sinovels Chapter 167 Phoenix Clan's Countermeasures
Chapter 167 Phoenix Clan's Countermeasures
Chapter 167 Phoenix Clan's Countermeasures
The Southern Immortal Volcano, the core forbidden area of the Phoenix Clan.
Unlike the magnificent deep-sea palace of the Dragon Palace, this is a world where heat and holiness intertwine.
Surrounded by countless enormous craters, the largest of which, the main peak, is entirely crimson, as if composed of solidified flames.
The mountain peak was not sharp, but rather like a huge platform, upon which magnificent palaces were built, constructed of divine materials such as fire jade, lapis lazuli, and sun gold, shimmering with light and never sleeping.
This is Yuan Feng's residence, Xihuang Palace.
The palace floor, like flowing lava, exudes a comfortable temperature, while the walls are naturally adorned with totems of phoenix rebirth and birds paying homage to the phoenix, constantly flowing with Daoist runes.
The air was filled with extremely pure innate fire spirit energy, making it an unparalleled sacred place for the Phoenix Clan.
Yuan Feng was standing on the edge of the palace, looking down at the surging sea of clouds and the faintly visible primordial land below.
She had a human body and a phoenix head, wore a seven-colored feathered robe, and a feathered crown. Her appearance was peerless, and her temperament was noble and aloof. A faint Nirvana divine fire swirled around her, scorching the space around her and causing it to distort slightly.
She had just finished dealing with clan affairs and was pondering how to further reduce the influence of the Qilin clan in the southern mountains and forests, and how to deal with the aggressive actions of the Dragon clan on the eastern coast.
Suddenly, her phoenix eyes, as bright as the most dazzling rubies, lit up, flashing with a hint of surprise, which then turned into deep solemnity.
She also sensed the oath-taking rhyme and heavenly merit emanating from Longevity Mountain!
"Zhen Yuanzi—Yin Yang Daoist—Hong Yun—" Yuan Feng parted her red lips slightly and softly uttered these three names, her tone complex. She slowly turned around, her feathered robes trailing on the ground, shimmering with light, and walked back to the throne in the center of the palace.
"What a Zhen Yuanzi!" She sat down, her voice clear and melodious, carrying a hint of undisguised admiration and apprehension.
"He truly possesses remarkable abilities, managing to entice another Primordial Golden Immortal besides Hongyun, and an ancient being like the Yin-Yang Daoist, to willingly form an alliance with him and jointly swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao!"
She had discussed Daoist principles with Zhen Yuanzi and even made a deal with him (exchanging bitter bamboo for the Flame Banner), leaving a deep impression on her.
Knowing that he possessed a profound foundation and a steadfast Daoist heart, he was no ordinary being. Yet, his actions today still exceeded her expectations.
A Phoenix Clan elder, dressed in a crimson robe and possessing a composed demeanor, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the alliance between Zhen Yuanzi, Yin Yang, and Hong Yun has been witnessed by Heaven, and its momentum is now established."
The Wanshou Mountain lineage is no longer a single, independent cultivator, but a powerful force capable of influencing the entire prehistoric world.
Its geographical location is in the central-western part of the country. Although it does not directly border my Phoenix Clan, it is not far away either. Its attitude is crucial to the struggle for supremacy between my Phoenix Clan and the Dragon and Qilin Clans.
Yuan Feng nodded slightly, her slender fingers gently brushing over a "Southern Bright Fire Pearl" inlaid on the armrest of the throne, lost in thought. She recalled the profoundness and inclusiveness she felt when discussing the Dao with Zhen Yuanzi, and also remembered the other party's trustworthiness and fairness during the transaction.
"Zhen Yuanzi is a man of pure Dao heart, not an ambitious or aggressive person. His Dao lies in bearing and protecting, and what he seeks is transcendence, not domination."
Yuan Feng analyzed, her phoenix eyes gleaming with wisdom, "My Phoenix Clan has some connections with him and with Hong Yun. Especially the transaction of the Flame Banner from the Ground back then, although each side got what they wanted, it can be considered as forging a good relationship."
She paused, her tone turning serious: "However, the situation is different now. A war between the three races is imminent, and the bias of any side could affect the outcome of the battle."
The primary purpose of Zhen Yuanzi and others forming an alliance is undoubtedly to protect themselves and cope with greater uncertainties, but it is hard to guarantee that they will not intervene in the conflict between the three clans for their own benefit under certain circumstances.
