Wu Meng stood outside the grand entrance of the manor, staring at the imposing structure at the peak of the volcano. The higher they had climbed, the denser the Qi became—pulsing and thick in the air. Lian Hua had explained the significance of the location, and now, standing before the door, Wu Meng could almost feel the power radiating from the building itself.
Before he could step forward, Lian Hua stopped him. “The closer you get to the top of the volcano, the more abundant the Qi,” she said, her tone serious. “Only those in the highest ranks live this close to the peak.”
Wu Meng nodded, glancing around. The manor was isolated, with no other buildings in sight. The realization settled deep in his chest—whoever lived here had to be of immense importance.
Lian Hua stepped back, offering him a rare look of concern. “I can’t go inside. You’ll have to face this alone.”
Wu Meng felt a surge of anxiety but pushed it down. “I’ll manage,” he said, more for himself than for her.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, the doors creaking open under his touch. Inside, the air was stifling and thick with heat, likely from the volcano’s proximity. The hall was dark, only lit by faint embers embedded in the walls, casting long, flickering shadows.
Unsure of where to go, Wu Meng stood there for a moment, the silence almost suffocating. Then, a familiar voice echoed through the darkness, the same one that had saved him at the Disciplinary Hall.
“Come forward.”
His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the voice. Moving cautiously, he followed the sound down a long corridor. His footsteps echoed as he approached a set of large double doors. Pushing them open, he stepped into a vast banquet hall.
The room was enormous, the ceiling arched high above him, and long tables stretched across the floor. The smell of roasted meat filled the air. At the center of the room sat a young girl, no older than sixteen, her delicate features framed by long dark hair. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she tore into a massive frog leg, eating with unrestrained enthusiasm.
Wu Meng blinked in confusion. The girl was devouring her meal like a starved beast, seemingly oblivious to his presence. He stepped closer, eyes narrowing at the frog lying on the table. It wasn’t just any creature.
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[Stormclaw Bullfrog - Nascent Soul Realm (Peak)]
Mental Resistance: 65%
Body Fortification: 80%
Danger Level: Mountain Crusher
Notes: A rare predator, known for controlling weather and unleashing lightning strikes on enemies.
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Wu Meng stared at the status window, his heart racing. A Nascent Soul Realm creature—powerful enough to level mountains—now reduced to roast meat.
The girl finally glanced up from her meal, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes gleamed with a playful glint, noticing Wu Meng’s hesitation.
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[Lin Feiyan - Nascent Soul Realm (Peak)]
Mental Resistance: 80%
Body Fortification: 85%
Danger Level: Continent Shaker
Notes: Her mastery of the 'Crimson Phoenix Burst' has decimated entire sects in a single attack. Feared across the region for her destructive fire techniques.
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“Well, don’t just stand there like a statue,” she called out, her tone light and cheerful. “Come on, you must be hungry. Have a seat.”
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Wu Meng hesitated, unsure how to respond. He took a cautious step forward, confusion clear on his face. “Who... are you?”
She laughed, the sound carefree, as though his question were trivial. “Who am I?” She leaned back in her chair, tilting her head slightly as if considering the question. “Let’s just say I’m the Protector of the Half-Phoenix Sect. That’s all you need to know for now.”
She gestured to the feast laid out in front of her, particularly the frog leg that was almost as big as she was. “Go on, grab something. You must be starving.”
Wu Meng sat down slowly, his mind still reeling. This girl—who looked no older than a teenager—had roasted a creature powerful enough to wipe out an army. “Why are you treating me like this?” he asked, his voice hesitant. “Do... do you know me?”
She paused, eyes flicking with amusement. “Know you?” she laughed, a soft, melodic sound. “You’re a mortal. Why would I remember someone like you?”
Her words might have stung, but her tone was playful, as if she were pointing out an obvious truth. There was no malice in it, only a lightness that felt oddly genuine.
“You mortals come and go, fleeting, insignificant in the grand scheme of things,” she continued, her lips curving into a grin as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve. “But your soul, now that’s a different story. I might not know you, but I think I know your soul.”
Wu Meng blinked, his confusion deepening. “My soul?”
She nodded, placing the frog leg down with a casual grace before leaning forward, her expression growing more serious. “There’s something about you that caught my attention. That’s why I asked for you to be brought here.”
Wu Meng stared at her, unsure of what to say. “What... what do you mean?”
She sighed, wiping her mouth one last time before gesturing for him to look directly at her. “Look into my eyes.”
Wu Meng swallowed, nervous, but did as she asked. As he gazed into her eyes, he noticed something strange—a faint red glow within her irises. At first, he thought it was just the reflection of the surrounding flames, but the glow began to twist and change, swirling like fire. Then, he saw it.
A phoenix.
Tiny, yet unmistakable, a phoenix danced within the red light of her eyes, its wings beating slowly as if trapped in the flames.
Wu Meng’s breath caught in his throat. His body grew light, and his vision blurred as if he were being pulled into the phoenix’s flame itself. Time seemed to slow, and for a moment, he felt himself slipping into a trance.
Then, with a soft sigh, Lin Feiyan broke the connection, pulling him back to reality.
“There’s an imprint on your soul,” she said simply, leaning back in her chair once more. “Only someone at least as strong as me can place one. It happens when a powerful cultivator dies and marks someone as their heir.”
Wu Meng blinked, his mind racing. “So... someone chose me to inherit their techniques?”
She nodded, though her expression had turned thoughtful. “Yes, and possibly their memories too. It’s rare. I thought I might recognize the imprint, figure out which of the Seven Kings it came from, but... I don’t.”
“The Seven Kings?” Wu Meng repeated, confused. “Who are they?”
“They’re the protectors of the seven great sects on this continent,” she said casually, picking up her frog leg again. “Each one a powerhouse in their own right, like me. If one of them is dead, it’s a big deal.”
Wu Meng’s heart raced as he recalled the armored figure he had seen when he first woke up. “I... I think I saw someone. A man in armor. Huge, with a sword. Could that have been one of the kings?”
Lin Feiyan’s expression shifted, her frown deepening. “Describe him.”
Wu Meng did his best to explain, his pulse quickening with each word. By the time he finished, Lin Feiyan’s face was filled with concern.
“You’ll need to stay here for a few days,” she said suddenly. “I’ve contacted a friend—someone who specializes in reading souls. She’ll be able to tell us exactly whose imprint it is.”
Wu Meng blinked, taken aback. “You’re... letting me stay?”
“Of course,” she replied with a grin, picking up her frog leg again. “I want to figure this out as much as you do. Besides, there’s plenty of food to go around.” She winked. “You’ll be well taken care of.”
Wu Meng hesitated but finally nodded. “Thank you... for your hospitality.”
She waved his thanks away. “Don’t worry about it, little guy. Now, go on, eat. I won’t have you starving in my manor.”
The little girl picked up her frog leg and took a bite, and Wu followed suit.