Chapter 86: Twin Phoenixes Arrive to Pay Homage

Inside Phoenix Nest Mountain, the mournful phoenix cries echoed through heaven and earth.

Moreover, layer upon layer of intense resentment burst forth, shooting straight into the clouds.

The layers of dark qi drifting in heaven and earth were drawn in, transforming into a storm that merged into the depths of Phoenix Nest Mountain.

Amidst these phoenix cries, however, many spirits nurtured in Twin Phoenix Mountain were also attracted, following that intense, gloomy aura.

Yet upon entering the mountain, moments later they were ensnared by the black mist, turned into piles of white bones, becoming nourishment for that mist.

……

Within the ancestral hall, Zhang Jian played with the jewel in his hand.

The Phoenix Soul Pearl in his hand emitted a clear phoenix cry.

He liked playing with this Phoenix Soul, for its sound could cleanse impurities of his divine sense; holding it, he could quickly enter a state of focus.

Such a state is truly rare.

Thus, over these days his study of several techniques has yielded considerable progress.

But now, even with his spirit fully focused, he felt a headache.

"Then, since we must ferry it across, should we use force to ferry it, or try to persuade it, helping it enter reincarnation?"

He sighed, and Zhang Jian furrowed his brow.

Actually, he hardly considered the latter.

Possessing the power of the Slay Demon True Lord, perhaps the former could be attempted.

But its feasibility is not great.

Regarding the Phoenix Spirit's condition in Phoenix Nest Mountain, he is completely in the dark, knowing nothing.

How should he proceed?

He cannot simply go himself to Phoenix Nest Mountain to investigate on the spot.

Or perhaps this is exactly what the Slay Demon True Lord hopes he will do.

This puts him in a dilemma, for clearly hiding in the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall, managing the Zhang Family, clinging to his ancestors' thighs, cultivating quietly, he could rise to prominence—indeed he has no need to take risks at all.

But after thinking, Zhang Jian still decided to leave the ancestral shrine.

Simply focusing his thoughts on staying in the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall to skim benefits might also let him walk the path of longevity.

But a little adventure could make that longevity path smoother, and he would still strive for it.

Zhang Jian also harbors a strong-hearted warrior's spirit within.

Moreover, he now has two thick thighs shielding him, so his life should be guaranteed.

Furthermore, Zhang Jian can be certain that the Phoenix Spirit rushed straight into the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall, where it suffered a backlash from the Stone Mirror, surely sustaining grave injury—yet this presents a good opportunity for exploration.

Perhaps he could even catch any omissions.

Of course, the most important reason is that if he could ferry the Phoenix Spirit, he might then be able to skim another batch of benefits within the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall.

Honoring his ancestors is the most important matter.

After Zhang Jian made up his mind to go to Phoenix Nest Mountain, he also sent Zhang Lu to the outskirts to search the Crimson Rosy Cloud Observatory for some Daoist classics, hoping to find a scripture for delivering evil spirits.

But the next day, just as the Zhang Family was packing their bags and preparing to depart, a grandfather and grandson arrived at the Zhang Family gate.

Xuan Jiu grabbed a burly man, glared with bulging eyes at Zhang Lu, and laughed.

"Young sir, please pass along a message to Young Master Zhang, saying that your old friend from White Water, Xuan Jiu, has come to relieve your worries!"

"Old man… uh, senior, your strength is impressive!"

Zhang Lu looked at his arm, completely immobile; he had originally wanted to shake it off, but found he couldn't move it at all.

Xuan Jiu then gently released Zhang Lu, glanced at him with a smiling gaze; Zhang Lu realized he had met a capable person, and hurried inside to report.

Soon after, Zhang Jian emerged from inside, his eyes landing on Xuan Jiu, his expression slightly tightening as he immediately clasped his hands in greeting.

"Ah, it's you, senior; my apologies for the discourtesy!"

He then glanced at Zhang Lu beside him and smiled: "This brother of mine has followed me since childhood, always by my side, raised without restraint, picking up some unruly habits; if there has been any negligence, please forgive!"

