345: Chapter 345 Escaping from the Battlefield, the Phoenix Clan Seeks Refuge

When Chu Sheng exited the Formation, his first sensation was...

He felt someone holding him, a warm breath brushing against his ear, carrying a faint scent like some kind of spirit flower mixed with water vapor.

When Chu Sheng woke up, his sense of smell recovered before his consciousness.

A faint, slightly warm fragrance, like the lingering scent of flowers and grass after being kissed by the sun.

His face was pressed against something soft, feeling warm to the touch, with subtle rises and falls—like the rhythm of breathing.

He blinked, and his vision gradually focused.

Jiuer was holding him.

Her arms were wrapped around his shoulders and back, half-cradling him in her embrace, as if holding something fragile.

Her robes were soaked through, clinging to her body, and water was still dripping from her hair tips, but she paid no mind to any of that.

She lowered her head, as if confirming he was still alive.

Jiuer nodded, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible exhaustion: "We made it out."

They were suspended in the shallow waters of the Heavenly Pool, with the shimmering water surface overhead, through which the faint starlight from outside could be seen.

The rift behind them had completely closed, as if it had never appeared.

Chu Sheng was silent for a moment, then straightened up from Jiuer's embrace, working his shoulders which were still feeling a bit sore and numb.

He looked back at the now-calm water, quickly reviewing what had just happened in his mind.

The old Dragon did not chase them out.

Although they must have caused a disturbance when they broke through the Formation, the old Dragon did not intervene personally—which meant the turmoil in the Formation had already occupied his main energy, and he had to prioritize dealing with the other Yao Race still trapped inside.

For Chu Sheng, this was a rare window to catch his breath.

But he did not let his guard down.

He felt that the Qi on the water's surface was much more complex than before.

Chu Sheng couldn't help but chant a line: "Riddles and schemes set amidst the birthday banquet, layer upon layer of fog begins to part..."

He paused, as if thinking about what the next line should be.

A moment later, he shook his head and stopped making it up.

"Forget it, not everything needs to rhyme."

Jiuer glanced at him without speaking, but the corners of her mouth seemed to twitch.

The two waded ashore, their feet stepping onto the wet sand with a faint sound.

However, just as they emerged from the water, a figure landed on the reef ahead, blocking their path.

King Peng.

He had changed into dark, fitted clothing more suitable for action, no longer the leisurely appearance of holding a wine glass at the earlier birthday banquet.

His gaze fell upon Chu Sheng and Jiuer, sweeping over the residual wounds and water stains on them, and lingered for a moment.

"To think you actually managed to come out alive."

His tone carried a hint of surprise, but he quickly returned to the calmness of someone accustomed to controlling the situation.

Chu Sheng did not rush to speak.

He knew that King Peng appearing here at this moment was by no means a coincidence.

He glanced at Jiuer, and Jiuer glanced back at him; neither of them answered directly.

King Peng had no intention of attacking either; he simply stood there, as if waiting for a reasonable explanation.

After a brief silence, Chu Sheng spoke.

"Senior, we have no intention of being enemies with the Peng Clan. We simply did not want to die in the Formation."

King Peng did not respond immediately, his gaze lingering on him for a while, as if confirming something.

Then he said: "Where do you want to go now?"

Chu Sheng did not hesitate: "To find the Phoenix Clan."

King Peng narrowed his eyes slightly, neither blocking them nor asking further questions, simply stepping aside to clear a path.

"Go then." His tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.

Chu Sheng said nothing more, took Jiuer by the hand, brushed past him, and quickly hurried in the direction the Phoenix Clan had left.

Behind them, King Peng watched their figures gradually shrink into the distance, appearing deep in thought, but he never moved again.

The Phoenix Clan's party had not gone very far.

They were taking a temporary rest on a spirit island far from the core area of the Dragon Palace, where several Elders were discussing the next leg of their journey.

When Chu Sheng and Jiuer arrived, they happened to see that Phoenix Clan Elder distributing Medicinal Pills to the clansmen.

Seeing the disheveled appearance of Chu Sheng and the other, the Phoenix Clan Elder raised an eyebrow: "Why haven't you left yet?"

Chu Sheng did not exchange pleasantries, but instead cupped his hands and got straight to the point: "Senior, this Junior has a request."

Seeing his serious expression, the Phoenix Clan Elder softened his tone: "Speak."

Chu Sheng lowered his voice and said a few words: "The secret of the Feng Xian."

The Phoenix Clan Elder's gaze shifted.

He did not immediately press for details, nor did he drive them away; he simply remained silent for a moment, then turned to the side, signaling for Chu Sheng and Jiuer to follow.

"Come inside and talk."