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--- Chapter 388 ---
"I am very interested in receiving the Phoenix God's Trials," Han Yuan said casually while fiddling with his forehead, which bore a faint silver thunder mark. "After all, one can't have enough of such valuable opportunities."
"But…"
"Is there a chance that my Thunder God's Trials might clash with the Phoenix God's Trials?"
Hearing Han Yuan's cautious question, the Nine Phoenix Lords understood his concerns.
The Fire Phoenix Lord chuckled and answered calmly, "Usually, obtaining two God's Trials simultaneously would definitely break a rule and could be considered an offense."
"Well, one could say it completely disregards the God who chose you first."
"Indeed, it would be a great disrespect."
"However!" He continued, "There is a small chance for two gods to find common ground and allow their inheritors to obtain both trials, which would benefit them on the path to godhood."
"That said, you are an exception to these rules."
"Do you know why?" He threw a playful question.
Han Yuan thought briefly before answering, "Because the Thunder God has fallen…"
"Correct!" The Fire Phoenix Lord nodded. "The Thunder God's fall means you are free to pursue another God's Trials while retaining the former, not only allowing you to inherit two gods' positions at once, but also reap a huge benefit."
"After all, Thunder God couldn't possibly rise from the dead just to whine about it, right?"
"Then, what if the God of Destruction, who has taken the Thunder God's position, interferes?" Han Yuan retorted casually.
The Fire Phoenix Lord raised an eyebrow. "He won't."
"As one of the Innate Gods in the Divine Realm, the God of Destruction must realize how beneficial the Phoenix God's Trials would be for your growth."
"Moreover, the Phoenix God's reputation is not bad."
"Back then, the Phoenix Clan had a positive relationship with him and the Goddess of Life. We weren't allies per se, but we still respected each other."
"Additionally, remember this, Young Friend. No matter how powerful the Thunder God was, he was still only a 1st Class God!"
"Thunder God had the potential to become a Godking, but the Phoenix God was a Godking from birth."
"Each of us, her creations, is no less powerful than the Thunder God, so unless the God of Destruction has gone senile, he should not have an issue with loosening some rules."
"This isn't just my opinion, young friend, but it's also your privilege as a monstrous genius."
"If a prodigy like you is 'somehow' bound by such rigid rules, how are we to grow in the Divine Realm?"
"Keep this in mind also, the God of Destruction needs you!"
"There is still Asura in the Divine Realm, plotting something. Rather than worrying about a junior, he should be focusing on what Asura might do."
Han Yuan looked at the Fire Phoenix Lord and replied, "Senior, it seems you really understand me after all."
"Understand? No, no, no. I'm just stating the truth." Like the White-Eyed Phoenix Lord, the Fire Phoenix Lord recognized how special Han Yuan was.
Someone like Han Yuan can't be 'easily' stopped, and if you try to restrain him once, he will rise with even greater momentum.
Han Yuan could be a great ally, but a significant headache as an enemy in the future. That's why the Fire Phoenix Lord acknowledged Han Yuan's value. The God of Destruction should grasp this as well.
Han Yuan was aware of this himself but had asked out of necessity. He wanted to gauge the Nine Phoenix Lord's perspective on him. Aligning their interests is one thing, but understanding the value of both sides is another.
"If you say so, Senior," Han Yuan replied pleasantly. "Then I am more than happy to accept the Phoenix God's Trials."
With that, Han Yuan casually hopped into the air a few times and landed on the assessment clouds.
He felt the texture of the tangible clouds beneath his warm shoes and murmured, "This really is a creation of divine ability." He then fixed his gaze downward at the testing stone he had approached calmly.
Silence enveloped the Samsara Isle of Paradise. It was not a peaceful silence; rather, it was thick with heavy dread.
Kacha! Kacha! Kacha!
Suddenly, the sound of breaking glass echoed through the area.
"The sky…" Xiao Wu trembled.
"Mom, the sky is breaking!"
"T-This is..." Xiao Rou hugged her daughter instinctively.
