Return of the Phoenix Clan

Feng Yun sighed, saying, "Alas... during the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, our clan committed too much bloodshed, and karmic debt now clings to us. It's more than ten times harder for the Phoenix Clan to break through bottlenecks now compared to other beings in the Primordial Era."

Li Peng immediately understood that karmic debt was the root cause of the Phoenix Clan's difficulty in reviving.

He thought to himself, "It seems I must make a trip to the Sea of Blood!"

Although Li Peng was eager to set off for the Sea of Blood to find Minghe immediately, he had only just arrived at the Phoenix Clan. More importantly, how would Kong Xuan and the other members of the Phoenix Clan view him if he left right after hearing about their plight?

The Phoenix Clan had been entangled by karmic debt for a long time; waiting a little longer wouldn't make a difference.

Feng Yun asked at this moment, "Your Highnesses, do you require your subordinate to summon the Phoenix Clan's high-ranking officials?"

"Summon them. I wish to meet the elders of the Phoenix Clan," Li Peng replied calmly.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yun unhesitatingly struck the small bell by the door.

"Dong—dong—dong—"

The bell's chime spread outwards like sound waves. Only then did Li Peng notice that this small bell was actually a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

"As expected of an ancient overlord, their foundation is indeed profound," he mused inwardly.

After five chimes, Feng Yun stopped and turned, saying, "Your Highnesses, please follow me inside and wait."

Li Peng nodded slightly and followed Feng Yun towards the main hall.

Half an hour later, a middle-aged woman in a fiery red dress entered the hall.

Feng Yun immediately bowed, "Greetings, Third Elder!"

Li Peng and Kong Xuan looked at the newcomer simultaneously. This was indeed the Third Elder of the Phoenix Clan.

The Third Elder's gaze swept over them, finally settling on Li Peng, who was seated in the main seat. Her expression changed drastically, and the pressure of a mid-stage Quasi-Saint instantly enveloped the two of them.

Li Peng smiled faintly, and his aura erupted with power. The two forces clashed fiercely, but the confrontation was one-sided, a complete crushing.

"Boom—"

The Third Elder felt as if she were carrying ten thousand mountains, unable to move an inch. She was horrified, "This person's cultivation is actually above Ancestor Phoenix? If he takes his anger out on the entire clan because of my offense..."

Thinking of potentially implicating the already declining Phoenix Clan, cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Just as she was filled with dread, the pressure around her suddenly vanished.

The Third Elder stood frozen, still trying to process the situation, when she heard Li Peng calmly say, "Please take a seat, Third Elder. Once all our clansmen have arrived, we will discuss matters."

The Third Elder's heart was filled with questions, but she dared not ask any more. The man before her was simply too powerful for her to contend with.

Helplessly, the Third Elder found a seat below and sat down quietly.

Not long after, the high-ranking officials of the Phoenix Clan began to arrive one after another.

Although they were puzzled by the unfamiliar young man in the main seat, seeing that the Third Elder was respectfully seated below, they all took their seats in silence.

An hour later, Li Peng asked Feng Yun, "Are all the high-ranking officials of the Phoenix Clan here?"

"They have all arrived," Feng Yun replied respectfully.

Li Peng nodded, "Since everyone is here, I will introduce myself."

All the high-ranking officials present turned their curious gazes towards Li Peng.

Li Peng surveyed everyone and said loudly, "My name is Li Peng, and I am Ancestor Phoenix's eldest son!"

Before his words had even finished, a powerful bloodline pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall.

The high-ranking officials immediately broke out in cold sweats, their breathing becoming difficult.

However, this pressure came and went quickly, allowing everyone to feel its power without causing them undue distress.

"You, you're actually Son of Ancestor Phoenix? How can you be so powerful?" The Third Elder's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Bloodlines never lie," Li Peng said with a faint smile.

Hearing this, tears welled up in the Third Elder's eyes.

"Hahaha—"

The next moment, she was crying and laughing, looking completely unhinged.

A moment later, the Third Elder finally calmed down and knelt, shouting, "Clan Leader! Do you see? Your son has surpassed you! The Phoenix Clan will surely stand at the pinnacle of primordial races once again under his leadership!"

The other high-ranking officials exchanged glances, not understanding.

Once the Third Elder regained her composure, she solemnly proposed, "I nominate Li Peng to be the new Clan Leader of the Phoenix Clan. Does anyone object?"

The others knew that the Third Elder had already made her stance clear, so none dared to object. They all knelt and shouted in unison:

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

Li Peng looked at the scene before him, feeling little joy. To be honest, the Phoenix Clan meant nothing to him.

