Su Mu murmured, "Kong Xuan... Has Kong Xuan already been born?"
Kong Xuan could come to Shouyang Mountain because, after the Dragon Clan joined the Human Race, they gained the benefit of the Human Race's destiny.
The karmic burdens the Dragon Clan had incurred during the Dragon-Han Tribulation were slowly being washed away by the Human Race's destiny.
Although Candle Dragon's karma had not been cleansed, it no longer affected him. The Dragon Clan could also cultivate normally, without being affected by karma or rejected by the Primordial Heavenly Dao.
Kong Xuan was tempted. He felt this might be an opportunity—one that could let the Phoenix Race escape its predicament.
If they could obtain the Human Race's destiny, they might be able to wash away their karma and restore the Phoenix Race to its former peak.
For the Phoenix Race across the entire Undying Volcano, this news caused an even greater sensation.
They had always borne a heavy burden of karma and been unable to soar freely between heaven and earth.
Now that they had heard there was a way to solve this problem, they were naturally thrilled.
"The Human Race has such miraculous power? Could they help our Phoenix Race, too?" one phoenix exclaimed in surprise.
"That's right! If we could truly obtain the Human Race's destiny, it would be a tremendous blessing for our Phoenix Race!" another phoenix chimed in.
"It seems we should give serious thought to our relationship with the Human Race..."
Every phoenix in the Phoenix Race thought to themselves, The Human Race is a lucky star for the Phoenix Race.
They began to reconsider their relationship with the Human Race, thinking about how to obtain its destiny and use it to change their own fate.
However, obtaining the Human Race's destiny would not be easy. After all, the Human Race was also a powerful race and would not readily hand over its destiny.
Besides, other forces were eyeing the Human Race's destiny, too. The Phoenix Race would have to find a suitable way.
But Kong Xuan had already decided not to let this opportunity slip by. He would do everything in his power to win the Human Race's destiny.
He had to wash away his karma and restore the Phoenix Race to its former glory.
That was why he had thought of Golden Phoenix. She was by Sister Nuwa's side and would surely be able to speak on their behalf, so he had summoned her back to the Phoenix Race.
Kong Xuan directly told Golden Phoenix what he intended to do. She thought it over for a long while.
At last, she said, "It's feasible for the Phoenix Race to join the Human Race. But if you join the Human Sect, you can also gain its destiny, and your cultivation will advance once more."
"The Human Sect?" Kong Xuan asked Golden Phoenix. "Doesn't the Human Sect only accept members of the Human Race?"
Golden Phoenix smiled. "Of course, only humans can become disciples. You can simply join without becoming a disciple."
"Not as a disciple... Do you mean as a Guardian Beast of the Teaching?" Kong Xuan asked hesitantly.
"That's right, Clan Leader Kong Xuan. Are you willing?" Golden Phoenix asked solemnly.
"Of course." Kong Xuan followed Golden Phoenix to Shouyang Mountain, where they found Nuwa.
Kong Xuan stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother Su Mu."
"Why are you calling me Senior Disciple Brother?" Su Mu asked in confusion.
Nuwa explained, "I've accepted Kong Xuan as a Guardian Beast of the Teaching."
A Guardian Beast of the Teaching? Shouldn't there be two? Kong Xuan's younger brother, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird, is also exceptionally talented. He was born with the Yin Yang Two Energies. It's a pity he went down the wrong path.
"Junior Brother Kong Xuan, from now on, we'll protect and develop the Human Sect together," Su Mu said.
Kong Xuan replied, "All right, Senior Disciple Brother. We'll protect and develop the Human Sect together."
Nuwa thought, The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird. The Yin Yang Two Energies.
Nuwa spoke up. "Kong Xuan, do you have a younger brother?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I do have a younger brother, but he has a bad temperament. After we argued a little, he ran off somewhere," Kong Xuan replied.
After making a deduction, Nuwa said to Kong Xuan, "The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird is in the West Sea Region, preparing to sneak off and catch some dragons to eat."
"Go bring him here. Let him become a Guardian Beast of the Teaching, too."
Kong Xuan's eyes lit up when he heard Nuwa. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll go bring Brother Peng here at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll go find the Golden-Winged Great Peng right away." After speaking, Kong Xuan bowed to Nuwa and Su Mu, then left Shouyang Palace.
"Teacher, I'll go arrange for the Phoenix Race to join the Human Race," Su Mu said.
"All right, go ahead," Nuwa replied with a nod.
At the Human Ancestral Land, Su Mu arrived with the surviving kings of the six main Phoenix Races and the kings of two Phoenix Race branches.
Kong Xuan was Yuanfeng's son and was now the Phoenix Race's clan leader, so the Peacock Race had also become one of the Phoenix Race's main branches.
Since Kong Xuan had not arrived, there were only eight kings present.
Golden Phoenix was the king of the Golden Phoenix Race. The others were the White Phoenix Race King, Ice Phoenix Race King, Colorful Phoenix Race King, Divine Phoenix Race King, Green Luan Race King, and Bi Li Race King.
Since Yuan Feng Clan Leader had belonged to the Fire Phoenix Race, and the Fire Phoenix Race had followed their clan leader to their deaths during the Dragon-Han Tribulation, the Nirvana Phoenix Race had become one of the new main branches.
Holding the Kongtong Seal, Su Mu spoke: "I, Su Mu, Human Martial Ancestor of the Human Race, hereby appoint the Phoenix Race as guardian divine beasts of the Human Race. Let heaven and earth bear witness!"
When Su Mu finished speaking, merit descended from the heavens upon the Phoenix Race.
Some entered the eight main-branch kings' bodies, some went to the Phoenix Race at the Southern Undying Volcano, and a wisp of merit flew toward Kong Xuan.
