NOVEL NEXT Return to Floating Cloud City
"Little Chan, I have so much to tell you..." said Chu Yuechan.
The bird nodded as if understanding what its master said.
The remaining time was spent with her sharing details of what happened during her stay with Yun Che and Cang Yue. She was really excited to meet Yun Che soon and can't help but pass the time till then reminiscing the short period of time she spent in the Wasteland of Death.
(Primordial Azure Dragon Trial Grounds)
"It's been a long time since we met." An ancient voice echoed in the entire cave. An honorable dignity was expressed through this voice, yet it was also as gentle as the wind.
Two eyes that were huge, yet long and narrow opened which looked authoritative even though they were about the same shape as a human's eyes but containing an azure blue color that was deeper than the skies one couldn't fathom.
Despite its memories being incomplete, it could easily recognize the divine beast which was in front of him.
The Phoenix landed on the ground and replied with an equivalent dominant tone. "It's been.."
After a moment of silence, Primordial Azure Dragon spoke up.
"It's surprising to see that I'm not the only residual soul left behind in this low plane." The voice sounded amusing and eerie.
All this time, it was waiting for a suitable inheritor for passing its legacy but everyone who took part in it miserably failed. It was in thoughts that there would be no one on this tiny planet worthy enough to inherit its legacy and was troubled.
Did it make a wrong decision choosing this planet for its trial ground?
"But I'm no more a residual soul..." replied the Phoenix.
"..What?" asked the Dragon perplexed.
The Primordial Azure Dragon then spread out its aura to probe the Phoenix. At the same time, as if the sky had capsized, an endless expanse of aura descended onto the Phoenix. The aura invaded the Phoenix and checked up through the soul. In front of this field of aura, The soul was not just a normal one but looked much more than a Divine Beast should have.
Wanting to investigate a little further, it spread the aura deep into the soul, but as soon as it grazed through Phoenix, the aura repelled unable to penetrate within.
The Azure Dragon squinted its huge eyes and once again tried condensing its aura to dwell deeper and break whatever blocking it but all of its attempts turned futile.
The Phoenix knew what was going in the latter's mind and stayed in the same position letting the Dragon do all it wants and smirked.
"See? I told so.." said the Phoenix.
"H-How?" asked the Primordial Azure Dragon. It, being the Head of the various Divine Beasts and the leader of the Dragon God Clan, couldn't apprehend the reason why.
What did the Phoenix encounter to make even its aura ineffective?
What could the reason be?
"Its..." The Phoenix happily narrated everything that happened with it occasionally praising its Master for everything he had done.
"Is that it?" asked the Azure Dragon anxiously.
"Yes," answered the Phoenix.
"I feel that you're hiding something with me. Is it really all that happened?" asked the Azure Dragon narrowing its eyes.
The Phoenix skipped the parts which were very embarrassing to her liking being left alone and get fed by Cang Yue. Not wanting the Dragon to doubt anything, it vigorously nodded its head.
"Y-Yes, that's it. Do you think I lie?" The Phoenix retorted.
"Your Master is really interesting..." said the Azure Dragon deep in thought not minding the Phoenix and a flicker of hope passed through its eyes.
As per Evil God's request, it had set up the trial ground on this Blue Pole Star Planet and listening to everything from the Phoenix, it felt the time for that 'particular' thing has come.
"Can you do me a favor?" asked the Azure Dragon. "In a period of 3 months, I'll accumulate whatever divinity is within my soul which will help your Master to ascend multiple realms. I just have a request for your Master."
"Do you not want to get a complete soul?" asked the Phoenix.
"During my stay in this entire time, my understanding of things has changed and I'm nothing more than a residual soul, so be it. Even the memories I carry are at the brink of extinction and am not interested to live longer. My very sole reason for existence is to free my daughter and obtain peace. This form of mine doesn't amount to much and have no purpose other than that. My time to leave has come..." said the Azure Dragon in melancholy.
"Can you pass on this information to your Master?" said the Azure Dragon with a low voice.
It was the first time trying to request someone. So, this is all it could do.
"Mm.., I'll do it.." nodded the Phoenix.
The Azure Dragon's eyes which were deeper than the blue sky looked grateful and dispersed its entire aura.
The aura which was enveloping the entire Wasteland of Death was slowly taken into the shape of a core and was being accumulated.
