The upper reaches of the Upper Realm, the Phoenix Clan territory.
Last month, word had spread that the ascension passage, which had shown no activity for thousands of years, had finally responded. The pair of twins who had been drawing a steady salary for doing absolutely nothing finally had work to do. Members of the Phoenix Clan who had caught wind of the news were incredibly curious, waiting to catch a glimpse of their newly ascended kin’s elegance.
In the end, a kinsman was indeed brought back, but for some reason, he was accompanied by two humans. Most importantly, none of them had actually seen this new kinsman’s face. The twins had been acting strangely, settling the newcomers in the outer territories of the clan and reporting something to the Phoenix Emperor overnight. The very next day, the group was moved to the heart of the Phoenix territory, residing near the Phoenix Emperor’s own grotto-heaven. This immediately sparked all sorts of speculation among the xenophobic Phoenix Clan.
"Phoenix Emperor" was, of course, a title of utmost respect, and his residence lived up to it—grand and magnificent, resembling a shimmering golden palace.
"Hey. When exactly will the Phoenix Emperor be free? If he doesn't want to see us, just let us go."
Having been left cooling his heels for nearly a month, Xuan Yang’s patience was reaching its limit. He didn't care at all whether his father was some "Phoenix Emperor" or not. The problem was that the twins wouldn't let them leave; they weren't even allowed to step a single foot outside their quarters. It was essentially house arrest.
"The Phoenix Emperor isn't someone you can just see whenever you want!" The elder twin sister shot him a glare. However, after looking at his face, she felt a flicker of guilt and softened her tone. "The Emperor was away from the clan. He rushed back after hearing our report and should be arriving soon. You should feel honored! That great lord is actually traveling specifically for your sake."
"It’s been a month and he’s still not here? Is he crawling back?"
The red-haired girl gasped, looking at Xuan Yang in terror. "You cannot be so insolent in front of the Phoenix Emperor!"
Zhai Bairong sat to the side, unhurriedly sipping his tea.
Seeing his lack of reaction, the red-haired girl felt a twinge of annoyance. This man was cold as ice. Since arriving at the Phoenix Clan, he had shown no panic, nor a shred of gratitude for the honor bestowed upon them. Every time she came by, he treated her as if she were invisible.
"Hmph! When we reported to the Phoenix Emperor, he specifically ordered us to keep you here. A young kinsman, tricked by a human into a spirit pet contract... Surely, that lord is most displeased! What a pity. I originally wanted to let you go as soon as the contract was dissolved. But now, having angered the Emperor, even I can't help you..." the red-haired girl said with a touch of schadenfreude.
"I see. Thank you for the sentiment," Zhai Bairong said tonelessly, without even looking up.
"...Hmph! You won't be enjoying these comfortable days for much longer." The red-haired girl curled her lip and left in a huff.
Xuan Yang watched her retreating back as if looking at a lunatic, shaking his head. "Is everyone in the Phoenix Clan a bit slow in the head?"
Shen Yan, who was sitting nearby, spoke up for once. "Are you really the one to be saying that?"
The Phoenix Clan had at least refrained from mistreating them, providing each of the three with a high-quality room. They were simply forbidden from leaving, told that everything would be decided after they met the Phoenix Emperor.
Xuan Yang lived carefreely, but Shen Yan and Zhai Bairong had long since discussed their current situation in private. Given the Phoenix Clan's attitude toward outsiders, the Emperor certainly wasn't planning a warm welcome. Although the twins had a poor attitude, they were likely telling the truth—the Phoenix Emperor was probably furious that his own bloodline had been bound by a human in a spirit pet contract.
As for Shen Yan, Xuan Yang’s human Dao companion, the Emperor likely didn't give him a second thought. After all, the Emperor himself had lovers everywhere, including human female cultivators; he probably just wanted to take a look at him in passing.
Knowing that nothing good would come of the meeting, the two could only warn Xuan Yang that no matter what the Phoenix Emperor said, he shouldn't defend them too fiercely, lest it backfire.
"I’ve heard the Phoenix Emperor is at the late stage of the Golden Immortal realm," Zhai Bairong reminded Xuan Yang.
