by Mars Gravity
“As I thought.” Jasmine said. “By touching this profound formation from the inside, it’s able to completely lock the stone door, which can only be opened from the inside, and it’s impossible to open from the outside. It is really suitable for self-protection. During the Primordial Era, various devils and demonic beasts crossed these lands, and these basic self-protection measures should be really common. However, if the profound formation is destroyed from the outside by others, the people inside would be completely sealed instead.”
“Xue’er, let’s rest here for a while.”
Yun Che walked to the side of that stone bed, and then sat down while leaning against the wall. The moment he relaxed his mind, the sense of fatigue assaulted over like a flood of water. He didn’t release Feng Xue’er; instead, he changed his posture while still holding her in his embrace… He was completely able to pull out a blanket from the Sky Poison Pearl and set it on the stone bed, and then have Feng Xue’er lay on it. However, evidently, he couldn’t bear to do it. Because the sensation of embracing Princess Snow like this was enough to have any man to indulge himself to the point where he was unwilling to let go.
“Who… are… you…”
Yun Che, who had only just sat down, slightly shook as he instantly lifted his head. If there was a possibility that the first time was just his imagination or an illusory voice, then this time, Yun Che definitely would not believe that it was his imagination! He had heard that voice, with absolute clarity… It was the same and exact voice as earlier.
“Who are you? Who’s talking to me?” Yun Che heightened his concentration, and shouted out loud. In this towering fortress, which suddenly appeared within the Primordial Profound Ark, a relic left from the Primordial Era in which Jasmine was absolutely sure that there wasn’t a single existing living being left, how could there be a woman’s voice?
“You heard a voice again?” Jasmine asked in surprise.
Since Jasmine had asked in such a manner, it naturally meant that she still did not hear the voice this time. Which also meant… that only Yun Che was able to hear that voice. That voice, was also only being sent to Yun Che alone.
Yun Che once again kept quiet for a long while. however, he no longer heard that voice again. With sunken brows, he said. “There’s definitely someone in this ancient fortress! She should be really far away from me, but she knows of my existence.”
“If it’s not your imagination, then it can only be a residual soul.” Jasmine said slowly.
“Residual soul?”
Jasmine’s voice was very calm, as though she was long used to things like “residual souls”. “And it should be an extremely weak residual soul, otherwise, she wouldn’t be having such difficulties sending out her soul voice consecutively. There’s no need for you to look for her. Since she didn’t hesitate to consume her weakened soul energy to converse with you, it means that she seems to be interested in you, and she will once again take the initiative to converse with you. The reason why you’re unable to receive a reply, should be due to her soul energy, which has been weakened to the point where she’s only able to voice out her next words after a long while.”
“Big Brother Yun, is there… someone else around?” Feng Xue’er raised her head from Yun Che’s embrace, and gently asked.
Yun Che shook his head. “No, I seemed to have heard some voices, that’s all. Xue’er, you should be very tired. Have a good rest then. In the place where we are now, no one else is able to find us.”
Feng Xue’er gently shook her head. “I’m not tired… Big Brother Yun is the one who’s really tired.”
“I only have to take a short break and then I’ll recover.” Yun Che said with a smile. With the Dragon God’s physique, and the power of the Great Way of the Buddha, the recovery speed of his profound energy and stamina were much faster than a regular person’s.
The two people quietened down. After several hours of escaping, where they didn’t dare to stop for a single moment, their hearts finally found peace and calm. And Yun Che was finally able to truly feel the warmth and fragrance in his embrace. Lightly hugging Princess Snow like this was most probably a dream-like scene which every man would not even dare to dream of. And Princess Snow was like a compliant little kitten nestling in his embrace. She didn’t struggle nor reject it, and was simply resting peacefully.
‘Xue’er, the Phoenix God in your Divine Phoenix Sect, has it really died?” Yun Che asked with a light voice. However, Jasmine had told him the answer to this question before, and Ye Xinghan’s and Feng Feiyan’s words, had even more so proved it.
