Jiang Yun waited outside the underground magma for some time before seeing the magma surge and open up again, from which Kong Xuan emerged.
His expression didn't seem good. I wonder what Ancestor Phoenix said to him. Could it really be entrusting his son to someone?
After leaving the Immortal Volcano, Jiang Yun and Kong Xuan walked side by side, the dark red lava rocks under their feet gradually transforming into lush forests.
In the distance, the outline of the Phoenix Clan's settlement was faintly visible in the clouds and mist, surrounded by tall Phoenix Tree, with palaces scattered throughout. Occasionally, Phoenix Clan cultivators would transform into streams of light and shuttle among them.
Kong Xuan's expression was solemn as he stroked the Seven-Colored Feather bestowed upon him by the Ancestor Phoenix, and said in a low voice, "My mother entrusted me with her Natal Feather... She told me to choose some people to accompany you to the Western Teachings."
Jiang Yun glanced at him and laughed, "What, the dignified Lord of the Five-Colored Divine Light, are you afraid of not being able to shoulder this responsibility?"
Kong Xuan's expression was somewhat strange; he had some things on his mind. He let out a slight breath and composed himself.
He then said, feigning nonchalance, "I'm just worried about that Yuyi."
If he knew he was going to follow me to the Western Teachings to practice Buddhism, he'd probably cause a ruckus again!
Just then, a burst of playful laughter came from the woods ahead.
The Winged Immortal lay lazily on a branch of a paulownia tree, playing with a ball of grayish Yin-Yang Two Energies in his hand, while several Phoenix Clan youths listened to him boast about his travels in the Primordial World.
"Elder Brother's back?" Winged Immortal leaped down, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Yun. She grinned and said, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, how does the Fire Marrow Tea from the Immortal Volcano taste? Would you like me to brew you a cup?"
Kong Xuan frowned. "Stop fooling around! Mother has ordered that you and I must accompany Brother Jiang Yun to Mount Sumeru from today onwards to become Guardian Generals of the Western Teachings."
"What?!" Winged Immortal's Yin-Yang Two Energies suddenly dissipated, her eyes widening. "I just got a lot of spirit wine from the Southern Sea Dragon Palace, and I haven't even had a chance to enjoy it properly yet! Besides, if you want to cultivate, you should do it within your clan. Why go to the Western Teachings?"
"This matter is settled, and you have no say in it!" Kong Xuan's voice was calm and firm. "My mother has entrusted me with her Natal Feather, and I will make the decision to join the Western Teachings. I will also be in charge of selecting the personnel."
If you dare disobey, I will suppress you under the Great Li Fire Array and force you into seclusion for a million years!
Winged Immortal shrank her neck and muttered under her breath, "Always going into seclusion... What's so great about the Western Teachings? I heard they're so poor they even have to grow their own Spirit Bamboo... The environment has only improved a bit in recent years, but it can't compare to our profound foundation."
Jiang Yun couldn't help but chuckle and stepped forward to pat Winged Immortal on the shoulder, "Yuyi Daoist Yu Yi, Mount Sumeru may not be as carefree as the Immortal Volcano, but it's still quite interesting."
Didn't your Elder Brother tell you? We have Star Gate there that connect directly to all parts of the Primordial World. If you're free, you can travel to various parts of the Western Region through the Star Gate at any time, and you can also go to the South Sea to drink with the Dragon Clan at any time."
"Really?" Winged Immortal's eyes lit up, and she turned to look at Kong Xuan. "Elder Brother, is what Fellow Daoist Jiang said true?"
Kong Xuan snorted coldly, "I asked you to participate in the construction of the Western Region Spirit Land Construction with me before, but you complained that it was too hard and tiring, and you ran back after only a few years."
Do you still think that place is as barren and desolate as before?
As long as you come with me to the Western Teachings to Guardian Generals, and it doesn't interfere with your own cultivation, you can do whatever you want with other things.
After calming Winged Immortal, Kong Xuan summoned the Phoenix Clan elders to announce the Ancestor Phoenix Resolution.
