I'm updating the upload schedule! Rather than just Monday and Saturday, there will now be four updates each week as I have some leeway in my real-life schedule: two chapters on the weekend and two chapters during the weekdays.
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A few hours later, Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes, having finally purged the residual spirituality from the wings.
"As expected… not all members of the phoenix tribe share the temperament of the Immortal Fire Phoenix," he murmured, a quiet sigh slipping from his lips.
Though the wings exuded a sense of ethereal serenity, Xiao Hua was surprised to discover that their true nature was violently hostile. The contrast left him thoughtful.
"It was truly fortunate that the Blue Lightning Beast aided me. Without its assistance, erasing that lingering will would have drained me severely…"
A faint, weary smile appeared on his face as he recalled the arduous process of erasing the Celestial Moon Phoenix's spiritual imprint.
Unlike other magical beasts known for their physical might, the Celestial Moon Phoenix specialized in Spiritual Strength. Thus, unlike the time he dealt with the Heaven Demon Phoenix's spirituality, confronting this one was far more perilous. Without sufficient precautions, he might have suffered grievous losses.
"Regardless, it is done..." Xiao Hua lifted his head, eyes reflecting the soft glow of the silvery moonlight wings now wrapped around the five dancing flames. The sight was strangely vibrant, and a thoughtful expression settled on his face.
He rose to his feet and began the refinement process, skillfully manipulating the five flames' temperature with his exceptional control over Spiritual Strength. One after another, he retrieved numerous strange and rare materials, casting each into the flames surrounding the wings without hesitation.
The process was long and meticulous, but the result was worth every moment. Several hours later, Xiao Hua gracefully unfurled his three pairs of wings—each a masterpiece of elemental harmony.
The first pair gleamed with radiant energy, vibrant feathers laced with a trace of whistling wind and faint arcs of lightning dancing gently along their surface.
The second pair blazed with majesty—crimson wings tinged with molten gold, emanating a fiery presence. The heat they radiated caused the surrounding air to subtly rise in temperature, a testament to the dense flame strength they contained.
The third and final pair—the one he had just crafted—was born from the Celestial Moon Phoenix's wings. These wings shimmered like reflections of a tranquil night sky, composed of translucent, feather-like strands of silvery moonlight and pale azure mist. Ethereal and weightless, they seemed to hover on the edge of illusion.
Soft hues of lavender and drifting starlight specks traced along the edges, glowing and fading like distant stars in a dream. Silent in motion, their presence carried a profound serenity—as though Xiao Hua were wrapped in the quiet embrace of the heavens. These wings did not blaze with power; instead, they radiated a soothing majesty, gentle and eternal.
Feeling satisfied, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Hua's face. He glanced over his shoulder, examining the three pairs of wings that unfurled behind him, and gave a quiet nod of approval.
Just as he was about to retract the wings back into his body, a sudden, sharp pain pierced through his back, causing him to flinch. Yet before he could react or investigate the source, his mind trembled—his consciousness shaken, pulled into something far beyond his control.
In that fleeting instant, as a surge of boundless might coursed through his veins, the world seemed to fall into absolute silence. From the depths of his soul, an ancient voice—eternal and enigmatic—resounded like a whisper from the dawn of time itself:
"When flesh turns undying, and soul knows no death... Even if scattered to the ends of the world, I shall return. Bloodline eternal, wings unseen—Four Illusionary Phoenixes shall dance, unbound by form."
As the voice faded into silence, a flood of information surged into Xiao Hua's mind. At the same time, the three pairs of wings trembled slightly, then began to move on their own—drawn to him as if answering a forgotten calling.
The wings slowly merged with his body and soul, dissolving into his very being.
A moment later, Xiao Hua's body rose gently into the air, suspended as if weightless. Then, with a soft pulse of light, the three pairs of wings unfurled once more—only now they had grown vast and awe-inspiring, each spanning nearly fifteen feet in length. Without a sound, they wrapped around him like a celestial cocoon—silent, divine, and unshakably calm.
The entire cave grew quiet and serene, the air still as the strange, ethereal cocoon remained suspended at its center.
…
At the back of the wooden cabin, five beauties sat gracefully around a circular bamboo pavilion, warm teacups resting before them, the soft scent of tea lingering in the air.
"Lady Azure... about the third technique of Xiao Hua's Four Mysterious Body—is it something unique?" Little Fairy Doctor set down her cup and asked gently, her expression filled with quiet curiosity.