A Golden Immortal. Compared to Zhai Bairong, who was currently only at the Deity Transformation stage, the gap was like that between an elephant and an ant. The other party could likely wipe out all three of them with a single flick of a finger.
"So what?" Xuan Yang said stubbornly.
Zhai Bairong sighed. "This isn't the cultivation world anymore. I can't protect you or Shen Yan here. If something happens, I might not even be able to save myself."
Xuan Yang fell silent. In truth, he understood the logic, he just didn't want to admit that the detestable father he hated was such a powerful figure. It rankled him that they had to walk on eggshells around such a man.
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Suddenly, the rapid flapping of wings echoed from outside the courtyard. The twins, who had just left, came flying back. In the blink of an eye, they transformed into human shapes and landed in the courtyard, shouting urgently, "Come out, quickly!"
"The Phoenix Emperor has returned!"
The three looked at each other and had no choice but to follow the twins.
As they were led into the opulent interior of the palace, Xuan Yang couldn't help but look around. Shen Yan gave his sleeve a gentle tug, silently reminding him to show some sense of gravity. Zhai Bairong remained as composed as ever, his thoughts unreadable.
"Phoenix Emperor, we have brought Xuan Yang and the two humans."
"Mm." A deep, magnetic voice drifted from the seat ahead. Though it wasn't from the heart, the three followed the twins' prior instructions and performed a formal salute.
The Phoenix Emperor didn't intentionally release his divine sense or pressure, but the disparity between a Golden Immortal and those present was simply too vast. Even standing a few yards away was enough to make one feel suffocated.
It was harder to breathe than when they were Golden Core cultivators facing a Deity Transformation master in the lower realm. If one had to describe it, the difference was like night and day—like an ordinary mortal facing a Deity Transformation cultivator.
"Lift your heads."
The three, along with the twins standing to their left and right, finally looked up.
Upon making eye contact, both sides froze.
The twins hadn't been exaggerating. Xuan Yang and the Phoenix Emperor looked... incredibly alike.
Xuan Yang possessed a certain brash energy; though an adult, his face still held a trace of lingering youthfulness. The Phoenix Emperor appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight in human years, and his features were far more mature than Xuan Yang’s. But aside from that, the two were virtually identical. Xuan Yang felt incredibly awkward, while the Phoenix Emperor stared for a long time, as if seeing his younger self in a mirror.
"So, you're the one who knocked someone up and then just walked away?" Xuan Yang asked the question that had been festering in his mind.
"You...!" The twins were both terrified and furious, nearly losing their wits.
Xuan Yang shot them a sideways glance. He was already being very restrained; he hadn't even cursed, he was just asking a question.
The Phoenix Emperor waved his hand, signaling for them to remain silent.
"I didn't know that woman could actually conceive. You should know, it isn't easy for even pure-blooded phoenixes to produce offspring. If I had known then, I would have brought the egg back with me," the Phoenix Emperor said with a smile.
Everyone saw that smile. To anyone watching, it was clear the smile held no warmth. It was obvious he was merely expressing that Phoenix descendants were rare, not showing any fatherly affection.
"By the way, what tribe was the half-blood from?" The Phoenix Emperor leaned back lazily in his seat, his fingers resting against his cheek.
"...The Crow Tribe," Xuan Yang said reluctantly.
At this moment, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for Hui Niang, who had hated this scoundrel so much that she even resented her own child. This man couldn't even remember the people he’d been with in the cultivation world!
"Oh... a hybrid of the Crow and Phoenix tribes. I’ve never seen one before. Revert to your original form and let me see." The Phoenix Emperor tapped his chin.
Fire burned in Xuan Yang’s heart. The other man’s attitude was like he was watching a circus act. But glancing at Zhai Bairong and Shen Yan behind him and remembering their warnings, Xuan Yang didn't dare disobey. He could only transform back into his original form with a sense of grievance.
A pitch-black phoenix—he was likely the first of his kind in the world. The twins behind him couldn't help but stare wide-eyed.
However, the Phoenix Clan’s greatest pride was their vibrant, multicolored plumage. Even though Xuan Yang’s original form was majestic in stature, his feathers were a dull, oppressive black. In their eyes, it was a tragic flaw that ruined the whole.
