The first person Wu Meiying checked out was Wu Jian. He had not grown in power, but his cultivation was a lot more stable now. She did furrow her brow when she sensed his injuries, however. She could tell he had fought someone powerful and suffered for it. Fortunately, he seemed to have overcome the injury and grown as a result.
I’ll have to ask him what happened though…
Wu Jian still wore his mask, but it was now surrounded by a shaggy mane of hair. Had he gone this whole time while in the Realm of Sacred Flames without cutting it? Dark, long bangs surrounded the mask as it concealed his face and the back trailed all the way down to his bottom.
His clothing was different from what he had worn when he entered. At a guess, his clothes had been destroyed. What he wore now was a hanfu of a rich crimson hue, deep and regal, reminiscent of the most vibrant sunsets. The fabric itself was of the highest quality silk, its texture both smooth and luxurious. A lustrous sheen captured the light with even the most minutiae of movements.
Elaborate golden embroidery adorned the entirety of the hanfu and formed intricate patterns that looked like a massive bird in flight. One might easily mistake it for a phoenix if looked at from a distance, but Wu Meiying recognized the Vermillion Bird when she saw it. Golden threads weaved in and out, tracing delicate arcs and curves that emphasized the hanfu’s elegance.
It was his presence, however, that really changed.
Even though he was not the most powerful member present, he exuded an air of authority that hadn’t been there before. It felt like he had matured. People grew the most when they faced and overcame hardships, and it was obvious as day that Wu Jian had just triumphed over something arduous. She would be curious to find out what he had faced in the Realm of Sacred Flames to make him change so much.
While his presence was definitely what caused her emotions to stir, everyone else was focused on the two who emerged with him.
One of them was a little girl who had not been present when he entered the Realm of Sacred Flames. Nobody else would know who she was, but Wu Meiying knew.
I see Youmei finally reached the Deva Realm. Good for her.
Youmei’s transformation into human form had endowed her with the enchanting appearance of a young girl, approximately seven or eight years old, who radiating a captivating child-like innocence.
Her silky black hair cascaded freely down her back like a waterfall of darkness, framing her petite face and gently caressing her beautifully pale skin. The inky strands floweed with an otherworldly luster, each one seemingly kissed by moonlight itself.
Eyes as mesmerizing as they were unusual gazed upon the world. They were large and innocent, reflecting the young magical beast’s inner child. One eye shimmered with a deep sapphire akin to the clearest waters, while the other glowed brilliant gold like the sun at its zenith. Trailing down one eye were three vertical scars that marred her otherwise flawless face.
Dressed in a gown of exquisite design, heer attire was a masterpiece of craftsmanship and elegance. The fabric, a rich crimson that matched Wu Jian’s, gave her a passionate vibe that seemed to match her childlike enthusiasm. Patterns of blooming flowers and the Vermillion bird adorned the gown, echoing the beauty of the natural world and realm of myths.
The gown’s design was playful and refined, reflecting the essence of her newfound human form. The sleeves were wide and flowing, allowing for a sense of freedom and grace with each gesture. The high collar was adorned with intricate lace, adding a touch of innocence to her appearance. Around her waist, a sash of the same deep red cinched the gown, emphasizing her youthful figure while also showcasing the gown’s elegant silhouette.
She wore no shoes. Her small feet laid bare and looked only slightly awkward like she still wasn’t used to walking on them. She would flex her toes as though expecting claws to come out, but no amount of toe flexing would make that happen. Humans did not have claws, after all.
The last person, and the one who likely garnered the most attention, was Huǒ Shuchang. He had changed the most out of everyone present.
His body had become far more lithe than it had been, as though he had lost a lot of fat and muscle, but Wu Meiying could tell that, hidden underneath his robes was a body filled with indomitable strength. Huǒ Shuchang’s once orange hair was now a brilliant shade of fiery crimson. It glowed with an ethereal energy, each strand moving about as if they had a will of their own. Eyes that were once molten orange had become a deep golden hue, but they changed colors depending on the light, as though each iris held within them a rainbow.
The classic hanfu he wore was like something out of the past. Its style was old and out of date by several thousand years, but that only made it more unique. The brilliant crimson color contrasted beautifully with the golden threads dancing upon its surface, weaving imagery that depicted the great guardian deity which the southern sea had been named after.
The biggest transformation was not on the outside but the inside.
All traces of the phoenix blood that once ran through his veins was gone, replaced by a far more powerful and much more volatile blood. She wondered if anyone else could sense the Vermillion Bird within him. This young man had been given the blessing of a creature far more powerful than the phoenix. A glance at Huǒ Huangdi revealed that he must have sensed something because his face had tightened as he glared at his youngest son.
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The Phoenix Clan made their name by possessing the blood of the phoenix, their guardian deity. By removing that blood, Huǒ Shuchang had practically declared that he was no longer a member of the Phoenix Clan. She would not be shocked if the clan decided to banish him.
The situation is getting interesting. I wonder how all this will play out.
***
Everyone is staring…
Wu Jian realized that he was not the recipient of those stares, which was expected. Everyone stared at either Youmei or Huǒ Shuchang.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Huǒ Huangdi suddenly roared. His face was a burnt red like flames were beneath the surface of his skin as he stomped up to them.
“What do you mean, Father?” asked Huǒ Shuchang.