The Phoenix bid farewell and flew off into the sky.
(At the other side of the Wasteland of Death)
Jasmine sat down and was busy looking into Yun Che's focussed face who was comprehending various profound arts she taught him. All these days, she has been instructing Yun Che but he never ceased to amaze her, be it from his attitude or whatnot.
Just like a sponge, Yun Che kept on absorbing whatever she taught him. Not even she had any words to describe the talent Yun Che had. The word 'heaven-defying' is the only term worthy to him.
[Ding!]
[Incomplete Sword Profound Arts detected]
[Constructing Complete set for Host to use]
While Yun Che was busy comprehending, his system didn't sit idle and started working on enhancing the effects of the profound arts according to Yun Che's requirements making some adjustments here and there.
[Modifications complete]
[Host can now use the enhanced Profound Arts]
"And.. with this, everything is complete!" said Yun Che as he opened his eyes and sighed. With this, his short training has finally come to an end.
"Ah!..." Jasmine who was very close to Yun Che didn't expect him to suddenly open his eyes and was startled. She quickly managed to keep some noticeable distance between them.
"B-Brother Che, don't scare this Princess.." Jasmine stammered and looked away.
"But you're the one who was so close to me.." Yun Che smiled and said. It was only at these times that her princess tendencies are least shown.
Jasmine knew she wouldn't be able to defend that and her body transformed into a streak of red light, returning to the Sky Poison Pearl.
Looking at Cang Yue beside who was still in a lotus position cultivation, he rose up and dusted off his clothes. She would be at the Sky Profound Realm in no time and he was partly at ease.
*Scree*
"Master... I am back!" a cheerful cry resonated in the sky and the Phoenix landed on Yun Che's shoulder.
"How did it go?" asked Yun Che.
With the Phoenix regaining part of her divinity, it was easy to sense the Azure Dragon resting in the middle of the Wasteland of Death. and not long back, it left, wanting to meet its old friend to which Yun Che allowed. He was a bit interested to know how things went after all this time and inquired.
Hearing Phoenix's end, Yun Che understood that the beast wanted something to do with it.
"What could it be?" asked Yun Che.
"Master, his daughter's body and soul were sealed within the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword and he can pay any price to free her." answered the Phoenix in a heavy-hearted tone.
Even Yun Che can't help but get touched by what the Azure Dragon was about to do.
[Ding!]
[Host will be able to locate Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword only after reaching Divine Master Realm]
His system informed.
Yun Che let out a relieved sigh. It seems it isn't an impossible task, to begin with, and accepted the request.
"R-Really?? Master, are going to find his daughter?" asked the Phoenix in disbelief. It was expecting Yun Che to hesitate or at least think for some time but here he quickly accepted the Dragon's request.
"He was willing to give up his entire existence to free his daughter, and I have no reason to reject the deal," said Yun Che firmly. "It will be a matter of time to uphold this deal."
The Phoenix was happy to hear what Yun Che said and looked in the direction of the Dragon Cave and made an ear-piercing screech.
The Primordial Azure Dragon resting in the cave smiled and resumed the condensing process.
"Brother Che, did something happen?" asked Cang Yue opening her eyes.
Cang Yue just completed her cultivation round for the day and the cry from Phoenix made her instantly open up her eyes and she slowly stood up.
"Perhaps, it's hungry," Yun Che shrugged off.
"oooh.., You could have said it sooner," said Cang Yue taking some pet food from her storage ring ready to be fed to the Phoenix.
'Master, I just remembered something important..' said the Phoenix and took off to the sky. It felt it could hear the laughs from the Primordial Azure Dragon and was embarrassed.
"Hmm.. it escaped once again..." said Cang Yue dejected. She was thinking and caring about the beast and the latter isn't even reciprocating back.
'Does this taste that bad?' thought Cang Yue looking at the pet food she gathered and drifted her gaze into the sky. 'But, they are all made from the Imperial resources, though...'
Cang Yue shook away her thoughts and cheerfully asked.
"Brother Che, are we leaving for Blue Wind Tournament?" asked Cang Yue crinkling her eyes.
She has been working hard and wanted to show Yun Che her results and get praised.
"Yue'er, we're leaving for Floating Cloud City," replied Yun Che.
"Eh..?"
