Genius in the whole system: The useless young lady dominates the world
Chapter 85 The Rise and Fall of the Phoenix Clan (1)
On the other side, in a dim and dilapidated temple, the air was filled with an old and decaying atmosphere. Only the scattered candlesticks on the altar burned with crimson flames, flickering with a faint light.
In this dim environment, a man dressed in a black robe stood quietly before the altar. His figure was tall and upright, and an exquisite and mysterious mask covered his true face. The mask was carved from some unknown dark material and emitted a faint luster, leaving only his deep, abyss-like eyes, which flashed with a calm yet dangerous light.
He exuded an indescribable aura of danger, and even the boldest person would not dare to approach him easily after feeling this pressure.
"Hmph! Fool, who gave you the audacity to act on your own? Do you know that your actions could very well expose all of my plans?" The man's voice was filled with anger, echoing and lingering in the hall for a long time.
The figure kneeling before him trembled and slowly raised her head. Lin Wanwan's face was deathly pale, and her evil, scarlet eyes were now filled with terror and unease. She pleaded, trembling, "I'm sorry, Master, but didn't you want that boy's life? That's why I..."
"Shut up! How could you possibly fathom my plans? Don't let your petty schemes ruin my grand scheme, or I'll take your life right now." The man's words were as chilling as a cold wind, and his icy gaze was like a knife, piercing straight into the depths of Lin Wanwan's soul.
Sensing the murderous intent in the man's eyes, Lin Wanwan's fear reached its peak. She lay on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy: "I'm sorry, Master, please give me another chance. I will definitely obey your orders!"
"roll!"
Lin Wanwan felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly left the main hall, her figure transforming into a wisp of black smoke and instantly disappearing into the night.
The man withdrew his gaze and turned to look in the direction where Nalan Rongzhi and Lu Lingxi were. A chilling smile appeared on his lips, as if he had already taken control of everything, and everything that followed was merely a pawn on his chessboard, moving along a predetermined path according to his will.
Lu Lingxi frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, slowly said, "The attacker's figure is extremely familiar, but I know nothing about his identity. But there is no doubt that the beast tide must have been his doing."
"This matter is complicated, and I will definitely get to the bottom of it and find out the truth," Nalan Rongzhi thought to himself, believing that there must be a bigger conspiracy behind this.
As night quietly receded, the morning light, like fine threads, pierced through the treetops, dappling the forest path. The clear, melodious chirping of birds awakened Lu Lingxi and Lu Xinglan from their slumber. The two rose one after the other, tidied themselves up briefly, and set off on their journey once more.
Lu Lingxi Yao wore a simple white dress, looking elegant and refined. Her long black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, giving her a heroic and capable air.
Lu Xinglan, dressed in black with his hair casually draped over his shoulders and a few stray strands brushing his forehead, added a touch of unruliness and arrogance to his appearance. He held Lu Lingxi Yao's small hand tightly, his face beaming with a warm and gentle smile.
Huan Yue transformed into her true form and gracefully followed behind Lu Lingxi Yao. On her back, the figure of Youming Chimei lay lazily, enjoying the warm sunlight with a leisurely and contented air. The boy who was the illusion followed closely behind, inseparable from her.
Lu Xinglan turned her head, her gaze falling gently on Lu Lingxi Yao, and asked softly, "Yao Yao, what is our next destination?"
Lu Lingxi glanced at the Kunlun Ring on her finger, then firmly uttered three words, "Fengming Continent".
Upon hearing this, Lu Xinglan's face showed a hint of surprise, followed by a questioning look: "The Phoenix Clan's territory? Are you sure you want to get involved in this conflict?"
Lu Lingxi nodded firmly, her mind made up. She gently transmitted her voice into the space, "Qingxue, let's go to Fengming Continent."
A moment later, Feng Qingxue's slightly incredulous voice came from the space, her words filled with disbelief and gratitude.
"You...are you really willing to lend me a hand?"
Feng Qingxue knew from a young age the coldness and selfishness of human nature, and she would never easily place her hopes on others, especially a stranger she had just met. No one would take on someone else's troubles, so she never thought that anyone would be willing to lend her a helping hand unconditionally.
Her original plan was simple: to stay by Lu Lingxi Yao's side, rely on her protection, and quietly improve her strength until one day she was strong enough to settle those grudges and avenge her father.