The ordinary members of the Phoenix Race received merit, and the karma on their bodies was instantly washed away.
The eight Phoenix Race kings also had some of their karma cleansed by the merit.
Since the king of the Nirvana Race had been newly chosen and had not participated in the war among the three races, his karma was cleansed as well. As for the other seven kings, Golden Phoenix had stayed by Nuwa's side for years and had already shed her karma.
Some karma still remained on the White Phoenix Race King, Ice Phoenix Race King, Colorful Phoenix Race King, Divine Phoenix Race King, Green Luan Race King, and Bi Li Race King.
But as they continued to be bathed in the Human Race's destiny over time, all their karma would eventually disappear.
All the phoenixes cheered and flew straight out of the Undying Volcano, circling and soaring through the Primordial World's skies. After enduring this for countless eras, they could finally fly freely again.
They were grateful to the Human Race, and just as grateful to Kong Xuan. As the Phoenix Race's clan leader, his decision had been crucial.
Meanwhile, Kong Xuan, who was searching for the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird in the West Sea, felt merit enter his body. The karma on him also disappeared.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird, who had been enjoying a delicious meal, froze. "Why does my body suddenly feel so comfortable? My magic power is flowing so smoothly, too."
"Wait, my karma is gone!" The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was astonished. Karma doesn't disappear for no reason. Could something have happened to the Phoenix Race?
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was weak, only at the Mystic Immortal realm. He just wanted to loaf around and had no desire to cultivate, but he still cared about the Phoenix Race—especially his elder brother, Kong Xuan.
He stopped snacking and prepared to return to the Phoenix Race to take a look. The moment he turned around, he saw Kong Xuan.
"Elder Brother, shouldn't you be overseeing the Phoenix Race? What are you doing here?" the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird asked, staring at Kong Xuan in confusion.
"Dapeng, you've felt the karma in your body disappear, haven't you? That's because I had the entire Phoenix Race join the Human Race. The Human Race's destiny washed away our karma."
"Empress Nuwa specifically told me to find you and bring you to Shouyang Mountain. Come with me," Kong Xuan said to the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird.
"What? Empress Nuwa wants to see me? Is it because I ate dragons in the West Sea?" the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird asked Kong Xuan anxiously.
Kong Xuan smiled. "Don't be afraid. This is an opportunity for us."
"An opportunity?" The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird grew excited at those words. "Elder Brother, what kind of opportunity?"
"Empress Nuwa wants us to serve as the Human Sect's Guardian Beasts of the Teaching," Kong Xuan said.
"Does that mean we can join the Human Sect?" the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird asked, beaming with delight.
"Not only the Human Sect—we've joined the Human Race, too." Kong Xuan dropped another bombshell.
"Really? That's wonderful! Will we get the Human Race's destiny just like the Dragon Clan?"
"That's right. In fact, we've already obtained the Human Race's destiny. You should have felt it by now. Your karma must have disappeared."
"That's right, Elder Brother. The karma in my body is gone. Let's hurry and see Empress Nuwa," the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird said eagerly.
"Good." Kong Xuan set off with the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird for Shouyang Mountain in the Eastern Wilderness.
At the Human Ancestral Land, eight phoenix phantoms flew out from the eight main-branch kings and entered the Kongtong Seal.
A peacock phantom flew out from Kong Xuan, who was on his way to Shouyang Mountain, and entered the Kongtong Seal, joining the other eight phoenix imprints upon it.
In an instant, nine golden dragon phantoms flew out of the Kongtong Seal. They shone with golden light, each one lifelike, as though they were real.
At the same time, the nine phoenixes from before flew out of the Kongtong Seal. They were beautiful and mysterious, and each sweep of their wings brought endless auspicious energy.
The golden dragons and phoenixes circled and danced above the Human Ancestral Land, creating a magnificent sight.
Their appearance left the people of the Human Race utterly awestruck, filling their hearts with hope and confidence for the future.
At that moment, they felt a powerful force that seemed capable of protecting the Human Race, so they would no longer be alone on the road ahead.
Dragon Flying Phoenix Dancing caused the Human Race's destiny to soar several times over, almost liquefying it.
This sight also alarmed the Five Sages and the Primordial Great Powers. They all turned their attention to the nine pairs of dragons and phoenixes in the sky.
"Dragon Phoenix Auspiciousness!" someone exclaimed. The words stirred a response among the many Great Powers, who were all captivated by the magnificent sight.
Dragon Phoenix Auspiciousness symbolized good fortune, happiness, and fulfillment.
At that moment, the myriad beings of the Primordial World forgot their troubles and worries, their hearts filled with anticipation for a brighter future.
They believed Dragon Phoenix Auspiciousness would bring good luck and blessings to the Primordial World.
At Shouyang Mountain, Nuwa sat in the chief seat of Shouyang Palace, feeling the dense Human Race's destiny surrounding her.
She slowly raised her head. Her gaze passed through endless space and settled upon the distant and mysterious Purple Firmament Palace.
A complex emotion showed in her eyes, as though she were remembering something.
She murmured, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun, did you ever imagine the Human Race would possess such abundant destiny? The Human Dao is reviving at an ever-faster pace. Are you feeling uneasy and afraid? Hahaha..."
As her words fell, a hearty laugh rang through Shouyang Palace.
The laughter brimmed with confidence and boldness, as though the future were full of promise and hope.
One could almost feel the joy and satisfaction deep within her.
She firmly believed that the revival of the Human Dao would bring great changes, and that she, too, would play an important role in them.
The laughter slowly faded, but left behind a steadfast conviction and resolve.
She knew the road ahead might not be smooth, but she was ready to face every challenge and opportunity.
Before you continue