Zhang Jian then made way, leading Xuan Jiu toward the interior.

However, Xuan Jiu did not go in, but instead shook his head.

"Young Friend Zhang, that precious treasure of yours is extremely ferocious; I'd rather not enter—how about we change locations?"

Zhang Jian startled at the words, then realized Xuan Jiu referred to the stone mirror inside the ancestral hall, and immediately led him toward the Golden Jade Tavern.

Inside the Golden Jade Tavern.

The two found a refined seat; outside, the summer heat still lingered, and under the scorching weather, the number of wealthy idlers coming to the tavern for entertainment had greatly diminished.

Wind chimes tinkled in the air.

Zhang Jian waved, calling the attendant to bring up several jugs of fine wine.

Although he wondered why Xuan Jiu was still in Phoenix Yang Prefecture and had not left, he did not directly ask, for that would spoil the mood.

Xuan Jiu, however, was the first to speak, laughing.

"Young Master, last night did you perhaps receive the inheritance seal of the Tung Tree Mountain Dao Orthodoxy? If I'm not mistaken, you have also caught the eye of the Slay Demon True Lord!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian was slightly surprised: "Senior, how do you know?"

"That's not hard to guess!"

Xuan Jiu smiled faintly.

From the mount of that Slay Demon True Lord appearing in Phoenix Creek County, Xuan Jiu had already inferred some things; moreover, his clan is naturally skilled in deduction, so many things are no secret to him.

Including the difficulties Zhang Jian may face ahead.

Actually, he ought not to meddle so much, for the Slay Demon True Lord's temperament is not pleasant, especially toward outsiders.

If he thereby offended the Slay Demon True Lord, given that person's disposition, his request might not only fail but could invite great trouble.

But for the sake of the Li River lineage, he could only thicken his skin and press forward, giving it a try—perhaps he could bring some change to the Black Tortoise Clan.

He paused slightly, then smiled and said, "Young Master, have you ever heard of the feng shui grand layout that has been passed down for a thousand years inside and outside Fengyang Prefecture?"

Zhang Jian's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he said, "What the senior mentioned is none other than the Double Phoenix Feng Shui Layout of Fengyang Prefecture!"

He had heard Zhang Yi mention this before; inside and outside Fengyang Prefecture there is a feng shui layout called the Double Phoenix Two Forms.

Deep within the Double Phoenix Mountain Range lie a male and a female phoenix nest; after a certain period they give birth to a graceful and auspicious noble lady, who bears noble aura, and marrying her brings great benefit to the husband.

"Could it be?"

Zhang Jian gazed toward Xuan Jiu.

Xuan Jiu stroked his beard slightly and said.

"Actually, the source of this legend is not wrong; I heard from my ancestors that long ago the Double Phoenix Mountain Range indeed had a phoenix descend to the world, leaving behind a phoenix egg, which thus formed a very peculiar feng shui layout."

He paused slightly, then sighed.

"Moreover, every so often a woman unexpectedly gains favor with the Double Phoenix Arrival layout, enabling her to achieve great prominence."

Zhang Jian furrowed his brow upon hearing this.

He paused slightly, and Xuan Jiu's expression carried a faint smile: "Young Master, you must have guessed the origin of the Phoenix Spirit Ghost King—it is what that phoenix egg transformed into after hatching. However, the Phoenix Spirit Ghost King never fully hatched; a thousand years ago she met with disaster, was cruelly strangled by human hands, and became a stillborn fetus!"

"The reason she pursues Young Master relentlessly is not only because he holds in his hand half of her origin condensed into a Phoenix Soul, but also because she is unwilling to accept that a divine beast has become a mere ghost king, and she wishes to save herself through reincarnation."

"Back when I appeared to guide Young Master to obtain this Phoenix Soul Pearl, my purpose was also this place!"

Xuan Jiu then also explained the prior circumstances of how he had earlier guided Zhang Jian to obtain the Phoenix Soul Pearl.