Above the East Sea, a Qilin had once appeared, and what attested to its battle with a God Transformation cultivator were several damaged magical tools on the seabed, and a piece of Qilin Bone.
Regardless of whether Fairy Fengqing's words were true or false, there must be some benefit involved for her to risk being discovered by demon cultivators and venture deep into the East Sea.
If it truly was a Qilin, it would indeed be an irresistible temptation for them. Over the years, they had unknowingly encountered the three sacrificial temples of the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, and White Tiger. The powers of these three spirits had been obtained by Mo Tiange, Qin Xi, and Feifei respectively. The location of the Black Tortoise temple was already known. The only one missing was the Qilin.
Mo Tiange had a premonition that gathering the power of all five spirits would yield a great reward. They had originally planned to visit the Black Tortoise temple first, then search for clues about the Qilin. Now, hearing this news, they naturally could not let it pass.
After discussing with Qin Xi, the two decided they would continue monitoring Fairy Fengqing here, while Xiaofeng would go gather information—the area nearby was full of demon beasts, which they could not communicate with, but Xiaofeng could.
Xiaofeng gladly accepted the order. Taking the magical tool bestowed by Qin Xi, it concealed its form and quietly left the Ten Thousand Li Solitary Boat.
After flying several thousand li, already far beyond the range of Fairy Fengqing's divine sense, Xiaofeng stopped mid-air. A sweep of its divine sense confirmed that the surrounding sea beasts were numerous, with several at the sixth and seventh ranks.
It shook its body, revealing its true form. Having undergone Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering and fully absorbed the Breath of the Vermilion Bird, Xiaofeng's appearance had changed. Its once-bald body now grew resplendent feathers, the fiery red glow the color of the purest flame. Upon the feathers, countless tiny flames burned, as if it were a phoenix composed of fire.
Xiaofeng raised its head, and a phoenix cry rang out, carrying boundless majesty as it spread in all directions.
"Splash, splash." With Xiaofeng's cry, the calm sea began to churn. The numerous sea beasts first panicked, then gathered, and finally, one after another, swam upward, emerging from the sea.
Seeing Xiaofeng, they were first shocked, then terrified, and finally prostrated themselves in worship.
For demon beasts, bloodline was their most fundamental characteristic. Differences in cultivation level distinguished high and low-rank demon beasts, but differences in noble and base bloodlines were even more significant. A noble bloodline meant a higher starting point, faster progress, superior aptitude, and earlier awakening of spiritual intelligence. For a lowly little fish, becoming a demon beast was a thousand-fold difficulty, while the noblest of the Five Spirits were born with the cultivation of the fifth or sixth rank.
The worship of bloodline was deeply engraved in the veins of demon beasts. Even if their cultivation was slightly higher, they would yield to a low-rank demon beast possessing a noble bloodline.
And now, a phoenix appeared before these sea beasts whose bloodlines were neither particularly low nor particularly high. Its graceful form, pure aura, and powerful majesty all brought them profound awe.
A sixth-rank tiger-skinned whale, which had been biting food in its mouth, unconsciously loosened its grip. The jellyfish it had been biting, now bloody, fell with a "plop" into the sea.
"Am I seeing things?" the tiger-skinned whale deeply doubted.
"Brother Tiger," a giant clam drifted toward it, "what is this?"
"A Divine Beast! This is a Divine Beast!" a sea leopard roared out in beast language, attracting several sixth and seventh-rank sea beasts to swim toward it.
"A Divine Beast? Is it really a Divine Beast?"
"With such a powerful aura, what else could it be but a Divine Beast?"
The sea leopard was utterly convinced. It swayed as it swam forward, lowering its massive head toward Xiaofeng. "Esteemed Divine Monarch, Baoxing of the Sea Leopard Clan pays his respects."
Xiaofeng lowered its gaze and gave a haughty nod, not even uttering a hum.
At close range, the sea leopard felt an even greater pressure.
It had not yet reached the eighth rank and transformed, so its spiritual intelligence was not high. Moreover, demon beasts acted on instinct. It now had no doubt that Xiaofeng was a genuine Divine Beast.
