They indeed had no enmity between them; it was just that Jin Ling… was of the Golden Phoenix clan and should have been one of Tongtian’s direct disciples.
Now, all the disciples she had prepared had been taken by Tongtian as his personal disciples, so her taking his original disciple was a matter of cause and effect.
As for this future Golden Immortal of the Chan Sect… being alive was more useful than being dead.
Xihe stopped her divine ability from descending: “Fellow Daoist, once I unleash this divine ability, it only recognizes those on my side.”
They were all foxes who had lived for countless millennia, so the implication was immediately understood.
Chijingzi gritted his teeth and knelt: “I am willing to serve you, Fellow Daoist. Please spare my life!”
Xihe was surprised, not expecting it to be so… easy. After a moment of thought, she understood: In the Primordial World, cultivating immortality was not easy. Not everyone had a strong root and foundation or a smooth path of cultivation.
Most had cultivated for countless millennia yet remained mere ants. It was only natural to cherish one’s Dao Fruit.
Xihe had no intention of humiliating him either. With a single finger, she tapped Chijingzi’s forehead and planted a slave seal in his soul.
“You may go.”
“Huh?” Chijingzi was stunned. Was he just being let go like this, without even having his magical treasures taken?
Xihe said calmly, “I am not one to push my luck. From now on, you may go about your business as usual. If I never cross paths with you again, this seal will never activate. If one day we meet again and I have a use for you, I will naturally issue you a command.”
Chijingzi was overjoyed. This was essentially free-range! The Primordial World was vast, and unless there was a major event, the chances of meeting again were slim. He immediately bowed in gratitude and hurried away, afraid Xihe might change her mind.
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for saving my life. Jin Ling is endlessly grateful and wishes to repay your kindness with the Metal Spirit Pearl. If that is not enough, Jin Ling is willing to seek out rare treasures for you, but… I will never become a slave!”
Xihe chuckled lightly. “You and Chijingzi are naturally different. I am Taiyin Xihe. Would you be willing to take me as your master?”
Jin Ling looked up in surprise. Taiyin Xihe?
The very same Arrogant Rabbit who refused to become a disciple of the Dao Ancestor and defeated Jieyin and Zhunti with a single palm at Lingshan!!
No one knew who had coined the nickname “Arrogant Rabbit,” but in any case, Xihe was no insignificant figure in the Primordial World…
Jin Ling was actually a bit hesitant because this rabbit had offended many people. The Phoenix clan was already suffering enough; what if she got dragged into it…
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. Jin Ling stared at the flaming blood droplet and instinctively lunged forward.
Xihe withdrew the Phoenix Ancestral Blood and said calmly, “I originally wanted to give my disciple a gift. Since you don’t wish to take me as your master, I won’t force you.”
Thud! Thud! Thud! The ground trembled from Jin Ling’s kowtows.
“Jin Ling, Eldest Princess of the Phoenix Clan, pays respects to Master.”
Xihe was surprised. Eldest Princess? Another royal descendant. It seemed her luck truly was good. Well, this would make things easier.
After putting away the Metal Spirit Pearl, Xihe spoke.
“I have a use for this Metal Spirit Pearl, so I will accept it. Since you have taken me as your master today, I will not treat you poorly. I will give you a drop of Phoenix Ancestral Blood, teach you the Saint divine ability Sky-Burning Palm I just used—it suits your fire attribute perfectly—and… I will also give you this lotus.”
First, the Phoenix Ancestral Blood drove her wild with excitement, followed by the Saint divine ability flooding her mind.
Just as Jin Ling was moved to tears, a Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus appeared.
Jin Ling gasped: “A Top-grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure!”
Xihe waved her hand in front of her disciple. “Disciple?”
Jin Ling snapped back to reality and hugged Xihe tightly, sobbing uncontrollably—for the humiliation of the Phoenix clan’s decline, for the grievances she had endured over the years, and… for having met a master who treated her so well.
Xihe was momentarily taken aback by the wailing cries—wasn’t this child supposed to be the strong, stoic type? How could she be so fragile?
With the Five Spirit Pearls already collected, Xihe was in no hurry. Accepting her good disciple’s invitation, she decided to visit the Phoenix Clan.
The golden phoenix was noble and beautiful, and the goddess seated upon its back appeared even more divine, her white ribbons fluttering ethereally.
