The cold wind over the North China Sea's ice field still carried the lingering stench of blood. Where the qilin clan had sealed their mountain, only the ice crystals forming along the light shield's edge crumbled softly in the wind.
The earth-yellow forbidden runes lay hidden beneath the ice, occasionally flickering with faint spiritual light—like the unvanished obsession of the First Qilin, weighing heavily on the hearts of all living beings in the Primordial World.
This oppressive aura gradually faded as time passed.
Three hundred years had slipped by in the blink of an eye since the qilin clan sealed their mountain, and the Primordial World had unexpectedly entered a rare period of peace.
With the subjugation of the qilin clan, the dragon clan's prestige reached unprecedented heights. Under the Ancestral Dragon's governance, the spiritual veins of the Four Seas thrived more than ever. The Azure Dragon Sea-Suppressing Formation in the East China Sea, the Scarlet Flame Spiritual Vein in the South China Sea, the Heavenly River Black Ice in the West China Sea, and the Ice Soul Formation in the North China Sea mutually supported each other—even chaotic beasts dared not approach the Four Seas' territories lightly.
The Phoenix Clan, however, acted strangely. After joining the dragon clan in attacking the qilin clan, they returned to the parasol forest in the Southern Region and sealed themselves off completely, surrounding the forest with a massive seven-colored glazed light shield.
East China Sea Dragon Palace, Ritual Platform.
Qinghe held a freshly compiled bamboo slip of Primordial public opinion, stepping into the main hall with a solemn expression.
"Your Majesty, unusual movements have been reported from the North China Sea direction."
Qinghe handed the bamboo slip to Ao Xuan, her fingertips brushing the gray patterns on it.
"Spies from the Ritual Platform report that over the past month, a rumor about the Phoenix Clan's participation in the war has spread among rogue cultivators in central and northern Primordial World—and it's growing more intense by the day."
Ao Xuan was standing atop the Dragon Abyss, sorting out the water fortune spiritual veins. Upon hearing this, he took the bamboo slip, his dragon pupils scanning the words, and his brows furrowed slowly.
The rumors recorded on the slip were surprisingly detailed:
"Three hundred years ago, during the Qilin War, the Four Seas Dragon Kings joined forces to imprison Yuanfeng in the East China Sea's sea eye. To save their clan leader, the Phoenix Clan elders were forced to ally with the dragon clan and send troops to help the dragons annihilate the qilin."
"Yuanfeng remains imprisoned to this day. Every quarter, the Phoenix Clan must offer ten seven-colored glazed pearls to the East China Sea to sustain their clan leader's life."
"Elder Feng Wu only participated in the war because the dragon clan threatened Yuanfeng's life. He died of melancholy shortly after the war."
"Innate Water Spirit Chains? East China Sea's sea eye?" Ao Xuan's fingertips glowed with pale blue spiritual light, a chill settling in his heart. "What's coming can't be avoided. If I'm not mistaken, this must be the work of Demon Ancestor Luo Hu behind the scenes."
Jiao Xuan, standing nearby with his dragon staff, his elderly eyes filled with solemnity. "This old jiao has heard similar claims. Cultivators in the North say they've seen the dragon clan transporting a 'Phoenix Prison Cart' to the East China Sea's sea eye, with the Four Seas Seal inscribed on its walls. These exaggerated details have convinced many ignorant creatures."
Qinghe added, "What's more troublesome is that when Ritual Platform spies investigated the spiritual plant market outside the parasol forest, they overheard Phoenix Clan juniors arguing privately. Some say the elders are hiding Yuanfeng's whereabouts; others demand storming the East China Sea to rescue their clan leader. There are even those investigating why the Phoenix Clan aided the dragon clan instead of the qilin three hundred years ago. If the rumors are allowed to spread unchecked, it will likely escalate conflicts between the dragon and Phoenix Clans."
"The timing of this rumor is extremely deliberate."
Ao Xuan tapped the water mirror lightly with his fingertip. "Few outsiders knew the truth about the war three hundred years ago—only the participating clans. After the war, the Phoenix Clan sealed themselves in the parasol forest, and Yuanfeng hasn't appeared in public. This created the perfect breeding ground for rumors. Meanwhile, the dragon clan's power is at its peak, and many clans already fear us. Once these rumors spread, regardless of what other clans think, the Phoenix Clan will never let it rest."
