Chapter 934: Visiting the Phoenix Descendants

"Okay," Yun Che agreed. He turned to leave, but before taking a step, he suddenly froze. He then turned back again to face the Golden Crow Spirit.

"I've changed my mind," Yun Che said with a slight sigh, his expression suddenly relaxing. "I've decided not to pursue this matter any further."

"Oh?" The Golden Crow Spirit showed a flicker of surprise, then understanding. "Hmph, it seems you're worried about implicating that woman named Xiao Lingxi."

"Yes," Yun Che nodded in admission. "Lingxi is not a practitioner of the profound way; she has no pursuit or desire for profound energy or power. Her world is simple and pure. Although I am extremely curious about this black jade and the 'Heavenly Profound Tome Against the World' it contains, if involving her is the price... then I'd rather pretend they never existed."

Yun Che flipped his palm, tossing the mysterious black jade into the Sky Poison Pearl. "From this day forward, I will never take out this black jade again. Whatever it is, let it remain dormant forever."

"...Since that is your choice, so be it. In this realm, you are already an invincible existence; there's truly no need for you to forcefully pursue anything further. Unless, of course, you wish to go to the God Realm."

"You... seem quite keen on me going to that place, the God Realm," Yun Che said, looking up.

"Hahahaha," the Golden Crow Spirit burst into laughter. "Of course! You bear my final source blood and soul, along with the inheritance of the Heretic God. The scarce elements and murky aura of this world will severely limit your growth, squandering your talent and the bloodline I granted you. How I yearn to see what heights a 'freak' like you would reach if you were to go to the God Realm."

"It's just a pity that even if you do go to the God Realm, I will no longer be here to witness it."

"I truly want to go," Yun Che said, slowly clenching his fists. "I want to see Jasmine one more time... otherwise, it will be a lifelong regret. After leaving this place, I must begin cultivating. Within five years, no matter what, I must make it to the God Realm."

It wasn't due to his curiosity about the God Realm, nor his craving for greater power. He simply wanted to see Jasmine. As more time passed since Jasmine's departure, this feeling, rather than fading, grew stronger day by day.

"Very good," the Golden Crow Spirit approved. "For anyone else, I would never believe it possible within five years. But for you, it just might be. However, I am destined not to see that day."

Yun Che's gaze shifted as he scanned his surroundings. "Your time is..." he began, his voice tinged with concern.

"You mentioned last time that you had found a way to cure Huan Caiyi's fatal affliction? Is that truly the case?" the Golden Crow Spirit interrupted him, suddenly asking.

Yun Che nodded. "Yes. And I believe that method will certainly succeed. However, it will require a few more months, and the power Caiyi originally obtained from you will entirely dissipate."

The Golden Crow Spirit remained silent for a long moment, then said in a deep voice, "If it truly comes to pass, bring her before me. I will have something to give her."

With everything settled, Xiao Lie and Xiao Lingxi remained in Flowing Cloud City. Xiao Yun and his wife happily commuted daily between Flowing Cloud City and Demon Imperial City. Cang Yue regained control of the Azure Wind Imperial Family, and the prestige of the Azure Wind Nation grew, becoming increasingly formidable. Su Ling'er dedicated herself to studying medicine with Yun Gu; her high comprehension allowed her medical skills to advance by leaps and bounds. Deeply immersed in the path of medicine, her greatest desire was to be able to assist Yun Che, rather than simply enjoying his protection.

Xia Yuanba remained in the Supreme Ocean Sanctuary, striving to adapt to his role as Sacred Emperor. His Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins and his relationship with Yun Che made his position incredibly secure, despite his youth and insufficient profound energy. As for Xia Qingyue, there was still no news of her.

After a long period of carefree living, Yun Che's longing to see Jasmine intensified. He finally settled down, ready to begin diligent cultivation, determined to break through the limits of the Monarch Profound Realm and reach the legendary Divine Dao within five years, so he could journey to the God Realm where Jasmine resided.

The best place for cultivation was undoubtedly the Frozen Cloud Asgard. It was vast and tranquil, and its ancient chill could freeze all distracting thoughts.

Before that, Yun Che first took Feng Xue'er to a place he had promised to take her to years ago.

"That continuous mountain range ahead is the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range."

Yun Che and Feng Xue'er traveled by wind, their gaze fixed on a dark, mountainous area rapidly approaching. Though named a "mountain range," it lacked towering peaks and spanned only a few hundred miles north to south.

"Although the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range is relatively small, a significant number of profound beasts gather here due to the phoenix aura at its center, which is how it earned its name," Yun Che explained to Feng Xue'er.

Back then, he and Cang Yue had been pursued by Xiao Zahe from a branch of the Xiao Sect and were forced to fall into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. At that time, it was an extremely perilous place for them, but now, even if all the profound beasts within surged out, they wouldn't pose the slightest threat.

"Though there are numerous profound beasts in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, most are of low rank. The highest-ranked are Earth Profound Beasts, and there might even be a few Heaven Profound Beasts. However, for practitioners in the Azure Wind Nation, this remains an extremely dangerous place, especially since profound beasts typically appear in groups. Consequently, almost no profound practitioners in the Azure Wind Nation dare to forcefully enter."

"Big Brother Yun, is that curse you mentioned before really that terrifying?" Feng Xue'er asked.

