"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan..."
Yuanfeng slightly raised her phoenix head, her voice utterly exhausted, filled with deep gratitude and helplessness.
"I am deeply grateful to you, fellow Daoist, for protecting my unfilial son, imparting to him the Great Dao, and bestowing upon him precious treasures... Yuanfeng... I am eternally grateful, but I am imprisoned and unable to perform the proper ceremony. I earnestly hope you will understand."
"Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng, you flatter me."
Qing Huan bowed in return, his expression solemn.
"Years ago, when I was traveling in Antarctica, by chance I came across a great formation set up by a fellow Daoist. I saw the roots of these two children and realized that I had Master-Disciple Affinity with them, so I took them under my wing."
This is also my good fortune, as I have borrowed a trace of your esteemed lineage's Luck to aid my cultivation. However, fellow Daoist, I wonder what important matter you have to discuss with me?"
Yuanfeng remained silent for a moment, her phoenix eyes filled with deep worry as she gazed at the unfathomable Heavenly Dao, her voice low and solemn:
"Fellow Daoist, you are wise. Recently, I have sensed that the Calamity Qi in the world is re-emerging and spreading, and its power is gradually increasing... I fear that before many years have passed, the next immeasurable Tribulation will sweep across the Primordial Wilderness..."
Our Phoenix Tribe suffered greatly during the Dragon-Han Primordial Calamity, its vitality dwindling and it has long since lost its former glory... If we are drawn into this calamity again, we fear we will be utterly destroyed and our bloodline will be severed..."
She paused with difficulty, a resolute glint in her eyes:
"In order to ensure the survival of our clan, Yuanfeng... has no choice but to shamelessly beg you, fellow Daoist, for protection!"
I offer you the 'Southern Bright Lihuo Essence' condensed from the very source, hoping that you, my fellow Daoist, will... spare Thread of Life hope for my two children and for the sake of my Phoenix Tribe!
As she spoke, the faint flame of her primal energy flickered around her, carrying a poignant plea.
Yuanfeng's words stirred something within Qing Huan.
He secretly thought that this former overlord of the Primordial Wilderness was indeed extraordinary, his grasp of the signs of the Tribulation was so accurate.
While the Phoenix Tribe did not openly participate in the Witch-Demon Calamity, the aftershocks of the cataclysm were enough to affect innocent bystanders.
He did not immediately agree. His deep gaze slowly swept over the four chains of Heavenly Dao rules that suppressed all heavens and were entwined with an aura of Destruction. His brows furrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought.
Suddenly, an extremely bold thought flashed through his mind like lightning—"Substitution of Calamity"! His gaze abruptly focused on the four chains that represented heavy karma.
"The laws of heaven and earth govern Karma... If one wishes to alleviate the Phoenix Tribe's karma and share their burden, only one who bears immense Luck can accomplish this... The East Prince!"
Qing Huan's thoughts raced.
"When the East Prince becomes Immortal Emperor, he will gather Primordial Wilderness immortal Luck of the primordial world into his own body. His power will be magnificent, and he may be able to... sever one of the chains of rules!"
This is no easy task.
Only if the East Prince "voluntarily" undertakes this immense karma can his vast Luck replace the Yuanfeng and pry open a crack in the rules of Heavenly Dao.
The key to this plan lies in timing.
"When Tai Yi and Di Jun want to take his life, I may be able to save him... This life-saving grace is the greatest Karma."
At that time, he will have no choice but to bear the responsibility of 'eternally Volcano of Immortality's to repay this Karma!
As for the origin of this Southern Pole Volcano of Immortality... Qing Huan subconsciously rubbed the space in his sleeve, where there was still a wisp of "Zhongshu Earth Essence" that was born alongside the Breath Soil and obtained from Buzhou Mountain.
This object contains unparalleled Creation and the very essence of the earth; it may temporarily stabilize the Earth Fire, giving Yuanfeng a chance to breathe...
The cave was deathly silent, save for the roar of churning Earth Fire.
