Wasn't the Phoenix Clan made up entirely of Fire Phoenixes? Where had an Ice Phoenix suddenly come from?
That was Ji Yuan's first question.
His second was why this Ice Phoenix was still inside the Phoenix Nest. Shouldn't this be the place that most needed the warmth of fire? With an Ice Phoenix here, how were those Phoenix Eggs supposed to hatch?
Despite his doubts, he followed Feng Xian's lead and bowed to the Ice Phoenix.
"Junior Feng Jiuxiao greets Senior Xue."
Senior Xue... Bing Xue? Or Feng Xue?
"Oh? So you're the clan member who recently returned?" The blue-haired woman lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze settling on Ji Yuan.
"That's right."
Ji Yuan dared not look up. He had suddenly remembered what she had asked when she first appeared: what was he thinking? A cultivator entrusted with guarding the Phoenix Nest had to be at least in the Body Integration Realm, didn't she?
And cultivators of that realm followed all manner of Daos, with abilities stranger still.
For all he knew, she possessed something like Mind-Reading. Ji Yuan kept his mind perfectly clear, not daring to entertain the slightest stray thought. He was also grateful he had visited the Qilin Clan and braved Hidden Mist Mountain, raising his state of mind to the Clarity Realm.
Otherwise, he could never have remained this calm.
"By the elder's orders, I brought Brother Jiuxiao here to receive the clan's inheritance," Feng Xian hastily added.
"I know."
The blue-haired woman did not even glance at him. She stared straight at Ji Yuan and said, "Raise your head."
Ji Yuan had no choice but to steel himself and look up.
The instant their eyes met, he felt as though she had seen straight through his mind. Or perhaps it was more like having