45: The demon egg stirs strangely; a visitor from the Southern Region arrives.

Time flew quickly. Under the governance of Yun Feng and Nie Li, the Northern Domain grew increasingly prosperous and stable. Yun Feng's research on the "ancient demonic egg" never ceased. He used the System to continuously analyze the external Seal patterns and internal energy structure, attempting to find a method for safely hatching it or establishing contact with it.

On this day, Yun Feng was carefully stimulating the blood-colored patterns on the egg's surface with the power of rules in his secret chamber, trying to draw out a trace of Origin demonic power for research.

Suddenly, the demonic egg, which had been in a state of dormancy, abruptly transmitted an extremely faint, yet exceptionally pure and ancient, yearning intention!

This intention was not directed at Yun Feng, but rather pierced through layers of space, pointing distantly towards... the South!

Almost simultaneously, the System issued a warning:

[Detected unknown high-dimensional energy fluctuation approaching from the South, generating a weak resonance with the demonic egg! Energy attribute analysis: Homologous demonic power, activated, carrying intense life aura!]

The South? Homologous demonic power?

Yun Feng's gaze sharpened, instantly realizing a possibility. He immediately retracted his aura, and once again used a Formation to tightly Seal the demonic egg, isolating its fluctuations.

At the same time, his vast Divine Sense spread southward like an invisible giant net, spanning tens of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers!

In his perception, a small but exceptionally formidable team was riding a strangely shaped flying ark, carved from white jade, crossing the border between the Central and Southern Domains and heading towards the Northern Domain.

Above the ark, a flag fluttered, bearing the image of a noble and magnificent cyan divine bird—a Phoenix—with its wings spread, ready to soar!

"The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty of the Southern Domain?" Yun Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.

This was a behemoth dominating the Southern Domain, whose strength was on par with the Feather God Sect. Furthermore, due to its possession of the ancient Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline, it was even more mysterious in certain aspects.

They rarely interacted with the outside world, so why were they appearing at the Northern Domain's border now?

What concerned Yun Feng even more was that within the core cabin of the flying ark, he sensed a powerful demonic power that was homologous to the "ancient demonic egg" but more active and vibrant!

Its source appeared to be a heavily guarded, noble existence.

"Was it this demonic egg that attracted them?" Yun Feng understood internally.

The Origin of this demonic egg was likely far more complex than imagined, capable of drawing the attention of the Southern Domain's Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty across such a vast distance.

He did not take immediate action, choosing instead to wait and observe.

He wanted to see what the people of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty were truly seeking.

Several days later, the white jade flying ark arrived at the Northern Domain border. It did not force entry but courteously announced its intention to visit, stating that the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty's Princess Your Highness wished to meet with Yun Feng, the Lord of the Northern Domain.

"Princess Your Highness?" When Yun Feng received Nie Li's report, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

The noble existence carrying homologous demonic power was indeed royalty of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty.

"Invite them to the City of Radiance," Yun Feng ordered.

He wanted to see what this Heavenly Phoenix Princess was planning.

Soon, the white jade flying ark landed at the location designated by the Yun Family.

A group of about twenty people disembarked. Leading them was a woman dressed in magnificent palace robes and veiled.

Her figure was graceful. Although her face was obscured, the Phoenix eyes visible were clear and bright, possessing natural authority in their glances.

A noble and powerful aura flowed around her; she was clearly a Legendary Rank expert!

The demonic power contained within her Bloodline was pure and ancient, subtly resonating with the demonic egg.

She was the Third Princess of the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty—Phoenix Nine Heavens.

The old woman and guards following her all had restrained auras and sharp eyes, clearly indicating they were masters.

Nie Li represented the Yun Family in receiving them, guiding them to the Yun Family's "Yingxian Pavilion," which was specially used for hosting distinguished guests.

"Nie Li of the Northern Domain greets Heavenly Phoenix Princess Your Highness." Nie Li bowed neither subserviently nor arrogantly.

