Support the far north
Chen Yuan, having thoroughly read the Sect's ancient texts, naturally recognized the 'Fire Phoenix Spirit Physique'.
He hadn't expected this little guy to possess such a Heaven-Defying special Physique!
The Fire Phoenix Spirit Physique was a legendary existence among the Phoenix Race, born a darling of fire. Their comprehension of the Law of Fire far surpassed that of their kin, and once they matured, they could incinerate the heavens and boil the seas!
Upon sensing it, this chick's Aura was actually at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
To be at Foundation Establishment upon birth, how could it not be Heaven-Defying?
The chick shook off non-existent dust from its body, tilted its head, and scrutinized Chen Yuan with its noble red eyes.
It sensed a faint but familiar trace of its mother's Aura on Chen Yuan, as well as the comfortable resonance of the Law of Fire.
It flapped its tender wings, flew onto Chen Yuan's shoulder, and affectionately rubbed its head against his cheek, letting out soft chirps.
Chen Yuan extended a finger and gently stroked its warm downy feathers. "Little guy, you'll follow me from now on."
He smiled slightly. "From now on, you'll be called... Little Phoenix."
The chick seemed to understand, chirping happily once more.
Chen Yuan took out several Golden Core Stage Yao Beast inner cores and brought them to its beak.
The 'Fire Phoenix Spirit Physique' was extraordinarily powerful, and its consumption of resources was immense. Little Phoenix, at the Foundation Establishment Stage, picked up a Golden Core Stage Yao Beast inner core and began to gnaw on it.
Leaving Xuanqing Peak, Chen Yuan prepared to buy a Spirit Beast Bag for Little Phoenix. Inside was a unique Small World, suitable for Yao Beasts to temporarily reside.
However, as he walked within the Sect, he keenly noticed an unusual tense atmosphere pervading the entire Sect.
Disciples hurried to and fro, their expressions solemn, and the glow of the Sect Protecting Grand Array seemed a few shades brighter than usual.
"What happened?"
Chen Yuan frowned slightly, a premonition of ill omen rising in his heart.
His figure flickered, and he headed directly towards Leng Youmeng's bed-chamber.
Outside the bed-chamber, the Restriction was slightly open.
Chen Yuan stepped inside, only to see Leng Youmeng standing with her hands behind her back by the window, gazing into the distance, her cold profile carrying a rare trace of solemnity.
"Revered Master." Chen Yuan bowed.
Leng Youmeng turned to look at him, and upon sensing his Mid-stage Spirit Transformation cultivation, a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes, but it was immediately overshadowed by deeper worry:
"You've emerged from seclusion. Just in time, something major has happened."
"What could make the Sect so vigilant?" Chen Yuan asked.
Leng Youmeng's tone was heavy as she said, word by word:
"The Northern Barbarian Yao Race has torn up the armistice agreement that lasted for tens of thousands of years and launched a surprise attack on the Far North Land.
The Human-Yao War has erupted again."
Chen Yuan's pupils suddenly constricted!
The Human-Yao War!
This was a massive catastrophe affecting the entire Xuanling Continent!
"What are the specific details?" Chen Yuan immediately pressed.
Leng Youmeng briefly summarized the known intelligence:
"Half a month ago, the Yao Race, led by a Yao Emperor, launched a surprise attack on North Land City, a frontier city in the Far North. The city was destroyed, and its inhabitants perished.
City Lord Zhuang He, a True Monarch, luckily escaped to seek aid.
Now, the Far North Land's defenses have been breached one after another, and the Yao Race has reached Ancient Immortal Sect.
Ancient Immortal Sect has become the last line of defense in the Far North Land.
The Sect Master has already ordered the mobilization of forces, preparing to reinforce the Far North Land."
Ancient Immortal Sect? Zhuang He?
Wasn't Ancient Immortal Sect the force he had cultivated? And Zhuang He, he had even killed his son back then.
"What about reinforcements? What about the other Sects in Kyushu and the Great Thousand Domain?" Chen Yuan asked in a deep voice.
"The news has spread, and the major second-rank forces in Kyushu are gathering. Our Xuantian Sect, as the leader of the Great Thousand Domain, is also duty-bound. The first batch of reinforcements will depart in three days.
But... distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. Whether Ancient Immortal Sect can hold out until the reinforcements arrive is still unknown."
Leng Youmeng's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
The Sect needed time to deploy troops and coordinate all parties.
A cold light flickered in Chen Yuan's eyes.
He hadn't expected that in the half-month he was in seclusion, the outside world would have undergone such earth-shattering changes.
"Revered Master, I wish to go to the Far North Land first."
Chen Yuan said without hesitation.
Leng Youmeng looked at him but did not stop him, merely saying: "The battlefield is not like Sect competitions; it is extremely dangerous. The Yao Race has many powerful experts, and even more strange innate Divine Abilities.
Although your strength is considerable, you must be extremely careful.
This reinforcement mission will be led by a Late Void Return Stage Inner Sect Elder. You may accompany the team."
Chen Yuan shook his head. "Revered Master, you misheard. I said I want to go and reinforce Ancient Immortal Sect first."
His Little Phoenix needed many resources to grow, so he had to rush ahead of everyone else, kill more Yao Beasts, and collect all the Yao Beast inner cores.
"Nonsense!" Leng Youmeng stepped forward and gripped Chen Yuan's shoulder. "Chen Yuan, this is war, not a game."
"I know."
"You don't know. If something happens to you, what will I do? What about Ye Baixi and Shen Ling?"
Leng Youmeng stared intently into his eyes, her voice a little flustered with concern.
Chen Yuan looked at her autumn-water-like eyes, then pulled her into his embrace.
"Disciple understands, Meng. Please believe me, I will come back alive."
After Chen Yuan's persistent coaxing, Leng Youmeng finally relented. However, she demanded that he always wear the protective jade pendant she gave him.
This jade pendant, cool to the touch, contained a wisp of Leng Youmeng's Primordial Spirit Origin and could block three Body Integration Stage killing moves for him.
After a moment of tenderness, Leng Youmeng finally noticed Little Phoenix on Chen Yuan's shoulder, and with surprise, blurted out, "Fire Phoenix Spirit Physique?"
"That's right, Revered Master, this is my Spirit Pet. Oh, Revered Master, do you have a Spirit Beast Bag?" Chen Yuan released her and asked.
At this moment, Leng Youmeng took out a red bead and introduced, "This is a contract pearl. After recognizing its owner, you can place your contracted Yao Beasts into the Small World within the pearl. You can also enter it yourself."
"No, no, this is too valuable!" Chen Yuan quickly waved his hand in refusal. A Small World was a treasure coveted even by Mahayana Stage mighty figures, yet Revered Master gave it to him without hesitation.
Leng Youmeng's willow-like brows furrowed. "You've already given me a Venerable-grade Cultivation Technique. If you don't accept this contract pearl, I won't agree to you going to the Far North Land."
Chen Yuan finally conceded, only able to accept it. He then dripped blood to recognize it as his Revered Master, formed a contract with Little Phoenix, and placed it inside.
"There's no time to lose, Revered Master, Disciple must depart."
After bidding farewell to Leng Youmeng, Chen Yuan flew towards the Far North Land.
He did not inform Ye Baixi and the others. He had already discussed it with his Revered Master; if they asked, they would say he was still in seclusion, to prevent the girls from worrying.
Two days later,
Outside the Ancient Immortal Sect mountain gate in the Far North Land.
Dark clouds pressed down, threatening to crush the city!
Mountains and fields were covered with Yao Beasts of various shapes, roaring ferociously!
Flying beasts obscured the sky, ground beasts shook the earth, and Demonic Qi rolled, dyeing the sky dark red.
Leading them was the Void Return Stage Yao Emperor, accompanied by several Soul Transformation Stage Yao Venerables, all with menacing Auras.
Ancient Immortal Sect's Sect Protecting Grand Array had been activated, a massive light barrier enveloping the entire mountain gate. However, under the frenzied assault of countless Yao Beasts, the light barrier rippled incessantly, flickering unsteadily.
Sect Master Song Xu Daojun stood at the array's core, his face pale and blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating the immense consumption required to maintain the Grand Array.