Seeing that Qing Huan remained silent for a long time, Yuanfeng's phoenix eyes showed even more worry and anxiety, and the flames of her origin flickered more and more violently.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan!"
Her voice carried a hint of desperate resolve.
"If you, fellow Daoist, are willing to lend a helping hand to protect my clan, Yuanfeng... is willing to offer up the True Spirit Mark and lead the remaining Phoenix Tribe to serve you as our master for eternity!"
Upon hearing this, the void trembled, and the four Heavenly Dao chains tightened abruptly, with karmic fire rising, as if warning the Heavenly Dao's sinners against their presumptuous attempt to alter their fate.
"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me!"
Qing Huan's expression turned solemn. He flicked his sleeves, and an invisible Daoist aura rippled out, slightly calming the restless karmic fire and chains. "I agree to protect the Phoenix Tribe. However, the matter of recognizing a master involves too many karmic Karma. It is not a good strategy for you, for me, or for the Phoenix Tribe."
"It will not be too late to discuss this again when the karmic burdens of the Phoenix Tribe have gradually dissipated and the Karma heaven and earth have become clear."
Qing Huan did not reveal the earth-shattering plan in his heart concerning the East Prince and the Volcano of Immortality.
The time is not yet ripe, the secrets are elusive, this matter is still under investigation, and there are endless variables; speaking of it would only make things worse...
When Yuanfeng saw that Qing Huan had finally agreed to protect the Phoenix Tribe during the Tribulation, the huge weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted.
Her expression was solemn. As she raised her hand, a wisp of pure flame, pulsating with the aura of pure Destruction and rebirth, and a mark shimmering with profound Daoist principles appeared before Qing Huan...
"Qing Huan, your kindness to my Phoenix Tribe is like giving me a second life; I have no way to repay you."
This is a Southern Bright Lihuo Origin, given to fellow Daoists for their contemplation.
Attached are my insights and notes from when Primordial Origin Golden Immortal; I only hope that fellow Daoists will soon glimpse the true essence of the Great Dao."
Qing Huan received the wisp of flame that seemed to contain the power to burn the heavens and the mark that condensed Yuanfeng's endless years of enlightenment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The insights of Innate Lifeform are fundamental and are not easily revealed to others. It seems that Yuanfeng has staked the entire future of the Phoenix Tribe on this, truly going all out!
These two items were indeed icing on the cake for him, but they also demonstrated his sincerity.
"Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng, I appreciate your kind gesture. As the saying goes, 'It is impolite not to reciprocate.'"
Before he finished speaking, Qing Huan's palm shimmered with light, and ten drops of divine water, which gathered the essence of the sun, moon, and stars and exuded a gentle, healing aura, floated quietly in front of Yuanfeng.
"These ten drops of the Three Lights Divine Water may help you and your clan alleviate the suffering caused by karmic retribution. Consider this a fair trade."
Gazing at the legendary healing elixir before her, Yuanfeng eyes widened in disbelief.
The few drops that the two little ones brought back earlier had already cured a quarter of her chronic illness.
I never expected Qing Huan to be so... generous!
"I... thank you for saving my life, fellow Daoist!"
Her voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"You're too kind, fellow Daoist."
Qing Huan nodded slightly.
"As for the karmic entanglement surrounding you, fellow Daoist, I am also devising a method to resolve it. However, this is not something that can be accomplished overnight, and you will need to... wait patiently."
"Well..."
Yuanfeng let out a mournful sigh, her face appearing even more desolate.
"Qing Huan, I know my own fate. My demise is only a matter of time. When I die and my Dao dissipates, the Phoenix Tribe... will be entrusted to you."
She gazed into the vast, empty depths of the Volcano of Immortality, her eyes filled with endless desolation and resolute determination.
Qing Huan remained silent, only giving Yuanfeng a deep look.
"Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng, I have lingered here for quite some time. Now that everything is settled, I must take my leave. I will visit you again when I have more time."
After speaking, Qing Huan's figure vanished into the void like smoke and mist, leaving no trace.