Chapter Fifteen: Little Phoenix

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In a world of darkness, Feng Shang walked alone, the wind whispering around him.

The depths were eerie and shadowy, boundless, with towering peaks rising in silence all about, resembling the silhouettes of dreadful beasts lurking in the gloom.

The only light came from above the youth’s head, where the Seventeen Seals of Oblivion slowly revolved, radiating a gentle glow that pushed back the cold, sinister aura for ten yards.

“Where is the Ancient Child?” Feng Shang murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with brilliant colors, clear and piercing, gazing through the thick, black fog to see far into the distance.

This was the old prison of the Ancient Divine Star, once used to confine notorious villains of the star domain. Danger pervaded every corner, and even after the Flower Lord’s reconstruction, unimaginable things still lurked deep within.

A chilling roar echoed along the silent river of black and white, drifting over at intervals.

Feng Shang’s gaze shifted, landing upon the nearby river—half pitch-black, half ghostly white. It did not flow with water, but with something that seemed to embody terrifying laws.

He crouched down, staring at the strange river for a while, then reached out to touch it.

With a sudden hiss, the once tranquil river erupted, a sharp blade of cosmic energy shooting toward him at lightning speed, tearing open the void and filling the air with thunderous noise.

A hair’s breadth from disaster! There could be no doubt that the blade was deadly, poised to sever the youth in an instant.

At that moment, the ancient seal unleashed its power. Without grand gestures, a radiant divine brilliance spilled forth, and with a deafening crash, shattered the cosmic blade.

The black and white river returned to calm.

“How interesting,” Feng Shang’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“A river that can unleash fierce cosmic energy, slashing any life that approaches—no wonder the spirits who come here never dare get too close.”

“But I’d rather do the opposite!” Rising to his full height, pride flashed in his eyes. With a flick of his palm, dazzling golden light surged from his sleeve, laying out a broad path that poured onto the river.

Thunder rolled!

The black and white river instantly erupted in turmoil. Feng Shang’s actions amounted to outright provocation, a challenge to its might. Hundreds and thousands of blades of cosmic energy emerged from the river, slicing through the void with destructive power.

The dark world trembled, the riverbank’s soil exploded, shattering into pieces. The earth cracked with terrifying fissures that stretched far into the distance, and even the void thundered and shook.

“Behave yourself!” Feng Shang’s eyes flashed with steel, his voice cold.

With a crash, golden light burst from his sleeve, dazzling and brilliant. Like a sea of energy, it flooded the area, waves surging to collide head-on with the black and white river.

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Had Little Lily been there, she surely would have screamed.

This was courting disaster!

The river would swallow Feng Shang whole.

Yet, something astonishing occurred.

The blades of cosmic energy, mighty enough to slice through the void, disintegrated upon contact with the golden light flooding from Feng Shang’s sleeve, dissolving like mist and smoke.

It was as if the two forces were not even of the same order.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

All cosmic power vanished.

The golden waves, like floodwaters released from a dam, surged forward, while the black and white river shrank back, docile as a child, submitting to the layer of shimmering substance now covering its surface.

Feng Shang produced a golden, miniature boat and set it atop the transformed river.

The boat expanded, just large enough for one person, floating steadily atop the current. Onboard, a small table was piled high with fruit and pastries, and an exquisite wine jar brimmed with nectar.

“How comfortable,” Feng Shang said, settling in, crossing his legs, grabbing a handful of green grapes from the table and tossing them into his mouth, enjoying himself leisurely, as if he weren’t undertaking a perilous journey.

The golden boat drifted serenely, gliding deeper into the prison’s heart.

…

Meanwhile, as Feng Shang ventured through the black prison, something quite amusing was unfolding countless light-years away, in Nine-Star City.

“Grandpa Da, Brother Feng Shang, where are you? When will you come home? Little Phoenix is so lonely.” A little girl sat atop the city wall, resting her chin in her hands, her mind wandering far away.