Li Peng waved his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. The Phoenix Clan high-ranking officials present stopped their clamor. Once the scene calmed down, Li Peng spoke, "I have no intention of becoming the Clan Leader of the Phoenix Clan. If you must elect someone, why not let my second brother, Kong Xuan, be the Clan Leader?"

The Third Elder looked at Kong Xuan. Although Kong Xuan had the cultivation of an early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal, he was still far from Li Peng's peak Quasi-Saint strength. The Third Elder knelt, tears in her eyes, and said, "Eldest Highness, the Phoenix Clan is weak now, and we need a powerful Clan Leader to deter all the races in the Primordial Era. Although Second Highness has Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, he is not considered top-tier in the current Primordial Era. I implore Eldest Highness to accept the position of Clan Leader and protect our Phoenix Clan!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan also knew that his strength was insufficient to protect the entire clan, so he said, "Big Brother, you should be the Clan Leader. I am truly not qualified."

Li Peng nodded in agreement, "Alright, I will temporarily assume the position of Clan Leader. When my second brother has the ability to protect the Phoenix Clan, I will abdicate."

"Thank you, Your Highness— no, thank you, Clan Leader!" The Third Elder said, tears of joy streaming down her face. She had been exhausted from supporting the Phoenix Clan alone all these years. Now, with Li Peng, a peak Quasi-Saint, taking charge, she could finally lay down her burden.

Half a year later, Li Peng had a complete grasp of the Phoenix Clan's current situation and was even more determined to go to the Sea of Blood. After summoning Kong Xuan and the Third Elder to explain things, he left the Bucephalus Volcano directly and flew towards the Sea of Blood.

Ten years passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Peng finally arrived above the boundless Sea of Blood. The pungent smell of blood and the churning sea did not move him. He stood above the Sea of Blood, channeled his magic power, and shouted down, "Fellow Daoist Minghe, please come out and meet me!"

The sound waves rolled, spreading to every corner of the Sea of Blood. Minghe, who was cultivating, trembled at the sound and muttered, "This voice... is it Li Peng?" An ominous premonition immediately surged in his heart.

Li Peng's reputation in the Primordial Era was indeed not good, especially after he snatched the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus from Zhunti and Jieyin. His overbearing style had long spread among the great powers of the Primordial Era.

"Li Peng's visit this time, could it be that he's set his sights on my Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus? After all, he dared to snatch the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus from Zhunti and Jieyin. It's not surprising that he's now eyeing my red lotus," Minghe thought to himself.

Thinking of this, a hint of apprehension flashed across Minghe's face, but it quickly disappeared.

"Hmph, Li Peng, do you think I'm a waste like Zhunti and Jieyin? I have long merged with this boundless Sea of Blood. As long as the Sea of Blood does not dry up, I, Minghe, will be immortal! Moreover, within this Sea of Blood, I can set up the Sea of Blood Great Formation. My combat power is comparable to a peak Quasi-Saint, and my magic power is endless and inexhaustible!"

At this thought, a confident expression appeared on Minghe's face. He immediately got up and muttered coldly:

"I'd like to see what brings you here today. If you dare to go too far, I will make you experience the might of the Sea of Blood Great Formation!"

After speaking, Minghe flew out of the boundless Sea of Blood and, in a moment, arrived in front of Li Peng.

"I did not expect Fellow Daoist Li Peng to visit the Sea of Blood. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner!" Minghe said with a hearty laugh.

"Not at all, not at all. I have come today because I need your help, Fellow Daoist Minghe," Li Peng replied with a smile, not making a move immediately. After all, Minghe was a very troublesome person, and Li Peng did not wish to make an enemy of him unless absolutely necessary.

"May I ask what matter requires you to come in person, Fellow Daoist?" Minghe asked, feigning curiosity.

"It's not a big matter. I just want to ask for your help in absorbing some karmic debt," Li Peng replied.

Minghe sneered inwardly, "As expected, he's here for my Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus. It seems a battle is inevitable today!"

"Absorb karmic debt? Are you entangled with karmic debt, Fellow Daoist?" Minghe pretended not to understand.

"That's not it," Li Peng shook his head.

"Then for whom are you absorbing karmic debt?" Minghe pressed.

"The Phoenix Clan," Li Peng replied.

Upon hearing this, Minghe felt even more disdainful. He hadn't expected Li Peng to use the Phoenix Clan as an excuse to try and fool him.

"The Phoenix Clan? Do you have an old connection with the Phoenix Clan, that you are willing to help?" Minghe retorted with a cold laugh.