Especially that Yin-Yang Taoist, skilled in calculation and adept at seizing opportunities for profit, must be guarded against.
Elder Chiyu asked worriedly, "What is His Majesty's intention?"
Yuan Feng stood up, her body glowing with the faint flames of Nirvana, revealing her resolve: "Pass down the order: all Phoenix Clan tribes must maintain the highest level of vigilance in the areas bordering the Wanshou Mountain forces, but are strictly prohibited from taking the initiative to provoke them!"
No patrol team may set foot within the sphere of influence designated by Wanshou Mountain.
If any cultivators from Longevity Mountain are active outside, treat them with courtesy and avoid conflict unless absolutely necessary.
With a far-sighted look, she said, "At the same time, we will try to send goodwill to Wanshou Mountain through some secret channels and reaffirm the old friendship between my Phoenix Clan and Zhen Yuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hongyun."
Perhaps—we could send an envoy, under the pretext of congratulating the alliance, to present gifts and inquire about their true attitude towards the conflict between our three races.
The best outcome would be to maintain a good relationship with them, or even reach some kind of tacit understanding, so that they remain neutral when our clan fights against the Dragon Clan and the Qilin Clan.
"What if the Dragon Clan or the Qilin Clan wins them over first?" Elder Yan Yu, another more radical elder, couldn't help but ask.
A cold glint flashed in Yuan Feng's eyes: "Then it depends on Zhen Yuanzi's choice."
However, given his intelligence, he will not be easily bound to either side.
But if it really comes to that point—" She didn't finish her sentence, but the sudden surge of heat around her made her stance clear.
"In short," Yuan Feng concluded, "the strategy for dealing with the Wanshou Mountain Alliance should be to appease them, observe them, and cautiously befriend them."
Before completely eliminating the threats posed by the Dragon Clan and the Qilin Clan, it is not advisable to create such a powerful enemy.
"Everything must be done for the sake of the clan's hegemony!" Her voice carried the resoluteness and majesty of a Phoenix Clan emperor, setting the Phoenix Clan's basic policy on this matter.
The order was swiftly relayed. The Phoenix Clan forces surrounding the Undying Volcano began quietly adjusting their deployment, remaining vigilant while simultaneously striving to project goodwill.
Yuan Feng himself once again turned his gaze toward the Dragon Clan of the East Sea and the Qilin Clan of the Central Land, his sense of urgency growing even stronger.
The alliance formed by Zhen Yuanzi and others added another layer of pressure to the already tense relationship between the three races, making the future situation even more unpredictable and volatile.
Qilin Cliff, the core of the Central Land.
Unlike the magnificent deep-sea scenery of the Dragon Palace and the fiery sacredness of the Phoenix Clan's immortal volcano, Qilin Cliff presents a dignified, peaceful, and stable atmosphere.
This enormous cliff is entirely covered in a warm, dark yellow color, as if it were formed from the purest essence of earth. Countless lingzhi mushrooms and immortal herbs grow naturally on the mountain, and gurgling springs flow through it. Auspicious beasts roam freely, and auspicious clouds swirl around it.
The cliff top is flat and open, with ancient and magnificent palaces built mainly with uncarved natural jade and sacred wood. They blend in with the surrounding environment and exude a sense of peace, benevolence and vitality.
This is the sacred ground of the Lord of Beasts and the Lord of the Earth.
At this moment, inside the Qilin Hall, the First Qilin was discussing matters with several core elders of the clan.
He manifested his Daoist form as a middle-aged Daoist with a kind face and a robust physique, wearing an apricot-yellow robe with a Qilin pattern. His aura was as deep and solid as a mountain, and his gaze was gentle yet carried an undeniable majesty.
The natural earth essence and auspicious Daoist charm emanating from him brought peace to the minds of all living beings in the hall.
As an emperor who swore to rule the earth and govern the mountains and rivers on behalf of Heaven, his cultivation level also rose to the late stage of Hunyuan Golden Immortal with the help of the Heavenly Dao's merits, and his fortune was closely connected with the primordial land beneath his feet.
What they were discussing was how to deal with the infiltration of the Dragon Clan into rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, as well as the Phoenix Clan's efforts to win over and divide the avian species among the beast races.
The first Qilin advocated focusing on consolidating the foundation and demonstrating benevolence, expanding influence by protecting the weak and resolving disputes, rather than resorting to hardline confrontation.