The wall was forged from divine thread, gleaming with a metallic luster. Dotted with tiny patterns like fragments of gem, it was beautifully ornate.

The view from here was unparalleled.

In the backdrop of shifting auroras, nine wondrous celestial bodies flowed, shining with silver light, grand and majestic, orbiting Nine-Star City with a cycle of one day, presenting enchanting and dreamy vistas from every angle.

The little girl speaking had delicate, snow-white skin and clear eyes, a cascade of silky violet hair, her porcelain cheeks so tender they seemed to melt at a touch, exuding an irresistible softness.

“Hic!” Suddenly, a burp of contentment sounded beside her, from an old, grimy figure whose clothes had not been washed for years and were covered in black stains.

The old drunk lay carelessly on the ground, unconcerned about the filth, shaking the wine gourd in his hand, his bark-like fingers dropping limply to the earth, somewhat tipsy. “Little Phoenix, I’m out of wine. Pour me another.”

A dozen wine jars lay scattered around him, forming a protective circle.

So close was he to them that he refused to move even an inch, his laziness reaching a level that defied all words.

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“Alright, coming.” Little Phoenix agreed obediently, never once complaining about the old man’s laziness. She picked up a wine jar and carefully poured it into the yellow gourd mouth. The fiery red, crystalline wine exuded a rich fragrance, invigorating and refreshing, its aroma making the body feel light and airy.

As the scent drifted, flashes of red light flickered within the wine, sometimes condensing into sword shapes, emitting a few traces of sword energy, a most peculiar sight.

This was no ordinary wine.

In the Ninefold Sword Realm grew Fire Sky Trees, whose fruit made fine spirits. Feng Shang had visited three years prior, taking away tens of thousands of jars of aged Fire Sky wine, now nearly depleted by the old drunkard.

Little Phoenix held the wine jar carefully, watching the gourd mouth, pouring as she asked, “Grandpa Sloppy, do you know when Brother Feng Shang will come back? I miss him so much.”

The old drunk turned his head, seeing the wine overflowing, quickly saying it was enough, then took a sip, smacking his lips in satisfaction.

“This Fire Sky wine is truly marvelous—seven parts turn to sword energy in the gut, swirling about, while the remaining three parts ferment into sweet dreams. Makes me want to sleep right now…”

“Grandpa Sloppy, you haven’t answered me yet.”

“That brother of yours… can’t sit still. Hard to say when he’ll return.”

“So what should I do? Will I have to wait a long time?” The little girl looked anxious, her clear eyes blinking.

“Well, let me see if I can calculate it… when he’ll be back…” The old drunk mumbled, his speech slurred and nasal, as if he might fall asleep at any moment.

Under Little Phoenix’s expectant gaze, the old drunk pinched his fingers and closed his eyes to divine the answer. The gesture was so plain, so unremarkable, that even a street fortune-teller could mimic it perfectly.

“Hm…” He uttered softly, and suddenly, a flash of incredulity appeared in his muddied old eyes, the drunken flush fading away like a tide.

“What is it?” Little Phoenix blinked.

“Heh…” The old drunk smiled, picked up the gourd, took a drink, then resumed his lazy, tipsy demeanor. “That brother Feng Shang of yours, looks like this time he might bring you a little sister-in-law.”

“What’s a little sister-in-law?” Little Phoenix was puzzled, her fair and adorable face framed by long, fluttering lashes, pure curiosity shining in her eyes.

The old drunk opened one eye, teasing, “Once he finds a little sister-in-law, he probably won’t play with you anymore. You’ll be just a little pitiful thing.”

Hearing this, Little Phoenix was stunned, but quickly puffed out her snowy cheeks, her big, watery eyes full of indignation, adorably declaring, “You’re lying! Brother Feng Shang would never stop playing with me!”

“That’s right, I’m lying to you. Heh…” The old drunk smiled, the effects of the wine overtaking him as his head drooped, his speech growing softer and softer, until before long, he was snoring gently.