, allowing them to cultivate from the beginning, progressing step by step without any hindrance, though their cultivation would be capped at the fourth stage. Yet, the fifth and sixth stages of the Phoenix Imperial Decree he now held, seemingly two stages higher than what the Phoenix Sect possessed, were effectively useless. Without the first four stages, how could one cultivate the fifth, let alone the sixth?

It was like a building: if there were no first four floors, how could there be a fifth or sixth? Even a sky palace would require solid support beneath it.

"You may consume this Phoenix God Pill immediately. With your profound energy, it will take three days to fully refine it. As for the Phoenix Imperial Decree, though it is only a fragmented text and cannot be cultivated from scratch, according to the rules left by the Phoenix, you may study and comprehend it here for the next month. Of course, if you feel it's a waste of time, you may leave immediately after refining the Phoenix God Pill. However, even if this fragmented Phoenix Imperial Decree cannot be cultivated, it is still one of the World-Burning Heavenly Tomes renowned from ancient times. A month of study might allow you to gain something from it, however small. Everything depends on your choice."

"Finally, I must give you a warning. After you leave, do not mention a single word about what happened in this trial to anyone. If you travel to the Divine Phoenix Empire in the future, unless you possess sufficiently powerful strength, you must conceal your Phoenix bloodline and mark. If people of the Phoenix Divine Clan discover you possess Phoenix bloodline and you are not a disciple of the Phoenix Sect, it will certainly bring about your demise… Remember this!"

The voice echoed in Yun Che's mind for a long time, and the enormous golden eyes slowly vanished.

Holding the jade tablet containing the fragmented Phoenix Imperial Decree, Yun Che couldn't help but feel conflicted. What kind of existence was the Phoenix Sect? Even one of its branch leaders possessed strength comparable to the four great sects that dominated the Azure Cloud Empire. The full power of the main sect was simply unimaginable to ordinary people. The reason for their immense strength lay in their Phoenix bloodline and the Phoenix Imperial Decree they obtained from the Phoenix Spirit.

And now, the Phoenix Imperial Decree in his hands was two stages higher than what the Phoenix Sect possessed. What an astonishing concept was this?

Yet, it was just a fragment, without the progressive foundation of the first four stages, rendering it impossible to cultivate! Holding such a valuable treasure, yet having it be useless, was incredibly frustrating. Yun Che almost wished the Phoenix Spirit hadn't given it to him, but simply tossed him a Phoenix God Pill instead; he would have felt much more at ease without this predicament.

Sitting on the ground, Yun Che opened the jade bottle and took out the Phoenix God Pill. The pill was scarlet as blood and scorching to the touch, allowing one to distinctly feel the powerful energy it contained. Yun Che adjusted his internal breath, placed the Phoenix God Pill in his mouth, and swallowed it.

Whoosh!

A crimson flame instantly erupted from Yun Che's body, its tendrils soaring over three meters high, completely enveloping his entire being. At the same time, the pores all over his body expanded dramatically, his blood flowed wildly at nearly three times its normal speed, and the profound energy within his profound veins churned violently, like water swept by a gale.

The refining process should have been difficult and painful, but with his unique advantage, Yun Che felt an indescribable comfort. In less than twenty breaths, he brought his blood, meridians, and profound veins back to equilibrium. His expression was serene, and he joyfully felt the subtle changes in his body and his profound energy gradually becoming denser.

The flames surrounding his body never extinguished, continuing to burn quietly. These flames were meant to transform the consumer's body, enhancing their fire resistance and affinity for fire elements, but for Yun Che, they were essentially redundant.

The Phoenix Spirit had said that the Phoenix God Pill could not only enhance the consumer's control over flames but also significantly boost their profound energy. The Phoenix Spirit had not deceived him; he clearly felt the growth of his profound energy… This growth was slow, nothing like the sudden surge after consuming the Evil God's fire seed, but rather exceptionally stable and steady.

Half an hour later, Yun Che opened his eyes. Over one percent of the Phoenix God Pill had been refined within his body. His profound energy was already at the bottleneck of Profound Realm Stage One. To stabilize the profound energy that had surged after consuming the Evil God's fire seed, he had been suppressing it to prevent a breakthrough. But now, under the effect of the Phoenix God Pill, in just half an hour, his profound energy completed its breakthrough, steadily entering Profound Realm Stage Two.

Remaining seated, Yun Che picked up the jade tablet containing the Phoenix Imperial Decree, his palm pressed against it, feeling a mix of regret and conflicting emotions. Just as he was about to remove his hand from the jade and focus on refining the Phoenix God Pill, a person's image suddenly flashed through his mind, along with the gentle words that person had spoken to him when he was thirteen...

"Master, was all the medical knowledge you taught me from this 'Heavenly Dao Medical Classic'?"

"Haha, indeed. It's a truly extraordinary book. Once, while collecting herbs, I got lost deep in the mountains and was chased by a beast, falling down a not-too-high cliff. There, I found this 'Heavenly Dao Medical Classic' on a weathered skeleton. However, when I found it, I discovered that this 'Heavenly Dao Medical Classic' had three parts, and I only obtained the third part. Moreover, this 'Heavenly Dao Medical Classic' is unlike ordinary medical books; its medical principles form their own unique system, impossible to understand or measure with conventional medical theories. Without the first two parts, it's simply impossible to comprehend the third."

"Later, Master found the first two parts, right?"

"No! Although I searched diligently, I never found them. But your master refused to give up, so I abandoned the search and forced myself to study the third part of this 'Heavenly Dao Medical Classic.' Combining everything I had read, learned, practiced, and understood throughout my life, I painstakingly integrated its unique medical principles and spent ten years writing out the first two parts myself… Of course, the two parts I wrote aren't the genuine first two parts, but what I comprehended and wrote myself might be even more valuable than simply studying another's book."

"Wow! Master, you're truly amazing."

"Hahahaha, your master is just stubborn and never gives up. I thought, if others can comprehend it, why can't I?… Besides, there was already a complete third part there for reference. Che'er, when it comes to comprehension, you are far superior to me. If it were you, as long as you have the same intent and determination as your master, you could certainly do it, and you would do it even better than your master."

Like a morning bell and evening drum, Yun Che's eyes suddenly widened, and his heart profoundly stirred.

It was true that each stage of the Phoenix Imperial Decree progressed step by step. All cultivation methods in the world were like this: without comprehending the first stage, it was impossible to enter the second; without comprehending the second, it was impossible to enter the third… This was almost common knowledge.

But was it truly impossible?

If his master, with his exceptional talent and mastery in medicine, could forcefully comprehend the entire medical principles of the Heavenly Dao Medical Classic through its third part, and he himself possessed the Evil God's fire seed, granting him an unparalleled affinity for fire energy in the world, then why couldn't he comprehend the essence of the Phoenix Imperial Decree's fifth and sixth stages, then pervade the pathways and foundations of the first four stages, and thus forcefully cultivate the fifth and sixth stages?!

Upon this realization, Yun Che closed his eyes, his mind suddenly becoming clear. In his thoughts, only the spiritual imprint from the jade tablet remained...

Beginning from the fifth stage of the Phoenix Imperial Decree...

The fifth stage... in addition to the increase in Phoenix flame power, also included a Phoenix flame skill: Phoenix Wing Sky Dance.