Chapter 835: Unprecedented Crisis

In the Hall of Literature,

Phoenix Ximing, lying on the ground, vomited several mouthfuls of blood. He suddenly lifted his head, speaking hoarsely, "Father, compared to Xue'er, I don't care about being the Phoenix Sect Master or the Divine Phoenix Emperor. All I want is Xue'er. I'd be willing to lose my reputation and everything I have for her! You promised Xue'er to someone else, but Sword Master Xuanyuan can help me get her... This is all your doing! You forced me to do this!"

"You... you!!" Phoenix Hengkong staggered, spitting out a large mouthful of blood with a "poof." He then collapsed onto his knees with a thud, consumed by boundless grief.

Phoenix Hengkong admitted to his past mistakes. Yet, he felt he had lived a life worthy of the Divine Phoenix Sect and his Phoenix bloodline, rarely acting for his own benefit, always for the sect. For the past century, he had involved Phoenix Ximing in many important matters, hoping to lead by example, immerse him in the responsibilities, and prepare him to bear the heavy power and duties in the future.

He never dreamed he would raise such a son.

"You beast... you absolute beast!" Phoenix Zukui tilted his head back, his chest heaving violently. He had never been this enraged in his entire life.

"Let me... personally... clean up this mess!" Phoenix Tianwei could no longer tolerate it. Flames erupted from his clenched fist as he lunged at Phoenix Ximing.

Boom!!! With a loud crash, Phoenix Tianwei's Phoenix flames struck an invisible energy wall, scattering outwards. Before him, the smiling face of Xuanyuan Wentian appeared. "Grand Sect Master Phoenix, what are you doing? He's the next Sect Master of your Divine Phoenix Sect, your own grandson. If he made a mistake, a minor punishment would suffice, but such a heavy hand is unwarranted."

Phoenix Tianwei's pupils constricted as he said in a deep voice, "This is our family matter; it's not your place to interfere!"

"Xuanyuan... Sword Master!" Seeing Xuanyuan Wentian block for him, Phoenix Ximing's spirits lifted. His eyes shone with intense hope and longing as he urgently said, "Yun Che didn't leave; he's still here..."

"You... shut up!!" Phoenix Tianwei roared in anger, reaching out to grab Phoenix Ximing again.

Xuanyuan Wentian's gaze flickered as he casually pushed his palm forward. Instantly, Phoenix Tianwei's body was sent flying dozens of yards away, as if he had crashed into a massive mountain.

"Go on," Xuanyuan Wentian said calmly, lowering his arm and placing his hands behind his back.

"Yun Che didn't leave... My imperial sister Xue'er must have taken him to the Phoenix Luanhuan Realm. But, Yun Che is dead!" Phoenix Ximing panted.

"Dead?" Xuanyuan Wentian spun around abruptly. "How did he die?"

Although surprised, he was certain that Phoenix Ximing, having reached such a desperate state, saw him as his last hope and would never lie to him.

"I don't know. When I saw him just now, he was already dead, covered in blood, his heart destroyed, and completely lifeless... It's true, I'm absolutely not lying to you!" Phoenix Ximing struggled to stand up. "Doesn't Sword Master desire the Samsara Mirror from his body...? His corpse is in the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm right now. If you find the body, it will... it will be yours for the taking."

Indeed, Phoenix Ximing now had no retreat. Whether to save his life or to get Phoenix Xue'er, he would do everything to curry favor with Xuanyuan Wentian.

"Hehehehe, hahahahaha..." Xuanyuan Wentian narrowed his eyes, then burst into roaring laughter.

"Several months ago, I learned that you had acquired a massive purple crystal mine, capable of yielding at least a hundred jin of divine crystals, and that the Phoenix God no longer guarded it. However, at the time, I was focused on preparing for the Demon Sword Convention and didn't want any complications. I intended to claim this great gift from you after the convention."

Xuanyuan Wentian spread his arms, closed his eyes, and savored the moment with a look of pure delight. The hundred jin of divine crystals, which the Divine Phoenix Sect had gone to great lengths to obtain, had become a mere "great gift" in his words, as if they were already destined to be his.

"Unexpectedly, a red-clothed fiendess appeared out of nowhere, not only destroying everything I had planned, but also crippling my Sword Domain's power, and forcing me into a situation where I could only think about survival!"

"But in the end, Heaven's will is still on my side, hahahaha... hahahahahahaha..." Xuanyuan Wentian laughed loudly. He wasn't usually an erratic person, but Jasmine's appearance and departure had subjected him to enormous emotional swings, from heaven to hell and back again. Now, with his mind relaxed, he couldn't control his urge to vent and roar with laughter.

As Xuanyuan Wentian laughed, Phoenix Zukui and the other two felt as though they were being cooked in a pot of oil.

"Young Sect Master, take me to the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm," Xuanyuan Wentian suddenly said, his laughter subsiding.

"Yes... yes." Phoenix Ximing immediately struggled to his feet.

"Wait!" Phoenix Zukui suddenly interjected with a low cry.

"Oh?" Xuanyuan Wentian smiled faintly. "Since we're speaking plainly, does Brother Zukui truly believe anyone in the Divine Phoenix Sect can stop me? Or... do you intend to continue telling me your sect is still under the Phoenix God's protection?"

Phoenix Zukui took a deep breath and said, "Our sect is unfortunate to have produced such a degenerate; the Divine Phoenix Sect accepts its defeat. As things stand, I'd like to make a deal with Sword Master Xuanyuan."

"Oh?" Xuanyuan Wentian showed a look of interest. "A deal? Is Brother Zukui suggesting he has something that could possibly interest me?"

Phoenix Zukui said expressionlessly, "That 'something' is the Samsara Mirror."