"Your Excellency," the sea leopard spoke up despite the pressure, "since the heavens and earth changed, all the Divine Monarchs have ascended to the Spirit Realm. Has Your Excellency descended from the Spirit Realm?"
Xiaofeng gave a light hum and said, "I am a descendant of the Divine Monarchs, left behind in the mortal world."
"Ah..." The sea leopard remembered that not long ago, when heaven and earth underwent a strange transformation, the East Sea and South Sea had connected. Wasn't the ruler of that South Sea from the Qilin clan? Although the Divine Beasts had long since departed this world, those descendants with impure bloodlines did not have the qualification to ascend to the Spirit Realm and could only remain in the mortal world. Unless one day they broke through the shackles of their bloodline, shed their old bodies and renewed their blood, would they have the possibility to ascend.
However, after millions of years and generations of inheritance, the Divine Beast bloodline had grown increasingly diluted. These descendants could hardly even maintain the outward form of the Divine Beast clan, let alone purify their bloodline to become true Divine Beasts.
Thinking of this, the sea leopard felt even greater admiration for this Divine Monarch. Under such circumstances, to actually cultivate such a pure Divine Beast aura and evolve its bloodline into that of a true Divine Beast—this Divine Monarch was truly remarkable.
The sea leopard became solemn and respectful, saying reverently, "Your Excellency is truly a model for our demon race. Baoxing is in awe. May I ask why Your Excellency has come here? If there are any orders, Baoxing would not hesitate to die ten thousand times."
A hint of a smile appeared in Xiaofeng's eyes. "You are quite clever."
The sea leopard placed its short front limbs together in a gesture of salute. "Your Excellency is of the Phoenix clan, greatly different from us aquatic races. Your coming to our East Sea must be for important matters. Baoxing understands."
Xiaofeng was very satisfied. "Since that is the case, help me with one matter. If it is accomplished, you will not lack for benefits."
"Yes," the sea leopard agreed immediately. "Please give your order, Your Excellency."
Xiaofeng said, "About three thousand li east from here, there is a small island. Do you know of anything unusual happening near that island?"
"A small island?" The sea leopard thought for a moment. "What kind of unusual does Your Excellency refer to?"
Xiaofeng said, "On specific days, unusual phenomena appear. Or perhaps, peculiar things appear." It paused, then continued, "Incidentally, inquire about any legends in the vicinity. The older and more miraculous, the better."
"Yes." The sea leopard mustered its courage. "Your Excellency, this will require some time. Perhaps you could rest at my cave abode for a few days?"
Xiaofeng said indifferently, "I am a fire-element Phoenix, incompatible with your aquatic races. I will not enter the sea. When you finish the task, come directly here."
"Baoxing obeys."
The sea leopard accepted the order and left. The surrounding sea beasts who had hesitated and missed their opportunity were filled with regret. Regardless of whether this one was truly a Divine Monarch, its eighth-rank cultivation and Divine Beast aura were not fake. Even if fire and water were incompatible, any benefit that leaked from its fingers would be a tremendous opportunity for them. Ah, Baoxing had gotten a free advantage.
These sea beasts were both reluctant to leave and afraid to offend, lingering nearby without departing.
Xiaofeng swept its gaze over them and said in a deep voice, "You juniors need not linger here. If you have any information regarding what was just mentioned, you may also come here."
The sea beasts were overjoyed upon hearing this. One bold one swam a bit closer and timidly said, "Divine Monarch, this humble beast has something to say..."
Under the pressure of the Divine Beast's majesty, in less than two days, Xiaofeng had gathered much information. Discarding the useless, it recorded what might be relevant and prepared to return.
Unexpectedly, just as it was about to leave, it suddenly sensed several powerful auras rapidly flying toward it.
Demon cultivators above the eighth rank!
Xiaofeng's heart jumped. Sensing that among these auras were tenth-rank demon cultivators, its mind raced.
