The lightning tribulation dissipated, and Feather Spirit let out a joyous phoenix cry.
His body was draped in dazzling feathers as he freely spread his wings and soared through the sky.
After a while, Feather Spirit reined in his aura and slowly descended into the valley.
"Feather Spirit thanks Master for the grace of granting me new life!"
Feather Spirit shrank his body and stood respectfully before Cihang.
At this moment, Feather Spirit no longer possessed his former arrogance. Before Cihang, he was respectful and dependent.
Feather Spirit had also completely shed his old form and transformed into a phoenix bird.
Even if he appeared before the demon race, no one would recognize him as the former Grand Unity Demon King.
"Not bad. To undergo nirvana and transform within a thousand years, your bloodline is indeed extraordinary.
In the future, you will surely become a true phoenix."
Cihang was likewise very satisfied and held great expectations for Feather Spirit's future.
Although Feather Spirit was not yet a true phoenix, he had already awakened Phoenix Blood and the Flames of Nirvana.
As long as he continued to undergo nirvana in the future, he could keep evolving.
Most importantly, with the Creation Cauldron's assistance, Feather Spirit had completely acknowledged him as his master.
He now also possessed a mount at the Grand Unity realm.
"If Master had not helped me, how could Feather Spirit have received such an opportunity?
From this day onward, Feather Spirit shall serve Master for life."
Feather Spirit's expression grew ever more respectful, without the slightest dissatisfaction at being a mount.
This nirvana had not only changed his physical aptitude, but also refined his Primordial Spirit True Spirit.
At this moment, Feather Spirit was an entirely new living being.
Everything from his past had completely vanished.
"You have only just undergone nirvana and transformed. Go familiarize yourself with your cultivation and strength first. We will leave Buzhou Mountain shortly!"
After dismissing Feather Spirit, Cihang took out a conch spiritual treasure.
This conch possessed neither offensive nor defensive power. It was a communication spiritual treasure refined by the South Sea Dragon Palace.
Ao Qin had given it to him when he had traveled through the South Sea.
Driven by Cihang's mana, an illusory figure gradually appeared above the conch.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Cihang. This is the first time you have contacted me!"
The moment Ao Qin appeared, he warmly greeted Cihang.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ao Qin. Have you already returned to the South Sea Dragon Palace?"
The backdrop behind Ao Qin was clearly not Buzhou Mountain.
"Yes. Only after seeing the world beyond did I realize my own shortcomings.
I have now returned to the South Sea Dragon Palace and intend to enter seclusion to improve my strength."
Ao Qin explained to Cihang.
"I had originally planned to meet with you, Fellow Daoist, but it seems there will be no chance now!"
Cihang said with some disappointment.
"How could there be no chance? When you return to the South Sea in the future, you may visit my Dragon Palace.
You are a friend of mine, Ao Qin, and an honored guest of the South Sea Dragon Palace.
By the way, Fellow Daoist, you must have another matter for seeking me out this time, correct?
There is no need for formalities between us. If you have something to say, just say it!"
Ao Qin said heartily.
"Then I will not stand on ceremony, Fellow Daoist. The spiritual treasure you had before was the Water Spirit Pearl, wasn't it?"
Cihang asked directly.
"It was indeed the Water Spirit Pearl. Fellow Daoist, do you intend to gather all five Spirit Pearls? That will not be easy."
Ao Qin frowned slightly. Since he possessed the Water Spirit Pearl, he knew that Cihang had obtained the Earth Spirit Pearl.
If it had been any other treasure, he would have simply given it to Cihang.
But this was, after all, an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Even the Dragon Palace possessed only a scant few Innate Spiritual Treasures.
"I do intend to collect the five Spirit Pearls. Would it be possible to exchange it for an equivalent spiritual treasure?
If you have any other requests, Fellow Daoist, feel free to name them."
Though Cihang wanted the Water Spirit Pearl, he was not arrogant enough to expect Ao Qin to give it to him outright.
He did not currently possess a suitable spiritual treasure, but that did not mean he would not have one in the future.
He merely wanted to discuss it with Ao Qin in advance, so that Ao Qin could be prepared.
