--- Chapter 32 ---
Feng Baichuan led Yu Long and others to the Phoenix Trial Ground.
As they passed some clan members on the street, Yu Long could feel their deep admiration toward him and couldn't help but compare them with shadow agents in the Shadow Realm.
With this in mind, Yu Long glanced at Feng Baichuan and asked, "Clan Leader Feng, may I ask something."
"Feel free to ask anything, Benefactor Yu." Feng Baichuan responded immediately. A happy smile seems plastered over his face permanently.
"Since the Phoenix Clan has a way to break its curse, what's your plan after this?" Yu Long uttered immediately.
"You know that this is your chance to check the outside world. Even letting the world know that the Phoenix Clan still exists."
Feng Baichuan shook his head, "We would still stay in this mountain range and protect the Phoenix Trial Ground. It's our duty."
"But... I can't say the same for the clan's young generation. Their duties aren't as ingrained as ours."
"Then, what about joining an alliance with me?" Yu Long strikes while the iron is still hot.
"With you?" Feng Baichuan tilted his head. "Are you perhaps from a big background, Benefactor Yu?"
Yu Long chuckled, "Well, something like that."
"I'm from Yu Clan in the Blue North County. Although no one knows about our power yet. I guarantee we are no weaker than any sects or empires."
Feng Baichuan's eyes lit up, "Yet? I see that Benefactor Yu is also wise in this kind of matter."
"He is." Xia Qingyue joined the conversation. "Big Brother Yu Long is the most talented person in this world. Those people who self-proclaimed themselves as ones are nothing to him!"
"Haha~! I agree with your statement, young lady." Feng Baichuan laughed merrily.
Yu Long helplessly heaved a sigh, "Stop praising me. There are many things out there that I didn't know."
"My skill is only better than some people..."
"I know I'm great, but not that great!"
"Young Master, why did it sound like you were bragging..." Lily was speechless.
"You heard it wrong then." Yu Long returned, maintaining a righteous expression. "I'm a very humble guy."
"..." Lily rolled her eyes.
'Fufu, Young Master is silly sometimes.' Hong Guan covered her mouth and giggled in amusement.
Feng Baichuan coughed, "Give me a day to consider this offer."
"This matter will decide our clan's future."
"No problem." Yu Long gave him a knowing look.
"Well, here we are." Feng Baichuan suddenly stopped his steps.
A tall building that seemed to exist for a long time stood firmly before their eyes. Its wall is 'grandly' made with white marbled stones, and the roof is dark like night. And lastly, a grand-looking iron door at its entrance.
Xia Qingyue looked up and was amazed, "Woah."
"I could feel the air of mystery from this building."
"I thought the same in the past." Feng Baichuan recalled his childhood moment, visiting this place and learning its history from his father. "That was such a good old time."
He stepped forward and paid his respect to the Phoenix God.
After that, Feng Baichuan approached a small altar near the iron door with a small red crystal and injected his bloodline power into it.
The crystal released a dim scarlet light as the iron door slowly opened.
Xia Qingyue's charming eyes blinked a few times, marveling at the mechanism behind this door.
"Array, a specific one at that." Yu Long commented, answering Xia Qingyue's thoughts.
"How did..." She was surprised by Yu Long's words.
Yu Long patted Xia Qingyue's head and returned, "Because it's shown all over your face."
"Anyway, Clan Leader Feng. We can enter, right?"
"Yes." Feng Baichuan nodded. "Just make sure to keep your aura in check."
"Mm." The four of them understood.
They entered the Trial Ground and saw a massive square surrounded by red-tiled hallways. At the center of this place, they noticed a white circle with the image of a red phoenix carved meticulously.
"Welcome to the Phoenix Trial Ground." Feng Baichuan introduced to them some history about this place.
However, Yu Long's attention always focused on the white circle at the center of the room.
His curiosity over the Phoenix is high, after all.
Don't underestimate Yu Long's research spirit!
"Clan Leader Feng."
"That white circle over there is the Transportation Array, right?"
Feng Baichuan was stunned for a second as he answered with a nod, "Correct."
"To enter the Phoenix Trial, one must step over that array."
"Not activation speed or anything?" Yu Long asked curiously.
"No, to enter the Phoenix Trial Ground. That person should be trustworthy enough in the eyes of the Phoenix Clan." Feng Baichuan smiled. "And you, Benefactor Yu, are very trustworthy."
