The Phoenix Clan Seeks Refuge, Lu Chen Wakes Up Confused Again

When the Guixu party returned, Dragon-Suppressing Pass erupted in excitement.

The moment the aura of the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl approached Guixu's outskirts, the entire Dragon-Suppressing Pass seemed to have been washed in a layer of dim blue waterlight.

The Blackwater baleful aura left behind by the great battle was slowly suppressed by that gentle power.

The formation patterns along the walls lit up one after another.

The Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment also trembled lightly, as though it had sensed power from the same source.

Lan Shuang walked at the front, holding the Book of Cause and Effect.

Lady Mingzhu held the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl in both hands, her expression cautious.

Ao Lie had yet to fully recover from his injuries. Several parts of his Dragon armor were shattered, and blood still stained the corner of his mouth.

Han Jue led the Realm Guard elites at the rear.

Although they had not suffered too many losses on this journey, everyone had expended considerable mana.

Ao Lie in particular.

He had blocked Ao Yin's sneak attack, then faced the Blackwater Dragon Palace's Second Elder head-on. His injuries were the most severe.

Yet there was not the slightest trace of dejection in his eyes.

Instead, he was even steadier than when he had left Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

Han Jue looked at him and clicked his tongue.

"You're looking somewhat decent this time."

Ao Lie replied flatly, "You didn't get in the way either."

Han Jue raised a brow.

"Was that a compliment?"

"It means you can barely understand human speech."

Han Jue gave a cold laugh.

"Once you recover, see you at the Martial Practice Arena."

Ao Lie did not even look at him.

"As if I'm afraid of you."

The two started bickering again.

Ancestor Xuan Jia walked behind them and slowly shook his head.

"Young people really have plenty of energy."

Lan Shuang ignored them.

Her attention was entirely on the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl and the Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl.

Both items had to be presented to the Emperor for a decision.

Especially the Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl.

That beast remnant soul knew of the Emperor's past and had even once had its body shattered by a single turn of the Emperor's body.

This matter absolutely could not be spread carelessly.

As soon as she returned to Dragon-Suppressing Pass, she immediately gave an order.

"Matters concerning the Northern Dark Water Palace are to be entered into the Bureau of Cause and Effect's secret archives."

"All accompanying personnel are forbidden from privately discussing the Sea Swallower Remnant Soul and the Emperor's past."

The Realm Guard elites answered in unison.

They all understood the gravity of the matter.

Anything involving the Emperor's secrets was not something to be casually discussed.

The news swiftly reached the depths of Guixu.

Lu Chen had just awakened from the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method when he saw the results of the expedition presented by Lan Shuang.

The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl.

The Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl.

The Frost Phoenix Lineage's intention to seek refuge.

Ao Lie driving back Ao Yin.

And the Sea Swallower Remnant Soul's statement: "That old turtle shattered my body with one turn."

After reading it all, Lu Chen fell completely silent.

A turn of his body had shattered Sea Devourer's physical body?

Had that happened?

He tried hard to search through the remaining memories of the Black Tortoise True Body.

The result was only a few blurry scenes.

Endless Blackwater.

Long slumber.

Occasionally, strange things would approach Guixu, only to be sent flying by the Black Tortoise's instinctive aura.

As for who Sea Devourer was, Lu Chen truly had no impression.

Perhaps, to the original Black Tortoise, a beast like Sea Devourer had merely been some little bug that bumped into it while it slept.

After driving it away, it had forgotten all about it.

But in the eyes of the outside world, the nature of this matter was entirely different.

Sea Devourer's remnant soul from the Beast Tribulation had personally admitted that the Black Tortoise had shattered its body with a turn.

That was one hell of a reputation.

So immense that even Lu Chen felt a little guilty.

"This won't get out, will it?"

Lan Shuang immediately replied.

"Rest assured, Emperor. This matter has been entered into the Bureau of Cause and Effect's secret archives."

"All accompanying personnel have sworn oaths and will not spread it."

Lu Chen relaxed slightly.

"Well done."

Lan Shuang's heart trembled.

The Emperor's praise finally eased some of the tension she had been carrying.

"The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl was obtained entirely due to the Emperor's decree."

Lu Chen was somewhat speechless.

What did this have to do with him?

He had spent the entire time sleeping in Guixu.

Still, thinking about it carefully, he really had been the one to send them.

Fine.

It was enough that they had returned safely.

Lu Chen's divine sense settled upon the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl.

The pearl was entirely dim blue, with watery veins flowing within it like a miniature Northern Sea.

Its aura was gentle and weighty. It lacked overwhelming killing power, yet it could suppress water fortune and stabilize sea veins.

It was extremely suitable for the Guixu Inner Realm.