Ao Xuan pondered for a moment, his gaze settling on the Southern Region in the water mirror. "Qinghe, send Ritual Platform cultivators disguised as rogue cultivators to infiltrate the outer perimeter of the parasol forest. Investigate the Phoenix Clan's true internal stance—especially the reactions of the Phoenix Princess and elders. Jiao Xuan, compile the archives of the Phoenix Clan's participation in the war three hundred years ago. Focus on investigating Elder Feng Wu's movements and Yuanfeng's whereabouts to find evidence that refutes the rumors. Additionally, issue my order: East China Sea's Black Armored Guards are to strengthen border patrols. For any creatures provoking trouble due to the rumors, first reason with them; resort to force only if necessary. Avoid escalating conflicts."
"We obey your Majesty's order!" Qinghe and Jiao Xuan replied in unison, turning to handle their tasks.
Ao Xuan stood alone atop the Dragon Abyss, gazing at the scarlet flame spiritual light in the Southern Region direction. The water fortune spiritual light at his fingertips trembled slightly. He knew this rumor was no trivial matter—it not only threatened the relationship between the dragon and Phoenix Clans but also signaled Luo Hu's intent to incite the next war.
Since the Ancestral Dragon's awakening, Ao Xuan had felt that the Primordial World's history was returning to the path he knew. If history hadn't changed, he knew the real reason Yuanfeng hadn't appeared—and where she was now. But he had no desire to act on this knowledge...
Truth and falsehood, falsehood and truth.
This Primordial World had become increasingly unpredictable. Ao Xuan couldn't be arrogant enough to think he was omniscient or in control just because of his past-life memories.
Besides, the Phoenix Clan...
A flash of light passed through Ao Xuan's dragon eyes. He then lifted his head and continued sorting out the water fortune spiritual veins.
The morning light by the Luo River carried a gentle, moist mist.
The weeping willows along the bank were formed from spiritual roots, their branches dipping into the water, attracting countless spiritual fish to dart beneath the surface. The bubbles they exhaled glowed with faint spiritual light.
Ao Yu squatted by the bank, placing freshly picked Dew Condensing Grass into a jade box. The cool fragrance of the spiritual herb lingered on his fingertips—this was his thirtieth trip to the Luo River.
Since participating in the Qilin War with his father, Ao Lie, three hundred years ago, he had always felt restless fire spirit energy surging within him. Only the Luo River's spiritual veins and Dew Condensing Grass could calm him.
Over time, this place had become a rare haven of peace for him in the Primordial World.
"This Dew Condensing Grass is of much better quality than the ones I saw a few days ago."
A cold female voice suddenly came from behind, carrying the unique warmth of Nanming Li Fire, yet also a hint of distance.
Ao Yu spun around abruptly. There stood Feng Xi beneath the willow tree, clad in a seven-colored phoenix robe. The phoenix totem on the robe glowed with crimson gold spiritual light in the morning sun, and the red coral hairpin in her hair was still dazzling. However, her cold eyes seemed to hide an imperceptible weariness.
"Ao Yu pays homage to Princess Feng Xi." Ao Yu quickly stood up and bowed, the tiny crimson scales behind his ears glowing red unconsciously. "Has the princess come to pick Dew Condensing Grass today as well?"
Feng Xi nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the jade box in his hand. Her tone, however, was not as calm as usual. "The Luo River's Dew Condensing Grass must be picked before the morning dew dissipates to retain its purest spiritual energy. You certainly know your way around—though..."
Feng Xi bit her lip, her eyes locking directly onto Ao Yu's. "There's a rumor circulating about my Phoenix Clan and your dragon clan recently. Have you heard it?"
The smile on Ao Yu's face froze. He desperately wanted to say no.
But as the Tenth Prince of the South China Sea Dragon Clan, it was his duty to stay informed about events in the Primordial World. Naturally, he had heard the rumor of "the dragon clan imprisoning the phoenix."