The Phoenix Emperor seemed to have no reaction. After a brief look, he told Xuan Yang to change back.
"Though you are a half-blood and seem to lack any upbringing... your talent is acceptable. Moreover, you were lucky enough to inherit my countenance. I will include you in the clan registry. Cultivation resources and living quarters will be arranged by servants later; you shall receive the same treatment as your elder brothers. If you lack anything, have the servants tell me," the Phoenix Emperor decreed.
The twins were secretly shocked, thinking how fortunate it was that they hadn't been more disrespectful to Xuan Yang earlier. It was common knowledge among the Phoenixes that the Emperor was extremely fond of his own handsome face. Being naturally beauty-loving creatures, they also took pride in the Emperor’s dashing appearance. They had guessed earlier that the Emperor would be pleased upon seeing Xuan Yang’s face, but they hadn't expected it to go this far.
"Next..."
The Phoenix Emperor’s gaze swept toward the two people behind Xuan Yang, his expression clearly unfriendly.
Xuan Yang’s heart skipped a beat.
"You are the human who raised my son?" the Phoenix Emperor asked Zhai Bairong.
Zhai Bairong lowered his head. "I raised him together with my Dao companion."
The Phoenix Emperor was silent for a moment, the entire hall falling into an unsettling quiet.
"I recall saying to bring the human who is contracted to him," the Phoenix Emperor said to the twins, his tone displeased.
The twins exchanged a confused look. The red-haired girl stepped forward and said uncertainly, "Isn't he... right here?"
"Fools. The contract isn't on this person at all." The Phoenix Emperor shot the girl a cold look. His powerful divine sense caused her to drop to her knees in fear instantly.
"Ah, b-but that’s what this person said himself..." the red-haired girl said in disbelief.
Zhai Bairong’s voice remained steady. "That... I never said such a thing."
The red-haired woman stared at him, recalling their interactions over the past few days... Indeed, he had never explicitly admitted to being the one contracted to Xuan Yang!
"Then... does that mean the contractor was left behind in the lower realm? I... I was misled! Humans truly are cunning!"
A flash of dissatisfaction appeared on the Phoenix Emperor’s face. He was clearly annoyed that the twins had brought the wrong person, making him lose face. "It seems being idle for thousands of years has made things too easy for you. Starting tomorrow, the two of you will go to the southern territories to tend the spirit fields."
"...Yes."
"Ugh... as you command..."
The twins didn't dare disobey and could only answer while biting their lips.
Having heard the twins' report, the Phoenix Emperor already knew these two humans had raised Xuan Yang like a child. However, he still felt it was a disgrace to the Phoenix Clan that his son had entered into a master-servant contract with a mere human. Yet, unless both parties agreed within ten feet of each other, a master-servant contract could not be dissolved. Hearing that the contractor had stayed in the lower realm, he realized the matter would have to be dropped for now.
"Not a single word about Xuan Yang being under a master-servant contract with a human is to be leaked," the Phoenix Emperor warned coldly.
Zhai Bairong was startled, but felt a bit more at ease. Since the Phoenix Emperor had said this, it meant he intended to let him leave. The worst-case scenario would have been the Emperor killing them outright to eliminate any future worries; it seemed the man wasn't entirely heartless. Thinking this, Zhai Bairong immediately swore an oath of secrecy.
The Phoenix Emperor looked at the human before him. Although he only had a Deity Transformation cultivation, he had remained remarkably calm and composed in his presence. Considering this man had put some effort into raising Xuan Yang, the Emperor decided not to be too harsh on Zhai Bairong.
"Very well. Have a servant escort you out of the Phoenix territory. Do not return."
Xuan Yang froze and quickly stood up. "Wait a minute, what about me? If that's the case, I'm leaving too."
The Phoenix Emperor shot him a glance. "You cannot leave. At your age, to only be at the Deity Transformation stage as my son... those fellows in the Dragon Clan would laugh themselves sick if word got out. From now on, you will focus on your cultivation within the clan. I will send people to supervise you. You are not permitted to leave the territory until you reach the Integration stage."