It was no ordinary demon cultivator, but a cultivator's spirit beast. In a situation where humans and demons were irreconcilable, appearing before other demon cultivators was unwise. But now it was too late to escape. The demon cultivators flying this way included one at the tenth rank. It had just reached the eighth rank and certainly could not escape. Conceal its aura? That wouldn't work either. It had already been seen by these sea beasts. Under the suppression of cultivation level, it could not hide from a tenth-rank demon cultivator...
Those auras drew closer and closer, flying directly toward it. Xiaofeng's heart settled, and it made a decision. Since it couldn't escape, it might as well face them directly to avoid bringing trouble to its master.
Having thought this, Xiaofeng shook its body, retracted the flames covering it, transformed into human form, and stood upon a phoenix feather burning with fire, waiting for the demon cultivators to arrive.
Soon, streaks of light appeared on the horizon, mostly blue and white, accompanied by powerful auras. In an instant, they flew before it.
Xiaofeng looked up. The light dissipated, revealing the true appearances of several demons.
The leading demon cultivator was at the eighth rank, dressed in a blue robe, appearing to be in his late twenties, with handsome features and an arrogant demeanor.
Behind the blue-robed demon cultivator stood six other demon cultivators of various appearances: two at the tenth rank, three at the ninth rank, and one at the eighth rank.
Xiaofeng keenly sensed that the blue-robed demon cultivator's body carried a pure and profound aura of water and earth, of extremely high grade. Although not equal to its own Breath of the Vermilion Bird, it was similarly vast and ancient. It was inwardly surprised. Could this one also be a descendant of an ancient Divine Beast?
The blue-robed demon cultivator's gaze fell upon Xiaofeng, a flash of admiration in his eyes. Xiaofeng's human form was certainly beautiful, but more unique were its mysterious double pupils and the aura surrounding its body, burning like flame—a descendant of a Divine Beast.
After his initial surprise, the blue-robed demon cultivator raised a hand, speaking quite courteously. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
After Xiaofeng returned the greeting, he asked, "Fellow Daoist should be a fire-element demon cultivator. How have you come to our South Sea?"
Xiaofeng blinked. "The South Sea? Isn't this the East Sea?"
The blue-robed demon cultivator paused, then revealed a smile. "Fellow Daoist is not wrong to say so. Not long ago, heaven and earth underwent a strange transformation, connecting the East Sea and South Sea into one. Therefore, this place is both the South Sea and the East Sea."
"So that's how it is," Xiaofeng said with an expression of sudden understanding. "No wonder, coming to the East Sea this time, I felt something was odd." It paused, then showed a worried look. "Oh no, could it be..."
The blue-robed demon cultivator quickly asked, "What matter brings Fellow Daoist here? Perhaps I can be of assistance." Seeing Xiaofeng looking at him hesitantly, he raised his hand with a smile. "I am Xuari, of the Qilin clan. My father is the Ruler of the South Sea."
Xiaofeng's heart gave a jolt. The Demon Lord Xuanyue who had besieged Bixuan Pavilion was the Second Prince of the South Sea. This one named Xuari was also a son of the South Sea Ruler. Could he be the Crown Prince?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through its mind, but its expression remained unchanged. "So it is Demon Lord Xuari. I am of the Phoenix clan, titled Phoenix Lord. Fellow Daoists may call me Xiaofeng."
The demon cultivators were astonished upon hearing this. Demon Lord Xuari took a moment to regain his composure, his smile becoming extremely enthusiastic. "So it is Fellow Daoist Feng. No wonder the Divine Beast aura on your body is so pure. When I first saw you, I almost thought a Divine Beast had personally arrived..."
He was far more perceptive than these low-rank sea beasts. Although Xiaofeng's Breath of the Vermilion Bird was pure, its majesty was insufficient. If it were a true Divine Beast, even just having reached the eighth rank, its lofty Divine Beast aura alone would be enough to make all demons bow in submission. The aura on Xiaofeng's body was pure, but its majesty was similar to that of his father, the Ruler. It should have been attained through cultivation, not born a Divine Beast.
Thinking of this, Demon Lord Xuari's heart stirred. Could it be that this Fellow Daoist of the Phoenix clan possessed some secret technique for purifying bloodlines?