Chapter 469: Each One's Predicament

"If you are given sufficient conditions to grow, your potential will undoubtedly surpass that of divine beasts, and even those lofty figures from the Divine and Underworld realms will one day have no choice but to grant you the respect you deserve! As long as you are willing to work hard, apply yourselves diligently, and possess enough determination to acquire this inherited power, then you will certainly not disappoint me."

Hearing these words from the Phoenix Leader, all those from the Xuanmen felt a surge of courage and confidence. The deep sense of inferiority they initially felt in the Phoenix Leader's presence quickly vanished.

"Alright, now all of you, follow me inside." The Phoenix Leader said, turning and walking swiftly deeper into the underground palace. Soon, everyone was led to an extraordinarily tall silver stone door. Unlike the dragon-engraved stone door found deep within the ancient barren dynasty's imperial tomb, this smooth, jade-like silver portal had no special switches or markings.

Everyone watched as a drop of true Phoenix blood reappeared in the Phoenix Leader's palm. With a gentle push from his palm, it was sent into the portal. The blood quickly spread outwards, much like a drop of ink dispersing in a clear spring.

In just a few moments, the originally silvery-white stone wall was instantly dyed red by the powerful and pure Phoenix true blood. Subsequently, as the blood-colored stone door was fully permeated, every outline before it was locked by a unique aura of Phoenix origin emanating from the door. Only those who were fully locked by this aura were qualified to enter the inheritance space beyond this stone door.

Just as everyone stood bewildered, unsure of what to do, a light outside each person's body transported them to different areas within this inner space.

Clearly, this was a special spatial law formed by the inherited power of the Phoenix lineage. When faced with different individuals, the law's power would provide corresponding energy feedback, transporting them to the locations best suited for them, in accordance with the Phoenix Leader's wishes.

In the blink of an eye, everyone was divided into different spatial zones. Murong Jian and Yun Shu were assigned to a snowy mountain environment. Initially, both were bewildered, having no idea what the Phoenix Leader's intentions were in doing this.

However, soon, a spiritual message from the Phoenix Leader appeared atop the highest peak of the snowy mountain.

"From now on, what the two of you must do is support and help each other ascend this peak. Regardless of the hardships you encounter, if one of you gives up or fails, the other will immediately lose their life. I will state the rules only once, and no external force can help you during this period. Once you fail, the bottomless abyss below will be your burial place. The moment you chose to enter Jingyun Valley, this fate was sealed. You have no right to escape or give up. Begin your challenge!"

As soon as the Phoenix Leader finished speaking, his spiritual form vanished from this dream-like realm in an instant. What remained for Murong Jian and Yun Shu was only the seemingly insurmountable mountain peak before them.

Meanwhile, Long Kun was assigned to a very familiar illusory space.

Long Kun was not unfamiliar with this place; it was the second floor of the Sacred Soul Academy, which he had explored previously with Xu Yang's team and others.

After entering this space, Long Kun's first thought was to search for the grandmother who had raised him, the mysterious strong individual possessing a Phoenix bloodline.

Unfortunately, despite searching for a long time, he ultimately did not see any trace of the grandmother.

"Where are you? I thought I would see you soon. It turns out all of this was just a dream..."

"No. If you consider this a dream, then you will never achieve this goal in your lifetime. But if you treat it merely as a goal, then one day, your dream can come true. Young man, do you still remember the most important words your grandmother once told you?"

In a daze, the spiritual outline of the Phoenix Leader reappeared before Long Kun. Long Kun had to admit that the Phoenix Leader had once been his dream. However, upon truly meeting him in person, Long Kun realized that what he missed most was still his grandmother, who had spent countless days with him and given him everything.

"Ancestor, perhaps you are right. Seeing my grandmother again is my greatest goal, and I will achieve it. This is not a dream, because now I possess the ability to accomplish all the goals I wish to achieve!"

Long Kun spoke with unwavering conviction. Perhaps this time, he had truly matured, realizing that with a dream, he could eventually achieve anything through his own efforts.

The Phoenix Leader had once seemed so distant and unattainable, but now, everything had become reality!

"Very good. Now, follow me. I bestow upon you the title of a true member of the Phoenix lineage, and commensurate with this supreme glory is, naturally, supreme power."

The Phoenix Leader's spiritual form continued to guide the way, and Long Kun followed closely, stepping forward without hesitation.

In a trance, the end of his vision seemed filled with brilliant light, and at the culmination of that light, emanating immense Phoenix power, was an endless sea of fire!

Previously, Long Kun would never have believed that he would one day challenge such a terrifying place, akin to the Nine Nether Purgatory.

But this time, his longing for his grandmother filled Long Kun with strength. He could no longer escape from his past thoughts; he understood that if he could never see his grandmother again in this lifetime, then possessing even the greatest power would be meaningless.

"Think carefully, then give me an answer: are you willing to undergo rebirth through fire in this ocean of flames? If your Nirvana fails, you will turn to ashes, never again able to see the grandmother you yearn for. Of course, if you succeed, everything will change; you will become the Nine-Heaven Phoenix, revered by all under heaven."

Long Kun answered the Phoenix Leader almost without hesitation: "I am willing to try. Even if I am torn to shreds, I will never turn back! Grandmother, wait for me!"

Without waiting for the Phoenix Leader to offer any protective blessing, Long Kun leaped without hesitation, plunging recklessly into the boundless sea of fire below.

Seeing Long Kun's reckless actions, the Phoenix Leader nodded with satisfaction.

"Ah Wu, perhaps your approach back then was indeed correct..."

The perspective shifted once more.

Before Ling Yao, the situation was far less complex than anticipated. She merely faced a giant stone and three ancient, rustic longswords.

"Where exactly is this place? Why is it so desolate?"