The Great Hall of the Golden Phoenix Race was filled with the glow of golden flames burning from thousands of spiritual torches. The flames danced wildly on the magnificent walls chiseled with carvings of giant Phoenix wings. In the center of the hall stood a towering grand throne, filled with carvings of shimmering fire jade. There, Jinyan Tianfei, Queen of the Golden Phoenix, sat with a stern and cold face, though in her eyes were ripples of emotion she could barely control.
The atmosphere in the grand assembly was tense. Dozens of elders sat lined up on stately, flame-bronze seats, while hundreds of disciples and elite bodyguards filled the back row. All eyes were fixed on one figure sitting casually on the bottom seat, with his feet up and his hands supporting his head as if he was bored waiting for his turn at dinner. That figure was Jin Yunzhao, the Phoenix youth who had caused one stir after another since childhood. His jet black hair was matted, his eyes half closed, as if he didn't care that the entire race was demanding his fate of life and death.
"Your Majesty, the Queen," the voice of one of the elders rang out loudly, echoing throughout the hall. "This child, Jin Yunzhao, has broken the most sacred of ancestral rules. Not only did he tarnish our honor before all the disciples, but he even stole the Ancestral Jade from the storage room. It was a symbol of the Phoenix Race's pride that had been passed down for thousands of eras. The existence of the jade is not just a treasure, but the foundation of our spiritual power. If he is allowed to live without proper punishment, then our honor will collapse."
"That's right!" another elder exclaimed in a fiery voice. "This boy has caused nothing but disgrace for so long. He is too lazy to train, makes noise in the arena, insults the elders, and now he dares to touch the ancestral heirlooms. Queen, for the sake of the future of the race, we demand the death penalty!"
The voices of agreement immediately rose. From the seats to the rows of students, there were whispers that coalesced into an angry tone. Many students even stared at Yunzhao with eyes flashing with hatred, as if they had long awaited the day when the young man would be put on trial.
But amidst the commotion, Yunzhao yawned widely. He raised a hand, lazily covered his mouth, then scratched his messy head. "Ouch, you guys are making so much noise. Talking about death penalty death penalty, aren't you tired of repeating the same words? If you really want to see me die, why don't you all just come forward? I can sleep faster afterward."
BRAAKK!
An elder hit the bronze fire table until it cracked. "Insolent! In front of a grand assembly, you still dare to behave as you please?"
Yunzhao shrugged his shoulders. "If I'm serious, you guys won't believe it either. So what's the point? I'd rather be myself."
His casual remarks incurred the wrath of the elders. But despite all the cheers and condemnation, Jinyan Tianfei just sat quietly on his throne. Her face was unchanged, calm as a majestic statue, but within her chest, a storm raged. She was a mother, and before her was her own biological child. But she was also a Queen, the supreme ruler of the Golden Phoenix Race. Every word that left her lips would determine the fate of not only Yunzhao but also the pride of the entire Phoenix nation.
One of the most senior elders stood up. His long robes were dark gold in color, his eyes sharp like flames about to burn. "Your Majesty, we cannot let this drag on. For the sake of the ancestors, for the sake of the entire race, for the balance of cosmic fire, we demand a firm decision. Death or destruction of honor. The choice is clear."
The words echoed out and seemed to cut into Jinyan Tianfei's chest. Behind his stern face, he closed his eyes for a moment, feeling his heart break. Ever since Yunzhao was little, he knew that the boy was different. None of the elders understood his way of thinking, and even he himself was often unable to understand why his son was so eccentric. But underneath all of his behavior, she knew that Yunzhao had something. Something that even he himself couldn't explain. But could he risk his entire race for a mother's vague beliefs?
"I know you're all waiting for a decision," Jinyan Tianfei's voice finally rang out, soft yet containing a power that made the entire hall fall silent. "Jin Yunzhao, my son, has indeed broken the ancestral rules. He stole the Ancestral Jade, a sacred object that shouldn't be touched without permission. For that, punishment is indeed deserved."
The atmosphere grew tense. The elders stared expectantly, some almost standing up as they couldn't wait to hear the death sentence.
But Yunzhao just leaned back, closing his eyes. A faint smile appeared on his face. Either he was completely relaxed, or just pretending not to care.
Jinyan Tianfei took a long breath, then his voice echoed throughout the hall. "Starting today, Jin Yunzhao is no longer part of the Golden Phoenix Race's main palace. He will be banished to the Phoenix Secret World. There, let fate decide. If he can make it out alive, then that is the will of the heavens. If not... then let him die there."
DUAARR!
The decision exploded like a thunderbolt in broad daylight. The elders looked at each other, then almost simultaneously nodded with relief. "Wise! The Queen has chosen the middle path! The Phoenix Secret World is a place full of dangers. If she does not have the ability, she will surely perish. But if she survives, it means that her own ancestors are protecting her."
Cheers of approval resounded, as if a great burden had been lifted from the chests of all the elders. To them, this decision was tantamount to a death sentence, as almost no one could make it out of that world alive. The Phoenix Secret World was a dimension filled with ancient flames, ancestral beasts, and ancient formations that could pulverize the bodies of anyone unworthy.
But behind the cheers, Jinyan Tianfei looked down for a moment, holding back the trembling in his chest. He knew this was tantamount to sending his son to his death. But as a Queen, she had no other choice. Her tears almost fell, but she held them back. No one should see the weakness of the Golden Phoenix Queen.
In the corner of the hall, Yunzhao opened one eye, looking at his mother from a distance. In an instant, he knew what his mother was feeling. His heart was hot, but his face remained relaxed. He even smiled widely, then made a loud noise. "Well, thank you, Mother... er, I mean Her Majesty the Queen. The Secret World of Phoenix, huh? Sounds like a great place for a long nap. Who knows, I might even feel at home there."
Those rancid words made the disciples hiss in anger again. But some of the elders nodded with satisfaction. "Look, he's not even afraid. Arrogant to the end. Let him experience the fierceness of the secret world for himself."
The trial ended with a unanimous decision. The bodyguards came forward, binding Yunzhao's hands with chains of spiritual fire. But strangely, even though the chain gave off heat that could melt jade, Yunzhao didn't react at all. He walked casually, as if the chain were just an ordinary rope.
The disciples followed with scornful gazes. "The disgrace of the Phoenix race is finally banished," they whispered. "We will be free of its bad name."
But deep in his heart, Yunzhao felt a burning ember. He wasn't angry at his mother. In fact, he knew that decision was the cruelest form of love a mother and Queen could give. He made a promise to himself: if he came out of the Phoenix Secret World alive, then the entire race would know who Jin Yunzhao really was.