This would also prevent Ao Qin from fully refining the Water Spirit Pearl and causing trouble later.
"Since Fellow Daoist needs it, Ao Qin naturally will not refuse. I have no other requests.
I will not be leaving the Dragon Palace anytime soon. When Fellow Daoist returns, simply come find me there."
Ao Qin readily agreed to Cihang's request.
He could not bring himself to give away the Water Spirit Pearl, but an equal exchange posed no problem.
The Water Spirit Pearl was not something he absolutely needed.
More importantly, the Dragon Clan's current situation was not good, and he was willing to use this opportunity to befriend Cihang.
That previous battle had shown him that Cihang was not only powerful, but also possessed great opportunities and tremendous fortune.
"Thank you for granting my request, Fellow Daoist. When the time comes, Cihang will not disappoint you!"
Seeing Ao Qin agree, Cihang was overjoyed.
"Then Ao Qin shall await Fellow Daoist at the Dragon Palace."
After the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, they finally ended the communication.
Putting away the conch, Cihang still wore a smile.
"Although the Water Spirit Pearl has yet to fall into my hands, it has already been reserved.
Now it is time to search for the Golden Spirit Pearl.
But besides the Golden Spirit Pearl, I must also seek another spiritual treasure."
"A Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. I hope everything goes smoothly this time!"
Cihang had also sensed the presence of other Spirit Pearls, but those sensations were far vaguer than the one for the Golden Spirit Pearl.
Naturally, he placed the Golden Spirit Pearl as his foremost objective.
Moreover, the Five Elements generated one another, and the Golden Spirit Pearl was more suitable for him to refine and enhance his strength.
"To the Western Continent."
Cihang summoned Feather Spirit and leaped onto his back.
Feather Spirit spread his wings and transformed into a dazzling streak of light, swiftly flying out of Buzhou Mountain.
This time, Cihang did not conceal his tracks.
Unlike before he had come to Buzhou Mountain, his own strength had now greatly increased, and he had gained a Grand Unity mount.
After undergoing nirvana and transforming, Feather Spirit's cultivation had also risen to the late Grand Unity realm.
So long as he did not provoke trouble, he no longer needed to be so excessively cautious.
"Fellow Daoist Cihang, please wait!"
Having only just left Buzhou Mountain, Cihang heard a familiar voice.
Standing atop the crimson phoenix bird, Cihang looked toward the figure speeding over.
"Fellow Daoist Huang Long, why have you come to Buzhou Mountain instead of cultivating at Kunlun?"
If he remembered correctly, the Chan Sect's Golden Immortals had not yet reached the time to leave their master.
Huang Long was only at the late Mysterious Immortal realm and had not remotely met the requirements to leave his master.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Cihang. Huang Long came specifically for you this time!"
Huang Long looked at Cihang with a faintly disapproving gaze.
"What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Huang Long? Have you also come to hold me accountable?"
Cihang's voice could not help turning cold.
When he had gone to Kunlun to seek the Dao, he and Huang Long had traveled together for a time and could be considered acquaintances.
But that was all. It was not enough to make him compromise.
In the memories of the future, Huang Long's status within the Chan Sect had been even lower than his own.
Huang Long was loyal indeed, utterly unconcerned with being ignored.
Yet in return, he had been unable to break through to the Quasi-Saint realm for his entire life, exhausting his merit and fortune for the Chan Sect.
One had to know that Huang Long was Ancestral Dragon's son, possessing both inherent fortune and an inheritance.
Even if he had cultivated step by step, advancing to the Quasi-Saint realm would only have been a matter of time.
But to demonstrate his loyalty, he had not only completely abandoned the inheritance most suited to him, but had also utterly severed ties with the Dragon Clan.
It would have been one thing if Yuanshi had sincerely valued him, but that was not the case.
Thinking of it now, how foolish it was.
"It is our honor to receive Master's favor. How could you fail to appreciate his kindness and refuse?
That alone would have been bad enough, yet you even injured Kunlun cultivators.
Are you determined to become enemies with Kunlun entirely?
For the sake of our friendship, come back with me now. I will plead on your behalf!"
Huang Long still spoke in a tone as though he were acting for Cihang's own good.
Before you continue