Phoenix Nine Heavens nodded slightly, her voice clear and pleasant: "Fellow Daoist Nie Li, there is no need for such formality.

This Princess's bold visit is due to a matter she wishes to discuss with Domain Lord Yun Feng."

Her gaze swept around with a hint of inquiry. "I wonder if Domain Lord Yun is present?"

"Whatever important matter Princess Your Highness has, telling me is the same," Yun Feng's calm voice rang out from the Void Realm.

The next moment, his figure appeared on the main seat, as if he had been there all along.

The pupils of Phoenix Nine Heavens and the old woman behind her both contracted!

They hadn't detected how Yun Feng had appeared at all!

"Domain Lord Yun." Phoenix Nine Heavens composed herself, stood up, and bowed slightly, adopting a humble posture.

"To be frank, this Princess's trip is to retrieve a sacred object lost by our clan long ago."

"A sacred object?" Yun Feng picked up his teacup and gently blew across the surface.

"May I ask what sacred object would drift to a remote place like my Northern Domain?"

Phoenix Nine Heavens took a deep breath, her Phoenix eyes fixed on Yun Feng as she spoke word by word: "It is an... 'ancestral phoenix egg' containing a portion of the Origin of our clan's progenitor, the ancient Heavenly Phoenix!"

An ancestral phoenix egg!

Yun Feng's heart stirred. They had indeed come for that demonic egg!

And its Origin was actually the Origin egg of an ancient Heavenly Phoenix? No wonder it possessed such potential!

"An ancestral phoenix egg?" Yun Feng's expression remained unchanged.

"Princess Your Highness must have come to the wrong place. We do not have such an item in the Northern Domain."

"Domain Lord Yun!" Phoenix Nine Heavens' tone grew slightly anxious.

"This Princess bears the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline, and my sensing of the ancestral phoenix egg's aura cannot be mistaken!

It must be in the Northern Domain, and furthermore... near the City of Radiance!

This egg is crucial to my Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty; it concerns the continuation of our clan and our Legacy!

If the Domain Lord is willing to return it, our Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty is willing to pay any price! Cultivation Techniques, resources, or even forming a perpetual alliance—all are open for discussion!"

The old woman behind her also said in a deep voice: "Domain Lord Yun, the ancestral phoenix egg is the supreme sacred object of our Dynasty and cannot be lost.

We hope the Domain Lord will be accommodating, lest we damage our harmony."

The words were soft yet firm, containing both a plea and an implied threat.

Yun Feng set down his teacup and looked calmly at Phoenix Nine Heavens: "Princess Your Highness, if I say we do not have it, then we do not have it. The Northern Domain does not welcome threats."

An invisible pressure, like a gentle breeze, swept through the entire Yingxian Pavilion.

Phoenix Nine Heavens and her entourage immediately felt their breath catch, as if they were being rejected by the entire world, filling their hearts with shock!

This Domain Lord Yun's strength was far more terrifying than rumored!

Phoenix Nine Heavens' face paled slightly. She bit her lip, knowing that being forceful was useless.

She softened her tone: "Domain Lord Yun, please forgive my lapse in judgment. It is just that... the ancestral phoenix egg is truly too important to my clan. If the Domain Lord has any conditions, please state them."

Yun Feng looked at this Heavenly Phoenix Princess, who was willing to humble herself for her clan, and his thoughts raced.

Forcibly keeping the demonic egg would inevitably lead to conflict with the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty. Although he was not afraid, having an extra enemy was never a good thing.

Furthermore, for him, the demonic egg currently held more research value, and incubating and controlling it still required time and Opportunity.

Perhaps... he could approach this differently?

He gently tapped his finger on the table and slowly spoke: "I do have some interest in this egg. However, whether or how to return it still requires consideration."

He did not give a definitive answer, leaving room for negotiation.

"Princess Your Highness is a guest from afar. You may stay in the city for now. This matter can be discussed later."