Chapter 4318: The Three Phoenix Festival
The Seven Feather Divine Phoenix transformed into human form, bowing in greeting.
"My name is Pang Qi, of the Divine Phoenix Clan, under King Luoyu. I welcome Daoist Lin to the Fallen Feather World. I will arrange proper lodgings for you, and appoint a guide to show you our lands."
Lin Moyu smiled lightly.
"Thank you, Senior Pang. Then I shall accept with respect."
A stream of radiance stretched from Fallen Feather World, becoming a dazzling pathway. It drew them inward.
Xiao Peng, too, shifted into human form, following at Lin Moyu's side. He was not yet grown, his transformation that of a boy barely in his early teens, adorable and bright eyed.
When Pang Qi saw him, his expression flickered with surprise. Even in childhood, Xiao Peng held half step Chaos Realm strength. Such bloodline was uncommon. Within the Divine Phoenix Clan, a child that powerful would require at least a third generation bloodline.
Fallen Feather World grew vast in their sight. There were eight massive cities rising from the land, and beyond them stretched endless mountain ranges.
Those eight cities formed a ring, encircling a central sacred mountain. It soared upwards endlessly, as though to pierce through to the heavens, joining Chaos itself.
Though Fallen Feather World was not quite a domain, it exuded the aura of one, clearly refined by mighty hands. Nearing it, Lin Moyu's senses confirmed everything.
He posed no questions. Pang Qi supplied no unnecessary explanations.
They landed within one of the eight cities. Its name: Fallen Feather Seventh City.
Unlike mortal cities, no walls encircled it. Buildings scattered without organization, yet formed their own unique rhythm.
Countless people moved within their soul flames igniting the streets, throngs everywhere.
What startled Lin Moyu was this: many were not Phoenix at all. Many were outsiders. Even more, many of these outsiders had realms far below Chaos Realm, some only Dao Lords.
Lin Moyu betrayed no reaction, but inside he noted everything. And Pang Qi was watching him for exactly that: some slip of emotion. Lin Moyu gave him none.
A young woman at half step Chaos Realm hurried to bow deeply before Pang Qi.
"City Lord."
Pang Qi nodded calmly.
"This is Daoist Lin. He is a distinguished guest. Prepare a comfortable residence. Be his guide in these coming days. Take him through Fallen Feather World. Whatever he requires fulfill it. Do not slight him."
The young woman answered with utmost respect.
"This servant understands. I am Pang Jing."
After giving further instructions, Pang Qi departed.
True enough, Lin Moyu's lodgings were lavish an expansive courtyard filled with attendants. But he had no illusions.
Pang Qi's politeness did not stem from gratitude. It was not Lin Moyu he valued but the Divine Phoenix Egg.
Had Lin Moyu dared do anything to it, his fate would have been miserable indeed.
Gratitude had little worth in Chaos. Power, leverage, and bloodline mattered not sentiment.
The attendants were simple weaker subspecies of the Phoenix bloodline. They were those who had failed to manifest at least five golden feathers, without which they could not be recognized as true Divine Phoenix.
These offshoots were called variants or subspecies. Among outsiders, it was a slur. But within the Phoenix, it was an incentive. These people trained with desperation, striving to shed that status and awaken enough lineage to join as full Phoenix.
Pang Jing carefully instructed Lin Moyu.
"If Daoist has any need, call me." She bowed and withdrew, leaving him undisturbed.
In the courtyard, Xiao Peng muttered quietly.
"I didn't expect him not to be a king."
Lin Moyu answered smoothly.
"He is still Chaos Realm Great Completion, and a Seven Feather Phoenix besides. To serve as a City Lord is natural enough."
Among the Phoenix, Great Completion cultivators were not uncountable, but within a single clan their total was greatly fewer. Pang Qi's status was solid. More than that as a Seven Feather, his bloodline could yet rise.
He looked toward the mountain beyond.
"If he awakens further, he may become Eight Feather. At that point, he will ascend to Perfection, and join the ranks of their Phoenix Kings."
Xiao Peng blinked, stunned.
"Father… how do you know this?"
Lin Moyu smiled faintly.
"I overheard."
Xiao Peng tilted his head. "Overheard? But that shouldn't be possible."
Lin Moyu chuckled.
Once, true. But now? After accepting an exchange with the Tianting Beast, the legendary Discernment Beast, he had gained a secret technique.
It was called Heavenly Listening. From that bloodline talent, he could now eavesdrop across extraordinary ranges, undetectable, voices carried to his mind like whispers.
At his current strength, he could cover half a domain. This single Seventh City? He could sweep it entirely.
Xiao Peng leaned close.
"What else have you heard?"
"Nothing much," Lin Moyu said. "Trivial matters of little weight. Only that Pang Qi has already taken the egg and gone toward Luoyu Mountain. That is where King Luoyu dwells. Clearly, this egg is of major importance."
Lin Moyu allowed himself a sigh of relief. He was glad he had not tampered with it. But curiosity stirred deeply in him. What was so special about this egg?
He remembered how the Lord of Fate Dao had placed this egg in his hands. Only telling him it was laid when a bird of Chaos strayed into a domain.
Even the Lord of Fate hadn't known of the Phoenix Clan.
Now, here they were at its heart.
Xiao Peng's eyes sparkled.
"Seems it's quite important to them. I wonder how they'll thank us?"
Lin Moyu smiled coldly.
"Don't expect thanks. Better to watch, learn, and leave. If they insist on forcing a reward, then it's a debt of favor. That's worth far more than any item."
Xiao Peng nodded. "Then I'll listen to Father."
Lin Moyu spread Heavenly Listening once again, stretching to hear the city.
But most conversations came from lowly attendants. Their knowledge was shallow. True Phoenix spoke through transmissions, concealed, impossible to overhear.
Still, he noted one thing clearly.
Though they stood in Phoenix territory, true Phoenix were scarce. Ordinary human like cultivators filled the streets far more numerous.
In only a single day observed, the number of such outsiders increased noticeably.
On the second day, Pang Jing returned. She offered the formal human bow, treating him as a guest of highest courtesy.
"Daoist Lin, the Three Phoenix Festival will soon begin. Would you care to attend?"
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