“Do not give me that! What happened?! Why is your phoenix blood gone?! What is this?! What did you do to yourself?!” Spittle was practically flying from the man’s mouth as he shouted in his son’s face. From the shocked expressions everyone else in the clan wore, this had never happened before.
Huǒ Shuchang shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you. I got offered an offer that I couldn't refuse. You know how this world is, Father. Those with strength can do little more than bow and scrape before the strong. I’d never grow stronger if I remained as I was.”
“And so you expelled your phoenix blood?! The very blood that made our clan so powerful?!”
Huǒ Huangdi’s words were enough to let everyone know what happened. Some people had still been confused, but now they understood, and quite a few conversations broke out.
“Father… I believe not that we have the right to criticize…” Huǒ Yulie began
“Silence, girl.” Huǒ Huangdi shut the young woman up with two simple words. Huǒ Yulie shivered as her face paled. After a moment had passed, the man turned back to Huǒ Shuchang. “You… are no longer part of the Phoenix Clan. Get out of my sight.”
Huǒ Yulie gasped, and she wasn’t the only one. While this was an expected outcome, that didn’t mean it also wasn’t surprising.
Power was the ultimate deciding factor in this world. Those who had it could do whatever they wanted. However, that did not mean bloodlines had no place in the world. There were clans like the Phoenix Clan who carried the blood of powerful deities and figures. Clans like that held onto the belief that their bloodline was the strongest. For someone of their bloodline to disregard the blood running through their veins was an insult they couldn’t let stand, lest people begin questioning them.
Huǒ Shuchang sighed. “Fine. I’ll leave.”
“Brother…” Huǒ Yulie looked at him with tears in her eyes.
He gave her a helpless smile.
“Sorry,” he said before walking down the steps.
Huǒ Yulie reached out her hand as though to grab him, but her fingers closed around nothing, and she let her hand drop. She stared despondent at her brother, the only one she shared a mother with. Huǒ Shuchang walked into the crowd with his shoulder hunched. Like a sea being parted, the crowd moved away from him. It was not long before he disappeared into the distance.
This isn’t good. I don’t know exactly what Huǒ Yulie is going through, but with her brother gone, she’ll have no one to rely on.
Wu Jian wanted to do something for her, to help her, but he was an outsider and thus had no right to interfere in the Phoenix Clan’s business. Of course, he could ignore etiquette, but he was not strong enough to impose upon a clan like that. They controlled an entire nation. Meanwhile, he was just one man at the Deva Realm. A literal insect going up against a tiger.
With Huǒ Shuchang gone, Huǒ Huangdi turned his attention to the little girl by Wu Jian’s side.
“Who is this? How did she enter the Realm of Sacred Flames?” he demanded.
“She’s my magical beast companion. She always hides in my shadow, so I forgot about her,” Wu Jian confessed.
Huǒ Huangdi’s mouth tightened. “No one except those who are allowed may enter this place. I do not care if Zhe Dāozhe is protecting you. I’ll see you punished for this.”
Wu Jian knew it was dumb, but even though he understood that, his pride would not let him bend knee to this man, who had so callously tossed his own son aside and locked his daughter in a cage.
“You can try, but know this, Youmei’s presence is the only reason your daughter is still alive,” he said loudly enough for the entire crowd to hear.
The area around Huǒ Huangdi’s eyes tightened. He glanced at the crowd. Wu Jian smiled behind his mask. With power came reputation, and no clan who ruled over others would do something to sully their reputation. The people were another kind of power. While cultivators ruled the world, it was the ordinary people who cultivated the fields, constructed buildings, and helped the world continue moving. There was no point in being the strongest if you had no one to rule over.
He would not do something that would cause his reputation in the eyes of the people to be sullied.
A hand rested on Huǒ Huangdi’s shoulder before the man could speak. It belonged to Zhe Dāozhe. The man wore a mild smile.
“Perhaps we should hear him out? It sounds like something dire happened while they were in the Realm of Sacred Flames.”
Huǒ Huangdi’s face twitched, but he gazed sternly at Wu Jian. “Explain yourself.”
Wu Jian gave the man a respectful bow, glad no one could see the mocking smile he wore.
“Of course, Lord Huǒ. Someone who went by the name Shen Yunhai somehow infiltrated the Realm of Sacred Flames and attacked us.”
“SHEN YUNHAI?!” Huǒ Huangdi roared at the name. When he saw the looks he was getting, he coughed into his hand and calmed down. “Continue.”
Wu Jian nodded and kept speaking. He told them about how Shen Yunhai attempted to kill Huǒ Yulie and capture him. He did not tell the man that his eldest son was the reason he had managed to enter the Realm of Sacred Flames since Huǒ Pànguó had already learned his lesson and helped them defeat the man. They had all spoken and agreed this was the best course of action. He would leave how the man entered to his imagination. By the time he was done, Huǒ Huangdi looked both relieved and pale.
“I cannot believe someone like that was able to infiltrate the Realm of Sacred Flames.”
“Verily, tis all true, Father,” Huǒ Yulie confirmed.
Huǒ Pànguó nodded. “I can confirm that it’s true too. I fought Shen Yunhai alongside them.”
Huǒ Huangdi sighed. “So I see. I… suppose thanks are in order. I shall overlook your magical beast companion entering the Realm of Sacred Flames without my permission. Consider yourself grateful.”