However, Lu Lingxi's answer was like a ray of warm sunshine, piercing through the gloom in Feng Qingxue's heart and bringing hope.
Lu Lingxi said sincerely, "Of course, it's not just because I met your sister once, but also because your sincerity and strength touched me. I'm willing to be friends with someone like you, so your affairs are my affairs!"
At this moment, Feng Qingxue felt an unprecedented sense of importance. She realized that perhaps there really were some people in this world who were willing to overcome numerous difficulties and lend a helping hand for the sake of sincere friendship.
"Thank you! Let me out. There are some things you need to know!" Feng Qingxue's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement and anticipation.
"Okay!" With a gentle thought, a soft light appeared in front of Lu Lingxi.
"Xiyao, from now on, call me Xiaoxue. That's what my family calls me."
Seeing Lu Lingxi Yao nod, Feng Qingxue continued, "The Phoenix Clan ranks second among the six great families. My father is the current clan leader, and my sister has been exceptionally talented and radiant since childhood. Her existence is like the most generous gift from heaven to the Phoenix Clan. Not only is she exceptionally intelligent, but she also has amazing cultivation. She was entrusted with high hopes by the family at an early age and appointed as the successor to the clan leader."
The family spared no effort in providing her with the most rigorous and comprehensive training, hoping that she could lead the Phoenix Clan to a more glorious future.
It was because of my sister's protection that I, this seedling, was able to grow strong in warmth and peace, protected from wind and rain.
My sister silently shouldered so many burdens that I should have shared, allowing me to freely pursue my dreams and enjoy life in a carefree environment. I thought this happiness would last forever...
At this point, she paused slightly, and tears began to well up in her eyes, shimmering with sorrow and indignation.
“I never expected that my uncle, Feng Tianyi, would betray my father. Perhaps the root of all this began when my grandfather bestowed the position of family head upon my father. From that moment on, the seeds of resentment quietly took root and sprouted in his heart.”
"That day, my uncle and father had an argument, and afterwards, my uncle left in anger, not expecting... that this would be the beginning of a family disaster. When he returned, he was no longer the familiar uncle. He led a group of men in black into the Feng residence. These men in black were dressed the same as the men in black who triggered the beast tide, all wearing large black cloaks, only revealing a pair of scarlet eyes. The key point was that they used black energy similar to dark spiritual power. That black energy carried an aura of evil and decay, and wherever it touched, life was lost, leaving behind a deathly silence."
As Feng Qingxue spoke, her voice became low and trembling, as if that memory was an unhealable wound in her heart.
Lu Lingxi and Lu Xinglan exchanged a meaningful glance, their eyes revealing a strange familiarity and wariness, as if they had guessed something.
"The leader of those men in black somehow controlled my father. He was like a mindless puppet, and in the end, he was killed by my uncle who pierced his chest with a sword!" Feng Qingxue said, her body trembling involuntarily, and her voice becoming choked with sobs.
"Then, my uncle's longsword was pointed at me again. It was the Grand Elder who used a teleportation talisman in time to save me from the clutches of death. Because the teleportation talisman is used for random teleportation, I was teleported to the Lotus Swamp, and that's where I met you."
"In the instant before the teleportation, I seemed to hear someone report that my sister had been tricked back by them. They were trying to imprison her and obtain her phoenix blood."
Feng Qingxue's voice gradually lowered until it turned into silence. Her eyes lost their former luster, leaving only emptiness and despair, as if that experience had emptied her soul.
Lu Lingxi gently stretched out her arm and softly wrapped it around Feng Qingxue's slightly thin but resilient shoulders. Her movements were full of silent strength and comfort, as if she were making a silent promise that no matter how difficult the road ahead, she would stay by Feng Qingxue's side.
"Don't worry too much, we will definitely be able to rescue your sister. Trust me, and trust in the power of all of us."
Upon hearing this, Feng Qingxue managed a weak smile, a smile tinged with bitterness and gratitude. Although her eyes remained worried, Lu Lingxi's encouragement seemed to have slightly soothed her unease.
She responded softly, "Thank you! With you all here, I feel like anything is possible."
In this journey of stopping and starting, time flows like a gentle stream, quietly slipping away amidst laughter and contemplation.
Before they knew it, they had traversed lush forests and crossed winding rivers, finally arriving at the entrance to Phoenix Island at dusk on the fifth day.