Upon hearing that the two young masters would be joining the Western Teachings with a hundred elite disciples, the hall was immediately abuzz with discussion.
A red-haired elder said worriedly, "Young Master, since the last Great Tribulation, our Phoenix Clan has consolidated its power and remained independent from the conflicts of the Primordial World. Now, rashly aligning ourselves with the Western Teachings, I fear..."
Kong Xuan raised his hand, revealing the Seven-Colored Feather, and said in a deep voice, "This is Mother's intention. She has a long-term vision, and this is also to find a way out for our Phoenix Clan."
The Primordial World today is not like the ancient times. Saint have appeared in the world. If we want to live in peace and freedom, we must have the strength to do so. If we don't have that strength, we must find a backer, otherwise we will be schemed against by others sooner or later.
Choose one hundred disciples of Mystic Immortal or above and let me take them to the Western Region. The rest of you shall remain and guard the Immortal Volcano for the time being.
Remember to warn them beforehand... After joining the Western Teachings, they must abide by Western Teachings rules and regulations. They must no longer harbor the arrogance of the Three Ancient Races, otherwise it will affect the clan's survival and development plans, and I will not let them off easily!
The elders, seeing Feathers as if they were seeing their Ancestor Phoenix, dared not speak further.
Before long, several hundred Phoenix Clan cultivators marched out in formation, all of them possessing radiant Yuyi and a fierce aura.
Kong Xuan surveyed the crowd and nodded in satisfaction. "Let's set off on a chosen day!"
That night, the Phoenix Clan's main camp was brightly lit with bonfires. Winged Immortal led a group of clansmen to enjoy the fine wine he had brought back from the South Sea. He also invited Jiang Yun, but Jiang Yun did not join in. At this time, it was better to leave the space to their own people!
Winged Immortal, carrying a jar of the South Sea Spirit Wine, slipped into Kong Xuan's tent and muttered, "Elder Brother, why did Mother suddenly make this decision? Could it be that Immortal Volcano?"
Kong Xuan was meditating cross-legged when he heard this. He opened his eyes and remained silent for a moment before saying, "My mother has suppressed the Underground Fire Toxin for millions of years. Her true form is now completely inseparable from the Immortal Volcano."
However, it is precisely for this reason that she was able to glimpse a corner of the Primordial World future by using the energy in the Immortal Volcano.
She said, "... The next Tribulation Cycle is approaching, and if the Phoenix Clan wants to continue, it must find a safe haven."
"Tribulation Cycle?" The Winged Immortal's drunkenness vanished instantly, and he lowered his voice, "But the Western Teachings merely confined to a corner of the world; how can it possibly contend with the Witch and Demon Clans?"
"What do you know!" Kong Xuan said irritably, "The Western Teachings has two future Saint in charge, and even more figures like Jiang Yun who have formed alliances and connections with forces from all sides."
Did you know that they will also share control of the Land of Reincarnation with the Witch Clan?
Given time, Authority of the Way of Earth may fall into their hands!
Winged Immortal clicked his tongue. "No wonder Mother was willing to let you and me go together... But Elder Brother, you've always been arrogant, aren't you afraid of tarnishing the prestige of the Five-Colored Divine Light by willingly submitting to others?"
Kong Xuan sneered, "Daoist Friend Jiang Yun was able to fight me to a draw when he was at the Great Luo Realm, and even had the upper hand. Now he has already entered the Quasi-Saint Realm, and the Two Religious Leaders of the Western Teachings, Daoist Jieyin Daoist Zhunti, are even more unfathomable."
"Such a person is worthy of my Kong Xuan!" He paused, his tone unusually gentle, "As for you... if you truly do not wish to go, I will plead with my mother on your behalf."
Winged Immortal tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of wine, grinning, "Who says I don't want to? With the Star Gate, I can travel the Primordial World and escape the elders' nagging. How could I miss such a good thing!"
"If you come with me, you must restrain your temper and not be as unruly and undisciplined as you were in the tribe before. Otherwise, if you cause trouble, no one will be there to bail you out."
After hearing this, Winged Immortal didn't respond, but just drank a few more mouthfuls of wine.