"Fellow Daoist Lin Yu, I understand the reasons you have given, but... but considering that Lord Phoenix has never left my sight all these years... yet now she has to live in such a complicated environment as the Netherworld Immortal Realm..."
"I... I'm really worried!"
The high priest in black robes sighed deeply and finally revealed the most important reason.
Although Feng Nianzhi is the Phoenix Lord, she is still young. While her strength is considerable, she is not the strongest in the clan.
The thing the black-robed high priest cared about most was that Feng Nianzhi would be leaving the ancient phoenix clan for a long time, and he was reluctant to part with Feng Nianzhi.
After the black-robed high priest uttered these words, he suddenly felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.
Indeed, the reason the high priest in black robes wanted to keep Lord Phoenix was more because of his own private message.
It was because she lacked confidence in supporting the ancient phoenix clan on her own that she always wanted to stay by the Phoenix Lord's side.
Upon hearing what the black-robed high priest said, Lin Yu suddenly smiled.
The fact that the high priest in black robes was able to realize this meant that he had discovered the crux of the problem.
Just now, Lin Yu also realized that, compared to her concern for the entire ancient phoenix clan, Feng Nianzhi was more worried about the black-robed high priest.
"I believe you have already made your decision. If that's the case, why continue to ask me?" Lin Yu looked at the black-robed high priest.
The black-robed high priest still looked conflicted. "You can't say that. Even if I grit my teeth and persevere, the Netherworld Immortal Realm is vastly different from the Phoenix Ancestral Sea. If the Phoenix Lord is left here alone, I don't know if she will face life-or-death danger."
Lin Yu did not continue speaking upon hearing this. He knew that the black-robed high priest had probably already considered all the pros and cons clearly, and was simply unwilling to make a decision.
However, this was ultimately a matter for the ancient Phoenix clan, and even he didn't want to get involved.
After all, this is the Dao Qi Era, not the Three Thousand Immortal Realms Era.
If Lin Yu were to excessively interfere and influence this era, it would inevitably have some special impact on the Three Thousand Immortal Realms era. Therefore, he ultimately chose to remain silent.
The high priest in black robes had already begun to sigh to himself.
Even without Lin Yu saying it, he could understand what Lin Yu meant.
But how could she feel at ease entrusting the Phoenix Lord to a complete stranger?
However, the black-robed high priest was unwilling to let Feng Nianzhi bear the Soul-Locking Seal for the rest of her life.
On one hand, it limits Feng Nianzhi's own power; on the other hand, it limits the development of the entire Xinggu Phoenix Clan.
"This matter ultimately boils down to Feng Nianzhi's problem. Why don't we ask Feng Nianzhi for her opinion?" Lin Yu said.
Perhaps due to preconceived notions, the black-robed high priest often treated Feng Nianzhi like a child.
However, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things more clearly.
As an observer, Lin Yu could naturally see that although Feng Nianzhi was still in the body of a child, her level of maturity was already no less than that of an ordinary cultivator.
Since it concerns Feng Nianzhi's fate, we must let her make her own decision. No matter how close the black-robed high priest is to her, he cannot make the decision for her.
After Lin Yu's reminder, the black-robed high priest clearly realized this as well, and hurriedly nodded, saying, "For now, let's first seek the Phoenix Lord's opinion."
Seeing the black-robed high priest's seemingly deranged state, Lin Yu knew he was lost and forlorn, so he said, "Then I, the temple master, will go with you."
The high priest in black robes nodded, not refusing.
The two arrived at Feng Nianzhi's residence. Although she was in the body of a child, Feng Nianzhi's mind had already reached the standard of a normal cultivator. Instead of resting, she closed her eyes and began to cultivate.
Upon seeing Lin Yu and the black-robed high priest arrive, Feng Nianzhi slowly opened her eyes.
"Greetings, Lord Phoenix." The high priest in black robes said respectfully.
Feng Nianzhi nodded and looked at the two of them with a questioning gaze.
Under the gaze of Feng Nianzhi's fiery red eyes, the black-robed high priest felt unbearably ashamed. He now believed that he had only wanted to keep the Phoenix Lord by his side out of his own selfish desires.
But now, there's no way for him to avoid it.
"Lord of the Palace, I have come here to ask for your opinion on remaining in the Netherworld Immortal Realm," the black-robed high priest asked respectfully.
When Feng Nianzhi heard the black-robed high priest ask this question, she seemed somewhat surprised, and a complex expression appeared on her young face.
However, after only a moment, Feng Nianzhi resolutely spoke up, "I'll stay here."
"This... Lord Phoenix?!" The black-robed high priest was clearly taken aback by Feng Nianzhi's firm answer.
Seeing the black-robed high priest looking completely helpless, Feng Nianzhi clearly understood what he was thinking, and a smile appeared on her youthful face.
"High Priest, I understand what you mean," Feng Nianzhi said slowly.
"But now my ancient phoenix clan is no longer as glorious as it once was. If I, as the phoenix lord, am not strong enough, how can I protect my clan?"
"Because I have a seal on my body, I can't use my full strength even when cultivating."
"Perhaps I need to leave the Phoenix Ancestral Sea for a while, but in order to break the seal within my body, I have no choice but to do so."
"While I'm away, I'm entrusting the Phoenix Ancestral Sea to you. I trust your abilities and I'm confident you'll be able to protect my people well."
In just a few simple words, Feng Nianzhi clearly expressed her thoughts.
The high priest in black robes couldn't help but gape as he looked at the Phoenix Lord, who was only a few years old, and realized for the first time that the Phoenix Lord had grown up.
Feng Nianzhi made this decision not only for herself, but also for the entire ancient phoenix clan.
He knew the significance of his position as the Lord of the Phoenix within the ancient Phoenix clan, and it was precisely for this reason that Feng Nianzhi absolutely could not allow his power to be too weak.
Now that she has the opportunity to break the seal within her body, Feng Nianzhi is naturally more than happy to accept it, so why would she refuse?
The black-robed high priest could understand this principle, but it was still too sudden for him to accept it immediately.
"Alright, actually Feng Nianzhi is only staying in the Netherworld Immortal Realm for a while, it's not like she's never going back to the Phoenix Ancestral Sea, so you don't need to be so anxious." Lin Yu finally spoke up with a smile.