Xuan's Advice

Heatwaves rolled out of Immortal Volcano's crater one after another, surging up from deep underground and baking the air until it warped.

Magma churned several hundred zhang below, bubbling and gurgling. Every so often, a spark burst open, its splashing light reflecting off the crater walls and making the black rock flicker between light and dark.

Kong Xuan stared at the roiling sea of crimson below, his mind in utter chaos.

Elder Li Zhu's words before she dissipated echoed repeatedly in his ears.

"The Phoenix race is in your hands now."

"Immortal Volcano is both our root and our debt."

"If you can't hold it down—"

What if he couldn't hold it down?

He did not dare think further.

Footsteps sounded behind him, but Kong Xuan did not turn around.

He knew who it was just from the sound.

The footsteps stopped beside him. Xuan sat down at his side with natural ease, as though this was not a volcano crater that could erupt at any moment, but the stone steps outside the Scripture Hall.

His blue-white Daoist robe clung to his body in the wind, outlining his lean frame.

Kong Xuan glanced sideways at him. He was still the same as ever.

"I knew you'd try to shoulder this alone."

The corner of Kong Xuan's mouth twitched, but the hint of a smile faded before it could form.

"How did you know?"

"I'm your Chief Officer. How could I not know what you're thinking?"

Xuan turned to look at him. Kong Xuan fell silent.

He was now an Inner Sect disciple of Farm Teachings, while still serving as a Deacon of the Scripture Hall.

As Kong Xuan's direct martial brother, Xuan knew his movements and condition better than anyone.

Kong Xuan was in an awful state right now, yet