Chapter 468: The Conspiracy Behind the Heavenly Tribulation

"Alas, what a pity. This young man is an unparalleled genius among the human race on our continent. His talent is even more astonishing than that white-robed youth who shocked the entire continent tens of thousands of years ago! It's just a shame that he is fated not to receive the legacy of my Phoenix clan."

It was clear the Phoenix leader was deeply regretful, yet Xu Yang, in contrast, did not seem overly dejected by this fact. In his view, everything was predetermined; if God closed one door, He would surely open another window. The legacy of the Dragon lineage had previously provided Xu Yang with immense help and advancement. Although Xu Yang and all those involved in the Nine Dragon Tribulation were now absolute sworn enemies, this did not erase the benefits and assistance he had gained from the Dragon clan. Even if he couldn't obtain the current Phoenix legacy, it was perfectly understandable.

"Elder, I appreciate your sentiment," Xu Yang began. "As for the supreme legacy of the Phoenix lineage, I believe those present here are more suitable to receive it than I am." Xu Yang's words clearly held a deeper meaning, not only because his brother Long Kun was present, but also because even the guardians of the Phoenix lineage, like Yun Shu, were equally qualified to receive the grace of the Phoenix legacy.

The Phoenix leader gazed at Xu Yang, her eyes filled with approval and recognition.

"It seems the future of the human race rests upon your shoulders. My remaining wish is fulfilled."

These words gave an immediate sense of entrustment. Long Kun could no longer suppress his curiosity and finally posed his question to the Phoenix leader.

"Elder, your power is immense, and you possess the true immortal body of the Phoenix. As long as we can help you reunite your physical body and soul, who in this world could possibly be your opponent? Why speak of legacies then? Although my boss is also a favored son of heaven, a prodigious genius, he still has many things to accomplish. In the future, he will certainly not be confined to the scope of this continent; his goal should be to ascend to godhood. The responsibility of protecting the continent should not fall solely upon him."

Long Kun's words were quite insightful and also conveyed Xu Yang's deepest thoughts.

However, the Phoenix leader shook her head helplessly. "The Nine Dragon Tribulation back then was not as simple as you might imagine. It involved many complex hidden circumstances.

Have you ever considered who exactly issued the command for the Nine Dragon Tribulation, and what their true motives and objectives were? Was it merely out of concern that the human race might threaten their dominion?

There are countless billions of human beings. Although it's often said that human cultivators possess unparalleled talent, the truth is, no matter how strong humans become, they have not reached the divine realm. Our continent is guided and controlled by the Divine Race; there's absolutely no need to worry that living beings could break free from such restraints, or even one day ascend above god-level powerhouses. Such concerns are nothing but unfounded fears.

Unbeknownst to many, the Upper Realm descended with the Nine Dragon Tribulation and slaughtered countless beings, harboring other, more sinister motives."

As the Phoenix leader uttered these words, Xu Yang and the others before her were utterly stunned.

Long Kun and Ling Yao exchanged disbelieving glances. Yun Shu, along with the Five Elemental Envoys behind her, and Murong Jian, who stood beside her, all wore expressions of profound shock.

"How is that possible?" Long Kun asked incredulously. "Could the Divine Race, high above us, also covet something from the beings on our continent?"

Long Kun voiced his incredulity, but the Phoenix leader merely offered a cold smile.

"The underlying reasons for this... ultimately, based on the scattered clues I've gathered and investigated over the years, I can barely piece together a plausible conclusion.

Initially, during the Nine Dragon Tribulation, the Dragon and Kirin lineages, with their two great legacies, were the primary conspirators. However, the Underworld Race must certainly have been involved behind the scenes.

And their actions, initially, were arranged without the explicit decree of the Divine Race.

My Phoenix lineage is also a divine beast bloodline, and we hold a seat on the Divine Elder Council. Therefore, if this matter had been sanctioned by the Divine Race's high command, it would have been absolutely impossible for the Phoenix lineage to be jointly attacked by two major divine races without any prior intelligence or feedback. Consequently, the entire continent plunged into the catastrophe of the Nine Dragon Tribulation.

Therefore, this incident effectively meant that divine authority had been, to some extent, usurped! If there hadn't been support from Underworld forces behind them, then, based on my deductions, the Dragon and Kirin lineages would absolutely not have had the audacity to defy the Divine Race's will and unleash a heavenly tribulation upon the entire continent on their own.

And if the Underworld was indeed the mastermind behind it all, what benefits would they have gained from this conflict?

There's currently no definitive conclusion to that question, but based on the findings of other bloodlines within my Phoenix clan, it's highly probable that the continental conflict in Yunmeng Marsh tens of thousands of years ago was instigated by forces from the Underworld that had infiltrated the continent. Regrettably, by then, I had already lost my freedom, being suppressed in Jingyun Valley and unable to intervene, thus I ultimately failed to uncover the full scope of the Yunmeng Marsh conflict.

As for what other unspeakable secrets the Underworld holds, and precisely how the Dragon and Kirin lineages conspired to usurp divine authority, these are matters you will have to investigate yourselves.

I brought you here today for two reasons: firstly, to allow you a brief respite and to help you evade that powerful, deadly Dragon Soul attack; and secondly, to impart the complete legacy of the Phoenix lineage within Jingyun Valley to you, the younger generation. If you can inherit the power of the Phoenix lineage, you will then have the capital to confront the Dragon Souls outside."

Long Kun, however, sighed helplessly. "Ancestor, with you here, we naturally wouldn't be afraid. But from what I understand, your current state is severely restricted, and it seems you won't be able to fight alongside us."

As Long Kun uttered these tentative words, the Phoenix leader's expression immediately became several shades more solemn.

"Indeed, the Black Dragon was right," she conceded. "My physical essence has suffered severe damage. Theoretically, I no longer fall within the category of a god-level powerhouse. While they cannot kill me, my combat capabilities are significantly diminished. Even if I were to participate, I doubt my current self could suppress even a single Dragon Soul.

However, if you can truly inherit the lineage and legacy of the Phoenix clan, then the major forces from other regions in the Northern Frontier will not trouble you. All you need to do is defeat those four powerful great Dragon Souls outside."

Yun Shu bowed deeply and respectfully to the Phoenix leader, clasping her hands, and cautiously began to ask.

"Lady Phoenix," Yun Shu inquired, "Our Xuanmen lineage has long admired the Phoenix legacy, but our talent and strength cannot compare to Xu Yang and the others. We fear we may not be qualified to inherit the great Phoenix power."

The Phoenix leader, however, shook her head with a light chuckle. "The reason my Phoenix lineage has served as the guardian of the human race and all beings on this continent for countless years is precisely because we deeply recognize the unparalleled potential inherent within all the continent's inhabitants!"