"During the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, our Phoenix Clan committed too many killings, resulting in us being entangled with karmic debt, making it difficult for our cultivation to advance.

Therefore, I had to come to seek your help, Fellow Daoist Minghe!" Li Peng said straightforwardly.

Minghe was greatly surprised. He never expected Li Peng to be the Son of Ancestor Phoenix and the Clan Leader of the Phoenix Clan.

Even more unexpectedly, Li Peng's purpose in coming was only to ask for his help in absorbing karmic debt, and he had no intention of forcibly taking the Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus from him.

This change of heart immediately dispelled Minghe's intention to fight Li Peng.

After all, it was best to avoid making an enemy of a master like Li Peng.

"This is a lotus seed from the Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus. If you obtain it, you can absorb the karmic debt from the Phoenix Clan and also gain an excellent Innate Spiritual Treasure."

Li Peng was quite surprised when Minghe said this. He hadn't expected Minghe to be so generous— a lotus seed from the Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus, if cultivated properly, could become a High-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure with special miraculous uses!

Although High-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures no longer caught Li Peng's eye, he had to accept this favor.

Li Peng reached out and took the Karmic Fire Red Lotus seed, saying solemnly:

"Today, I owe you a favor. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask.

As long as it is within my ability, I will not refuse!"

Minghe was overjoyed upon hearing this promise.

Who was Li Peng?

He was a notorious and ferocious figure in the Primordial Era, and the strongest being below a Saint!

Exchanging a lotus seed from the Karmic Fire Red Lotus for the favor of such a powerful being was simply too worthwhile.

Minghe then smiled and said, "Since you have come all the way to the Sea of Blood, why not come to my dojo for a seat?"

Li Peng shook his head, "Not this time. The Phoenix Clan members are still suffering from karmic debt. When I come to the Sea of Blood next time, I will definitely visit you."

"Good! Then I will await your return to the Sea of Blood," Minghe replied with a smile.

"Farewell," Li Peng cupped his hands in farewell.

He then mounted a auspicious cloud and headed directly towards the Bucephalus Volcano.

Upon returning to the Phoenix Clan, Li Peng immediately summoned all the Phoenix Clan disciples and used the Karmic Fire Red Lotus seed to absorb the karmic debt from everyone.

This lotus seed, true to its nature as an Innate Spiritual Treasure that fed on karmic debt, absorbed it at an extremely fast rate.

In just a hundred years, the karmic debt of the newly formed Phoenix Clan members was completely absorbed.

The Karmic Fire Red Lotus seed also bloomed once, upgrading to a Low-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure— the Third-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus.

As the Karmic Fire Red Lotus's seed evolved into the Third-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus, a lower-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, its speed of absorbing karmic debt increased by more than tenfold compared to before.

If it continued at this pace, in another million years, the karmic debt owed by the Phoenix Clan would be completely absorbed.

Of course, the actual time required wouldn't be that long.

This was because after absorbing enough karmic debt, the Karmic Fire Red Lotus would continue to evolve, and its absorption speed would only become faster and faster.

Seeing the Phoenix Clan prosper day by day, Li Peng also began his seclusion.

He had only opened up thirty of his Thirty-Six Heavens, with six still incomplete.

The most pressing matter now was to open up all thirty-six Heavens, and then claim his rewards to improve his own strength.

With this thought, Li Peng no longer hesitated and entered his secret chamber to begin his seclusion.

At the same moment, within the Heavenly Court.

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi sat high on the main seats, with many powerful figures listed below.

Ying Zhao stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, in the current Primordial Era, apart from the Witch Clan, Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, Kirin Clan, and a few insignificant minor clans, all other races have submitted to our Demon Clan.

May I ask how our clan should develop next?"

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi were overjoyed upon hearing this.

The Demon Clan was founded by them, and its current prosperity naturally filled them with pride.

Di Jun turned to a refined-looking young man beside him and asked, "Bai Ze, from where do you think we should start to continue strengthening the Demon Clan?"

Bai Ze pondered for a moment upon hearing this.

Then, he spoke, "Your subject believes we should eliminate the Loose Immortal Alliance first."

Di Jun asked with great interest, "Why choose the Loose Immortal Alliance first, instead of the Witch Clan, or the Dragon, Phoenix, and Kirin clans?"

Bai Ze calmly replied, "The Witch Clan's strength is on par with ours, with all Twelve Ancestor Witches being at the Quasi-Saint mid-stage cultivation or above. If we were to clash head-on with the Witch Clan now, it would likely result in mutual destruction, and we would be taken advantage of by other forces."