Returning to the Phoenix Clan

In the Phoenix Clan, three Tribulation Transcendence stage ancestors sat side by side, looking exceptionally tense. Ao Li, the envoy from the East Sea Dragon Clan, along with the clan heads of the Demon Domain Dragon Clan and the Phoenix Clan, were also present, though they lacked even the qualification to sit. Besides them, there were elders from both clans—great demons who had once made a brilliant mark and forged illustrious reputations in the Demon Domain. With the new generation taking power, they had long settled into retirement. Their status within their respective clans was extremely exalted; even the clan heads had to treat them with utmost courtesy upon meeting them. Yet with the three old ancestors seated here, their identities and status seemed insignificant, and they could only stand as well. Feeling the heavy atmosphere, the ancestor of the Demon Domain Dragon Clan started making small talk. "I wonder when Senior Phoenix Ancestor will arrive." The people from both clans had gathered here precisely to await the return of the Phoenix Ancestor. Originally, after killing Ji Youming, Jiang Mingzi had intended to go to Demon City to seek out the Phoenix Ancestor. Unfortunately, he was a step too late. By then, the battle between half-immortals had already concluded, and Lu Yang and Jiang Lianyi had departed. Reasoning that their Ancient Ancestor would surely visit home no matter what, he hurried back to the Phoenix Clan to wait. He hadn't even spared the time to refine Ji Youming's corpse, spending all his time waiting. The two branches of the Dragon Clan had thought the same way and converged on the Phoenix Clan, resulting in the scene before them. At this moment, the perimeter of the Phoenix Clan grounds was crowded with members of various demon clans, all eager to curry favor with the Phoenix Clan. If in the past the Phoenix Clan's position as the foremost clan in the Demon Domain relied on its deep heritage—powerful, yet not quite enough to command universal deference—things were different now. With the Phoenix Ancestor's return, even if the Phoenix Clan claimed not to be powerful, no one would believe it. "We truly envy you. With the Phoenix Ancestor's return, your Phoenix Clan is bound to rise." The two Dragon Clan Tribulation Transcendence experts looked at Jiang Mingzi with envy. With the Phoenix Ancestor back, every internal trouble and external threat facing the Phoenix Clan could be resolved. Why didn't their Dragon Clan have such good fortune? "You flatter us, you flatter us." Jiang Mingzi grinned so widely his mouth could barely close. Clang! Out of breath, a member of the Phoenix Clan guarding the door pushed it open and pointed outside, exclaiming excitedly, "Ancient Ancestor... Ancient Ancestor is here! Up in the sky!" "What?!" The three Tribulation Transcendence great demons hurriedly rose to their feet and went out to welcome her. Drifting across the sky was a brilliant sunset glow, radiant as Jiang Lianyi's vivid red dress, striking and unmissable. Aboard the fiery clouds, the members of the Heavenly Court Cult were assembled. In addition to Jiang Lianyi and Lu Yang, there were Third Senior Sister, Meng Jingzhou, and the five elders. Naturally, all appeared in their Heavenly Court Cult guises. Third Senior Sister originally had no desire to pose as a Heavenly Court Cult member, but seeing everyone else coming to the Phoenix Clan, she felt she would look rather pitiful and lonely staying behind. "What did you guys come for?!" Lu Yang transmitted his voice to Meng Jingzhou. "We have to head back to the sect together in a bit anyway. What's wrong with gathering early?!" Meng Jingzhou retorted with full conviction. "Ancient Ancestor!" "Phoenix Ancestor!" "We pay our respects to the Phoenix Ancestor!" Seeing Jiang Lianyi, the members of both dragon and phoenix clans dropped smoothly to their knees, kowtowing in boundless excitement. "All right, rise, all of you." Jiang Lianyi raised a hand. Seeing her clansmen again after three hundred thousand years filled her with deep emotion as well. Earlier, she had not rushed to meet them mainly because her clansmen had mythologized her far too much—tales like 'rebirth through fire' and such. To tell the truth felt embarrassing, but going along with the lie and confirming it also felt embarrassing. Flanked by the two clans, Jiang Lianyi walked into the Phoenix Clan ancestral hall. Lu Yang and the others did not descend from the clouds. Jiang Lianyi had come home to visit her clan, so there was no need for them to get involved. The ancestral hall housed the spirit tablets of the Phoenix Clan's ancestors across the generations. At the very top sat Jiang Lianyi's tablet, with Immortal Kirin's newly added alongside it. Jiang Lianyi: "..." You people sure act fast. "What is your name?" Jiang Lianyi noticed that Jiang Mingzi possessed the highest cultivation among the Phoenix Clan members. "In reply to Ancient Ancestor, I am Jiang Mingzi." "Late Tribulation Transcendence stage. Very good. The Phoenix Clan's survival across all these years is owed to your protection. You have worked hard." "It was no hardship at all!" Jiang Mingzi answered, tears welling in his eyes. "And what are your names? I heard