Xuanyuan Wentian froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Hahahaha, Yun Che is dead, and the Samsara Mirror is now within my grasp. And Brother Zukui actually wants to use it to make a deal with me? What a joke."

"Hmph!" Phoenix Zukui scoffed coldly and said, "At the Demon Sword Convention nineteen days ago, Yun Che personally admitted that the Samsara Mirror was on him. And Sword Master Xuanyuan seems to know the mirror's secrets, determined to possess it, clearly intending to keep it solely for himself. Now that Yun Che is dead and his corpse is within our sect, it's true that the Samsara Mirror is within your easy reach. However, if you don't seal our mouths, it won't be so easy to keep it exclusively for yourself! Especially now, the Heavenly Might Sword Region can't afford even the slightest disturbance!"

"Oh..." Xuanyuan Wentian gazed deeply at Phoenix Zukui, then gave a faint smile. "As expected of Brother Zukui. This deal... I must accept it whether I want to or not. So, what does Brother Zukui wish to exchange it for?"

"It's simple!" Phoenix Zukui said coldly. "Keep the secret of my Divine Phoenix Sect. Additionally, of the hundred jin of purple-veined divine crystals, at most, only half can be lent to the Heavenly Might Sword Region!"

"I see." Xuanyuan Wentian nodded slightly, showing no hesitation or needing any thought, and calmly said, "Regarding your sect's secret, I never intended to tell anyone. After all, I never do things that bring no benefit and only harm. As for lending the divine crystals, hehe, once I have the Samsara Mirror, everything else can naturally be discussed."

"Good! Sword Master Xuanyuan is straightforward." Phoenix Zukui also nodded coldly, showing no intention of questioning Xuanyuan Wentian's attitude. "In that case, my son and I will personally lead you to the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm. That degenerate certainly can't unlock the barrier of the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm. We only hope that after Sword Master Xuanyuan obtains Yun Che's corpse, you will keep your promise!"

"Hengkung, keep an eye on this beast!"

"Very well, lead the way." Xuanyuan Wentian readily agreed, a smile on his face, while in the depths of his unwavering eyes, an eerie gleam flickered, enough to chill even the most venomous snake.

Phoenix Zukui glared fiercely at Phoenix Ximing, then turned his back. He did not fly, but instead walked towards the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm. His steps were slow and heavy, mirroring the mountainous burden on his soul.

Phoenix Tianwei followed closely beside him.

With the three gone, only Phoenix Hengkong and Phoenix Ximing remained.

"You beast! You animal!!"

Phoenix Hengkong stepped forward, lifted Phoenix Ximing from the ground, his face contorted like a bloodthirsty wolf.

"Heh..." Phoenix Ximing, however, was smiling. "Go ahead and hit me, yell at me. I knew this moment would come when I told Xuanyuan Wentian everything... But so what? I helped Xuanyuan Wentian get what he wanted, and he'll immediately fulfill his promise. I'll soon... soon get Xue'er... Ugh!"

Phoenix Hengkong swung his arm, slamming Phoenix Ximing violently onto the ground. His eyes bloodshot, he panted, "I, Phoenix Hengkong, have been a valiant hero my entire life, how could I... give birth to such a beast, worse than an animal, and utterly foolish! You've committed a heinous crime, yet you show no remorse, instead dreaming a fool's dream! Do you think... do you think Xuanyuan Wentian went to the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm just to get the Samsara Mirror from Yun Che's corpse? His main objective is to kill Xue'er!!"

"What?" Phoenix Ximing's eyes widened, then he frantically shook his head. "No, impossible! Absolutely impossible... Sword Master Xuanyuan promised to grant Xue'er to me; he wouldn't do that. He... he has no reason to kill Xue'er."

"No reason?" Under extreme fury and pain, Phoenix Hengkong's vision blurred repeatedly. He said with a trembling voice, "He didn't tell anyone about the Phoenix God's death because he wants to control our entire sect alone! And the only one in our Divine Phoenix Sect who can escape his control is Xue'er! Once Xue'er's Phoenix Soul fully awakens, even Xuanyuan Wentian will certainly not be her match!!"

"Do you think Xuanyuan Wentian will let that day come?!" Phoenix Hengkong roared.

"Profound energy can be abolished, but bloodline cannot be removed no matter what. To completely eradicate this hidden danger... what do you think Xuanyuan Wentian will do?! You beast, you idiot, even dying ten thousand times wouldn't atone for your sins!!"

"..." Phoenix Ximing stood stunned, his face turning deathly pale. Then he began to murmur like a madman, "No... impossible... it can't be like this... it can't... it can't... He clearly promised me... no... he wouldn't kill Xue'er..."

"You still have the nerve to utter Xue'er's name!!"

Phoenix Hengkong brutally kicked Phoenix Ximing in the chest. Before today, Yun Che was the person he resented most. He could never have imagined that the one who would incite more hatred in him than Yun Che would be his own eldest son, whom he had always trusted, valued, and poured all his efforts into cultivating!

"Phoenix Ximing." Phoenix Hengkong uttered his name, each syllable cutting like ice. "If anything happens to Xue'er, if my Divine Phoenix Sect faces utter destruction because of this... Even in the deepest abyss of the Netherworld, I will not forgive you! Our ancestral Phoenix God, the entire sect, and all our ancestors will never forgive you!!"

Phoenix Ximing collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant, continuously mumbling, unsure if he had heard Phoenix Hengkong's words clearly.

"Hmph..." Phoenix Hengkong raised his head, looking towards the Phoenix Fire Luanhuan Realm, and softly murmured, "Father, Grandfather, please try your best to buy Xue'er more time to escape. I beg you..."

"Xue'er, escape far away... anywhere... just be safe... don't ever look back..."