252: Phoenix King's Remains

Li Qi and the Phoenix Lord were not meeting for the first time; they had already had two previous encounters.

The first time, the Phoenix Lord had observed Li Qi from afar. Although Li Qi sensed someone was watching, he didn't understand why.

The second time, he and the Phoenix Lord met eyes. The Phoenix Lord's gaze alone brought immense pressure upon him, something Li Qi would never forget.

And today… Li Qi saw those familiar eyes once more.

The Phoenix Lord smiled, “Li Qi… we meet again.”

The Phoenix Lord was not only powerful but also graceful and dignified, an exceptionally beautiful woman.

Facing such a formidable presence, Li Qi stepped forward and bowed slightly.

“This one is Li Qi… greetings, Phoenix Lord.”

The Phoenix Lord’s smile was warm and inviting, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze: “No need for formalities.”

She examined Li Qi carefully and slowly said, “I sent Feng Xi to find you… I initially thought you wouldn’t come.”

“With the Phoenix Lord’s invitation, how could I dare not come?”

Li Qi said calmly and solemnly. Since there was no danger, why not come?

The Phoenix Lord nodded slightly, then waved her hand, and a flame barrier materialized, concealing their figures and isolating them from external gazes.

Li Qi was slightly surprised, but he didn't move, remaining steadily in place, allowing the Phoenix Lord to enclose him within the flame barrier.

“Good… this courage alone far surpasses ordinary people.”

The Phoenix Lord also praised him, her smile deepening.

Li Qi dared to come alone to the heart of the Phoenix Clan, and even when sealed within the barrier, he showed no panic. The Phoenix Lord’s eyes held a hint of admiration as she looked at Li Qi.

“The Phoenix Lord overpraises me.” Li Qi replied, knowing that they were likely about to discuss serious matters. The Phoenix Lord isolating them from the outside clearly indicated that there were things she didn't want others to know.

“Alright, Li Qi, I have a question for you…”

“Your Nirvana Art… where exactly did it come from?”

This was a secret art of the Phoenix Clan, not easily disseminated. Even if it accidentally spread outside… outsiders could never learn it!

Because it was a Bloodline secret art belonging to the Phoenix Clan; without the Phoenix Bloodline, one could not hope to master it!

But the fact was… someone had learned it.

The Phoenix Lord had just carefully observed him; Li Qi was not a descendant of the Phoenix Clan, nor was he the illegitimate child of some Phoenix Maiden.

Although Li Qi already possessed a certain degree of Phoenix Bloodline, that was due to multiple Nirvana Rebirths, not something he was born with.

In the Phoenix Lord’s eyes, Li Qi was shrouded in too many mysteries.

Li Qi also knew the Phoenix Lord would certainly ask this question. He was well-prepared and directly took out an item, displaying it before the Phoenix Lord.

“My Nirvana Art… all comes from this object.”

phoenix remnant bone!

Upon seeing the bone fragment in Li Qi’s hand, the calm expression on the Phoenix Lord’s face instantly vanished, and the aura around her uncontrollably erupted. The entire Wutong Tree began to tremble violently.

“This is… the Phoenix King’s remains?!”

Not just the Phoenix Lord, but Feng Xi, who had been standing beside her, also recognized the item in Li Qi’s hand and was equally shocked.

Li Qi’s face paled, and he barely managed to stand firm under the immense pressure emanating from the Phoenix Lord.

His hand felt lighter as the remnant bone disappeared, having already appeared in the Phoenix Lord’s hand, and a hint of coldness entered the Phoenix Lord’s eyes.

“Tell me… why do you possess such a thing?”

Sweat appeared on Li Qi’s forehead, and he gritted his teeth, explaining, “Phoenix Lord, please calm down and allow me to explain in detail.”

The Phoenix Lord’s aura also settled down again, and the pressure on Li Qi eased: “Speak.”

Li Qi let out a long breath, then cupped his hands slightly towards the Phoenix Lord and said.

“To speak of the origin of this item, I must first mention my own background.”

“This item was obtained by me from the Lower Realm!”

“I also came from the Lower Realm, breaking through the Void Realm…”

Li Qi knew that if he met the Phoenix Lord, she would definitely ask about the origin of the Nirvana Art, which would inevitably involve the phoenix remnant bone. Since that was the case… he might as well reveal everything.

Tell the Phoenix Lord everything about the remnant bone and his own origins!

He had cast a divination before coming, and it indicated great fortune for this trip, so he should simply go with the flow.

If he prevaricated and spoke vaguely to the Phoenix Lord, it might backfire instead.

Besides, the Phoenix Lord exuded an undeniable sense of ancientness. Heaven knew how long this Phoenix Lord had lived. Trying to deceive this Phoenix Lord with his meager Dao cultivation was definitely unreliable and would surely enrage her.

Upon hearing Li Qi’s explanation, both the Phoenix Lord and Feng Xi were stunned, and Feng Xi even blurted out.

“Li Qi, you are a World Breaker?”

“Of course.”

“But I didn’t sense any aura from the Lower Realm on you.”

Li Qi took out a stone from his embrace and displayed it before them.

“This is a world-shielding stone.”

“After my Ascension to the Immortal Martial World, I was fortunate enough to join the Four Seas Sect and gained the appreciation of the Four Seas Sect Sect Leader… who gifted me this world-shielding stone.”

“It is precisely this world-shielding stone that concealed and dissipated my aura.”

This world-shielding stone was a size smaller than when Xiang Zhizhou first gave it to him, because it had been continuously dissipating Li Qi’s aura, leading to its consumption and shrinkage.

The Phoenix Lord saw that the world-shielding stone in Li Qi’s hand indeed showed signs of consumption and nodded slightly: “I understand.”

“Then tell me… how did you obtain this remnant bone in the Lower Realm?”