Zhenyuanzi said nothing more, and with a thought, he saw a clear Mystic Light that exuded an aura of endless tranquility, calmness, and destruction of delusion, flew out of his sleeve, and floated in the void between the two of them.
Inside that Mystic Light, there is a section of bamboo with emerald green, six leaves and natural Daoist charm, which seems to be able to isolate all disturbances and suppress all inner demons - it is the Innate Bitter Bamboo!
"This is Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root--Bitter Bamboo." Zhenyuanzi introduced, the voice clearly reaching Yuanfeng's ears.
"Its effect is not to attack and defend, but to suppress luck, calm the mind, and eliminate illusions. It can also help practitioners resist external demons and stabilize the Daoist foundation.
Especially for a prosperous race with a large number of clan members, this spiritual root sits at the core and can ensure the purity of the clan Spiritual Platform, reduce internal friction and the risk of going crazy, subtly purify the bloodline, and enhance the overall potential and cohesion."
He looked directly at Yuanfeng's pair of Phoenix Eyes that were full of surprise and uncertainty, and slowly said the most important words:
"Yuanfeng, fellow Daoist, although Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner is strong, to Phoenix Race, it is more of a powerful treasure to suppress luck and a weapon against the enemy.
But what does Phoenix Race's future long-term development and bloodline continuation lie in? It lies in the potential of the tribe, in the growth of future generations, and in the stability and harmony of the order within the tribe."
"Bitter Bamboo may not be as good as Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner in terms of killing, but its role in nourishing and stabilizing the foundation of the race, especially in resisting inner demons and tempering the Daoist heart, has long-term value. Tao believes that for Phoenix Race, who is determined to rule Primordial Wilderness and continue for eternity, I am afraid... it is more important and more suitable than a simple killing and defense treasure."
Zhenyuanzi's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Yuanfeng's heart word by word.
She stared intently at the suspended Bitter Bamboo, and her spiritual mind had already sensed the majestic vitality contained in it and the unique supreme Daoist charm that soothed Primordial Spirit and purged the inner demons.
As the emperor of Phoenix Race, how could she not understand the deep meaning of Zhenyuanzi's words?
Phoenix Race seems to be prosperous now, but it is not monolithic inside, with many branches and entangled interests. Moreover, practicing Fire Element Great Dao is easy to breed Inner Fire and cause Inner Demon. If Bitter Bamboo is in charge, the benefits to the entire ethnic group will be incalculable in the long run!
On one side is Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner, which is powerful, but is more used for external conquests and symbolic significance; on the other side is Bitter Bamboo, which can fundamentally enhance the potential of the ethnic group, stabilize its foundation, and reduce internal friction...
Yuanfeng is caught in an unprecedented struggle and trade-off.
In the main hall, silence fell again. Only the quiet radiance of Bitter Bamboo was in sharp contrast with the fierce flickering flames in Yuanfeng's eyes. The balance of this transaction related to Phoenix Race's future heritage was quietly tilting.
In the main hall, time seemed to have stagnated. Yuanfeng's eyes seemed to be nailed to the brightly flowing Bitter Bamboo. Deep in his heart, a storm far more intense than the one discussed just now was rising.
Zhenyuanzi's words accurately touched upon her core worries and desires as a member of the Emperor family.
Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner, one of Innate Five Directions Banners, is the treasure that has accompanied Phoenix Race since its birth.
It is extremely powerful. When deployed, Confuse Yin Yang, Invert Five Elements can ward off all evil and Invulnerable to All Magic. It can also command all fires and increase Phoenix Race supernatural powers. It is an important part of Immortal Volcano Defense System, and it is also a symbol of Phoenix Race conquering all directions and demonstrating force.
Losing it will undoubtedly weaken Phoenix Race's real-time combat power and part of its defense capabilities, and may even affect some ancient restrictions that rely on the power of Precious Banner.
However, as Zhenyuanzi said, it is more of an "external" weapon.
And what about the inside of Phoenix Race? Yuanfeng knows it better than anyone else.
The ethnic group is huge and has many branches, Vermilion Bird, Azure Luan, Phoenix Chick, 𬸚𬸦, Swan Goose... Although the major branches respect her as the emperor, they are not without discord and competition among each other.
Although practicing Fire Element Great Dao is powerful, it can also easily lead to violent temperament, Inner Fire will become blazing and breed Inner Demon.
In history, it is not that there were no tribesmen with outstanding talents who fell and rebelled due to inner demons or internal battles. This is a hidden worry that plagues the long-term development of Phoenix Race.
The spiritual thoughts of Bitter Bamboo...Yuanfeng carefully sense the peaceful, calming, and delusional Daoist charm.
