Chapter 69 – Heart-to-Heart Talk

Li Zheng, Inspector Zhang, Qin Shu, Ning Shan, and others split up to take action. Yun Xiguang stayed at the Zhuzhao Spiritbond Academy on standby, awaiting orders from his superiors. When they came, a helicopter would pick him up and take him to South Province.

Inspector Zhang suspected that the location of the Weaver Ants and the Carnivorous Trees was indeed in South Province. This province was remote, with a vast array of snakes, insects, mice, and ants, and it was also the main base of the Youying Spiritbond Academy.

If Yun Xiguang’s destination turned out to be South Province, it would add more credibility to their theory. To confirm the location, Inspector Zhang took away Yun Xiguang’s shoes to analyze the soil that had stuck to the soles.

After Hai Ruobo woke up, they could naturally ask him about the specific location of the “Illusory Reality” space channel. However, apart from eyewitness testimony, they also needed physical evidence.

Yun Xiguang’s shoes were taken, but fortunately, he had spare clothes in his dormitory at the Zhuzhao Spiritbond Academy. He put on slippers and followed Qin Shu and the others back to school by car.

All students who were in the same cohort as Yun Xiguang had gone for internships, leaving the dormitory area empty. Yun Xiguang led Chi Qiong into the dormitory that hadn’t been lived in for quite some time.

Since the cleaning aunties regularly patrolled the dormitories, his room wasn’t dusty and remained tidy.

That day, he attended the award ceremony in the morning to receive his certificate as a Grade A Spiritbond Master, visited Bai Ze at noon, engaged in a fierce battle in the afternoon, possibly even traveling thousands of kilometers away to South Province, and by evening, he had comprehended the Fire of Rules. Yun Xiguang’s experiences that day were richer than what an ordinary person might go through in ten years.

He was extremely exhausted, with a splitting headache.

To bolster the persuasiveness of their case, Azure Dragon swallowed the Crimson Chi and left with Li Zheng, which left Yun Xiguang alone with Little Spirit Bird, a rare occurrence. Thinking about the high likelihood of heading to South Province early the next morning, he decided to make the most of this brief respite to rest properly.

Yun Xiguang lay on his bed, lightly frowning, with his bent fingers resting on his forehead, his eyes closed wearily.

While Yun Xiguang was tired, Chi Qiong wasn’t. He had just reclaimed his fourth phoenix feather and was brimming with energy.

For some reason, Chi Qiong was in an exceptionally good mood today, yearning to stand on Yun Xiguang’s windowsill and sing outside.

Perhaps it was due to discovering clues to the whereabouts of the other three phoenix feathers. He was about to fully regain his human form. The little yellow chick lay on Yun Xiguang’s pillow, filled with anticipation.

Once he retrieved all seven phoenix feathers and fully restored his human form, what would he do then?

Suddenly, he couldn’t think of anything to do once he regained his power!

Chi Qiong tilted his small head in thought for a moment, realizing he couldn’t come up with an answer.

But it didn’t matter. Yun Xiguang was a man with plenty on his plate, driven by a strong sense of purpose and a never-ending list of tasks. Asking Yun Xiguang, he was sure, would yield an answer.

Chi Qiong jumped off the pillow and climbed onto Yun Xiguang’s head, noticing his furrowed brows and the hand covering his beautiful eyebrows. He lowered his head and pushed Yun Xiguang’s hand aside with force.

Yun Xiguang was in a half-asleep state, sensing the fluffy head of the little spirit bird moving around on his head. Too tired to open his eyes, he simply ran his fingers through the little spirit bird’s feathers.

Feeling the exquisite touch, Yun Xiguang didn’t wake up; instead, he fell into a deeper sleep.

Seeing Yun Xiguang still frowning, Chi Qiong’s mood suddenly soured. He gently pecked Yun Xiguang’s forehead, trying to smooth out his tightly furrowed brows.