The more Lu Chen looked at it, the more satisfied he became.

If this item were fused into the Guixu Womb Membrane, the inner realm would certainly expand once more.

As for the Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl.

Lu Chen gave it a glance.

Within the soul pearl, a faint eye slowly opened.

The Sea Swallower Remnant Soul seemed to sense Lu Chen's divine sense, and the entire soul pearl trembled lightly.

Then, that remnant soul actually took the initiative to withdraw all of its Baleful Fiendish Aura.

"Old turtle?"

Lu Chen's eyelid twitched.

That form of address sounded like it was begging for a beating.

Lan Shuang and the others' expressions changed as well.

Han Jue immediately gripped his spear tightly.

"Presumptuous!"

The Sea Swallower Remnant Soul was silent for a moment before changing its form of address.

"Emperor Mysterious Abyss."

Only then did Lu Chen reluctantly accept it.

"You want to see me?"

The Sea Swallower Remnant Soul's voice was somewhat weary.

"I have guarded the Northern Dark Water Palace for countless years and have long grown tired of it."

"Now, most of my karmic slaughter has dissipated, leaving only a wisp of remnant soul."

"If the Emperor is willing to take me in, I can guard Guixu's water veins."

"If the Emperor is unwilling, then cast me into the Ruins Sea Eye and let me live or die on my own."

Lu Chen pondered.

The Sea Swallower Remnant Soul's karmic slaughter was indeed heavy.

But it had already taken the initiative to disperse much of its baleful slaughter karma and was now only a soul pearl.

The Book of Cause and Effect also showed that its level of danger had greatly fallen.

More importantly, it understood the Northern Dark Water Palace and knew some secrets from the Beast Tribulation era.

Keeping it might prove useful.

The system's voice sounded at that moment.

"Detected: the Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl requests entry into Guixu. Please choose."

"Option one: accept the Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl and have it guard the Northern Darkness Sea. Reward: increased stability of Guixu's water veins."

"Option two: cast it into the Ruins Sea Eye and completely erase the remnant soul. Reward: one wisp of Baleful Fiendish Essence."

"Option three: hand it over to the Dragon Clan in exchange for the Dragon Clan's temporary goodwill. Reward: goodwill from the Blackwater Dragon Palace."

Lu Chen directly ignored the third option.

Dragon Clan goodwill was increasingly starting to look like a trap.

The second option was too ruthless.

Sea Devourer might be a beast remnant soul, but it had already voluntarily dispersed its karmic slaughter and even offered up the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl.

Erasing it outright felt somewhat dishonorable to Lu Chen.

The first option was suitable.

"Option one."

"Congratulations, host. Guixu's water vein stability has increased."

Lu Chen said, "You may remain in Guixu."

"But you must be bound by the Book of Cause and Effect."

"For now, guard the water veins and do not leave the Northern Darkness Sea without permission."

The Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl trembled.

"Agreed."

Lan Shuang immediately used the Book of Cause and Effect to place a black-and-white seal upon it, incorporating the Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl into Guixu's karmic system.

From that day onward, if Sea Devourer dared cause trouble, the Book of Cause and Effect would issue a warning at once.

Lu Chen's mood improved a little more.

Sea Devourer's matter was settled.

The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl was also in hand.

Next, he only needed to fuse the pearl into the Guixu Womb Membrane before he could continue cultivating in seclusion without worry.

But after hesitating for a moment, Lan Shuang spoke again. "Emperor, there is one more matter."

Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"Speak."

"Feng Li of the Frost Phoenix Lineage has already sent word to Dragon-Suppressing Pass."

"She is willing to lead the Frost Phoenix Lineage into Guixu Outer City and submit to the Book of Cause and Effect's inspection."

Lu Chen fell silent.

The Phoenix Clan was coming too.

He had not even fully dealt with the Dragon Clan's trouble, and now the Phoenix Clan had emerged.

He really wanted to refuse.

But if the Frost Phoenix Lineage truly came because of pressure from the Phoenix Clan's main branch, then fundamentally, they were no different from the Sea Spirit Clan and the Black Tortoise Turtle Clan.

Besides, the Book of Cause and Effect's screening came first.

Those with evil karma would be refused.

Those with clean karma would be accepted.

This process was already very mature.

Sure enough, the system's voice sounded again.

"Detected: the Frost Phoenix Lineage requests temporary refuge in Guixu. Please choose."

"Option one: shelter the Frost Phoenix Lineage. Reward: one wisp of Innate Frost Flame."

"Option two: refuse the Frost Phoenix Lineage and avoid Phoenix Clan karma. Reward: Fire-Repelling Pearl."