the Dragon Clan has split into two branches—one in the Demon Domain and one in the East Sea?" "In reply to Senior, yes. This junior is Ao Chunqiu." This was the ancestor of the Demon Domain Dragon Clan. "This junior is Ao Fan." This was one of the ancestors of the East Sea Dragon Clan. "Is there any news of Ao Ling?" Ao Fan cupped his fists, bitterness in his heart. "In reply to Senior, none." He had heard that the two ancient ancestors were both rivals and friends, and had hoped to inquire about their Ancient Ancestor from the Phoenix Ancestor. Now it seemed there was no hope. Jiang Lianyi nodded; this was within expectations. Most likely, worried that Ao Ling might be discovered by the mastermind behind the scenes, her husband had hidden Ao Ling very deeply. Relying on the Dragon Clan alone, finding clues would be next to impossible. "You need not worry about Little Ling's safety. She has merely cast a secret technique to slumber in some hidden place. I will do my utmost to search for her." "Thank you, Senior!" Ao Fan and Ao Chunqiu said excitedly. With the Phoenix Ancestor's help, the chances of finding their Ancient Ancestor increased tremendously. "No need to thank me. It is only right. My relationship with Little Ling is closer than you think—we are both Immortal Kirin's wives." "Ah?" Hearing this news, both the dragon and phoenix clans were stunned. On second thought, however, it seemed entirely reasonable. Immortal Kirin was mighty; having two wives was completely normal. "As for the matter of the Demon Empire, the Phoenix Clan and the Demon Domain's Dragon Clan can simply join. The unification of the Demon Domain is beneficial to the demon race's development. "As for your concerns about Zhu Tian growing overambitious and attacking the human race—with me here, he will not dare. "The East Sea Dragon Clan need not join the Demon Empire. I hear the chaos in the East Sea is hardly better than in the Demon Domain. If Little Ling were here, the East Sea would be her domain, so I will not interfere." "Understood!" Jiang Lianyi's reassurance dispelled all lingering worries for the Phoenix Clan and the Demon Domain Dragon Clan. "I heard that our clan produced quite a talented junior named Jiang Shishi. Bring her over for me to see." Jiang Lianyi recalled Lu Yang mentioning this junior when speaking of the Ancient Realm of Good Fortune. Elder Sister Immortal's assessment of her talent had been 'acceptable.' To be deemed 'acceptable' by Elder Sister Immortal was already exceptionally high praise. Hearing the Ancient Ancestor take the initiative to mention her daughter, Clan Head Jiang Xi's heart pounded with excitement. Jiang Shishi had never imagined the Ancient Ancestor would actively seek her out. When she was led into the ancestral hall and laid eyes on the Ancient Ancestor, her mind went completely blank. Had her mother, Jiang Xi, not transmitted a voice message urging her to kneel and pay respects, she would have even forgotten to salute. Jiang Lianyi sized Jiang Shishi up from head to toe, making everyone around quite nervous. "A good seedling, just a bit rigid in her thinking. But that's no big issue; I'll instruct her personally from now on." If nothing else, she certainly couldn't allow her to be weaker than Zhu Yunwu, whom Zhu Tian had trained. Besides, Jiang Shishi's talent genuinely satisfied Jiang Lianyi, making her fit to be the successor to her legacy. Afterward, Jiang Lianyi listened to Jiang Mingzi's report detailing the Phoenix Clan's three-hundred-thousand-year journey following her slumber. There had been hardships and perils, as well as an endless succession of geniuses. Jiang Mingzi recounted it all with excitement, while she listened quietly, chiming in with a comment or two from time to time and offering knowing smiles. "Good. It seems the Phoenix Clan has developed well. My mind is at ease." Jiang Lianyi rose, preparing to take her leave. This startled Jiang Mingzi, who was at a loss, worried that their Ancient Ancestor, seeing that the Phoenix Clan had managed well enough without her, intended to wash her hands of them. "Ancient Ancestor, please do not leave!" "Ancient Ancestor, please do not leave!" The Phoenix Clan members knelt in unison, pleading for Jiang Lianyi to stay with the clan. Jiang Lianyi turned back helplessly. "I only just woke up and haven't had the chance to see this new world yet. I'm just going out to wander around." "Oh." Jiang Mingzi stood up awkwardly. Jiang Lianyi breathed a sigh of relief. She had finally found a legitimate excuse. Apprenticed to the Immortal Fairy and having knocked about with her day in and day out, Jiang Lianyi had never been someone fond of staying cooped up in one place. Forcing her to remain in the Phoenix Clan indefinitely would be worse than killing her. Stepping out of the ancestral hall, she leaped into the air and rejoined Lu Yang, who was sitting up in the clouds. "Senior Brother, are we heading back to the Dao Seeking Sect? Elder Sister Immortal told me that there's a she-devil at the Dao Seeking Sect whose power is a match for Elder Sister Immortal's. Once she recovers her strength, the three of us will take down that she-devil together!" Lu Yang: "..." Is it too late to withdraw from the Immortal Lineage now?