Qing Huan glanced at Yuanfeng, then at Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal, and slowly nodded:
"Indeed, I secretly facilitated this matter. The East Prince's Immortal Court is blessed with abundant Luck, Volcano of Immortality is a dangerous and Primordial Wilderness place. Suppressing this place is a good thing for the East Prince to accumulate Merit."
The crimson-golden glow illuminated the three Chuyuan Palace, including Yuanfeng and her two children. "You two little ones, go and cultivate first."
Even with Yuanfeng's profound experience of overcoming countless tribulations, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal, however, remained solemn and showed no sign of negligence. Their eyes met with a gaze filled with reverence for their "teacher."
The two bowed in perfect unison, their voices like the clinking of gold and jade.
"Yes, teacher. This disciple will take his leave now."
Before they finished speaking, their figures transformed into two streaks of light, one colorful and one dark, and vanished into the depths of the magnificent palace in an instant, clearly heading to their respective Cave Mansion for quiet cultivation.
Watching her sons' departing figures, Yuanfeng was filled with mixed emotions.
Suppressed beneath the lava of the Volcano of Immortality volcano for Kalpa years, his body was consumed by karmic fire and entangled by curses from all spirits—a cruel torture that even eroded his primordial spirit.
Now that she was freed from her predicament, breathing in the air filled with rich Innate Spiritual Qi energy, the scene before her eyes far exceeded her most magnificent imagination.
Although she had heard about the wonders of the Three Immortal Islands of Yingzhou, Fangzhang (Seven Views), and Penglai (Ten Thousand Immortals) from Kong Xuan and Winged Immortal's excited messages, the shock she felt when she stood in front of the Chuyuan Palace, the core of the legendary "Yingzhou Island," was still like a tidal wave crashing against the shore, washing over her mind.
What the eye can see is not a scene of the mundane world.
In the distance, towering immortal mountains float amidst swirling purple mist, while Spiritual Spring Waterfall cascade from the heavens, their roaring sounds transforming into celestial melodies that cleanse the soul.
Nearby, exotic flowers and rare herbs bloom everywhere, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, their fragrance soothing the soul; they are Innate Spiritual Root that have long since disappeared from the outside world.
There were cranes soaring and auspicious beasts running around, and every breath was filled with liquefied Innate Spiritual Qi. Every breath seemed to be inhaling and exhaling fragments of the Great Dao.
The palace itself was magnificent and resplendent, constructed entirely of Chaos Divine Jade. The pillars were entwined with Great Dao Runes, and the eaves were shimmering with starlight. A sense of vastness and immortal majesty, seemingly originating from the beginning of the creation of heaven and earth, permeated the air silently.
In comparison, the Ancestral Land the Volcano of Immortality Temple, which the Phoenix Tribe, now appears as humble as a dilapidated house. The difference is more than tenfold.
This Qing Huan's Daoist Dao Field has already surpassed her understanding of the limits of "blessed lands and grotto heavens," and can be described as the prototype of a supreme great world!
"Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng, please."
Qing Huan's calm voice interrupted Yuanfeng's thoughts.
He did not reveal any supernatural powers, but simply walked forward with his hands behind his back. Yet, with each step, he seemed to merge with the Daoist rhythm of the entire Yingzhou Island. With each step, the void beneath his feet rippled slightly, resonating with the heavens and earth.
Yuanfeng composed herself, suppressing the astonishment in her eyes, and followed closely behind.
Passing through the palace gates shrouded in mist, we entered the spacious and majestic main hall.
The hall was not decorated much, except for the high dome, which resembled a deep Starry Sky. The starlight was not an illusion, but the trajectory of real star projections flowing and evolving the profound truths of the Great Dao.
The ground is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the star map on the dome; walking on it feels like treading on a galaxy.
Qing Huan walked straight to the only high platform throne at the end of the main hall, his steps unhurried, as if he was born to sit there and look down upon the Primordial Wilderness.
The throne was neither gold nor jade; its material was indistinguishable and it exuded a majestic aura that commanded all directions and suppressed all heavens.
As Qing Huan took his seat, an invisible wave of law spread out, and the air in the entire hall seemed to solidify for a moment, naturally generating an indescribable solemnity and majesty.
"Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng."
Qing Huan's voice came from the throne above, gentle yet carrying a timeless composure.
"First of all, congratulations on escaping this predicament and regaining your freedom. In this Primordial Wilderness world, the splendor of the First Phoenix is finally revealed once more."
Yuanfeng bowed slightly, her posture dignified and solemn.
"This escape is entirely thanks to Fellow Qing Huan's great kindness. Without your intervention, my Phoenix Clan and I would likely be forever trapped in the karmic flames of the Volcano of Immortality. I, Yuanfeng, am deeply grateful for this kindness and virtue, and the Phoenix Clan will never forget it! Our clan will do everything in our power to repay this Karma."
Yuanfeng's words were sincere, filled with deep gratitude for surviving a calamity, but they were not merely polite formalities.
As the ancestor of the Phoenix among the Three Clans created the world, she could feel the grandeur and weight of this Karma, which was by no means something that could be easily expressed as gratitude.
However, despite the gratitude, a deep-seated doubt lingered in my mind like a dark cloud, refusing to dissipate.
The seal on that Volcano of Immortality is a dual manifestation of the will of heaven and earth and the karmic force of the Dragon-Han Calamity, and even Sage cannot shake it.
But why go to such lengths, willingly incurring immense Karma, to forcibly rescue the Phoenix Clan burdened with such negative karma? Even...
Judging from his previous words, it seemed he also intended to help the Qilin Clan? This was definitely no ordinary "good deed".
Yuanfeng raised her head, looking directly at the figure on the throne. Her phoenix eyes, weathered by time and insightful about the world, were clear and sharp.
"Fellow Qing Huan has shown our clan a debt of gratitude akin to giving us a second life; Yuanfeng is deeply grateful. However..."
She paused briefly, her voice steady but each word clear.
"I still have a few doubts in my mind, which are like a fishbone stuck in my throat. I must get them out of my mouth. I am taking the liberty of speaking out today, and I hope that my fellow Daoist will be kind enough to enlighten me."
Qing Huan's face remained calm, but his eyes seemed to hold the swirling light of an endless galaxy, as if he had anticipated this question. He said softly:
"Oh? Fellow Daoist, please speak freely."
Yuanfeng took a deep breath of spiritual energy imbued with boundless Daoist wisdom, and the unease and doubt that had been lingering in her heart finally transformed into a firm question that escaped her lips:
"I hope you will forgive my bluntness, fellow Daoist. The Three Innate Clans —Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin—have been burdened with endless Heavenly Dao force since the Dragon-Han Calamity. They are hated by Heaven and Earth and despised by all spirits, and have become taboos in the Primordial Wilderness."
This is the will of Heavenly Dao, an irreversible trend. Fellow Daoist, with your great supernatural powers, you must have known this long ago.
"However, why would you, fellow Daoist, risk defying the laws of Heaven, expend your energy to rescue my Phoenix Clan, and even intend to harm the Qilin Clan?"
Her gaze was fixed on every subtle change in Qing Huan's face:
"What is the purpose of this action? I have pondered it for a long time, but I still cannot understand it. I hope you, fellow Daoist, can enlighten me and dispel my doubts."
At the end of her speech, she slightly emphasized the phrase "what is the intention?", thus pointing the question to the core motivation.
After listening, Qing Huan did not answer immediately, but nodded slightly, as if praising Yuanfeng's straightforwardness and keenness. A trace of solemnity quietly appeared in his deep eyes.
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became heavy and oppressive due to the brief silence.
"Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng."
Qing Huan's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable solemnity.
"What I am about to say concerns the Primordial Wilderness, involves a wide range of issues, and even... touches upon certain taboos. I hope that what we discuss in this hall today will be known in the slightest by no one else in the world but ourselves."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qing Huan's eyes suddenly became sharp as knives, as if they could pierce through the soul and look directly at Yuanfeng's original will.
An invisible yet overwhelming pressure, though not deliberately released, quietly permeated the entire hall, even causing the starry projection on the dome to freeze slightly.
This is not a threat, but a silent declaration of the seriousness of the situation.