She clearly remembered how, two days prior—before Xiao Hua had entered the mountain range—Lady Azure had mentioned to her and Cai Lin that it would take some time for him to complete his task.
At the time, Lady Azure had revealed that Xiao Hua was preparing to refine his third pair of wings and, in doing so, unlock the third sealed technique hidden within the Four Mysterious Body.
Little Fairy Doctor knew that Lady Azure was the one who had created the technique known as "Four Divine Phoenixes, Fly and Dance Across Heaven," and within it, the mysterious Four Mysterious Body—a strange and mysterious technique that could only be revealed by refining the extremely pure bloodline of a phoenix within one's body.
Knowing this, she couldn't help but feel curious about what this third sealed technique truly was—one that demanded such focus and effort from Xiao Hua.
"Rather than a technique, the third sealed stage of the Four Mysterious Body is a metamorphosis of the physical and spiritual form. It fuses the three pairs of wings into his body, initiating a complete transformation."
Lady Azure replied casually, a soft, amused chuckle escaping her lips.
Zi Yan, who had been lazily sprawled across the table with boredom written all over her face, suddenly perked up at Lady Azure's words. Her eyes sparkled with interest as she lifted herself upright.
"Does that mean Xiao Hua will become part of the phoenix tribe?" she asked curiously.
Lady Azure gently rubbed her delicate chin with a slender, snow-white finger, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Rather than saying he's becoming one of the phoenix tribes," she said slowly, "it's more accurate to say… he is transforming into a human born with wings—a slightly different type of race."
"A human born with wings? Is there even such a race on the Dou Qi Continent?" Zi Yan crossed her arms and tilted her head, genuine confusion written on her face. This was the first time she had heard of such a thing.
She knew that humans could form wings using Dou Qi or craft them through specialized flying-type Dou Techniques. But someone being naturally born with wings... that was unheard of.
"That's why I said the third technique isn't truly a technique, but a physical and spiritual metamorphosis," Lady Azure replied with a soft shake of her head.
At that moment, Xue Yue, who had been quietly listening until now, suddenly spoke, her voice calm but piercing as she changed the subject.
"So, how long are you all going to keep pretending to be ignorant?"
Her gaze locked onto the three of them with quiet intensity.
Startled by her sudden question, Little Fairy Doctor, Cai Lin, and Zi Yan exchanged surprised glances before letting out helpless smiles. They understood exactly what she was implying.
"Is Lady Xue Yue referring to the mysterious method Xiao Hua used to obtain all those natural treasures?" Cai Lin asked, her tone calm but probing, clearly confirming the implication in Xue Yue's words.
Xue Yue didn't respond, but her silence was confirmation enough.
"It's simple. We just don't see it as a problem," Little Fairy Doctor replied with a gentle smile after receiving that unspoken answer.
"That's right. It's not like he's ever used it with ill intentions, so there's nothing worth discussing about it," Zi Yan added with a bored look, propping her cheek on one hand.
Cai Lin nodded in agreement, a faint smile playing at her lips. Her gaze drifted toward the distant mountain range, several hundred kilometers away—the place where Xiao Hua currently remained in seclusion.
Whether it was Little Fairy Doctor, Zi Yan, or Cai Lin, none of them were naïve. They were fully aware that Xiao Hua possessed something extraordinary—a mysterious power or treasure that allowed him to obtain countless rare items and medicinal ingredients, things that no ordinary person could acquire, especially not within the limited lands of the Jia Ma Empire.
This suspicion had long been confirmed by Xun Er, who had once confided in them. She had revealed that Xiao Hua carried something far more enigmatic and unfathomable than even Lady Azure, Lady Xue, or the Nine Lightning Beasts bound to him.
"Sister Xun Er once told me that Xiao Hua had tried to tell her something… but failed. Perhaps he was attempting to speak about this mysterious method of his at that time."
According to Xun Er, when Xiao Hua attempted to explain, his mouth had suddenly sealed shut, as if some invisible force had blocked his voice entirely and forbidden him from uttering a single word.
At first, they had assumed Xun Er was referring to Lady Azure, Lady Xue Yue, or even the Nine Lightning Beasts. But that theory was quickly dismissed—after all, they were already aware of their existence. Which could only mean one thing:
There was something even more mysterious and unfathomable residing within Xiao Hua—something so absolute in its secrecy that it wouldn't even allow him to speak of it.
