Just then, a dazzling phoenix shadow tore through the void, and Yuanfeng's figure appeared before Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal.
Looking at the two children who had grown into tall and handsome young men, her eyes instantly welled up with tears. The longing and sorrow that had been building up for countless years surged forth at this moment, and her body couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"Mother!"
Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal spoke in unison, their voices choked with emotion, filled with indescribable excitement.
This was the first time they had seen their mother in her Innate Dao Body —she had shed the disheveled state she had when suppressing the Volcano of Immortality, and now wore a magnificent Phoenix Feather robe that radiated a gentle spiritual light. What delighted them even more was that the four chains of order that had bound their mother for countless years had quietly broken free and turned into specks of light that dissipated into the air.
Yuanfeng could no longer contain her emotions and stepped forward to hug the two children tightly.
Countless years of longing were transformed into scalding tears in this embrace, silently streaming down their faces.
The mother and her two children embraced and wept, their tears soaking their clothes. Even the wind seemed to soften, quietly witnessing this belated reunion.
After a long while, having calmed down somewhat, Kong Xuan spoke with a hint of doubt:
"Mother, why did the East Prince propose suppressing the Volcano of Immortality in the name of the Phoenix Tribe? What is the reason behind this?"
Yuanfeng gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, hesitated for a moment, and slowly said:
"Even your mother doesn't know the details of this matter. But what's certain is that it's most likely related to your teacher."
She pondered deeply in her heart—in the Primordial Wilderness, there were very few Innate Deities who could make the Immortal Court willingly bear boundless karma and also help the Phoenix Tribe out of their predicament.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun was focused on comprehending the Dao and would never interfere in this matter; the only one involved with the Phoenix Clan was Qing Huan.
"Is that a teacher?"
Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal exchanged a glance, a hint of realization flashing in their eyes.
Only then did he realize that when he heard the oath made by the East Prince, he was too eager to return to his mother's side and had overlooked the most crucial clue.
"Well, that's just my guess."
Yuanfeng nodded, her tone becoming serious.
"You two will take your mother to visit your teacher later, and then you will know everything."
She knew in her heart that if this matter was truly related to Qing Huan, then the Karma owed by the Phoenix Clan would be enormous—so enormous that even if the entire clan gave up everything, it would be difficult to repay it.
"Mother, now that you mention it, I also think it must be the teacher's doing."
Kong Xuan took a deep breath, becoming even more certain of his guess, and then added.
"Mother, you may not know this, but my brother and I are not the only disciples of our teacher."
During these Kalpa, the teacher took in several more, one of whom was Four Unlike of the Qilin Clan, the son of the Primeval Qilin."
Thinking of this, Kong Xuan continued:
"I once heard the Four Unlike mention that when you traveled through the Primordial Wilderness in your early years, you visited the Qilin Clan."
At that time, in order for the Four Unlike to become a disciple of its master, the Fire Qilin not only presented it with two Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, but also with Zhongshu Earth, one of the ten divine soils of the innate world.
Before leaving, the teacher gave the Qilin Clan an idea—to use their own bodies to repair the western earth veins.
The Qilin Clan acted according to this plan, which greatly reduced their karmic burden and allowed them to regain their vitality.
Yuanfeng's heart skipped a beat, and an expression of disbelief appeared on her face.
She never imagined that the Qilin Clan's earth-shattering act of sacrificing themselves to save the West was actually orchestrated by Qing Huan!
At first, she thought it was a way for the Qilin Clan to atone for their sins when they were desperate, but she never expected that there was such a background behind it.
"Come on, let's go see your teacher now!"
Yuanfeng's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible urgency; she suddenly found it difficult to suppress the palpitations and unease within her.
If it were any other Innate Lifeform, they would surely rejoice with their entire clan upon receiving such an opportunity to escape their predicament. But Yuanfeng is different—she has personally experienced the horrors of the Tribulation of the Ferocious Beasts and was one of the initiators of the Dragon-Han Calamity. The boundless karma she carries is so heavy that even Sage would avoid her.
But then, Qing Huan stepped in and resolved the Phoenix Tribe's predicament, forcing her to ponder the reasons behind it.
Upon closer examination, a chill ran through Yuanfeng, sending a dreadful shiver down her spine.
What exactly is the origin of this Qing Huan? His actions are either premeditated, like the Demon Ancestor Luohu of yesteryear, scheming against the Three Innate Clans for some other purpose; or the Phoenix Clan possesses something he values, but he has yet to figure out what it is.
Seeing their mother's solemn expression, Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal dared not delay and quickly stepped forward to lead the way. "Mother, our teacher should be at the Dao Field right now. We'll set off immediately."
The three transformed into a streak of light and sped towards the Seven Views Island in the Eastern Sea.
Throughout the journey, Yuanfeng's thoughts were in turmoil as she recalled Qing Huan's past deeds:
The fact that Purple Cloud Palace received a seat personally bestowed by the Dao Ancestor demonstrates its profound Daoist influence.
He ventured alone to the West to dispel demonic energy, using the Three Lights Divine Water to heal living beings, revealing a compassionate heart;
The Solar Star's discourse on Daoism led to the understanding of the Innate Eight Trigrams, which was recognized by Heaven and Earth, demonstrating his extraordinary wisdom.
He guided the Qilin Clan to complete the Western Regions, gaining immeasurable Merit, and also revealed unfathomable scheming power...
Why would such a powerful being show such "favor" towards the Three Innate Clans? First the Qilin, then the Phoenix—does he truly intend to use the power of these Three Clans to achieve some earth-shattering feat?
Yuanfeng dared not think any further, feeling that Qing Huan was like a bottomless ocean, seemingly calm and still, but hiding undercurrents powerful enough to overturn the Primordial Wilderness.
Before long, the outline of Yingzhou appeared before our eyes. The island was shrouded in clouds and mist, with cranes calling in unison. The spiritual energy was so rich that it was almost tangible, and the sounds of the Great Dao could be faintly heard flowing through it, creating a scene of a celestial paradise.
Compared to the Volcano of Immortality where the Phoenix Clan resides, this place is practically a paradise.
As soon as they set foot on the island, a gentle voice came from the depths. "Fellow Yuanfeng has come from afar. Qing Huan is sorry for not welcoming you properly."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qing Huan appeared before the three of them, still with that calm and collected demeanor, as if he had expected it all along.
Yuanfeng composed herself, calmed her mind, and bowed slightly to Qing Huan:
"Qing Huan, the Phoenix Tribe was able to extricate themselves from the predicament of the Volcano of Immortality thanks to your assistance."
Instead of asking directly, she first expressed her gratitude—regardless of the other party's purpose, the Phoenix Clan must remember this kindness.
Qing Huan smiled slightly and waved his hand:
"Fellow Yuanfeng, you are too kind Phoenix Tribe is an auspicious creature of the primordial world. Suppressing the Primordial Wilderness Volcano of Immortality is already a Merit deed. Now that it has been freed, it is simply the cycle of Heavenly Dao and its own destiny."
These words, though seemingly casual, only deepened Yuanfeng's doubts.
Seeing this, Kong Xuan stepped forward and said, "Teacher, Mother came here today to find out why the East Prince suddenly proposed to suppress the Volcano of Immortality in the name of the Phoenix Tribe?"