Yun Che nodded slightly. "The phoenix spirit here is different from the Phoenix God, your Phoenix Divine Sect's ancestor. Its temperament is exceptionally rigid. Many years ago, an ancestor of the phoenix clan here accidentally incinerated a village with Phoenix Flames. In its great fury, the phoenix spirit placed an extremely cruel curse upon their phoenix bloodline. This curse was passed down through generations, preventing the phoenix clan from ever breaking through the Elementary Profound Realm. To protect themselves, they were forced to hide forever in this inaccessible place. Only this generation finally found liberation. I wonder how they are doing now."

"Why must an entire clan, even their descendants for generations, atone for one person's mistake? That's truly pitiful," Feng Xue'er said softly. "Once I meet them, I will convey my imperial father's sincerity. If they are willing to join the Phoenix Divine Sect, we will welcome them without reservation. If they are not, we will still offer as much assistance as we can."

"Let's meet them first. I wonder if they still remember me; it's been so many years," Yun Che said with a touch of nostalgia. This place marked a significant turning point in his life and was where he obtained his first drop of divine blood.

"Big Brother Yun is their savior and even lifted the bloodline curse they bore for so many years. How could they possibly forget Big Brother Yun?" Feng Xue'er said with a smile.

Soon, they finally arrived above the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. Following the remembered location, Yun Che led Feng Xue'er and flew straight to the center of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range... the place where he and Cang Yue had fallen back then.

But as they neared the central area, an unusual aura drifted towards them. Yun Che's speed immediately slowed. Feng Xue'er exclaimed in surprise, "What a potent phoenix aura!"

"...Let's go down and see."

The two descended from the sky. Their location was merely thirty li from the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range's central area, where the Phoenix survivors lived in seclusion. Yet, directly before them, a massive invisible barrier stood distinctively.

Moreover, the invisible barrier clearly emitted an exceptionally strong phoenix aura.

This barrier covered the central part of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, completely encompassing an area of over sixty li. Yun Che extended his hand and touched the barrier before him. As he expected, his palm passed through effortlessly; the barrier offered no obstruction to him.

The moment his palm made contact, he became absolutely certain that it was a one-way isolation barrier: only those possessing the phoenix bloodline could freely enter and exit, whereas those without it could only leave, but not enter.

"Big Brother Yun, was this barrier here before?" Feng Xue'er asked.

"No," Yun Che shook his head. "Only those with the phoenix bloodline can enter this barrier. If it had existed before, Cang Yue and I wouldn't have been able to get in. Such a massive isolation barrier must have been created by the phoenix spirit here. It probably felt that the punishment, which lasted for generations, was too cruel after lifting their bloodline curse. Therefore, it built this barrier to ensure they no longer have to worry about facing a similar catastrophe, allowing them to grow safely under its protection until they are strong enough to leave freely."

Yun Che withdrew his arm and turned around. "Xue'er, let's go."

"Mm," Feng Xue'er nodded without hesitation. "Although it's a little regrettable, they've endured suffering for so many years and have finally attained peace and the personal protection of the Phoenix God. It truly wouldn't be appropriate for us to disturb their tranquility."

Yun Che smiled. "Now that they no longer bear the bloodline curse, they must be cultivating with all their might. In a few years, once they are strong enough, this barrier will disappear, and we can visit them then."

"Okay."

The presence of this phoenix barrier caused them to abandon their plan to visit the Phoenix survivors within. As they floated high into the sky, preparing to leave, a small, slender girl's figure suddenly darted out from another part of the barrier. Behind her, a slightly thin boy hurried to catch up.

The young boy and girl appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. The girl had bright eyes and white teeth, dressed in red. Her youthful face, though still maturing, already radiated astonishing beauty. With her slender, arched brows and beaming smile, she darted through the barrier like a released red butterfly, occasionally letting out pleasant, ethereal laughter.

The boy behind her was of similar age and shared many facial similarities. Unlike the girl's unbridled joy, his face was filled with panic as he chased breathlessly, "Xian'er, no! You mustn't leave the barrier, it's too dangerous! Come back... Mom and Dad will scold us!"

"Hehehe, it's fine," the girl giggled carelessly. "It's not as dangerous outside as Mom and Dad make it sound. Last time I snuck out, that strange-looking giant monster wasn't really that powerful."

"No, no! Xian'er! Stop quickly, it really will be dangerous!"

Although the boy was chasing with all his might, the girl ran so fast that he could never catch up, unknowingly moving several miles away from the barrier.

Yun Che and Feng Xue'er, who were just about to fly away, stopped. Looking at the young boy and girl who had suddenly appeared in their sight, he was briefly stunned, then softly called out, "Zu'er, Xian'er!"

"Big Brother Yun still recognizes them?" Feng Xue'er smiled faintly.

"They are twin siblings, the children of Patriarch Feng Baichuan. When I first met them, they were only eight years old. In a blink of an eye, they've grown so much," Yun Che said with a touch of emotion, his gaze following their movements. Eight years had passed. The two brave and naive children from back then were now a graceful young woman and a six-foot-tall young man. Witnessing their transformation, Yun Che felt the undeniable passage of time so clearly for the very first time.

"In just eight short years, their profound energy has grown from the Elementary Profound Realm to the Earth Profound Realm. Truly astonishing talent. Half is due to their phoenix bloodline, and half... must be due to their relentless effort," Yun Che said with delight. Feng Xian'er's profound energy aura was at Earth Profound Realm Level Two, while Feng Zu'er's was an astonishing Earth Profound Realm Level Four. At their age, both their cultivation levels completely surpassed Ling Yun, who was once considered the top young prodigy of the Azure Wind Profound Realm.

At this rate, they should be able to break through to the Heaven Profound Realm before they turn twenty.