With each peck, Chi Qiong’s aimless thoughts flowed through the contract and into Yun Xiguang’s mind through his forehead.

In his dream, Yun Xiguang heard the little spirit bird’s “chirp chirp” sounds and heard him ask, “What should I do after regaining my strength?” He naturally transformed everything into a dream.

In the dream, Yun Xiguang asked the little spirit bird, “What did you do when you had your powers before?”

Chi Qiong recalled what he did during his heyday, suddenly realizing there seemed to be nothing he truly did.

His memories condensed into a miniature version and merged into Yun Xiguang’s dream.

At first, he was merely Sun Zhuzhao, a black ball that endured millions of years of downpour since Pangu split heaven and earth.

Back then, he lacked emotions. Sun Zhuzhao was born with a fondness for fire, craving fire elemental energy, and preferring dry environments. When the rain exceeded his limits, he broke free from the black sphere, braving the storm to soar into the sky and summon the first ray of extraterrestrial fire.

To reach the skies, Chi Qiong grew wings, and because he disliked getting wet, feathers appeared on his body.

Thus, the first ancient divine phoenix was born.

Afterward, whether it was distributing spiritual energy to all living things or being forced to gain human reverence, these actions didn’t seem to be what Chi Qiong wanted to do himself.

“Nourishing all life with spiritual energy seems to be my mission,” Chi Qiong said. “I don’t dislike doing so; after all, an empty world isn’t very interesting, nor do I enjoy the animals that can’t understand me. But this isn’t something I actively sought; it’s merely something I’ve gone along with.”

He pondered for a moment and added, “Humans know of dragons and phoenixes but not Sun Zhuzhao and Youying. They bestowed upon me the title of Phoenix Venerable, and I don’t dislike it either, but it doesn’t seem to be what I want either.”

In his sleep, Yun Xiguang spoke more straightforwardly, unburdened by any reservations. Hearing Chi Qiong’s words, he bluntly asked, “Then, what about your name? Sun Zhuzhao is the name you were born with, the incarnation of Pangu’s eye. Phoenix Venerable is a title given by humans. Only Chi Qiong is a name you chose for yourself, right?

“The word ‘qiong’ means sky, which suits you, as you belong to the sky, or perhaps you even created the sky. But ‘chi’? I remember you dislike any word related to water, so why did you choose the name Chi Qiong?”

Yun Xiguang believed that since the name was chosen by Chi Qiong himself, these two characters must hold great significance. This name likely contained a profound meaning, potentially hiding Chi Qiong’s aspirations.

“I… I don’t remember,” Chi Qiong muttered.

“Will you remember once you reclaim all your phoenix feathers?” Yun Xiguang couldn’t bear to see the proud little yellow chick looking disheartened. In his dream, he recklessly extended his finger, lifting the little chick’s head, urging him to regain his pride.

Unexpectedly, the little chick’s eyes, dark like black beans, were filled with confusion. He whispered, “Perhaps, even after reclaiming my phoenix feathers, I won’t remember.”

“Why?” Yun Xiguang asked, puzzled.

A Chi Qiong with nine phoenix feathers was already unparalleled under the heavens. What could there be that he wouldn’t want to recall?

Chi Qiong tried hard to remember. He vaguely remembered that when he chose to slumber on the Two Instruments Mountain, he ignited a massive fire before falling asleep, imitating the phoenix’s rebirth through fire, shedding his old feathers and becoming a brand new chick.

The reason the Heavenly Law could take away his nine phoenix feathers was also related to Chi Qiong’s rebirth through fire. The newborn chick needed time to adapt to the immense power, and the law took advantage of this opportunity to send his phoenix feathers away.

“At that time, did you really need to be reborn through fire?” Yun Xiguang asked. “Were you injured, or was there another reason?”

Chi Qiong tilted his head in thought for a moment before saying, “I don’t remember, but in billions of years, I’ve never been reborn. My life spans as long as the universe, seemingly not needing rebirth at all.”