He then glanced at Shen Yan, who had remained silent the entire time. "Since he’s a little lover you brought from the lower realm, you can keep him in your quarters. But find some females when you have the time; it’s fine to have a taste of the same sex, but that’s all it should be..."
Shen Yan remained unmoved, but Xuan Yang, hearing such insulting words directed at Shen Yan, was instantly consumed by rage. Zhai Bairong cleared his throat, interrupting the retort that was about to burst from Xuan Yang’s mouth.
"Then I shall take my leave of Xuan Yang here. I wonder if we might have a little more time to say our goodbyes?"
"As you wish." The Phoenix Emperor waved his hand dismissively, stood up, and with a flick of his robes, vanished from the spot.
The twins, who had been sent off to farm, looked devastated. Tending spirit fields was hard, exhausting work with pitiful pay; only those with the lowest status and cultivation in the clan were sent there.
"How is this possible! That other man is the contractor? Then why would he willingly stay in the lower realm!" The red-haired twin looked at Zhai Bairong, a feeling of being cheated rising within her.
Zhai Bairong simply said, "Be careful not to lose your composure before the throne."
The girl was pulled back by her brother. She looked fearfully at the empty seat where the Phoenix Emperor had been and shut her mouth. She couldn't help but grumble inwardly: *Curse him! I thought this cold-faced human was going to meet a miserable end, so why am I the one who’s fallen on hard times instead?*
"Zhai Bairong, are you really going to leave on your own?" Once they were outside, Xuan Yang hurriedly grabbed Zhai Bairong.
"It’s not that I’m insisting on leaving. It’s that the current situation is beyond our control. Your father won't let you leave. If you try to come with me, it will only anger him and implicate me as well." Zhai Bairong reached out, seemingly wanting to pat Xuan Yang’s head as he used to, but he quickly realized Xuan Yang was an adult now and shouldn't be treated like a child anymore.
"Don't call him my father. I don't acknowledge him..." Xuan Yang muttered.
"Then call him whatever you like in your heart. But you saw it, didn't you? In the face of a Golden Immortal’s power, there is no room for us to resist."
Xuan Yang was unwilling, but he had to admit their cultivation levels were simply too far apart.
The group reached the edge of the Phoenix territory. The clan attendants ordered by the Phoenix Emperor were already waiting a short distance behind to take Xuan Yang back to his residence. Xuan Yang looked back in despair, realizing those attendants were all at the Void Refinement or Integration stages; he couldn't run even if he tried.
Seeing the average cultivation of these guards, Xuan Yang also realized how insignificant their Deity Transformation cultivation was here. Zhai Bairong was about to leave alone, while he was to be kept under watch... would they really be able to meet again within a hundred years?
"Don't overthink it. Just focus on your cultivation. You don't need to worry about how to find me. Once I find Shiyun, we will naturally find a way to come see you."
The Phoenix Emperor didn't seem like he would make things difficult for Xuan Yang, which put Zhai Bairong at ease.
Zhai Bairong’s only thought now was to find Nie Shiyun. He had already been in the Upper Realm for a month; he didn't know if Nie Shiyun’s repair of the immortal tool had gone smoothly, or where he was now.
Before leaving, Zhai Bairong looked at Shen Yan, who had barely spoken since they ascended. He could tell that Shen Yan was somewhat hesitant about staying here.
For a human like him, staying here might be very difficult. Although Zhai Bairong saw this clearly, seeing Xuan Yang’s anxious expression at the thought of separation, the scales in his heart ultimately tipped toward "his own family."
"Shen Yan, since things have come to this, your cultivation is insufficient. Leaving with me would be too dangerous. Fortunately, the Phoenix Emperor can tolerate your presence, so take this opportunity to cultivate well. For now, I must trouble you to keep Xuan Yang company for a while longer."
Shen Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "...I understand."
The three spoke a few more words. Sensing the growing impatience in the eyes of the Phoenix guards behind Xuan Yang, Zhai Bairong smiled, bid them farewell, and turned to walk away.
***
**Glossary**
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 152 | The Phoenix Emperor's Decree | Novela.app | Novela.app
