Chapter 28 – Identity

Yun Xiguang waited for a moment, expecting the little spirit bird to immediately pounce and retrieve its own thing. However, the little spirit bird remained completely still at the sight of such an enormous amount of spiritual energy, sitting upright on his head with an unperturbed demeanor.

Well, it wasn’t completely unruffled. In the two minutes Yun Xiguang spent waiting for the little spirit bird to retrieve the phoenix feather, the bird had already scratched his head three times with its claws.

When the little spirit bird became even more agitated and scratched his hair for the fourth time, Yun Xiguang finally realized and asked, “Are you asking me…to help you pick up this phoenix feather?”

“Chirp!” The little spirit bird’s voice rose, its ending crisp and decisive, as if saying, “Of course.”

If Yun Xiguang could understand Chi Qiong’s thoughts, he would also hear something along the lines of, “Why aren’t you quickly presenting my phoenix feather? How long do you expect me to wait?”— utterly devoid of any cuteness.

After confirming that the little spirit bird wanted him to pick up the phoenix feather, Yun Xiguang hesitated. He didn’t immediately act but instead asked, “This phoenix feather contains a level of spiritual energy unimaginable by humans. Anyone would be tempted. My heart harbors many desires; I need strength. I am a man…with too many wants, too much greed. Are you sure you want me to pick up this phoenix feather?”

Yun Xiguang himself was uncertain if he could resist the demand for such overwhelming power.

Today’s experiences had revealed numerous secrets to Yun Xiguang. He learned that humans could manipulate spirit beasts even without a root bond. He discovered that spirit beasts could gain freedom by harming humans. Humans and spirit beasts were not as harmonious as they seemed on the surface. Behind the seemingly mutual needs of the contracts lay profound secrets.

Humans with ulterior motives wanted to harness the power of spirit beasts without forming a contract. Spirit beasts no longer wished to be controlled by humans.

The existence of the Spirit Beast Codex and devouring root bonds could easily disrupt the balance between humans and spirit beasts.

Once this symbiotic relationship was shattered, what would become of the world?

Yun Xiguang dared not ponder.

But he knew that with sufficient strength, he could reverse everything.

The phoenix feather before him presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Desiring a spirit beast with a telepathic connection, wanting to uncover the truth and avenge his parents, wanting to reclaim his parents’ legacy…he already craved so much. Now, he added another wish — the desire to resolve the hidden crisis between humans and spirit beasts.

“I am not a person who would overlook an opportunity to grow stronger. I am very greedy,” Yun Xiguang candidly confessed to the little spirit bird. “Human nature cannot withstand tests; don’t test me.”

Chi Qiong, who typically disregarded human emotions, detected a hint of bitterness from Yun Xiguang’s face.

As the Phoenix Venerable, even a symbol of some sort of totem, Chi Qiong had heard countless prayers and witnessed the greed of too many humans. Faced with his blessings, humans always appeared grateful, and sometimes Chi Qiong found that display somewhat ugly.

Yun Xiguang did not hide his own greed, yet he lacked that ugliness.

He stood straight, his posture erect. Despite his numerous desires, his appearance remained appealing.

Yun Xiguang’s face was clean — not just clean from washing, but pure and untainted.

His face hadn’t been distorted by hatred, nor had it grown hateful due to disparate treatment. It hadn’t become repulsive at the sight of power within reach.

Yun Xiguang was no inexperienced youth; on the contrary, he had experienced far too much.

Yet these experiences hadn’t left him sullied; instead, they honed him, making him sharper, like a straight white poplar tree, like a sharp sword.

The ancient texts described someone like Yun Xiguang when they said, “Wealth and honor cannot corrupt him, poverty and lowliness cannot move him, and might and power cannot subdue him.”

He was the “gentleman” mentioned in books.

Chi Qiong bestowed upon Yun Xiguang the highest praise and secretly thought, “I am truly well-read, able to find words to describe Yun Xiguang. Other spirit beasts wouldn’t be able to come up with anything.”

Since that was the case, there was no need to make things difficult for the spirit servant.

But as the Phoenix Venerable, he couldn’t possibly go over himself, could he? That would be too undignified.

If the mountain wouldn’t come to the Phoenix, then the Phoenix would go to the mountain.

Chi Qiong soon came up with a compromise. He spread his wings and leaped off Yun Xiguang’s head, flapping in a manner that suggested he was about to fall.

Naturally, Yun Xiguang couldn’t bear to see the little spirit bird tumble. He instantly reached out and caught Chi Qiong, cradling him in both hands.

Chi Qiong sat upright in the palm of Yun Xiguang’s hand, turned around, and looked at Yun Xiguang proudly, emitting a “chirp.”

