Seeing Huang Jiuli's mischievous expression, Qin Yan could not help but feel a sense of familiarity.
This was what Huang Jiuli had been like when he had first met her.
Lively, confident, and a little silly.
Back then, she had been full of high spirits in East Academy, a blazing flame wherever she went.
However, after his strength had soared by leaps and bounds and the gap between them had grown ever wider, the failure in the Emperor Fall Valley tournament had dealt her another heavy blow.
This proud little phoenix had gradually become much quieter, with an unshakable gloom always lingering between her brows.
But things were better now. After absorbing the ancient inheritance within that phoenix feather, the little phoenix seemed to have regained her confidence.
That familiar, unyielding light had returned to her phoenix eyes.
What Qin Yan did not know was that the pressure Huang Jiuli had endured during this time was far heavier than it appeared.
She had left home alone, traveled all the way to the Mystic Sanctuary with an obsession to prove herself, and at first had not even managed to pass the Heavenly Stairway before barely clearing it later.
Compared to the other gifted women of East Academy, she had never held an advantage in strength, while the positions of Holy Son and Holy Maiden had seemed even further beyond reach.
One matter after another had piled up, pressing down on this proud little phoenix like layers of invisible shackles, gradually leaving her somewhat depressed.
Now, she had finally found an opportunity meant for her within the underground sea of fire beneath Red Phoenix Valley. Both her state of mind and strength had undergone a transformation.
"I never knew I had such a huge influence on all of you."
Qin Yan withdrew