Inquiring About Origins

After realizing that the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix could not pose a true threat to him, Haotian began to entertain the idea of using this battle to temper himself.

There were two reasons for this.

First, he could take this opportunity to deepen his mastery and familiarity with the three spiritual treasures: the Ten Thousand Crows Pot, the Three Talents Jade Cups, and the Pure Glazed Bottle.

Second, it could greatly temper his own Imperial Great Dao, allowing him to comprehend in actual combat the principles of "commanding all laws, harmonizing yin and yang, and wielding external things."

After all, though the Primordial Wilderness was vast, it was truly rare to encounter an opponent of the same realm who was evenly matched, could exert enough pressure on him, yet could not truly endanger him due to the spiritual treasures and favorable terrain.

Haotian knew that his battle experience was still lacking. All the more reason for him to seize such a splendid opportunity to hone his skills in Dao battles and his wit in adapting to changing circumstances through real combat.

Seeing the despair in the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix's eyes grow ever deeper, Haotian suddenly spoke. "Vile beast... considering that your cultivation has not come easily... This Seat can show mercy and grant you a way to live."

He paused, his Gaze Like Lightning fixed directly upon her. "If you are willing to lower your head, admit your mistake, acknowledge me as your master, and become my mount, This Seat will not only spare your life, but may even grant you a future."

After several centuries of "tempering," Haotian's fury over the occupation of his Cave Mansion had long since subsided.

After calming down, he realized that although this evil bird acted tyrannically, her roots and bloodline were indeed extraordinary, and her strength was likewise among the best within her realm.

And if he wished to become the Heavenly Emperor with true authority over the Three Realms and Six Paths in the future, he would need to recruit outstanding figures from every direction and cultivate his own wings and feathers.

Thus, rather than kill the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix, it would be better to find a way to subdue her and put her to his own use.

At his words, the dim nine-colored divine radiance around the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix rippled faintly with indignation. "Villain!"

"Wishful thinking!"

"I am a dignified Phoenix—how could I stoop to become your mount?"

"Stop dreaming!"

Haotian did not grow angry at this. He merely smiled faintly, then said no more, continuing to maintain the formation and flames while immersing his mind in comprehending and deducing the finer details of battle.

And so, several more decades slipped away...

Haotian felt his mana finally run dry. A faint pain throbbed through his meridians, while waves of exhaustion came from his Primordial Spirit.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix within the formation, now nothing but a charred mass with an aura as weak as a dying candle in the wind. He calmly asked, "Vile beast, at this point, are you willing to surrender?"

The Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix's voice was nearly inaudible, yet she remained stubborn. "I... I would rather die... than surrender..."

Haotian did not try to persuade her again. He merely silently brought the Ginseng Fruit in his hand to his mouth.

The fruit flesh melted as soon as it entered his mouth. Vast, gentle innate Yi Wood essence and creation Spiritual Aura instantly surged into his parched limbs, bones, and Purple Palace Primordial Spirit.

The pallor on Haotian's face swiftly returned to a healthy flush, and his depleted mana surged back to life.

These centuries of high-intensity tempering and control had made his command of the Great Dao increasingly subtle and exquisite.

By consuming the Ginseng Fruit this time, not only had his mana recovered, but his cultivation had also advanced markedly.

Though he had not yet broken through to Golden Immortal Late-stage, he was no longer far from it, and his Dao Foundation had become all the more solid.

Feeling that Haotian had not only fully recovered, but that his aura was even stronger than before, the last glimmer of light in the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix's eyes utterly faded.

Time Flies, and another hundred-odd years passed...

Haotian felt that the benefits he could draw from this "tempering," which had lasted nearly a thousand years, had nearly reached their limit.

He spoke once more. "I will ask you one last time. Will you submit?"

The Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix within the formation had nearly lost even the strength to transmit her voice. Only a faint yet still unyielding ripple of Divine Sense remained, clearly conveying her refusal.

Haotian hesitated no longer, and a fierce glint flashed through his eyes. "Stubbornly incorrigible—you deserve punishment!"