Feng Xue’er was silent for a short while, before she gently nodded. “Lord Phoenix God had already departed three years ago. Sixteen years ago, the reason why Lord Phoenix God had chosen me after my birth, was because it knew that its lifespan was about to end, and it required a successor with sufficient potential. I was under the guidance of Lord Phoenix God for thirteen years, and I received all of Lord Phoenix God’s inheritance… His energy source, soul energy, all of its Phoenix blood, and all of its memories.”
Feng Xue’er’s words shook Yun Che… It was no wonder that at the mere age of sixteen, she possessed the strength of a half-step Monarch. It was also no wonder she was able to easily distinguish his bloodline, and knew so clearly of the feud between the two Phoenix Spirits back then. Although the Phoenix God of Divine Phoenix Empire was dead, it had passed down its own energy source, soul energy, and even its memories, to Feng Xue’er! This allowed Feng Xue’er’s starting point to be frighteningly high. Her growth speed, and the heights she could achieve in the future, would undoubtedly shock the whole world as well.
It was thus no wonder Feng Xue’er had such a high position in the Divine Phoenix Sect. Since she had inherited everything from the Phoenix God, once Feng Xue’er was to completely mature, she would clearly become the second Phoenix of the Divine Phoenix Sect! In regards to their future Phoenix God, Divine Phoenix Sect would naturally have to protect her with their utmost best! The possibility of a single obstruction was definitely not allowed while she had yet to fully mature.
“In regards to Lord Phoenix God’s departure, only royal father, Great Elder, Big Brother Crown Prince, grandfather, great grandfather, and me… only six people know about it. Royal father said that this is the biggest secret of our sect. It definitely can’t be leaked out, and it can’t even be told to the people of our sect. But, on the second year, the Four Great Sacred Grounds had been constantly sending voice transmissions to probe about the situation regarding Lord Phoenix God, as though they knew that Lord Phoenix God was no longer here. Royal father was really furious and perplexed as well. Royal father had always guessed that the Sacred Grounds were probably unable to sense Lord Phoenix God’s presence, and thus came to probe about it… Never did we expect that it would actually be…”
Feng Xue’er’s voice was really saddened, as she was still unable to recover from the Great Elder’s betrayal. At the same time, she couldn’t help but worry for Divine Phoenix Empire’s future. Without the might of the Phoenix God, Divine Phoenix Sect would definitely struggle while being suppressed by the Four Great Sacred Grounds without end. For five thousand years, the sole reason why the Divine Phoenix Sect was able to develop so quickly under the watch of the Four Great Sacred Grounds and was faintly reaching the brink of the Sacred Grounds’ level, was due to the Phoenix God’s existence.
Yun Che sighed in his heart, yet he didn’t find it to be too shocking. With every influential power, the ones that are most prone to betrayal, were usually the people at the very top of the spectrum. These people were limited to but a few figures. Because these types of people knew the most, their position from the summit was the closest, and they were absolutely clear of every advantage and disadvantage the entire force possessed. Thus, at certain appropriate timings, they were the most susceptible to harboring intents of betrayal. If the Divine Phoenix Sect were to continue going strong like this, Feng Feiyan’s intent of betrayal might not
have awoken even till his death. However, with their Phoenix God’s departure, at the same time he feared for the future of the Divine Phoenix Sect, he was even more fearful of his own future. So after weighing his options, he decided to defect to Sun Moon Divine Hall at the very earliest moment.
If Yun Che and Xia Yuanba were not present, he would have already helped Ye Xinghan achieve his objective, and let Feng Xue’er, who carried Divine Phoenix Empire’s biggest hope, land in Ye Xinghan’s hands. The consequences were unimaginable.
“It’s alright, it’s fine this way as well. Not only were they unable to achieve what they wanted, they have completely exposed themselves instead. Otherwise, the later they are exposed, it would become even more dangerous.” Yun Che consoled her.
“Mn…” Feng Xue’er lightly responded. “It’s all because of Big Brother Yun. If not for Big Brother Yun, I would have… would have… If royal father knew, he will definitely be really thankful to Big Brother Yun as well.”