But his father, Ao Lie, had strictly forbidden its spread, dismissing it as a demon clan's provocative lie. He never expected Feng Xi to bring it up voluntarily.
"Princess, are you referring to... the rumor about Senior Yuanfeng?" Ao Yu chose his words carefully. "It's nothing but a lie spread by the demon clan. My father has ordered a thorough investigation. The dragon clan has never imprisoned Senior Yuanfeng."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xi shook her head gently, walking to the Luo River's edge. The tips of her fingers glowed with faint Nanming Li Fire as she brushed the water's surface.
Several clumps of Dew Condensing Grass rose slowly from the bottom of the river. The dew drops on their leaves were crystal clear, yet they failed to reflect her expression.
"A lie? But all living beings in the Primordial World are saying that my Phoenix Clan joined the war three hundred years ago because the dragon clan threatened my mother's life."
Her voice was as soft as ripples on the Luo River, yet carried a hint of imperceptible hatred. "In the parasol forest, many young clan members are demanding the elders reveal the 'truth.' Some even propose allying with rogue cultivators in the Southern Region to storm the East China Sea and rescue my mother. I haven't seen my mother since before the Qilin Annihilation War. For three hundred years, the elders have been saying she's in seclusion, but..."
Ao Yu stared at her in stunned silence. He had never seen Feng Xi like this before.
In the past, she had been sometimes as cold as ice, sometimes as passionate as fire. Even when discussing the interests of the dragon and Phoenix Clans, she had always maintained the dignity and calm of a princess.
But now, there was undeniable vulnerability and confusion in her eyes—like a young beast trapped in a trap.
"Princess, I believe the dragon clan would never do such a thing." Ao Yu hurried to say, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.
"Although my father is fiery-tempered, he respects Senior Yuanfeng. Lord Ancestral Dragon is even more dedicated to the dragon clan's great prosperity. How could they imprison the Phoenix Clan's leader? This must be Luo Hu's scheme. He wants to incite war between the dragon and Phoenix Clans to reap the benefits."
Feng Xi lifted her eyes to look at him, a hint of complexity flashing in her cold gaze. "You are the Tenth Prince of the South China Sea Dragon Clan, so naturally you trust your own clan. But have you ever thought—what if the rumors are true? What if my Phoenix Clan was truly forced to join the war back then?"
She brushed the red hairpin in her hair, the fire spirit pearl at its tip glowing faintly. "Three hundred years ago, my mother was unwilling to ally with the dragon clan. Internally, the Phoenix Clan even considered aiding the qilin clan against the dragons. But why... why did we suddenly change our stance so drastically? Not only did we help the dragon clan, but we also participated in the qilin clan's annihilation! And Elder Feng Wu, who led the Phoenix Clan's troops in the war, passed away from illness just a year later."
Feng Xi had never told anyone these words. As the Phoenix Princess, she bore the honor and disgrace of her clan. Even if she had doubts in her heart, she could only suppress them.
But facing Ao Yu—a gentle young man unlike other dragon clan juniors—she couldn't help but speak her mind.
Ao Yu was left dumbfounded. He had never imagined there were such hidden circumstances behind the Phoenix Clan's participation in the war.
He opened his mouth to refute, but found he had no evidence. He didn't know why Elder Feng Wu had led the Phoenix Clan to aid the dragon clan back then, nor did he know if Yuanfeng was truly in seclusion.
He could only clench the jade box in his hand and say softly, "Princess, I will investigate this. I will ask my father. I promise I will give you an answer."
Feng Xi looked at his sincere expression, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes—quickly replaced by coldness.
She turned and walked toward the depths of the Luo River, her voice so soft it was almost carried away by the wind. "Thank you... But matters in the Primordial World are not something you and I can control. You are a dragon prince, and I am a phoenix princess. Our identities have destined us to be impossible."
Ao Yu stood rooted to the spot, the jade box in his hand feeling as heavy as a thousand jin.
He watched Feng Xi's departing figure, a strong desire welling up in his heart for the first time. He wanted to prove the rumors were false, to make Feng Xi trust the dragon clan, and even to bridge the gap between their two clans and draw closer to that cold yet gentle figure.