"You remind me of Qingyue's younger brother." Yu Long glanced at the young lady beside him.
Xia Qingyue pouted slightly, "Don't compare an adult with a child, Big Brother Yu Long."
"Yuanba is only nine."
"I'm talking about their personality..." Yu Long poked her little nose.
"Uh..." Xia Qingyue blushed after hearing that.
"Hehe~!" Lily and Hong Guan giggled.
Yu Long returned his gaze to the white circle and checked his condition.
He has fully recovered from using [Kaiju Maker] constantly.
"Clan Leader Feng." He called Feng Baichuan.
"As expected, I can't contain my curiosity after all... I want to enter the Phoenix Trial."
"Benefactor Yu, it's dangerous. You've already found a way to break our curse. Isn't it enough?" Feng Baichuan returned solemnly.
"It's not. On the path of pursuing the profound way, I know no such thing as enough." Yu Long answered without beating the bush around.
"Also, don't worry. Although I didn't look strong, even Hong Guan, a Sky Profound Expert, couldn't defeat me."
"Lady Hong, Y-You're a Sky Profound Realm Expert?" Feng Baichuan was dumbfounded. Even in his ancestry record, only the cream of the crop could reach such a realm.
Hong Guan seems to be in her early twenties.
"Yes, that's right. I've never won against my Young Master." Hong Guan nodded calmly.
"Not even once."
Feng Baichuan rubbed his temple, "In that case... You can enter the Phoenix Trial."
"Just make sure to be safe there." He gave Yu Long a worried gaze.
"Mm." Yu Long smiled at Feng Baichuan.
He strode forward confidently and stepped on the array, feeling the space twisted slightly.
Yu Long's vision became blurry as darkness greeted him.
This darkness seems to have no end.
However, for Yu Long, this darkness is comforting. It is just like his inner world.
The darkness trembles slightly, revealing a pair of massive golden-red eyes.
The eyes stared at Yu Long and tinkered with curiosity.
"So, you're the one who broke the curse I placed on the Phoenix Clan." A beautiful yet stern voice struck Yu Long's soul.
Yu Long shrugged and replied casually, "Yes. I don't think they deserve much suffering after so many generations."
"Hmm? What a wonderful soul you have." The Phoenix commented in surprise. "So bright, warm, fuzzy, yet endless."
"No wonder you could act so calmly in my presence."
"However, this won't satisfy my interest..."
"Young Human, tell me how you got in touch with Ni Xuan."
"Ni Xuan?" Yu Long tilted his head.
"..." The Phoenix.
"People also know him as the Evil God."
Yu Long connected the dots and answered, "Oh, that. I found this a few months back."
The Evil God's Fire Seed appeared out of nowhere and shocked the Phoenix.
The Phoenix blinked a few times, confirming the item before her eyes.
It's a real one!
"This thing is hard to crack, you know? It took me days to break its outer layer and learn the initial level of Fire Law." Yu Long complained honestly.
"Y-Y-You..."
"You what?!"
"Unbelievable! How could a young mortal break the restriction placed by the EVIL GOD? He's one of the Eight Primordial Lords!"
"Eh... But I did it. The evidence is here." Yu Long played around with the red-colored pebble in his hand.
'Am I the one who's not in tune with the world anymore?' The Phoenix thought to herself.
'Did humans advance so much that the power of ancient beings was 'already' surpassed by them?' Her world started to crumble.
'No, that can't be!!'
The Phoenix refused to believe her imagination.
This young human.
Yes, this young mortal should be different from others.
Yu Long whistled and stored the Evil God's Fire Seed back to his inner world. He stared at the Phoenix and asked, "Uh, can we proceed with the trial?"
"I want to experience how hard it is."
"..." The Phoenix's eyes twitched.
My Trials aren't something to trifle with!
Do you think this place is your backyard?
The Phoenix sighed, "Very well..."
"I also want to see how you passed my trials."
"If you pass all the trials, we must have a serious conversation."
"Sure. Start the trials, Phoenix God!" Yu Long snapped his finger confidently.
"Phoenix Legacy's Trials..." The Phoenix said in slight annoyance.
"First Trial, Purgatory Flame Demon."
"Oh?" Yu Long's eyes widened in joy. The world of darkness suddenly transformed into a rocky terrain with leaves everywhere.
So, this is the power of primordial arrays!
Yu Long rubbed his hand excitedly, 'She won't mind if I copy some, right?'