“It’s good enough if your father stops trying to kill me.” Yun Che laughed. He definitely couldn’t believe that protecting Feng Xue’er was the only reason why Feng Hengkong allowed Feng Feiyan to act on his own. Killing him, was definitely one of their goals as well. However, he then once again thought in another way… Once Feng Hengkong found out about today, he would definitely be under increased pressure, and there might even be a possibility for him to breach decorum with Sun Moon Divine Hall. When that time comes, he probably wouldn’t even have the time to think of killing him.
“The Four Great Sacred Grounds are already aware of the Phoenix God’s death so they should be aware that you have inherited the Phoenix God’s physique as well. Ye Xinghan harbors motives towards you, so the other three Sacred Grounds will most probably keep their eyes on you from now as well.” Yun Che closed his eyes, and he was a little pained and worried. “But, in the end, my strength is still too weak. I basically do not have the power to protect you, otherwise… I would instantly take you away from your royal father’s hands, and hide you from both your sect and those from the Sacred Grounds.”
“Heh…” Feng Xue’er revealed a smile. “Big Brother Yun wants to protect me to such an extent, I’m so happy… If Big Brother Yun wants to take me away, I might not resist, you know.”
“Xue’er, you said those words yourself!” Yun Che smiled as well. “If there comes a day I really want to take Xue’er away, Xue’er must definitely not…”
“Sky… Poison… Pearl…”
Yun Che’s words came to a grinding halt, as the mysterious and ethereal woman’s voice resounded for the third time. And this time, what she said was no longer “who are you”, but clearly…
Sky Poison Pearl?!
Chapter 467: The Ghost Who Won’t Go Away
“Who are you? Where are you?” Yun Che yelled with his head raised. Since the other party knew of his existence and even sound transmitted to him, then she obviously would be able to hear his voice.
But it was the same as the last two times; after the voice sounded, it fell silent, without any other sounds of speech. The third voice was also weak, and he could barely hear it, but Yun Che actually had a vague feeling… that the source of the voice was not that far from him.
“Big Brother Yun, did you hear that weird voice again?” Feng Xue’er asked.
“Mn.” Yun Che nodded, then consoled her: “Don’t be scared Xue’er, it could just be my misconception due to me being too nervous. This place is so ancient and quiet, there shouldn’t be anyone here.”
“With Big Brother Yun by my side, I’m not scared at all.” Feng Xue’er said while beaming. Thinking about what she said previously, her expression dimmed once again as she asked faintly: “Big Brother Yun, is the other Lord Phoenix God still well?”
“Should be still well.” Yun Che pondered, then replied: “The phoenix spirit I had encountered had told me before that it was weaker than your Divine Phoenix Sect’s phoenix spirit. Your phoenix god had suffered heavy injuries back then, and has already passed away. As for the one I encountered, even though it isn’t dead yet, its vitality ought to be greatly injured. But it was still well three years ago.” He paused, then continued: “If Xue’er wants to, I can bring Xue’er to visit that phoenix spirit.”
“Okay, okay.” Feng Xue’er happily agreed: “This is also Lord Phoenix God’s remaining wish. Oh right, Big Brother Yun, how did you meet that Lord Phoenix God? Can you tell me?”
Yun Che lifted his head as he fondly thought back to the past. To him, that was a secret that he had never told anyone before. But in front of Feng Xue’er’s clear eyes, he couldn’t raise a single trace of rejection. Wearing a light smile, his voice gently slowed: “That was three years ago… At that time, my profound strength was only at the Elementary Profound Realm. I was being chased by a branch sect member of a sect named Xiao Sect. It was my current princess wife who had saved me soon after… But at that time, she wasn’t my wife yet. I only had just met her at that time… We fled together. Then, the aerial profound beast we were riding on had completely exhausted its strength, and because of the injuries it received from our pursuer, we fell straight down from a high altitude…”
As Yun Che recalled the memories of that time, he slowly narrated it to Feng Xue’er. When he first started talking, his voice was flat, but his voice couldn’t help but gradually begin to fill with emotion. After all, it was an unforgettable experience for both him and Cang Yue. It was within those tribulations that his emotions were deepened. At the same time, it was also a major turning point in his life. If not for what happened then, the later unstable events wouldn’t have happened; the grievances brought along by the Phoenix flames wouldn’t have happened, and the present him wouldn’t have existed today.
