The massive phoenix spirit emerged from the stone, its fiery wings stretching wide, illuminating the ruins of the Flame Sect with a brilliant golden glow. Its majestic form radiated warmth and power, a stark contrast to the somber destruction surrounding them. Su Mei stood frozen, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief.
"Excellent," the phoenix spirit said, its voice resonating like a melody carried by the wind. "You have potential, my child."
Su Mei, still overwhelmed, stammered, "W-who are you? What's happening?"
The phoenix spirit, sensing her confusion, spoke gently, "I am the Divine Phoenix Spirit, a fragment of the true phoenix soul. I have slumbered here for millennia, waiting for someone strong enough to inherit my power."
"Your power?" Su Mei asked, her voice trembling.
"Yes," the spirit replied. "Long ago, the founder of your sect formed a pact with me. Through that bond, every member of the Flame Sect's original bloodline carries a trace of phoenix blood within them. You, Su Mei, are one of the last to bear this lineage, and your bloodline has finally awakened."
Su Mei's breath hitched, her mind reeling. The weight of her sect's rich history struck her deeply. "My bloodline… awakened?"
The phoenix spirit nodded. "Indeed. However, the awakening is only the beginning. For you to fully realize your potential, you must absorb my remaining power and stabilize your bloodline. Otherwise, your body will be overwhelmed and consumed by the very strength you now hold."
Su Mei took a step back, her thoughts spinning. "But… why me? I don't feel any different. I don't feel stronger."
The phoenix's eyes gleamed as it explained, "The change is subtle for now, but it will grow. Your strength, resilience, and control over flames will surpass anything you've ever known. In time, you will understand the responsibility that comes with this power."
The phoenix's gaze shifted to Xiao Feng, its fiery eyes narrowing in intrigue. "And you… you are unlike any human I have ever encountered."
Xiao Feng smirked, his arms crossed. "Oh? Is that so? What makes me so special?"
The phoenix's voice lowered, a note of caution in its tone. "You are… something else entirely. A being born to inspire both awe and fear. Your presence is unnatural, as if the very fabric of existence bends around you."
Xiao Feng's smirk widened, his tone laced with sarcasm. "How flattering."
The phoenix spirit observed him carefully. "Be wary of your nature, man of darkness and light. Such imbalance can lead to great destruction if unchecked."
Su Mei, noticing the tension between the two, interjected, "What about me? What do I need to do?"
The phoenix turned its attention back to her. "Your path is clear. To fully awaken your bloodline, you must first absorb the rest of my power. But doing so is no simple task. The process will test your body, your soul, and your resolve. If you succeed, you will ascend to heights no Flame Sect disciple has ever achieved. But if you fail..."
Su Mei swallowed hard. "If I fail?"
"You will be consumed by your own strength, your essence devoured by the flames within."
Xiao Feng's sharp laugh broke the somber mood. "Well, that's dramatic. Don't worry, Su Mei. You've got me. I'm not letting you burn to ashes."
The phoenix raised an ethereal brow. "Your arrogance may serve as your strength, but do not underestimate the trials ahead. Both of you will need to be prepared."
Su Mei hesitated, her fists clenching. "I'll do it. I can't let my sect's legacy die here. If this is my path, I'll walk it."
The massive phoenix spirit began to shimmer, its fiery light softening as it addressed Su Mei once more. "The path ahead will not be easy. To fully awaken your bloodline and absorb my power, you must undergo a rigorous cultivation process. I will guide you, but the process will take time—anywhere from two years to a decade, depending on your resolve and talent."
Su Mei's eyes widened in shock. "Two years… to ten years?" She hesitated, her mind torn. "But what about my revenge? What about the Black Tortoise Sect? Can't I do this later?"
The phoenix's gaze was steady. "If you delay, your unstable bloodline will only weaken you further, leaving you vulnerable to your own strength. You will not survive long enough to claim vengeance."
The weight of those words hit her like a boulder. Su Mei looked down, her fists trembling. "I… I don't want to leave him…"
Xiao Feng stood silently, his arms crossed, watching her struggle. When she didn't speak further, he exhaled and turned away. "It seems our path ends here, then."
Su Mei's head snapped up, her heart sinking at his words. "What… what do you mean?"
"I mean this is where we part ways," Xiao Feng replied, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "You need to focus on your cultivation. I can't wait around for years. I have my own journey to continue."
Tears welled in Su Mei's eyes as she took a step toward him. "But… I don't want to lose you."
Xiao Feng smirked, though his eyes held a flicker of something unreadable. "Lose me? Don't get so attached. You'll be fine on your own. Focus on getting stronger." He turned his back to her, as if preparing to leave.
Su Mei clenched her fists, her emotions warring within her. In that moment, she made a decision. Throwing caution to the wind, she ran to him, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a kiss.
Xiao Feng froze for a moment, surprised, before a smirk crept onto his face. When she finally pulled back, her cheeks flushed, she looked at him with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. "Always remember, Xiao Feng… I'll always be your first."
Her words struck something deep within him, though he didn't show it. Instead, he chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "How could I forget? You're not exactly the forgettable type."
With that, Su Mei turned back toward the phoenix spirit, determination in her eyes. She took a deep breath and sat down in a meditative pose, ready to begin her cultivation. The phoenix spirit's form began to envelop her, its light wrapping around her like a protective cocoon.
Xiao Feng watched her for a moment, his smirk fading into a rare expression of something softer. He shook his head and muttered under his breath, "Guess this is goodbye for now."
As he turned and walked away, he couldn't help but glance back once more. "Don't keep me waiting too long, Su Mei. The world's not going to conquer itself."
With those words, he disappeared into the distance, leaving Su Mei behind to embark on her path to power, while he began a new chapter of his own journey.