The Meaning of Dragon and Phoenix Blood

Qin Yi felt a great sense of relief. He was afraid that something unexpected might happen here, and it would be troublesome if the mother caused trouble. Fortunately, the Winged Human Race all respected the rules and traditions, so it was good that they had no objections.

Yu Feiling asked, "Yu Shang said you came for the Jianmu tree?"

Qin Yi bowed and said, "I do indeed have this wish."

Yu Feiling nodded. "You have made your intentions clear and have not deceived Yu Shang's innocent and ignorant nature, which is very good."

Qin Yi felt even more relieved; the person showering him with praise seemed to be in a very harmonious and friendly manner...

Yu Feiling said, "We can't go to the main trunk of the Jianmu tree, but we do have branches of the Jianmu tree on our island. I wonder if they would suit your needs."

Qin Yi said happily, "Can I get closer to study it? If so, we don't need to worry about the main trunk."

"Cannot."

"..."

This sudden turn of events froze Qin Yi's joy on his face; he almost suffered internal injuries from holding it in.

"It's not that I'm heartless," Yu Feiling said calmly. "This is the source of our clan's life force. If you were the Clan Leader, would you allow outsiders to approach so easily?"

Qin Yi was taken aback. "Are we going to get back to the topic of marrying into the family again?"

Yu Feiling shook her head. "Whether it's marrying or marrying into the family, it doesn't matter. The key is that you 'Non-Self clan, so your intentions are hard to know. Even among ordinary couples, the husband's family and the wife's family are two different things. You've traveled all over the country and seen a lot, so I believe you understand this simple truth."

Qin Yi frowned.

This is troublesome.

This means that marrying the Saintess is meaningless; you can't touch her if you're not a Feathered Person.

I can understand their thinking. It's their sacred object; who can just use it whenever they find a husband? It's fine if they use it occasionally, but what if someone has ulterior motives, like trying to destroy the sacred wood after getting close? Wouldn't that be disastrous? To put it another way, even if they didn't have any bad intentions, if they found that using it might have adverse effects on the sacred wood, their own people would stop immediately. Would outsiders do that?

Many people wouldn't lend out their own cars, let alone Shengmu.

If Qin Yi were in their shoes, he would probably have the same concerns and caution, which is understandable.

Ultimately, it's not a matter of species, but a matter of trust. The winged people don't trust you enough, and that's the real problem.

He sighed somewhat helplessly, "Since Mother-in-law intends this way, why did you say something like, 'There are also branches of the Jianmu tree here, I wonder if they suit my needs?' Isn't that just teasing me?"

Yu Feiling said seriously, "I'm not trying to whet your appetite, but to warn you... You can go anywhere else on this island, and peeping at someone bathing isn't a big deal; at most, it just shows you have bad character. But you mustn't get close to the branch of the Jianmu tree; that's a taboo."

Qin Yi, holding back a mouthful of blood, looked at her speechlessly.

As expected of a winged person, that's truly...

Yu Shang finally couldn't help but speak up for her Husband: "But Mother, he is very reliable. Isn't the Battle of Xun Wood City enough proof?"

Yu Feiling said calmly, "I am willing to believe that your husband has no ill intentions, but some things are not so easy to discern. Ultimately, he cannot put himself in the shoes of a Feathered Person, and such a risk is not worth taking."

Yu Shang wanted to argue further, but Qin Yi waved his hand and sighed, "I can understand my mother-in-law's concerns."

"Hmm?" Yu Feiling looked at Qin Yi with some surprise.

Truly putting yourself in someone else's shoes and understanding them is something that seems easy but is actually very difficult. Many people talk about it, but most people can't actually do it.

This is indeed one of Qin Yi's strengths; he has a very open-minded attitude and often tries to understand other people's situations, then seeks solutions and reaches a consensus—this has always been his nature. His ability to navigate relationships with various forces, and mostly succeed, is primarily based on this.

Yu Feiling, unsure whether Qin Yi truly understood or was merely saying it, said, "If you truly understand, then give up the Jianmu tree? If you do, then in the Winged Human Race, you will be both the Saintess Maiden's husband and a distinguished guest of the Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Blood, holding a position of great prestige. I can even arrange to bestow upon you a pair of clansmen as maids."

Qin Yi smiled and said, "I don't need maids. I have Yu Shang, which is enough."

Yu Shang beamed with joy, Yu Feiling smiled slightly as well, remaining silent, knowing that Qin Yi still had something to say.