Naturally, that mysterious existence was the Auto-Cultivation System dwelling within Xiao Hua. He had once tried to reveal it, but the System had forcibly intervened—shutting his mouth tight, sealing his voice, and preventing a single word from escaping until the intention to speak was completely erased from his mind.
Cai Lin's smile softened, her eyes filled with tenderness and quiet affection. She knew full well that Xiao Hua didn't want to keep secrets from them—he was simply forced to, bound by something beyond his control.
Turning to Xue Yue, she spoke calmly, "There's no reason for us to pressure him into speaking. It's already more than enough that Xiao Hua has gone to such lengths, using that mysterious ability to gather precious medicinal ingredients—for our sake."
Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting the same quiet understanding.
Lady Azure, watching the exchange, felt pleased with her little brother's future wives. A warm smile touched her lips as she glanced toward Xue Yue, who, despite her usual cold demeanor, showed a faint nod of approval at their words.
Even so, it was Little Fairy Doctor who turned to Xue Yue and asked with curiosity, "But still… why bring this up now, Lady Xue Yue?"
Xue Yue replied without missing a beat, her voice as sharp as ever. "Simple. I just wanted to see if your intelligence had dropped off a cliff."
The blunt response left the three women momentarily stunned, their expressions frozen in disbelief.
"Ha ha, direct as always, Sister Xue Yue," Lady Azure said with a graceful laugh, her voice laced with amusement at her sister's bluntness.
Little Fairy Doctor, Cai Lin, and Zi Yan could only exchange helpless glances before offering wry smiles. No matter how much time passed, they still found it hard to deal with Xue Yue's cold and aloof temperament.
"But… how long until Xiao Hua wakes up?" Zi Yan asked, turning to the still-smiling Lady Azure.
"By my estimation… probably around two days," Lady Azure replied, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes from laughing too hard.
Little Fairy Doctor's eyes widened in surprise at the answer. Two whole days of unconsciousness was longer than she expected. But then, she placed a hand over her chest and let out a quiet breath of relief as she remembered something.
"Fortunately, Tian Huo Zun-zhe is nearby, stabilizing his condition and watching over the surroundings. With him there, Xiao Hua should remain perfectly safe."
Cai Lin and Zi Yan nodded in agreement, clearly sharing the same thoughts as Little Fairy Doctor upon hearing Lady Azure's words.
"We just need to wait patiently. It's not the first time he's done something like this," Cai Lin said with a soft smile, recalling the many times Xiao Hua had made them wait during his breakthroughs or cultivation.
"That's true. Last time, he had me waiting for several months," Little Fairy Doctor added with a gentle chuckle. "Compared to that, two days is nothing."
She turned her gaze toward the distant mountain range. Her eyes softened, filled with warmth and affection. Her feelings for Xiao Hua had already grown deep and unwavering that nothing will affects it.
…
Time passed like a gentle breeze. Two quiet days slipped by within the serene cave, where a strange cocoon with feathery textures rested quietly at its center.
Whoosh!
A faint movement stirred from within the cocoon that had remained silent for two full days. Gentle ripples began to pulse outward, disrupting the stillness of the cave.
Sha… sha…
A soft rustling followed, like whispers carried by the wind, as countless feather-like strands swayed gently on the cocoon's surface. Slowly, three massive wings unfurled, parting to reveal the figure of Xiao Hua within—his eyes still closed in deep stillness.
A moment later, his eyes slowly opened. One crimson. One cyan. Both shone with unusual clarity.
Xiao Hua exhaled softly, a trace of relief escaping his lips. "Who would've thought… the third one wasn't a technique at all, but a fusion of phoenix essence and wings into my body…"
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he recalled the information engraved in his soul—the truth behind the third sealed technique of the Four Mysterious Body.
"The body shall remain undying, never to decay.
The soul shall remain whole, even shattered—capable of revival from but a single fragment.
The bloodline shall never be exhausted by time, though its purity may still waver, if only slightly."
Immortal Body. Indestructible Soul. Inexhaustible Bloodline.
This… was the third so-called 'technique' of the Four Mysterious Body.
Moreover, Xiao Hua soon discovered that he could now use the Four Illusionary Phoenixes and Boundless Dance—the first and second techniques of the Four Mysterious Body—without needing to unfurl his phoenix wings.
"That's a relief… especially once I set foot in the Central Plains," he murmured, a sense of ease settling in his heart.