Seeing his noble demeanor, Yun Xiguang intuitively grasped Chi Qiong’s intentions and tentatively asked, “Do you want me to carry you to the phoenix feather?”

“Chirp!” Chi Qiong responded affirmatively, nodding his bird head.

“In my wisdom, I’ve devised such a proper solution,” Chi Qiong praised himself internally.

Yun Xiguang also found this method satisfactory.

Through their time together, he had gained a preliminary understanding of his little spirit bird’s character.

To describe the little spirit bird using popular internet terminology, he was tsundere.

His little spirit bird needed his assistance with the phoenix feather, and even if he rejected it with perfectly valid reasons, the little spirit bird would never take action himself. Yun Xiguang would have to exert some effort.

All in all, quite an adorable and somewhat considerate personality.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t remain his little spirit bird for long. Once the little spirit bird obtained the phoenix feather, it would likely be the day they parted ways.

Yun Xiguang felt a touch of melancholy.

He supported the little spirit bird with both hands, crouched down, and carefully placed his hands beside the phoenix feather.

The little spirit bird then spread his plump little wings and landed on the ground.

He lifted one noble claw and grabbed the phoenix feather.

The phoenix feather remained unchanged.

In theory, the moment Chi Qiong touched the phoenix feather, it should have automatically returned to his body, becoming his power.

Unexpectedly, his own possession refused to return to him now.

Chi Qiong tilted his head and glanced at the phoenix feather, thinking, “Does this mean I must stick the phoenix feather in my tail? That would be too ungraceful, with so many people and beasts watching.”

It would be fine for Yun Xiguang to see, after all, they shared a contractual bond. As his spirit servant, he should groom his tail feathers in the future. But there was still that little brat present!

Chi Qiong raised his little black eyes and looked at the Crimson Chi.

The previously imposing Crimson Chi immediately shrank back into a small red snake after the phoenix feather appeared, obediently huddling in a corner and minimizing his presence.

Joking aside, which spirit beast would dare raise their head before the Phoenix Venerable? Lying low was the right choice.

Feeling the Phoenix Venerable’s gaze, the Crimson Chi promptly shut his eyes tightly, stretched his body straight, looking like a dead snake that had been dead for a long time.

Seeing how sensible the Crimson Chi was, Chi Qiong slightly reined in his killing intent.

The little brat was quite perceptive. Judging by his behavior, he probably wouldn’t dare respond to Yun Xiguang’s contract in the future. Then let’s see if Yun Xiguang still dares to switch spirit beasts.

The Crimson Chi maintained his feigned death, seeing nothing. On the other side, the bookworm was already dead, and Ruan Shu had frozen into an ice sculpture. They couldn’t see either.

Only Yun Xiguang remained, intently watching the little spirit bird, his eyes concealing a yearning that Chi Qiong couldn’t decipher.

Realizing that Yun Xiguang was the only living person left, Chi Qiong slightly set aside the little dignity he had left and slowly walked to the phoenix feather, plopping down onto it.

Yun Xiguang: “…”

Wait, wasn’t there something wrong with the way the little spirit bird was reclaiming his power?

What he imagined was the phoenix feather transforming into spiritual energy and returning to the little spirit bird’s body, causing the little spirit bird to instantly grow, transforming into a majestic divine phoenix that was impossible to look upon.

But judging from the little spirit bird’s actions, was he planning to directly stick the phoenix feather in his tail?

That phoenix feather was two meters long, while the little spirit bird was merely ten centimeters in size. Dragging such a feather behind him, how could he even walk?

Forget flying. The little spirit bird couldn’t fly anyway; he could only flap his wings.

The little spirit bird repeatedly attempted to sit on the phoenix feather without success, his steps gradually growing anxious. He even lowered his head to pick up the phoenix feather with his mouth…

Yun Xiguang couldn’t bear to watch the little spirit bird struggle so much. Overcoming his own desire for power, he picked up the phoenix feather and asked the little spirit bird, “Is this alright?”

The little spirit bird nodded with restraint, turned around, and leaned against the phoenix feather…

Naturally, the spiritual energy was still not reclaimed.

“Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp!! Chirp chirp!” The little spirit bird became angry and launched a barrage of “chirps” at the phoenix feather.

Yun Xiguang understood that the little spirit bird’s words were always concise. If one “chirp” could solve the problem, he would never use two. With so many calls now, he was clearly enraged, probably scolding the phoenix feather.

But why couldn’t the little spirit bird reclaim his own power?

Yun Xiguang lowered his gaze to the phoenix feather. He could sense boundless power within it. This power was like a tempting cake, while he was a famished person who hadn’t eaten for half a month. The cake was in front of him, exuding fragrance, luring him at every moment.