“In other words, there must be something you can only accomplish by being reborn,” Yun Xiguang said. “Maybe if you recall this, you’ll know what you should do.”

Chi Qiong’s name, his rebirth through fire, everything seemed to be tied to a certain wish of Chi Qiong’s.

“Perhaps so,” said Chi Qiong, uttering such uncertain words for the first time despite his usual pride.

Yun Xiguang felt a bit unhappy.

In his heart, Chi Qiong should always be a proud existence. This little yellow chick, even in the weakest moments of his bird life, never lost his pride. Now, on the verge of regaining his strength, he shouldn’t be discouraged.

Yun Xiguang couldn’t bear to see the little chick dejected.

In his dream, Yun Xiguang moved closer to Chi Qiong, extending his finger to gently tap the bird’s head. He said earnestly, “It’s alright if you don’t have a goal yet. There’s still a long time ahead of us. We can search for new purposes together.

“After I avenge my parents, I’ll have achieved the goal I’ve had since childhood. At that point, I’ll also be in a phase of confusion, and we can find our way together.

“If I really have nothing I want to do, I’ll make your goal mine. I may be weak, but as long as you need me, I’ll always be by your side until the end of my life.”

“Chirp~~~”

Hearing Yun Xiguang’s words, Chi Qiong let out a call filled with great joy.

After chirping for a while, Chi Qiong felt he was being too undignified and forcibly suppressed his joyful chirps, putting on a stern face. “Your words aren’t reliable! Who knows how many good spirit beasts you intend to bond with? You’ve always wanted to break our contract and find a spirit beast you like more!”

“Who said that?” Yun Xiguang responded. “I only have you as my spirit beast, and there will never be a second one in my lifetime.”

Chi Qiong snorted and began counting the silly hairs on his head with his wings raised: “That little red snake that swallowed your spirit root, and that little green snake you’ve yearned for since childhood, and that curled-horned lamb you’ve been chasing since you entered the academy. There are plenty of spirit beasts you want! And you want to break our contract!”

Yun Xiguang, both amused and perplexed, said, “Are you talking about the Crimson Chi, Azure Dragon, and Bai Ze? The Crimson Chi was my mother’s spirit beast; I only want to take good care of it for her sake. Azure Dragon was my childhood idol; I see him as Cloud Watcher Yue, as my elder, someone I respect. Bai Ze is Dean Qin’s spirit beast; I regard him only as a teacher and would never dare dream of becoming his Spiritbond Master.

“Furthermore, I’m not trying to break our contract, but rather worried that you won’t need me.”

Yun Xiguang looked at Chi Qiong seriously. “The fundamental reason Spiritbond Masters bond with spirit beasts is that spirit beasts are restricted in this world. Spirit beasts need Spiritbond Masters to survive and wield their power. But you don’t need me. Once you reclaim all your phoenix feathers, you won’t require a Spiritbond Master to exert your power. At that point, our contract will only bind you without providing any benefits. I’d be taking advantage of you by continuing the contract, which would be unfair to you.”

Staring at Yun Xiguang’s calm and fair face, Chi Qiong was stunned for a moment before murmuring, “Isn’t that how humans are? They beg me for power, for help.”

“That’s just one-sided greed,” Yun Xiguang said, stroking Chi Qiong’s small head. “I want to bind my soul to you. My world is filled with hope because of you, and I hope your world will also be brilliant because of me. Unceasingly demanding from you would harm you and desecrate the relationship between you and me. If one day, I can’t keep up with you, please don’t hesitate, spread your wings and fly away until I catch up to you again.”

Throughout, Yun Xiguang had never thought about what power spirit beasts could grant him, but rather what he could do for spirit beasts.

He was strong, determined, fair, and kind, an outstanding young man.

Gazing at such a Yun Xiguang, Chi Qiong’s heart pounded fiercely, almost leaping out of his tiny chest.