Chapter 424: Complete Profound Formula

The core principles of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture imprinted themselves on Yun Che's mind. What stirred first, however, was not his spirit, but the fire-attribute Evil God Seed. A flame ignited within Yun Che's spiritual consciousness, gradually engraving the fluctuating profound formulas deep into his soul.

To cultivate the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, possessing the Phoenix bloodline is a prerequisite. Even with the bloodline, comprehending its core principles takes a considerable amount of time. This is because the Scripture is fundamentally a profound art of the divine level; the fire laws it encompasses far transcend ordinary profound flames. Even the first six stages, which are the weakest, present a level of difficulty in complete comprehension that is incomparable to common profound formulas.

However, this posed no problem for Yun Che. The presence of the Evil God Seed allowed him to easily comprehend any form of fire law. With the Evil God Seed within him, his body was like a blank canvas that could be effortlessly sculpted. Even understanding the mighty Phoenix Nirvana Scripture was as simple as having it directly engraved into his being.

After silently reciting the core principles of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, Yun Che instantly grasped them. The profound formulas surged within his soul, then suddenly coalesced, creating a vast and boundless world. It was a dark, starry expanse with countless celestial bodies. In the very next moment, scorching flames suddenly erupted, completely engulfing the immense starry sky. From within that world-devouring inferno, a resonant phoenix cry echoed, and a golden phoenix, its golden wings unfurled, was reborn from the flames.

A scorching and primeval aura enveloped Yun Che's spiritual sea, as if he had suddenly opened the gateway to another world and was immersed in a completely new realm.

As the profound formulas entered his body, Yun Che closed his eyes and became completely still. Feng Xue'er sat quietly before him, her beautiful gaze fixed on his expression, watchful for any anomalies such as soul damage or chaotic profound energy that might arise during his state of comprehension. However, after half an hour, Yun Che remained perfectly serene; even his breathing had become completely steady, as peaceful as if he were in a deep slumber.

Feeling relieved, Feng Xue'er watched Yun Che for a bit longer, then whispered to herself, "It seems he's already begun to attain enlightenment. If so, there shouldn't be any issues, but it will likely take a very long time..."

"Xiao Baibai, let's go play!"

Feng Xue'er rose, just as she was about to approach the Snow Phoenix Beast, when suddenly, a layer of ethereal, misty flames abruptly ignited around Yun Che.

Feng Xue'er froze, gazing at Yun Che in astonishment. Self-ignited Phoenix flames clung to his body, slowly flowing and shifting across his surface, gradually burning higher and higher. The flames then slowly extinguished, and a phantom image of a fiery phoenix suddenly manifested behind Yun Che. Concurrently, a flame mark spontaneously appeared on his forehead, emitting a dazzling golden light.

"Ah..."

With a gasp, Feng Xue'er stared blankly at the mark on Yun Che's forehead. It was the Phoenix mark, visible on anyone with the Phoenix bloodline when Phoenix flames are active, unless deliberately concealed. Feng Xue'er remained in a daze, her gaze fixed on the golden mark on Yun Che's forehead. Her eyes flickered, and the emotions held within them suddenly became profoundly turbulent.

The phoenix silhouette lingered for a long time before gradually fading away, and the golden mark on Yun Che's forehead vanished concurrently. Yun Che opened his eyes at that moment, immediately meeting Feng Xue'er's surprised gaze.

"Brother Yun, you... you've actually completely comprehended the core principles and fully integrated your bloodline with the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture's profound art?" Feng Xue'er's eyes widened as she spoke with profound disbelief.

"Yes," Yun Che nodded. "It was quite simple... By the way, Xue'er, how long did that take?"

"Only... half an hour."

"Half an hour... Is that a very short time?"

"Incredibly short!" Feng Xue'er exclaimed, her emotions stirred. "The core principles are the very foundation for cultivating the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture. Only by thoroughly understanding them can one integrate the bloodline with the profound art. It is the most crucial and most challenging step in the entire Scripture. Even with enlightenment and guidance from elders, and even with excellent comprehension, it would take at least over a year, and for some, many years... Yet, Brother Yun, you only took... half an hour!"

"Uh..." With the Evil God's Fire Seed, even the most challenging fire-attribute profound arts were effortlessly within his grasp. Hearing Feng Xue'er's words, he suddenly realized that his speed in fully grasping the core principles was indeed quite exaggerated. As he pondered how to explain, he saw Feng Xue'er's beautiful face blossom with adoration. "Wow! Brother Yun, you are truly incredible. You are the most... the most astonishing genius Xue'er has ever met! Father Emperor once praised me for being the quickest to comprehend, but compared to Brother Yun, I'm still so, so far behind."

"Well..." Yun Che awkwardly pressed his forehead. "I'm not as amazing as Xue'er makes me out to be. It's clearly because Xue'er taught me so well that I was able to comprehend it so quickly."

"Hehe! Brother Yun is just trying to make me happy. I only gave him the profound formulas; I didn't offer any other insights or guidance, nor did I use profound energy to lead him. So it has nothing to do with me; Brother Yun himself is truly remarkable," Feng Xue'er said, giggling.