Xihe was in a good mood. She hadn’t intended to ride, but Jin Ling insisted on carrying her. Riding a phoenix for the first time in two lifetimes—this feeling… was truly comfortable.
Whether it was the East Sea Dragon Clan or the Golden Phoenixes of Phoenix Perch Mountain, they were merely branches of the Dragon and Phoenix Clans, with relatively few members. As she had expected, the clan leader was only at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm—a pitiful sight.
Jin Ling had already sent word ahead, and her mother, Jin Huang, arrived with the rest of her children to pay their respects.
“We greet the exalted immortal. Thank you for saving my daughter. The Golden Phoenix Clan is eternally grateful.”
Xihe raised her hand. “No need for formalities. I have already taken Jin Ling as my disciple, so there is no need for further pleasantries.”
The Karmic Fire Red Lotus reappeared, and Jin Ling immediately reverted to a girlish demeanor in front of her mother. “Look, Mother! This is the Magical Treasure my master gave me!”
Jin Huang was also astonished. “The Primordial Supreme Spiritual Treasure, the Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus! This… isn’t it too precious?”
“This treasure suits Jin Ling’s control. Its value is irrelevant. Now, the Witch-Demon Tribulation is growing increasingly severe. I observe that the Golden Phoenix Clan lacks the strength to protect itself. I will take Jin Ling with me. Do you have any plans for the future?”
“The Witch-Demon Tribulation!” Jin Huang clearly had no idea the tribulation had arrived and found it hard to believe. Knowing that the decline of the Phoenix Clan was caused by the Dragon-Han Tribulation, she could not calm the shadows in her heart.
Xihe offered reassurance. “This tribulation primarily involves the Witch and Demon races. As long as the Phoenix Clan does not participate and focuses on cultivation, you may safely pass through it.”
Jin Huang smiled bitterly. “Exalted immortal, you may not know this, but our bloodline has grown thin. Although I am the clan leader, reaching the peak of Taiyi is my limit. Our clan has no outstanding descendants. We can close our mountain gates, but cultivation…”
Two drops of Phoenix Ancestral Blood appeared, and Jin Ling was thrilled—her master actually had more!
The Golden Phoenix Clan’s eyes burned with fervor, gazing at the ancestral blood as if in worship.
Xihe was pleased with their longing and spoke. “Jin Ling is my first disciple. I have already given her one drop of ancestral blood, enough for her to undergo atavism. These two drops I gift to the clan leader, in hopes that the Phoenix Clan may rise again.”
Jin Huang could no longer hold back her tears and led her clan in kneeling. “The kindness of the exalted immortal is something the Golden Phoenix Clan can never repay. On behalf of the entire clan, I swear to the Heavenly Dao: whatever command the exalted immortal gives, the Golden Phoenix Clan will spare no effort to fulfill it!”
The corners of Xihe’s lips lifted. Excellent. So what if the Dragon Clan was snatched away? The Phoenix Clan could also be of use.
The Golden Phoenix Clan was exceedingly enthusiastic, offering all manner of immortal fruits and herbs. Though they were not wealthy, they treated her with such generosity that Xihe could not remain overly aloof. Thus, she spent a century lecturing on the Dao within their clan.
Afterward, she returned to the Taiyin Star with Jin Ling. Instructing her disciple to study the Sky-Burning Palm on her own, Xihe began seclusion to refine the Primordial Five Elements Grand Array.
The System had given her three hundred years, but Xihe excelled, completing the task in under 230 years.
The Primordial Five Elements Grand Array was truly extraordinary. As it enveloped the Taiyin Star, Xihe genuinely felt a sliver of security.
The mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements meant this array could not be broken even by a Quasi-Saint. If multiple Quasi-Saints attacked… that might be harder to say.
But for now, she hadn’t provoked anyone to that extent. In the future, she would seek even more powerful formations to protect her lair.
[Congratulations, Host, on completing the show-off mission. Rewards distributed.]
Tsk, this Great Dao Alchemy Technique is truly a treasure. If she masters it, even Laozi, who excels in alchemy, would likely be no match for her.
The Witch-Demon Tribulation is evolving with increasing ferocity. Without any pressing tasks, Xihe had no desire to venture outside again and was about to enter seclusion to cultivate her cultivation base.
Suddenly, the Taiyin Star trembled, and Jin Ling called from outside the door: “Master, come quickly! Look, the Taiyang Star is showering down immense merit, and it’s actually causing the Taiyin Star to tremble along with it!”