Sure enough, Qin Yi continued, "To put it bluntly, this is just that my mother-in-law doesn't trust me enough. So how can I earn your trust? No matter what, you can give me your orders, and I will do my best to fulfill them."

Yu Feiling squinted at him, thinking to herself, "Is this really Will of Heaven?"

The Winged Human Race are still a long way from being invincible, and of course they need help sometimes, and this matter almost always requires Qin Yi.

Before the High Priest Xun Wood City, he had told Yu Feiling, "The blood of the dragon and phoenix, wouldn't it be a match made in heaven for that? I'll go and investigate. If it's true, then even if Yu Shang doesn't marry him, she should marry him to another member of the clan..."

The High Priest intends to exploit Qin Yi's dragon and phoenix blood, so he gives him the green light at every turn, without Qin Yi even realizing it.

Yu Feiling, however, had no intention of using this son-in-law. Her daughter seemed genuinely fond of him, and he had just helped her immensely in Xun Wood City; how could she turn around and use him to her advantage?

The winged people are ultimately an upright race. Even the High Priest, who initially wanted to use her, lost interest after Qin Yi helped her a great deal and didn't even send her a reply.

While this matter is very suitable for Qin Yi, it is extremely dangerous. Even the Winged Human Race cannot accomplish it; for Qin Yi, a mere Huiyang cultivator, to do so would be far too difficult. It's practically not a test, but a murder.

Now it's Qin Yi's turn to propose the test himself...

Was Jianmu (建木) that important to him?

Yu Feiling pondered for a long time before saying, "We do have something suitable for you to do, but it's extremely dangerous, and we don't recommend it. Jianmu is nothing more than the breath of life. Even if you don't touch it, the effect of cultivating nearby won't be much different. Why risk your life? We Yu people haven't been to the main trunk for tens of thousands of years, and no one is particularly eager to go. Is there no other way but to go?"

Qin Yi could tell she meant well, so he cupped his hands in a respectful bow. "I have a reason why I absolutely must go to Jianmu, and no matter how dangerous the trial is, it's not a problem."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shang said, "Mother, the fact that he has this intention is enough to prove that he is trustworthy! Are we really going to let him risk his life, only to end up with a single branch that turns out to be unusable? What would that mean?"

"Nonsense!" Yu Feiling glared at her. "Even if it's unsuitable, it's still our sacred wood! You, Chu Rong, wouldn't even let someone else use it for firewood, and you expect people to just pull it up like that?!"

Yu Shang stiffened her neck, and Qin Yi tugged at her again, smiling warmly, "What kind of test is it? Please enlighten me, Mother-in-law."

Yu Feiling said, "Five hundred miles to the south, there is an Undersea Secret Cave..."

Yu Shang exclaimed, "That's the territory of the sea monsters! We can't go there!"

"It's alright." Qin Yi squeezed her hand and smiled, "At least let me hear it all."

Yu Shang said urgently, "Husband, please listen to me..."

Yu Feiling interrupted, "There are phoenix feathers in the secret cave. Our clan has wanted to obtain them for tens of thousands of years, but we have been unable to enter. This is because the cave was formed during the battle when the dragon and phoenix quarreled. The cave is filled with Dragon Breath, and only those who inherit the dragon bloodline can enter. If we ask the Dragon Son to retrieve them, the phoenix feathers will retaliate strongly, making it impossible for the Dragon Son to obtain them either... This place is extremely dangerous. If you do not go, our clan will not blame you at all. You will still be a distinguished guest."

Qin Yi opened his mouth, then closed it again.

No wonder they value the Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Blood so much. The High Priest came here in person; he must have something to do with it.

Seeing his thoughts, Yu Feiling smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "Indeed, the High Priest's intentions were a bit... but now everyone's opinions have changed. At least for me, I don't recommend you go."

Qin Yi was silent for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly, "Why not go? Isn't this a good idea?"

Yu Feiling was stunned.

But Qin Yi continued, "This only proves that I, Qin Yi, and the Winged Human Race are a match made in heaven. Even if I didn't come for the Jianmu Tree, it's worth it to be able to help Yu Shang."

Yu Shang, who had been looking angry, softened her expression upon hearing Qin Yi's words.

Looking into her daughter's eyes, Yu Feiling thought to herself that if this man wasn't just talking and actually did what he said, then the first marriage outside the Winged Human Race in tens of thousands of years had truly been a good one.