The Primordial Realm's sky emitted a golden luster, layers of fire clouds forming a celestial curtain that undulated like an ocean. Beneath it lay a vast arena filled with firelight. This was the Golden Phoenix Race Training Arena, a place where the younger generation of the great race was rigorously forged to maintain the glory of their ancestors.
Inside the arena, hundreds of disciples stood in neat formation. Their bodies blazed with sparkling golden flames, as if each was surrounded by a small sun. Their movements were in unison, illusory Phoenix wings fluttering on their backs every time a legacy technique was practiced—the sound of energy booms mixed with shouts of excitement filled the air.
The supervising elder with the long white beard stood at the edge of the arena, his gaze sharp as a sword. "Remember, our race is the guardian of the cosmic flame. Every breath you take is a gift from your ancestors. Never play with our golden heritage!" he cried.
The atmosphere was solemn. An aura of discipline and racial pride filled the air.
However, the tranquility was soon shattered.
DUARRR!
Suddenly, there was a noise from the eastern sky of the arena. The tranquil clouds of fire parted, and a bright golden Young Phoenix was floating irregularly, shrieking in panic. On its tail, a rope of luminous spirit was tied, and at the end of the rope...
A young man sat casually, legs crossed, laughing heartily.
"HAHAHA! Come on, go a little faster! Can the Golden Phoenix only fly this slow? I need a race, not a turtle parade in the sky!" the young man shouted in a casual tone.
All the students in the arena turned their heads. A serious atmosphere was instantly broken.
"That's... Jin Yunzhao!" one of the students exclaimed, both shocked and annoyed.
"Him again! Instead of being told to practice formations together, why are you... riding the Young Phoenix?"
The young phoenix tried to wriggle, its wings flapping wildly. Its voice was shrill, as if screaming for help. But the young man, Jin Yunzhao, just casually pulled on the rope while whistling.
"Hey, shouldn't this Phoenix be a dashing celestial being? How come he has the mentality of a village chicken? Don't shout like that; I just want to train you to be a racehorse. How can a majestic Phoenix lose to an ordinary horse? Shame on you!" he said with a chuckle.
Some students were outraged.
"Insolent! He's playing with our sacred Young Phoenix!"
"Jin Yunzhao really has no respect!"
"Release that Phoenix right now!"
However, Yunzhao didn't care at all. Instead, he straightened up, spreading both arms as if to greet the cheers. His smile was rictus, his eyes flashing with cunning.
"What? Are you angry? Don't be, I'm helping this little Phoenix. When the big war comes, do you want to rely on a Phoenix that can only fly straight like a wooden plank? I'm a meritorious one, you know!"
WUSH!
The few elders on guard instantly shot into the air, their faces crimson with rage. Their Great Phoenix aura spread out, as if the sky was about to collapse.
"Jin Yunzhao! Stop right now!" snapped one of the elders, his voice booming.
"Get down and release the Phoenix, or we'll drop you by force!"
But Yunzhao just yawned.
"Alas... respected elder, don't be too tense. Life is already full of fire, don't add more embers. Besides, if I don't train this Phoenix, who will? Other disciples? Ah, at best, they're just busy showing off their wings; no one is thinking creatively."
This cynical gaze swept across the arena, making the other students even more furious.
BOOMM!
An elder slapped the air. A wave of golden flames slammed into the sky, intent on knocking Yunzhao down. The young phoenix cried out loudly, its wings almost breaking under the pressure.
But right before the attack reached them, Yunzhao pulled the rope with a single stroke. The young phoenix spun around with incredible speed, making the energy blast miss.
SWOSH!
Yunzhao's body floated lightly, his hair fluttering, his face full of satisfaction. "Wow, that was close. You guys seriously want to take down your own junior? Aren't you afraid of being called cruel?" he said with a teasing laugh.
The arena was getting rowdy. The students started cheering; some were angry, while others were silently laughing at his behavior.
"Dia gila..."
"Why would the Great Phoenix Race have a child like that..."
Amidst the hustle and bustle, the narrative switches.
The Primordial Realm was a place where great races resided. Among them, the Golden Phoenix Race is one of the oldest guardians. They nurtured the cosmic fire, keeping the balance of the world from being swallowed up by chaos. Since ancestral times, the Golden Phoenix has been revered, with even the gods bowing to its golden light.
But in the midst of that greatness, a different child was born. Jin Yunzhao. The only son of the main line, pure Phoenix blood ran through him. He should have been a source of pride, a symbol of the new generation.
Sayangnya, kenyataan justru terbalik. Yunzhao dikenal malas, seenaknya, dan sulit diatur. Ia lebih suka tidur siang di puncak awan daripada berlatih formasi. Ia lebih senang mengganggu Phoenix Muda daripada mempelajari teknik leluhur. Di mata tetua dan murid lain, ia bukan penerus, melainkan aib yang memalukan.
However, who knows? Sometimes, behind a young man's rude behavior, there is something much bigger than the world imagines.
Back in the arena, the elders are now surrounded. Yunzhao turned around with a puzzled face.
"Wow, you guys are really serious. Wouldn't it be better to practice formation first? I can be a good practice opponent, you know. One person against all the elders, wouldn't that be interesting?"
"Enough!" snapped one of the elders, his face black with anger.
Yunzhao laughed instead. "If it's enough, then fine... I'll come down, but on one condition."
Everyone stared suspiciously. "What else do you want?"
His smile grew wider. "You have to admit that this Young Phoenix has gotten faster thanks to me. Otherwise... well, I'd be traveling around the entire palace while riding her. Imagine the heir to the Golden Phoenix Race parading around with Young Phoenix tied to a rope. Wow, what a grand sight that would be."
His words left all the students stunned. Some even nearly burst out laughing.
"He's a complete nutcase!"
"How could an elder admit such a ridiculous thing!"
The presiding elder finally let out a long sigh, his face grim. "Come down, Jin Yunzhao. You've already made quite a ruckus today. Don't think that just because you're a mainline kid, we dare not punish you."
Yunzhao glanced down, his gaze calm, then he smiled mischievously. "Punishment? Hmm... I think I've heard that threat many times. But strangely enough, I'm still alive and well, still handsome, and still the center of attention."
BUGHH!
The elder instantly shot out, his golden aura pressing down like a mountain. This time, Yunzhao really had no choice. He jumped down, releasing the spirit rope from the young Phoenix's tail. The majestic bird immediately soared free, though it still turned its annoyed head at Yunzhao, as if remembering the face of that rude young man.
When his feet landed on the ground of the arena, dozens of stares pierced him. The other students whispered, some disgusted, some envious, some just curious.
Yunzhao just raised both his hands casually. "Alright, alright. I'm coming down. No need for any more drama. But remember, everything I do is for the future of the Phoenix Race. I'm a misunderstood hero, you know!"
Shouts of protest broke out from the students. The elders shook their heads with angry faces.
But amongst the cheers, Yunzhao smiled faintly. His gaze momentarily looked up at the sky that sparkled with golden flames. There was something behind his smile, a secret that only he knew.