She could "hear" the subtle soul-cleansing sound that the bamboo leaves made when there was no wind;
You can "see" the majestic vitality contained in the emerald green bamboo body, which is enough to calm the restlessness of Primordial Spirit. If this thing is planted in the core of Immortal Volcano, it will subtly influence the peaceful Daoist charm that it exudes all the time. Over time, the mentality of the people of the tribe will inevitably be more peaceful and stable, the internal friction will be reduced, and the risk of going crazy will be greatly reduced!
The value of this in improving the cohesion of the entire ethnic group, purifying the bloodline potential, and ensuring the smooth growth of future generations is indeed difficult to measure with an attack spirit treasure!
"To rule Primordial Wilderness and last for eternity..." Zhenyuanzi's last words echoed in her heart like a great bell.
Is Phoenix Race's goal just to rely on strong force to dominate for a while? No, her Yuanfeng ambition is to make Phoenix Race the truly eternal protagonist of this Primordial World!
To achieve this goal, the internal stability of the ethnic group, potential exploration, and orderly inheritance are far more important than the power of one or two top-level spiritual treasures!
One is a sharp blade that strengthens the minions, and the other is a source that strengthens the foundation and nourishes the blood.
How to choose?
Countless images flashed through Yuanfeng's mind: the regret when the genius in the clan died due to inner demons; the annoyance when the friction between branches for resources; the desire to improve the overall strength of the clan in the face of the increasingly powerful pressure from the Dragon Clan and Kirin Race...
What Bitter Bamboo brings is a solid foundation and infinite possibilities for the future. What Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner represents is the power and deterrence of the present.
But... if the current strength is not stable, how long can it last?
Although the shadow of Dragon-Han Tribulation has not yet completely enveloped him, as Emperor, Yuanfeng has a vague premonition that Primordial Wilderness in the future will never be peaceful forever.
Only a Phoenix Race that is more united internally, has a more stable mentality, and has its potential better developed can survive better in the storm that may come!
Time passed little by little, and Zhenyuanzi waited patiently without any urging. He knew that this decision was very important to Yuanfeng and needed time to weigh it.
Finally, the fiercely flickering flames in Yuanfeng's eyes slowly subsided, replaced by a deep, decisive calm. When she raised her eyes and looked at Zhenyuanzi again, her eyes were different.
"Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi," Yuanfeng's voice regained its clearness, but with a hint of imperceptible solemnity, "What you said is indeed to the point. Although Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner is good, in the long run Phoenix Race, Bitter Bamboo may be more valuable."
She paused, as if she had made up her final determination, and turned her hand. In an instant, the temperature of the entire hall suddenly soared, and a hot and majestic aura filled the air.
Only a small flag about one foot and seven inches appeared in her palm. The flag was red in color and surrounded by endless shadows of flames. The flag was covered with dense lines, as if it contained the secret of all the laws of fire in the world. Myriad Rays of Rosy Clouds, Thousands of Auspicious Colors, it was Southern Ground-Leaving Flame Light Banner, one of the Innate Five Directions Banners!
"This is Southern Ground-Leaving Flame Light Banner." Yuanfeng held Precious Banner in his palm, glanced at this precious treasure that had been with Phoenix Race for countless years, and then looked resolutely at Zhenyuanzi, "Today, I will use this flag to exchange Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root--Bitter Bamboo in the hands of fellow Daoist!"
As she finished speaking, she exerted a little force in her palms, and the red Precious Banner turned into a streak of light and slowly flew towards Zhenyuanzi. At the same time, Bitter Bamboo suspended in the air also flashed with light and flew towards Yuanfeng.
Zhenyuanzi stretched out his hand to take the flying Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner. As soon as he took it, he felt a pure and vast power of Fire Element Origin that vaguely resonated with the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner in his body.
He was certain in his heart that one of the most important goals of this trip had finally been achieved! He carefully sensed it and confirmed that Precious Banner was intact and full of origin, and then he put it into the depths of Primordial Spirit to warm it up.
On the other side, Yuanfeng also caught the section of Bitter Bamboo. The emerald green bamboo body began to feel warm, and the quiet and soothing Daoist rhyme instantly soothed her slightly turbulent mood due to making a major decision.
She could clearly feel the majestic vitality contained in this spiritual root and its subtle nourishing power for Primordial Spirit and her blood. She couldn't help but show a trace of satisfaction on her face. With this thing here, Phoenix Race has a promising future!
"The deal is done." Zhenyuanzi handed over his hand and said in a sincere tone, "Thank you, fellow Daoist Yuanfeng, for making it happen."
Yuanfeng carefully put away Bitter Bamboo and returned the gift. "Everyone takes what he needs. Fellow Daoist exchange Bitter Bamboo for it, which is also a blessing for me, Phoenix Race."
At this point, this transaction involving two top-grade Innate Spiritual Objects was successfully completed under the witness of two Primordial Origin Golden Immortals.
Zhenyuanzi got the coveted Southern Ground-Leaving Flame Light Banner, which is one step closer to the goal of gathering Innate Five Directions Banners; and Yuanfeng introduced a vital source for the eternal foundation of Phoenix Race.