"Heaven, Earth, Man—the Three Talents, heed my decree."

"Seal! Suppress! Capture!"

The nine jade cups blazed with light.

The Dao patterns of "Heaven, Earth, Man" flowing across them detached from the cups, transforming into nine profound talisman seals containing the mysteries of the Three Talents. They intertwined into an invisible Dao net that descended upon the charred Heavenly Phoenix!

The Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix, already drained to her limit, no longer possessed even the slightest power to resist.

Her body rapidly shrank beneath the Dao net's cover, ultimately transforming into a miniature colorful phoenix no larger than a palm.

Haotian then waved his hand and put away the Ten Thousand Crows Pot, causing all the Samadhi True Fire to withdraw.

He then aimed the mouth of the Pure Glazed Bottle at the miniature Heavenly Phoenix, and a gentle suction force immediately drew her into the bottle.

Finally, Haotian placed several layers of seals within the bottle, ensuring that she could neither break free nor recover.

With the obstacle cleared away, Haotian could finally enter Mount Wuyi.

At this moment, an unfamiliar formation had appeared within Mount Wuyi.

A brief observation was enough for Haotian to know that it had been set up by that evil bird.

Like him, although the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix was quite ferocious in battle, her methods of setting formations were exceedingly crude.

Haotian did not use any spiritual treasure. Relying solely on the Great Dao, he broke the grand formation in less than half an hour.

He entered Mount Wuyi.

The scenery in the mountain had changed greatly compared to when he left.

The originally pure, natural wondrous realm of the spirit mountain now had many pavilions, towers, and palace residences built against the mountainside.

Though it could not compare to those grand immortal palaces and divine estates already famed throughout the Primordial Wilderness, it was still exquisite and unique, blending seamlessly with the mountains and waters.

More importantly, there were now quite a few Living Beings in the Mountain who had awakened Spiritual Intelligence, some of whom had even successfully undergone Form Transformation.

These Living Beings all took the form of women, their Auras pure. Most had been enlightened from flower and grass spirits, or from gentle Spiritual Beasts.

At this moment, perhaps because they had sensed their Master's Aura suddenly vanish, or perhaps because Haotian's newly laid formation had frightened them—

Every one of these women wore a look of alarm, huddling together and shivering.

Haotian had no mind to concern himself with them. He went straight to the valley where the Great Red Robe Mother Tree stood.

The Ancient Tree's branches and leaves were lush and verdant, spiritual light flowing over them. The newly sprouted tender leaves had already grown in thick abundance. Though they had yet to reach their ideal picking season, they brimmed with vitality and had clearly not been damaged.

At the sight, the last trace of worry in Haotian's heart faded away.

Mount Wuyi might be fine, but to him, apart from the Tea Leaves produced by this High-Grade Innate Spiritual Root, nothing else there was essential.

After all, his true foundation and place of cultivation lay in the Purple Firmament Palace, high above the chaos.

Estimating that the Tea Leaves would still need some time to fully ripen, Haotian turned and transformed into a streak of light, descending into the most magnificent, resplendent, and lavishly carved palace atop Mount Wuyi's Main Peak.

With a sweep of his Divine Sense, all the Living Beings in the Mountain who had undergone Form Transformation were swept up by a gentle yet irresistible force, gathering in the great hall in an instant.

The hall doors closed soundlessly, and the restrictions within glimmered faintly, sealing off the inside from the outside.

Upon the throne, Haotian sat upright, his bearing grave and composed. His tranquil gaze looked down upon the several hundred women below, each different in appearance yet all delicate and lovely, now silent as cicadas in winter.

"You need not be afraid." Haotian spoke, his voice gentle and carrying a trace of Dao resonance that soothed the heart.

"This Seat is not some bloodthirsty fiend, nor does This Seat intend to harm you."

"This Seat summoned you only to ask a few questions."

With that, his gaze fell upon a woman dressed in emerald-green robes. Though panic showed on her face, she still managed to retain a measure of calm. He asked, "Do you know what origins and foundation your Master has?"