Just holding this phoenix feather, terrifying thoughts involuntarily arose in his mind.

For instance, absorbing the power within the phoenix feather to forcefully control the Crimson Chi, taking the Crimson Chi and the little spirit bird through the channel connecting reality and illusion, seizing the Spirit Beast Codex…

Following that were notions of dominating the world, destroying the Yun family, making everyone who disliked him prostrate at his feet.

Yun Xiguang shivered. He put down the phoenix feather and shook his head.

Just touching the phoenix feather, he generated too many thoughts he had never had before. His desires paled in comparison to those the phoenix feather had conveyed to him.

Generally speaking, a part of a spirit beast’s body would also reflect the spirit beast’s own character. Like Xue Lan, a Spiritbond Master who carried dragonfish scales on her person would sense the dragonfish’s emotions through the scales, and her character would be influenced to a certain extent.

This phoenix feather seemed to have the ability to lead one astray, amplifying all negative emotions.

But the little spirit bird didn’t appear to possess such violent emotions.

Seeing how anxious the little spirit bird was, Yun Xiguang hurriedly relayed the emotions he had felt from the phoenix feather to the little spirit bird.

Chi Qiong angrily retorted, “I don’t have so many ridiculous thoughts!”

Yun Xiguang also gleaned the answer from his furious “chirp.”

“Since this goes against your true nature, it means that some other force has been attached to the phoenix feather, making the person who obtains it abnormally ambitious and endowed with a strong destructive tendency.” Yun Xiguang said, “Could this force be preventing you from reclaiming your power?”

After hearing this, Chi Qiong pondered for a moment and scratched the ground twice with his claw.

His claw couldn’t break through the ground of the vault-like facility, but through the strokes, Yun Xiguang discerned that Chi Qiong had written two characters.

They were the characters for “rules.”

“You’re saying that what’s attached to the phoenix feather isn’t a certain power, but rather a set of rules. The person who obtains the phoenix feather must act according to these rules. And because of the existence of these rules, you can’t reclaim your power?” Yun Xiguang immediately deduced the meaning.

The little spirit bird’s expression became unusually solemn as he nodded at Yun Xiguang.

Upon mentioning rules, Yun Xiguang immediately associated it with the pixelated images and the muted “beeps” in the Snow Wolf and White Tiger contract space. This was also a kind of rule.

The one capable of setting such rules was not a person, but the laws of this world — the Heavenly Law, as spoken of by Spiritbond Masters.

Those who sought to conceal the little spirit bird’s identity and exploit his power for nefarious deeds were not humans, but the Heavenly Law itself.

“How could we possibly oppose the power of the Heavenly Law?” Yun Xiguang murmured.

He felt disheartened.

If the enemy were humans, no matter how powerful, Yun Xiguang would have the courage.

But when the enemy was the rule governing this world, how could he possibly contend with it?

Chi Qiong, however, didn’t place the Heavenly Law in high regard. He continuously scratched the ground nine times.

Seeing his actions, Yun Xiguang said, “Your meaning is that your current strength cannot oppose the Heavenly Law, thus you can’t reclaim your power. But once you gather all nine phoenix feathers, that is, the nine portions of spiritual energy that were separated that day, you can reclaim your power and defy the Heavenly Law?”

“Chirp!” Chi Qiong answered affirmatively.

“The Heavenly Law divided the spiritual energy into nine parts, not to disrupt the world, but to counterbalance you?” Yun Xiguang exclaimed in surprise.

“Chirp!” Chi Qiong proudly puffed out his tiny chest. His spirit servant had finally recognized his might, and the Phoenix Venerable was gratified!

“All things under heaven, even divine beasts, are subject to the laws of the Heavenly Law. Yet the Heavenly Law fears you and restrains you. What on earth is your identity?” Yun Xiguang asked.

“I am naturally the ancient divine phoenix, the unparalleled Phoenix…” Chi Qiong began, but then hesitated, his “chirp” filled with confusion.

Something was off. “Phoenix” was a title given to him by humans, and he had simply not objected. But strictly speaking, this wasn’t his true identity.

There were too many legends about phoenixes in the world, but none of them were about him. Humans had named him based on the image he displayed and combined it with similar avian creatures.

Humans grouped dragons and phoenixes together, but dragons were merely powerful divine beasts in front of him. It was he who had bestowed spiritual energy to the dragon clan, allowing the dragons to flourish.

He wasn’t a traditional phoenix. He was nobler than divine beasts. His life spanned further back than the earliest creatures in this world, as long as the heavens and earth themselves.

Who exactly was he? Chi Qiong himself was uncertain.