The avian clans, initially stirred into motion, immediately calmed down upon hearing the Phoenix Decree. For birds, the phoenix was an object of awe deep within their bloodline—something to be revered, admired, and yearned for. To them, becoming a phoenix meant the ultimate freedom—soaring through the nine heavens, unrestrained and unfettered.
"Out of compassion for the ignorance of the avian races, who struggle to tread the path of the Dao, our Phoenix Clan shall open the Sacred Wutong Tree and release the Nirvana Divine Flame. All who bathe in this flame shall have the chance to strengthen their bloodline—or even undergo a complete transformation. Any avian being may enter the sacred fire, and within it, attempt nirvanic rebirth. Even if one cannot become a phoenix, they will still enhance their potential and cleanse their aptitude—thus empowering the avian bloodline as a whole."
A heavenly voice echoed from within the Sacred Wutong Tree, unmistakably of phoenix origin.
Clearly, the Phoenix Clan was unwilling to fall behind. With the Dragon Clan rising and the Qilin Clan beginning to act, the phoenixes wasted no time in revealing the depth of their heritage.
Swish!!
In an instant, the entire Sacred Wutong Tree burst forth in seven-colored divine flames, suspended in midair like a second sun. The flames blazed across the sky, yet remained as gentle and warm as sunlight. Wherever the light fell, warmth and serenity followed.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Shrill, ecstatic cries erupted from all around as birds cried out in rapture.
Many birds immersed themselves in the Nirvana Divine Flame, their bodies wrapped in flame as their bloodlines began to transform. The Nirvana Flame carried the essence of rebirth and transcendence. Even those without a phoenix bloodline could undergo rebirth, empowering their lineage and vastly expanding their future potential.
Some fierce birds—even those without intelligence—suddenly gained sentience. These creatures, once known for their violent, killing instincts, were now shedding their beastly nature and stepping into awakened intelligence, becoming spiritual beasts or avian demons.
Rogue beasts were driven by instinct and bloodlust, lacking reason.
Spiritual beasts were intelligent and conscious, truly of the demonic race, fundamentally different in potential and destiny.
For many, this moment was a turning point—a gift of fate.
Incredibly, some exceptionally gifted birds ignited entirely within the Nirvana Flame. Their bodies turned to ash… no—into eggs. These eggs bore intricate Dao patterns, suffused with mysterious spiritual resonance. Inside, powerful life forces surged and grew rapidly.
Crack!
A crisp crack sounded as fractures spread across an egg. In a flash, the shell shattered, revealing a scarlet-red Fire Phoenix chick. Though newly born, it exuded nobility and pressure from its very bloodline. The surrounding birds instinctively bowed, paying homage.
Phoenix—reborn through Nirvana.
This miraculous scene unfolded across the entire Eternal World. More and more phoenixes emerged from the sacred fire—an explosive growth in the phoenix race's strength. And it wasn't a few… it was tens of thousands. In time, they would become the backbone of the Phoenix Clan.
Phoenixes soaring through the nine heavens, qilins roaming the land, and dragonspawn outnumbering dogs.
Chaos had descended.
The entire Eternal World was thrown into a frenzy.
What had begun as the Dragon Clan's moment was now invaded by two uninvited guests—the Qilin and Phoenix Clans—stealing the spotlight.
"This is unbelievable! Something big is definitely coming!"
"Legend says that before the convergence of worlds, during the age of the Primal Chaos, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans fought a brutal war for supremacy. I can't believe history may be repeating itself in the Eternal World."
"A calamity—could this spark a worldwide blood tribulation? If so, who knows how many lives will be lost… how many races wiped out?"
"This time, the Dragons finally have real rivals. But whether it ends in mutual destruction or another outcome… no one can say yet."
Even the most powerful cultivators in the Eternal World couldn't hide their unease.
It had seemed like this would be the Dragon Clan's stage—until the Phoenix and Qilin stole the show.
"There must be something more behind this," Yi Tianxing murmured, eyes narrowing in deep thought."The way all three clans are acting—this isn't normal. It feels… calculated. Something's wrong."
The simultaneous emergence of the Three Great Clans couldn't be coincidental. There had to be a deeper motive.
"The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans have all acted to claim control over birds, beasts, and scaled races respectively. In doing so, they're laying claim not just to territory—but to the heavenly destiny. This is not like a Dynasty competing for national fate (Guoyun). They are contending for the far greater force of racial destiny (Zuyun)."
Yi Tianxing's thoughts raced.
National fate belonged to a dynasty and its citizens—like the Great Yi Dynasty representing humanity.
Racial fate belonged to an entire race, spanning nations and lands, impacting its role in the cosmos.
In truth, racial fate encompassed all national fates. It was singular, while national fates were many. Countless kingdoms together formed a race's overall destiny.
If a single dynasty could rise above all others of its race, it could become the carrier of racial fate. And when that fate grew strong enough to influence the will of Heaven and Earth, the entire race would be uplifted. More geniuses would be born. Powerhouses would appear with astonishing frequency.
It would be the will of Heaven made manifest—the chosen of the cosmos.
With such fate, anything becomes possible. Heaven itself lends power. Cultivation speed explodes. Enlightenment becomes effortless.
The Three Clans each vied to be Heaven's Chosen. The rewards were unimaginable.
"Only one can claim the role of Heaven's Protagonist. But whoever succeeds can rule the world for an entire epoch. And if they last the epoch… their whole race may transcend."
So whispered an ancient power as many turned their eyes skyward.
Swish!!
Just then, as the three clans made their move, a new change shook the sky.
Without warning, the heavens split with divine phenomena. Celestial blossoms rained down, divine horns echoed, and heavenly music filled the air. Brilliant light blazed as a massive, radiant scroll unfurled in the void.
A gigantic leaderboard, glowing with violet divine light, manifested across the Eternal World.
Its appearance sent a wave of pressure sweeping over everything. No matter where one was, everyone saw it—everyone felt it. The will of Heaven had descended.
"The Hongmeng Myriad Spirits Ranking (鸿蒙万灵榜)!!"
"That's the legendary supreme treasure! It records the ranking and fate of all races in the Eternal World! I've seen it before on the God-Demon Battlefield!"
"Unbelievable… it holds the truths of the universe itself. Why has it appeared now?!"
Many were stunned—especially the young geniuses who had once seen the board during wartime.
Back then, it had only recorded merit earned in battle, assigning temporary racial fate.
This time, however, was different.
Now, the board was blank.
This was not the battlefield.
This was the true ranking of all races.