"No, no, that's certainly not it," Yun Che said with a serious expression. "Xue'er is beautiful, noble, and kind-hearted. For anyone, it would be a true blessing to be personally taught the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture by Xue'er. With you, any miracle is possible. If it were a fierce old woman teaching me now, I might not comprehend it even in ten years."

"Hehe..." Although she knew Yun Che was flattering her, she still laughed happily. "I originally planned to teach Brother Yun little by little, but since he's so amazing... I'll just give him all the profound formulas of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture. Perhaps he'll comprehend them just as quickly."

As she spoke, Feng Xue'er extended her exquisite hand, a brilliant red light condensing at her fingertips, which she then carefully placed on Yun Che's forehead. Instantly, the complete profound formulas for the first through fourth stages of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture slowly and clearly flowed into Yun Che's mind.

In this manner, Yun Che fully acquired the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, from its core principles to its first four stages, which belonged to the Divine Phoenix Sect.

Yun Che had possessed the Phoenix blood for nearly three years. While he had forcibly learned two Phoenix profound skills, he had never been able to cultivate the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture. It was a profound art he had always yearned for, and he knew the enormous difficulty and risks involved in obtaining it from the Divine Phoenix Sect. He had never imagined that today, without expending the slightest effort, the complete Phoenix Nirvana Scripture from the Divine Phoenix Sect would be his.

Had he acquired the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture through layers of risk, cunning schemes, fierce contests, or even bloodshed, he would have felt completely justified and would have burst into hearty laughter.

Yet, having received it now without the slightest exertion, he felt a touch of bewilderment.

This was because Feng Xue'er had given him not just the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, but also a heart that completely trusted and cherished him, alongside emotions utterly pure and untainted.

Yet, the foundation for all of this was his deception of her—even if it was a necessary one.

As the first four stages of profound formulas flooded in, the fifth and sixth stages, already imprinted in Yun Che's spiritual consciousness, were simultaneously awakened. In an instant, the six profound formulas spontaneously connected and seamlessly converged, forming the complete first through sixth stages of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture. Although Yun Che's mind was momentarily unsettled, his Phoenix profound energy automatically circulated and fused with the profound formulas entering his spiritual sea. He then closed his eyes, cleared his thoughts, and concentrated on comprehending the formulas.

As the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament drew near, Divine Phoenix City grew more tumultuous by the day. Profound practitioners from the six participating nations, along with their entourages, had successively arrived. Those eligible to compete were undoubtedly the most exceptional young geniuses from their respective nations, and their companions were the most influential figures from each nation's political and profound realms. Without exception, all six emperors had arrived in person.

Nevertheless, these individuals, who could typically look down upon an entire nation, were compelled to humble themselves and act cautiously upon their arrival in Divine Phoenix City. With only three days left until the start of the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, all participants from the other five nations, excluding the Blue Wind Nation, had arrived and were settled in Phoenix City, the central stronghold of the Divine Phoenix Sect.

"Hmm? The people from the Blue Wind Nation still haven't arrived today?" Feng Ximing mused, listening to his subordinate's report.

"Yes. I just specifically inquired at the city gates, and no Blue Wind participants have entered. Should we immediately send a sound transmission to the Blue Wind Imperial Family to inquire?"

"No need," Feng Ximing said, raising a hand. "Hmph! The small Blue Wind Nation is merely a joke in this Seven Nations Ranking Tournament. This time, I had hoped for something interesting, but it seems I truly overestimated that boy, Yun Che. I actually believed he would personally come to participate, just as he boasted. He's probably hiding somewhere now, with his tail between his legs, convinced we can't find him."

"There's no rush to prepare accommodations for the Blue Wind Nation. It's even better if they don't come; not only will it shorten the tournament schedule, but it also gives Father Emperor... yet another excellent reason. You may withdraw for now. Oh, and for tonight's grand welcoming banquet, there's no need to arrange seating for the Blue Wind Nation."

"Yes."

"...A very, very long time ago, there were two young profound practitioners, one named Zu Kun and the other Liu Ti. They possessed average talent and were often bullied and mocked. Determined to improve, they decided to cultivate diligently together. Every day, before dawn, as soon as they heard the rooster crow, they would immediately rise and practice swordsmanship. Day after day, year after year, eventually... they both contracted avian flu."

"What's avian flu?" Feng Xue'er asked curiously.

"It's a very terrifying virus," Yun Che said, deadpan. "This story is called 'Dancing at the Rooster's Crow,' and it teaches us to always stay away from avian flu."

"Ugh... that story is quite boring. I still want to hear the story of Snow White. What happens after Snow White and the Frog Prince get together? I really want to know."

"Hmm... let me think about that carefully," Yun Che said, scratching his scalp.

"You have to think hard... Brother Yun, eat." Feng Xue'er leaned against Yun Che's shoulder and, smiling, brought her half-eaten skewer of dragon meat to his mouth, watching him take a large bite.

Once the forbidden box was opened, the former taboos began to unravel, tearing open increasingly larger gaps. Feng Xue'er, who had previously maintained absolute distance from everyone, now, under Yun Che's various subtle encouragements, naturally leaned close to him and shared a skewer of meat.

If Feng Hengkong were to witness this scene, he would undoubtedly be so infuriated that he'd "see stars" and probably slap Yun Che into a paste on the spot—and that would be a mild reaction.