440: Banquet

In the ancient territory of the Phoenix Clan, as the flames of the Phoenix Lord's ninth Nirvana extinguished, a new era seemed to have begun.

Such an unprecedented feat of Nirvana was not only a great honor for the Phoenix Clan but would also move the entire cultivation world. And Li Qi's contribution to this feat was indispensable.

Without his improvement of the Nirvana Art, the immense risk of the ninth Nirvana would have been almost incalculable. But Li Qi's actions made this seemingly impossible feat a reality.

The Phoenix Lord, this peerlessly beautiful woman, did not claim all the credit for this success. Instead, she unreservedly narrated Li Qi's role in this Nirvana before the entire clan, letting all Phoenix Clan members understand who the true hero behind it was.

Upon hearing this, all the Phoenix, regardless of age, were deeply shaken.

Under the Phoenix Lord's guidance, they uniformly faced Li Qi and bowed deeply to show their respect.

"Such kindness is truly difficult for us to repay!"

"In the future, we will not hesitate to give our lives!"

Their voices were filled with gratitude and respect, every word coming from their hearts, without any falsehood.

Li Qi looked at the scene before him, his heart stirred, but his expression remained as calm as water. He smiled slightly and said softly, "Please rise, everyone, there is no need for this."

Though his words were simple, they revealed deep authority and composure.

Among the Phoenix Clan, Li Qi had long been renowned and enjoyed considerable prestige.

Although he was an outsider, he deeply grasped the essence of the Nirvana Art and was able to cultivate it smoothly. His speed and progress in Nirvana were astonishing, second only to the Phoenix Lord.

Even more remarkably, Li Qi had strongly assisted the Phoenix Clan in retrieving the lost Phoenix King from the Lower Realm, bringing immense hope and strength to the entire clan. The significance of this act to the entire Phoenix Clan was self-evident.

Now, Li Qi had achieved unprecedented merits again. His improved "Supreme Nine Revolutions Nirvana Sutra" enabled the Phoenix Clan to complete the unprecedented nine Nirvana. It is foreseeable that more Phoenix who complete nine Nirvana will be born in the future. This great creation... once again pushed Li Qi's prestige to new heights.

The Phoenix were surging with emotion, cheering and rejoicing, and Li Qi's name echoed through the core space of the Parasol Divine Tree, shaking the heavens.

Upon the return of the Phoenix Lord and Li Qi, an unprecedented enthusiasm erupted within the Phoenix Clan. To celebrate this moment, the clan quickly prepared an unprecedented banquet, inviting all clan members to participate in the grand event.

Phoenix from all directions, upon hearing the news, put aside whatever they were doing and returned.

At the banquet, a dazzling array of rare delicacies filled the tables, and fine wine flowed freely. Cups clinked, and the sword hanging over all Phoenix's heads disappeared. Not a single member of the clan had ever been as carefree as they were today.

After several rounds of drinks, the slightly tipsy Phoenix King walked steadily towards Li Qi. His eyes gleamed with excitement and a complex expression. He raised his wine cup and toasted Li Qi.

"Li Qi, you have brought new life to the entire Phoenix Clan..."

"My gratitude is beyond words... Our clan will engrave this great kindness in our hearts."

The Phoenix King was the first beneficiary after the "Supreme Nine Revolutions Nirvana Sutra" was transmitted back to the Far East. He had already undergone eight Nirvana, and now this sutra was like timely rain after a long drought for him. He knew that he was about to become the second Phoenix, after the Phoenix Lord, to complete the ninth Nirvana.

However, Li Qi's help to the Phoenix Clan was as vast as mountains and seas, and his own cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, having already achieved the fruit of a Creation True Lord.

This made the Phoenix Clan feel deeply unable to repay him, and a hint of guilt welled up in the Phoenix King's heart.

He knew that everything Li Qi had done for the Phoenix Clan far exceeded their ability to repay, and this guilt became a knot in his heart that was difficult to unravel.

The Phoenix Lord stood silently to the side, and upon hearing the Phoenix King's words about being unable to repay, her heart was slightly stirred, like ripples on a lake. She knew that Li Qi's contribution to the Phoenix Clan was truly extraordinary.

The Phoenix Lord parted her red lips, seemingly about to speak, but she did not. Instead, she slowly spoke in her heart.

"Actually, though this kindness is profound... it is not without means of repayment."

Her gaze turned to Li Qi; his handsome profile appeared even more profound in the lamplight. The Phoenix Lord gazed for a long time, as if wanting to eternally fix this moment, the tenderness and respect in her eyes were inexpressible.

...

As night deepened, the grand banquet came to an end.

Although a Creation True Lord's Physique was extraordinary, Li Qi, under the enthusiastic hospitality of the Phoenix, also felt slightly tipsy. The Phoenix Lord gently helped him up, and the two walked out of the banquet hall side by side.

Moonlight, like water, spilled upon them, as if cloaking them in a silver halo.

Although this was the core space of the tree, the true essence within it could still draw in the moonlight from outside.

The Phoenix Lord supported Li Qi, slowly strolling beneath the small trees. The two were very close, and her faint body fragrance lingered at Li Qi's nose, making him feel an unprecedented sense of tranquility and peace.

"The moonlight is so beautiful tonight," the Phoenix Lord said softly, breaking the quiet of the night.

"Yes, it's very beautiful," Li Qi responded, his expression calm.

The two arrived at the deepest part of the tree core space, which was once the Phoenix Lord's bedchamber. The palace's furnishings were simple yet elegant, everything appearing so tranquil and harmonious. The Phoenix Lord helped Li Qi sit on a soft couch and carefully poured him a cup of hot tea.

"You will stay here tonight," the Phoenix Lord's voice was gentle yet firm.

Li Qi nodded, his gaze never leaving the Phoenix Lord's face. It was as if, at this moment, he truly saw this peerlessly beautiful woman clearly. Her eyes were deep and bright, as if they could perceive everything in the world.

And the Phoenix Lord did not leave. She continued to speak, but her voice unconsciously became much softer.

"Also... I'm staying here tonight too..."