"Third: allow the Frost Phoenix Lineage to temporarily reside in the outer city and undergo review by the Book of Cause and Effect. Reward: improved Five Elements balance of the Guixu Womb Membrane."

Lu Chen's gaze settled on the third option.

Improved Five Elements balance of the Guixu Womb Membrane.

This would be very useful.

Guixu currently had an excess of water qi. With the Frost Phoenix Lineage joining them, along with Frostflame, the internal world's flow of qi could indeed become more balanced.

"Choose the third."

"Let them reside in the outer city first."

"They must undergo review by the Book of Cause and Effect."

"As long as they follow the rules, they may stay."

Lan Shuang respectfully replied, "This junior understands."

After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen added another sentence.

"Remember, Guixu will not take the initiative to participate in the internal conflict among the three clans."

"If the Frost Phoenix Lineage enters Guixu, it will only be to avoid calamity."

"Do not use Guixu's name to seek revenge outside."

Lan Shuang solemnly agreed.

"This junior will obey the Emperor's decree."

After leaving the depths of Guixu, she swiftly sent orders to Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

The Frost Phoenix Lineage could enter the outer city.

They would be examined by the Book of Cause and Effect.

When the news reached Feng Li, she remained silent for a long time.

A Frost Phoenix Clan member beside her softly asked, "Clan Sister, is Guixu willing to take us in?"

Feng Li nodded.

"They are."

That clansman's eyes reddened slightly.

The Frost Phoenix Lineage had endured tremendous pressure in recent years.

The Phoenix Clan's main branch kept recruiting its subordinate branches.

The war in the south was becoming increasingly fierce.

The Frost Phoenix Lineage possessed innate Frostflame, differing from the Phoenix Clan main branch's fire path. Their position within the clan had always been delicate.

If they remained within the Phoenix Clan's system, they would sooner or later be swept into the most brutal battlefield.

Guixu had become the only way out they could see.

Feng Li looked toward Guixu and softly said, "Send the order. Any clansmen willing to avoid calamity, follow me to Dragon-Suppressing Pass."

"After entering Guixu, obey Guixu's rules."

"Whoever still puts on airs as a Phoenix Clan member, I will personally drive out."

The Frost Phoenix Clan members answered in unison.

Not long after.

The Frost Phoenix Lineage arrived at Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

Their numbers were not large, only several thousand clansmen.

But the Frost Phoenix Bloodline was precious, and there were several Taiyi experts among them.

Feng Li personally underwent the examination of the Book of Cause and Effect.

The Book of Cause and Effect revealed the Frost Phoenix Lineage's past.

Although this clan came from the Phoenix Clan, because they cultivated Frostflame, they mostly lived in the Northern Cold Lands.

They rarely participated in slaughtering weaker clans.

They had even sheltered many small clans affected by the southern fire lineage.

The Book of Cause and Effect rendered its judgment.

"The Frost Phoenix Lineage may temporarily reside in the outer city."

"Feng Li has rendered meritorious service in protecting her clan and may enter the Guixu Guest Official Seat."

Seeing this result, Feng Li quietly let out a breath of relief.

She bowed toward the Northern Darkness Dao Palace.

"The Frost Phoenix Lineage thanks the Emperor for taking us in."

The various clans at Dragon-Suppressing Pass watched this scene, and their hearts were shaken once more.

A Phoenix Clan branch had come as well.

Guixu was no longer simply a place that sheltered the weak clans of the Northern Sea.

Even branches of the three great clans had begun to regard this place as a refuge from calamity.

Ao Lie stood at the outer gate, watching Feng Li enter the pass with a complicated expression.

Phoenix Li looked at him from afar and said calmly, "Crown Prince Ao Lie."

Ao Lie replied, "Fellow Daoist Feng Li."

Both came from the core branches of the three great clans, yet they now met at Guixu Dragon-Suppressing Pass.

The feeling was indescribably subtle.

Han Jue sighed from the side.

"The Dragon Clan's crown prince guards the gate, while the Phoenix Clan's Frost Phoenixes enter the city."

"If a Qilin Clan member comes next, Guixu will become lively indeed."

Ao Lie shot him a cold glance.

"Shut up."

Han Jue smiled.

"I think it will happen sooner or later."

Ao Lie did not refute him.

Because he suddenly felt that it really could happen.

Deep within Guixu.

Lu Chen sensed the Frost Phoenix Lineage entering the city and could not help sighing.

"The Dragon Clan has come."

"The Phoenix Clan has come too."

"Let's hope we do not truly attract the Qilin Clan as well."

The moment the words left his mouth, he suddenly fell silent.

In a place like the Primordial World, whatever one feared often came to pass.

He should probably say such things less often in the future.