Chapter 1238: Ninety-Nine Gate Level

However, no matter how he tried to extract his memories, he couldn't grasp any relevant clues, which greatly astonished him. "My Lord, do you know the significance of this so-called Vermillion Bird Gate pilgrimage? Could you please tell us about it?"

Upon hearing Xu Yang's request, the Lord naturally did not refuse and began to recount the story.

"As you should know, the initial establishment of the Yun Dynasty relied on the deity who created the Yingzhou Continent – our Yun family's true ancestor. It is said that when that god-level ancestor first appeared on the Yingzhou Continent, it was a desolate wasteland with nothing, let alone the thriving civilization we have today. All of this was created by him alone. And back then, another person entered this region of the Yingzhou Continent with him – the love of his life. Regarding the identity of that mysterious woman, even we, the royal descendants, have no records or knowledge; only successive emperors are privy to this secret.

The legendary Vermillion Bird was that woman's close companion. Later, for reasons unknown, that woman left the Yingzhou Continent, leaving only our Yun family ancestor, that supreme deity, to enjoy this prosperous era alone. And the only one beside him was the legendary divine beast, the Vermillion Bird. Although it is known as one of the Four Divine Beasts, along with the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise, with its bloodline lineage, the Vermillion Bird's bloodline is far more precious than that of the other three divine beasts, largely due to this legend.

Not long after that, the first emperor of the Yun Dynasty established the Vermillion Bird Ancestral Temple. He also decreed that every year on the second day of the seventh month, which was the birthday of the god-level master's beloved woman, everyone within the Xuanyuan Imperial City must go to the Vermillion Bird Ancestral Temple to pay respects. As for whether the legendary Vermillion Bird divine beast totem still exists in the world, no one knows. Now, this so-called Vermillion Bird Gate, which is where the Vermillion Bird Ancestral Temple is enshrined, has no guards. You will understand when we reach our destination later."

Hearing the Lord's explanation, Xu Yang's team and the others became immensely curious about the legendary Vermillion Bird, eager to reach the ancestral temple and see for themselves.

It was still a grand staircase of ninety-nine steps. As everyone stood at the foot of the first step, gazing up at the Vermillion Bird Ancestral Temple at the very top, Xu Yang and Little Flower instinctively exchanged glances, clearly indicating this wasn't their first time experiencing such a scene. "Be careful, these steps are likely much harder than they appear." Xu Yang had a sufficiently strong cultivation foundation to reach the top of these ninety-nine steps.

The Lord's cautionary remark seemed to confirm the subconscious judgment deep within Xu Yang and Little Flower.

As expected, the Eight Gates team members, filled with strong interest, were eager to try and ascend to the top of the ninety-nine steps. They began to move one by one. Initially, their progress was quite fast, but as they ascended, the last nine steps contained immense pressure.

Xu Yang and Little Flower did not ascend the steps immediately. Instead, they stood at the first step, observing the Eight Gates team members from behind, watching their every movement. "The appearance of the Vermillion Bird as a divine beast totem, while such a system doesn't align with the broader world we come from – after all, in our world, the bloodlines of dragons and phoenixes still continue. And this Vermillion Bird was originally a descendant of the phoenix. What I didn't expect was that, according to the Lord, when Yun Wangji arrived here, the Vermillion Bird bloodline had already been born. Could this Vermillion Bird be connected to the phoenix clan in our greater world?" Little Flower voiced her independent thought, transmitting this doubt in her mind to Xu Yang telepathically, unaware that Xu Yang harbored the same question.

"I might not be able to answer you now, but we will have an answer soon." With a jolt, Xu Yang stepped directly into the air, completely disregarding the restrictive force of the ninety-nine Vermillion Bird Gate steps, landing steadily on the high platform as if untouched by any impact.

However, to everyone's surprise, the moment Xu Yang's presence touched the ninety-ninth step, the entire Vermillion Bird Gate spontaneously erupted in crimson flames. This incredibly powerful fiery aura instantly engulfed the entire structure. Immediately after, the entire small mountain area where the Vermillion Bird Ancestral Temple was located began to emit an intensely rich divine beast aura. The appearance of this astonishing and shocking scene transformed the previously calm atmosphere into a commotion. Various powerhouses guarding the Xuanyuan Imperial City, sensing the aura fluctuations emanating from the Vermillion Bird Ancestral Temple, all set off towards it.

Yet, Xu Yang remained completely unconcerned by all of this. With a calm expression, hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at the outline of the Vermillion Bird totem deep inside the ancestral temple. The totem, originally a quiet stone statue enshrined in the center of the temple courtyard, seemed to have had an immensely powerful aura awakened by Xu Yang's arrival.

"How could this happen? Did Boss accidentally touch some special forbidden formation? Why did the ancestral temple suddenly cause such a huge commotion?" The members of the Eight Gates team stared dumbfounded at the scene. Soon after, two crimson lights ignited at the location of the pupils on the surface of the Vermillion Bird totem statue in the center of the temple. It was as if the statue had suddenly transformed into an incredibly powerful living entity, breaking free from its confines without hesitation, manifesting as a solidified fiery totem of power—a lifelike Vermillion Bird soul that had fully awakened. With its incredibly sharp, flame-like gaze, it fixed intently on Xu Yang, who was not far away. "Who exactly are you?!"

The entity merely uttered this cold, somewhat delicate question. Yet, beyond doubt, its objective reality was completely confirmed; this was no mere illusory space, but the Vermillion Bird itself, truly manifesting its totem soul form. "I merely came up to take a look with the Fifth Lord. Why are you so agitated? Or do you wish to convey or confirm some information to me?"

The Vermillion Bird totem appeared exceptionally agitated, its gaze never leaving Xu Yang for an instant. "I sense my master's aura from you, so no matter what, I must ascertain your true identity!"