Bi Ji frowned, "Young Master…"
"He's going to be fine," Ah Yin said firmly. "My Xiao Yuan… is going to be fine."
"Don't worry, everyone."
"Because my Xiao Yuan is the greatest!"
Though Ah Yin exuded confidence, the Nine Phoenix Lords put on solemn expressions, as this abnormality was not something that should have happened.
CAAAAAAAAAAAWWW!
A piercing howl resonated from the void, filling the Samsara Isle and reverberating throughout.
"Not good!" The Nine Phoenix Lords swiftly activated their sealed divine force to stabilize the space.
Then, a bright, dark silver light erupted from the ten main islands, rushing toward Han Yuan like a swarm of fireflies. The Divine Parasol Tree let out a mournful creak, sending forth a burning crimson-gold flame.
The sun, moon, and stars also released their radiance.
Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!
The atmosphere's temperature was rapidly increasing, creating a series of popping sounds one after another. However, it wasn't mere popping, as it was a million small explosions happening all across the secret realm.
Meanwhile, Han Yuan found himself drifting in an unknown space filled with sparkling stars. He looked around and finally used the Eyes of Truth to see the source of this illusion.
"Don't bother, young man. This place is merely an illusory space where my wisp of divine soul rests, waiting for a heaven-defying chance to arrive, and that chance is you," a calm, feminine voice echoed in the space.
Han Yuan turned around and saw a pair of silver-gold eyes gazing at him calmly. "Phoenix God?" He asked.
The silver-gold eyes transformed into crescent shapes, as though smiling at him when he called her. "Yes, the one and only."
She then added. "I am the ruler of all avian beasts, the ancestor of myriad birds—the Phoenix God!"
"However, you may refer to me as Lady Fenghuang."
Han Yuan smiled helplessly. "You said all that, but why would you need to bring me here with such commotion?"
The Phoenix God's eyes blinked as she replied awkwardly, "That wasn't me. The reason the Inheritance Site reacted this way is purely because of your immense talent and potential."
"They are so remarkable that the very fabric of space and time is breaking apart."
"The testing arrays I left behind couldn't properly evaluate you because many of your 'aspects' are beyond the high standard I initially set."
"Fortunately, my remaining divine force should stabilize the secret realm, so you shouldn't worry too much. Your companion is safe."
"Uh, so why did you call me here?" Han Yuan questioned calmly. "Aren't I supposed to obtain your Phoenix God's Trials?"
The Phoenix God chuckled. "Well, it's actually quite simple. I merely want to make a deal with you."
"A deal?" Han Yuan narrowed his eyes, doubtful that someone like the Phoenix God needed anything from him.
Seeing Han Yuan's skepticism, the Phoenix God explained, "Yes, I do indeed want to make a deal with you."
"I am willing to grant you the highest Phoenix God's trials and the most handsome rewards, but in return, I need you to revive me."
"Pardon?" Han Yuan was left speechless.
"How am I supposed to do that? You're dead—like a billion years ago."
"No intact body, and you're just a wisp of the Phoenix God. It's basically impossible for you to rise again."
The Phoenix God fell silent for a few moments upon hearing this before sighing. "You're right, young man. It's indeed just a pipe dream."
"The Phoenix God has long perished; her origins have been destroyed and devoured by that despicable Dragon God."
"There are no intact corpses, not even a complete divine soul, and my Creation Force has been stolen."
"But my wisp of soul just can't let it go. This very fact has become my obsession!"
"Still, I won't give up. You're the key to my rebirth."
"I just can't find a way to achieve what you want, senior," Han Yuan lied casually.
After all, the Sky Poison Pearl could easily host the Phoenix God's wisp of soul. From that point, full recovery and rebirth would just be a matter of finding the most suitable method. Yet, Han Yuan didn't readily expose his secrets.
The Phoenix God seemed to understand this and slowly said, "I am willing to perform the Soul Contract pact you mentioned outside."
"You..." Han Yuan's eyes widened slightly.
This Phoenix God, she doesn't put on airs at all!
Aren't you supposed to be a high and mighty Phoenix God?