349: Chapter 349 The Past of the Phoenix Clan, Phoenix Ancestor, Phoenix Fairy, and Phoenix Child

After staying with the Phoenix Clan for two days, Chu Sheng finally found a suitable opportunity to cautiously ask about Feng Xian.

He did not bring up Feng Xian's name directly, but instead started by chatting about the Legacy of the Yao Race's Demon Venerables in the Western Domain since ancient times.

The Clan Chief of the Phoenix Clan glanced at him, as if he had long expected this question.

He set down the Jade Slip in his hand, fell silent for a moment, and then spoke.

"When the name Feng Xian is mentioned within the Phoenix Clan, there is no one who does not submit."

His tone was different from usual; it was less easygoing and carried a bit more seriousness.

"She is recognized by the Phoenix Clan as the most powerful Demon Venerable in tens of thousands of years."

"Before her, although the Phoenix Clan was strong, it had not reached the point of making the Central Domain take notice. After her, while the Phoenix Clan has not declined, no one has been able to replicate her brilliance."

Chu Sheng did not interrupt, only listening quietly.

The Clan Chief continued: "To what extent was she strong? The matter of 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' was truly established during her era."

"At that time, all the Yao Race in the Western Domain, regardless of the level of their Bloodline, had to lower their heads upon seeing her. Those who refused to submit were all beaten into submission by her own hands."

"But she never actively sought trouble. As long as others did not provoke her, she would not provoke them."

"During her era, the gaze of those giant Sects in the Central Domain never crossed the Western border. It wasn't that they didn't want to; it was that they dared not."

Upon hearing this, Chu Sheng had a clearer outline in his mind.

He did not rush to ask about Feng Xian's disappearance, but instead asked first: "Then what about the Phoenix Ancestor?"

The Clan Chief glanced at him, as if he hadn't expected him to ask about something even further back in the past.

He was silent for a moment before speaking, his tone slower than before.

"The Phoenix Ancestor is even more ancient than Feng Xian."

"She was a powerhouse from the Great Desolation era. At that time, the Five Regions were still one, the Yao Race dominated for tens of thousands of years, and the Human Race had yet to rise."

"The Phoenix Ancestor was one of the pillars of that generation."

His tone carried a faint sense of respect, as if speaking of an elder who had been gone for far too long.

"But the Great Desolation era is too distant, and few records remain. All we can confirm today is that she once existed and once upheld the Phoenix Clan."

Chu Sheng nodded, not continuing to press about the Phoenix Ancestor.

He paused for a while, as if weighing his words, then asked the question he had been wanting to ask all along.

"Then… what about Feng Wa?"

The Clan Chief's movements paused.

He had been about to pick up the teacup on the table; his hand froze in mid-air for an instant before continuing the motion, as if he had not been affected at all.

But Chu Sheng noticed that momentary pause.

"Feng Wa?" His voice was a few degrees lower than before. "You have met her?"

Chu Sheng nodded: "I have. In the Northern Domain, within the Fengxian Secret Realm. She exists in the form of a remnant soul, guarding a shackled Physical Body."

"She told me that back when the Heavenly Demon Ancestor invaded the Western Domain, she was ordered to guard a critical node. Later, she was severely injured and drifted to the Northern Domain, where she encountered the Greed Demon Venerable and was never able to return."

The Clan Chief did not respond immediately.

He simply sat there, holding the cup of tea he had picked up but not yet drunk, as if lost in a long train of thought.

After a while, he set down the teacup, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible hoarseness.

"Feng Wa is my elder sister."

His tone was very flat, as if stating a fact that had already been confirmed.

"She was the most outstanding member of the Phoenix Clan's previous generation. If not for that incident back then, she would have been the candidate to succeed to the position of Clan Chief."

Chu Sheng did not respond.

The Clan Chief continued: "After she went missing, the Phoenix Clan sent people to the Northern Domain to search many times, but there were no results."

"The Northern Domain is different from the Western Domain. The forces of the Demon Race and Human Race there are intertwined, and the Phoenix Clan could not operate on a large scale like we do in the Western Domain."

"As time passed, the search gradually stopped."

He paused, as if there was something on the tip of his tongue.

"You mentioned just now that she exists in the form of a remnant soul—then is she considered alive now?"

Chu Sheng was silent for a moment, then answered truthfully: "The Physical Body still remains, and the remnant soul has not completely dissipated. If there is enough time and the right conditions, perhaps…"

He did not finish his sentence, but the Clan Chief already understood what he meant.

He did not press for details, simply sitting in silence for a while.

Then, as if talking to himself, he said in a low voice: "If only I could go back and see her…"

"It is a pity that the Phoenix Clan has complex affairs right now; it is not a time when I can easily leave."

Chu Sheng did not respond, nor did he bring up the matter of Feng Wa again.

He knew that some things were better left said to this extent; saying more would only make people feel he had ulterior motives.

The great hall was quiet for a while.

The Clan Chief picked up the Jade Slip again, as if he had ended the topic.

His gaze fell on the page of the Jade Slip, but Chu Sheng noticed that his line of sight was not moving.

He did not say anything, simply standing up quietly, cupping his hands in farewell, and retreating from the great hall.

The leaves of the Immortal Firmiana tree outside emitted a low rustling sound, as if something was gently swaying far away.