Previously, activating those techniques required revealing all three pairs of phoenix wings. If he had done so, it would undoubtedly draw the attention—and pursuit—of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, especially once they recognized that one pair belonged to one of their own fallen members.
But now, that lingering threat had been quietly dispelled. The transformation granted him the ability to suppress his wings while still harnessing the techniques. It was more than just a convenience—it was a crucial safeguard. A concern he had carried for so long now felt lighter.
What remained was the need for one final source of phoenix essence—exceptionally pure and dense. Only then could he unseal the fourth and final technique of the Four Mysterious Body.
"Still, I've managed to awaken the third technique, if it can truly be called that. I shouldn't be too greedy… best to let things unfold in their own time," Xiao Hua whispered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Bang!
Just as he spoke, a sudden commotion erupted near the cave entrance, drawing his attention. He turned, then smiled faintly upon sensing the familiar presence.
Rising to his feet, he gave a light stretch before stepping out into the open. As he emerged from the cave's shadowy depths, he lifted his gaze to see Tian Huo Zun-zhe slowly descending from the sky, a smile on his face.
"Tian Huo Zun-zhe, have you grown accustomed to your new body?" Xiao Hua asked with a light smile.
"A fair bit," Tian Huo Zun-zhe replied. "Thanks to it, my strength has reached the peak of 9-Star Dou Zun. Unfortunately, due to the powerful strength contained within this vessel, stabilizing my foundation will still take some time."
"Rest assured, Tian Huo Zun-zhe. We have more than enough time before we set out for the Central Plains," Xiao Hua said with a soft chuckle, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe nodded, visibly relieved that Xiao Hua wasn't in a hurry to depart just yet.
With a casual wave of his hand, Xiao Hua retrieved a jade bottle. Within it, a pill the size of a dragon's eye rotated slowly, its surface glistening with medicinal dew. A dense and rich fragrance wafted from the bottle—so potent it stirred the mind and sharpened the senses.
With a flick of his finger, the jade bottle floated gently toward Tian Huo Zun-zhe, who instinctively caught it, a look of confusion crossing his face.
"This is… a tier 8 medicinal pill?" he asked, surprise swiftly replacing confusion in his eyes as he examined the pill within. "Why are you giving this to me?"
He had asked for nothing beyond his revival, and even that required a prolonged period of recovery to fully stabilize his strength. At this stage, he had no intention of seeking anything further that might jeopardize the fragile balance of his foundation.
"This is one of the many pills I personally crafted and refined—a Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill. Its effects are..."
Seeing Tian Huo Zun-zhe's confusion, Xiao Hua began explaining the pill's wondrous properties—each word revealing a power so extraordinary that any Dou Zun expert would go to great lengths to obtain it.
As he listened, Tian Huo Zun-zhe's mind buzzed with disbelief, rendering him momentarily speechless. He could already imagine the bloodshed such a pill would incite if news of it spread across the Central Plains—especially among those ancient experts.
"You may take this pill once your foundation has fully stabilized," Xiao Hua said with a calm yet confident smile. "When that time comes, it will surely help you step into the realm of Ban Sheng."
"Haha! With such a generous gift, how could this old man not pledge his loyalty?"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe threw his head back and laughed heartily. The polite words that once lingered on his tongue were swallowed back down. In the end, he nodded solemnly and spoke with quiet resolve, "From this day forth, I will stand by your side—and cut down any who dare to raise their blade against you."
With all the favors he owed Xiao Hua—and having long since approved of his character—Tian Huo Zun-zhe had already decided to remain within the force Xiao Hua was building. He would not only stand by his side but also protect him and the faction he had painstakingly nurtured.
He was a man who valued character above all and never left a favor unpaid—especially when it came to those who had earned his respect.
Xiao Hua gave a satisfied nod, a faint smile playing on his lips. He understood Tian Huo Zun-zhe's nature well. The man meant every word he said.
Turning slightly, Xiao Hua spoke, "Let's return to the wooden cabin. It's a safe place where you can focus on stabilizing your foundation."
He, too, missed the warmth of the Little Fairy Doctor and the quiet affection that lingered in Cai Lin's gaze—his two future wives who each held a place in his heart. Even the loud, playful presence of the ever-childish Zi Yan was someone he found himself longing for.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe said nothing more, simply nodding in agreement.
In the next instant, the two vanished from the sky, their figures streaking toward the depths of the Chaos Spiritual Forest.
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