At the entrance, two ancient trees stand tall and lush, like guardian deities. Vines are wrapped around their trunks, and the leaves rustle in the breeze.
Passing through the secluded path among the ancient trees, a breathtaking view suddenly appears before you: a path paved with bluestone winds its way forward, like a giant dragon weaving through the lush greenery.
Wildflowers bloom in profusion along both sides of the path, their vibrant colors and sweet fragrance attracting butterflies and bees to dance among them.
Further on, a simple and elegant archway comes into view, with lifelike phoenix patterns carved on it. The phoenixes seem to be spreading their wings and about to take flight, as if showing every visitor the glory and honor of Fengmingzhou.
Upon entering the territory of Fengming Continent, Lu Lingxi Yao turned to look at Feng Qingxue beside her and said in a low and cautious voice, "Qingxue, it is not advisable for you to expose yourself directly at the moment. In order for our trip to proceed smoothly, you should return to Kunlun Ring first. Lu Xinglan and I will go ahead and find out the situation here. We will make further plans when the time is right."
Upon hearing this, Feng Qingxue nodded gently, her words carrying a hint of concern and admonition, "Alright, you two must be careful! Safety is the most important thing."
Before she finished speaking, Lu Lingxi Yao moved her mind, and a gentle yet powerful force enveloped Feng Qingxue. Instantly, Feng Qingxue's figure disappeared from the spot.
At the same time, Huan Yue, Huan Ying, and You Ming also tacitly returned to the spirit beast space to cultivate.
Then, the two continued to venture deeper into the forest, and suddenly a vast plain opened up before them. In the distance, exquisite pavilions were built against the mountains and beside the water, arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner.
The roof, covered with blue tiles, gleams softly in the sunlight, blending harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment, appearing both rustic and elegant.
The two arrived at the foot of the city gate and looked up. At the top of the gate, an ancient stone plaque came into view, with three powerful characters engraved on it: "Phoenix City".
Upon entering the city, the streets are lined with all sorts of shops and residences. Pedestrians come and go in an endless stream, some busy making a living, others strolling leisurely. Children chase and play in the alleys, their clear laughter echoing in the air, adding a touch of innocence and joy to the town.
Lu Lingxi and Lu Xinglan arrived at the crowded square. They exchanged a glance, and Lu Lingxi nodded slightly, showing perfect understanding. Then, like two fish swimming nimbly, they darted through the crowd and disappeared in their respective directions.
Lu Lingxiyao stepped into an antique-style teahouse. A plaque with carved dragons and phoenixes hung above the door, making it look exceptionally elegant.
She quietly called the waiter and ordered a pot of the finest tea. Then she strolled to a corner of the teahouse, where the light was soft, just enough to avoid the noise of the crowd while still allowing her to faintly catch the whispers around her.
In a corner of the teahouse, several diners were whispering among themselves, discussing the recent dramatic changes in the Phoenix Clan.
A burly man with a thick beard and a rugged look between his brows said in a low voice, "Have you heard? The clan leader was gone overnight, and he passed the position to his younger brother, Feng Tianyi. Isn't that obviously going against the eldest daughter, Feng Qingyu?"
A man beside him, with a thin face and a solemn expression, said, "How could we outsiders possibly understand the inner clan's affairs? It's just that this change was too sudden. Ever since Feng Tianyi took over, I've had a bad feeling about it."
"Speaking of which, Miss Feng Qingxue hasn't shown up for a long time. Where has she gone?" another diner interjected, his tone filled with curiosity and worry.
“Yes, yes, I ran into Young Clan Chief Feng Qingyu a few days ago when she returned, but she seems to have disappeared again afterward,” the thin man added, his brows furrowed.
"That's really strange!" the bearded, burly man clicked his tongue.
“Since our Phoenix Clan withdrew from the royal family disputes and went into seclusion in Phoenix City, life has been peaceful. But recently, men in black have been frequently coming and going from the Phoenix Residence. This must be related to the current clan leader, right?” The thin man lowered his voice, his tone tinged with speculation.
"It's best if we don't discuss this kind of thing, lest we say something that might cause trouble," another diner quickly interjected, and everyone nodded in agreement, thus ending the conversation.
Lu Lingxi Yao sat to the side, silently taking in the conversation and making her own plans.
Once she felt there was no more valuable information, she gently placed a few taels of silver on the table, then quietly left the teahouse and blended into the still noisy crowd outside.
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