Yun Che talked for a very long time, narrating the events from entering the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range all the way to leaving the Phoenix trial grounds. When he finally finished, he looked down and actually saw Feng Xue’er’s soft lips lightly pursed. Her breathing was as gentle as an orchid; she had already fallen asleep.
In addition to her completely powerless body, the heavy blows she received and the long hours of fleeing and terror, even though Feng Xue’er had always been carried in Yun Che’s arms, no matter if it was her mental state or body, they had long since been utterly exhausted.
Amidst Yun Che’s voice, her mind had finally relaxed slightly, and an uncontrollable tiredness caused her to unwittingly fall asleep. Yun Che let out a light sigh of relief as he silently looked at the image of Feng Xue’er’s sleeping, then immediately stared into a daze. Exhaustion gradually attacked him as he leaned his head against the ice-cold wall and also unwittingly fell asleep.
——————————————
“Please… find… her…”
“Only… you… can… save… her…”
“Please… find… her…”
“Ah…” Yun Che trembled, and immediately woke up with that voice still resounding in his ears. And this time, he was unable to tell if it was a real voice or a voice in his dreams.
“Big Brother Yun…” It was unknown whether Yun Che’s sudden movement had shocked her awake or if she had already been awake. Feng Xue’er’s beautiful eyes flashed slightly as she stared at him unblinkingly.
“It’s nothing,” Yun Che shook his head: “It’s just that it seems like I heard that weird voice again.”
Once he finished talking, Yun Che suddenly thought of something. He knitted his brows as he asked his in his consciousness: “Jasmine, how long have I been asleep? From entering the Primordial Profound Ark to now, how many hours have passed?”
“You didn’t sleep that long, as for how long you’ve been in the Primordial Profound Ark… twenty two hours have passed… or even a little more.”
“Twenty two hours?” Yun Che’s eyebrows slightly hopped. In other words, he only had not even two hours before the Primordial Profound Ark closes. Just earlier, he had suddenly remembered what Spir
itual Master Gu Cang said to Xia Yuanba… Before the Primordial Profound Ark closes, he must not be in a confined area. This even included ravines and caverns! Otherwise, the twenty fourth hour force would not be able to reach him, and he wouldn’t be able to get out of the Primordial Profound Ark!
He would also disappear along with the Primordial Profound Ark, and die within the Primordial Profound Ark!
And the place where he and Feng Xue’er were in, was precisely a truly isolated environment.
The short sleep from before had restored about fifty to sixty percent of Yun Che’s physical and profound strength. He carried Feng Xue’er and said: “Xue’er, we should leave this place. There’s not even two hours until the Primordial Profound Ark closes, and we can leave now. When that time comes, you’ll truly be safe.”
“Mn.” Feng Xue’er lightly responded as she subconsciously leaned closer to Yun Che.
“Let’s go.”
Yun Che raised his hand and struck a stream of profound energy into the profound formation on the right of the stone door. Instantly, the profound formation flashed, and the tightly closed stone door speedily opened after a short rumbling. Carrying Feng Xue’er, Yun Che walked out. Then, with a single glance, he spotted the descending stone stairs. Earlier, he chose to enter the stone door next to the stone stairs, and suppressed his curiosity to head any deeper, as he was afraid of losing his way. After all, this place was simply too huge. The structure, and the colors of the place were especially uniform as well. With just a slight mistake, he would be completely lost.
As he walked down the stone stairs, Yun Che’s heart had slightly calmed down as well. The Primordial Profound Ark was quickly about to close. After reaching outside, with Divine Phoenix Sect and Spiritual Master Gu Cang, Ye Xinghan and Feng Feiyan shouldn’t have the thought of succeeding in their motives, and this crisis would have been considered to be narrowly averted as well. Xia Yuanba was the only one he was currently worried about. He was in possession of a transportation jade, so theoretically speaking, he could totally save his own life. However, Yun Che couldn’t help but worry that he had gamble his own life in order to fight for more time for his own escape.