Chapter 603: Jingwei! Nüba!

The fire of nirvana, out with the old, in with the new, gaining rebirth.

The Phoenix lineage, able to roam the world, living a comfortable life, all thanks to this fundamental great law.

Having it, so few people are willing to offend the Phoenix lineage——

Not everyone has the courage and guts to provoke an opponent that can't be killed at all and only grows stronger!

That's practically a protagonist template!

——What can't destroy me only makes me stronger!

Speaking of how aggravating they are, the Phoenix Clan absolutely ranks in the top three of the Honghuang myriad races list, every bird a protagonist.

Precisely because of this special trait, the Phoenix Clan, even with fewer numbers, can still contend against the dragon race that spreads across the world, vying for supremacy over an era.

One protagonist after another, leading a crowd of little brothers…… even the dragon race has a headache!

And among these myriad 'protagonists', the leading leader——the ancestor of the Phoenix lineage, Yuanhuang——who wields the nirvana divine ability, is also absolutely the strongest!

Therefore, Ancestor Witch Jumang was invited by the Human Emperor to the highest hall of humanity.

Fengxi wants to defy heaven and change fate for the girl!

"Boom—!"

The surging golden river flows leisurely, undulating the entire human race's vital spirit.

This is qi fortune, clan fortune, the abstract condensation of everything the human race possesses!

The clan fortune boils, swirling around Yandi's side, dripping onto the girl's corpse, causing the heir trapped in death's silence to have qi and blood fluctuate, as if never fallen, now merely sleeping.

But alas, this is ultimately futile.

Clan fortune alone cannot defy heaven!

"Pfft!"

Precisely at this moment, the nirvana fire condensed from Ancestor Witch Jumang's boundless painstaking effort…… fell!

That brilliant spark, like the condensation of all the world's finest hopes, lightly drifted onto the girl's body, with a 'pfft'—the endless blaze exploded forth, possessing the power to burn the four seas!

Having received the Human Emperor's invitation, Ancestor Witch Jumang gave it his all…… the ignition of this nirvana fire instantly paled his face considerably, showing the immense consumption.

The Ancestor Witch also gave it his all.

However, compared to his own condition, Jumang is especially concerned about the girl's life and death.

Can one defy heaven and change fate?

Jumang also hopes for a perfect outcome.

Unfortunately.

This hope is so slim.

The nirvana flames leapt and danced, yet ultimately could not retrieve the departed heir, nor revive him from death's silence.

On the contrary, there is a tendency to cremate the girl's corpse, letting dust return to dust, earth to earth, making the girl the 'first cremated person' after humanity's downfall!

Fortunately, at the critical moment, the human race's fortune draped over the girl took effect, substituting for her to endure the cremation tribulation, burning in her place, preserving her body's integrity amidst the flames.

"You see…… it failed." Ancestor Witch Jumang sighed lightly.

"How do I feel this is just beginning?" Fengxi's will is firm, unmoved by others' words, "Not being able to save now doesn't mean never able to save!"

"As long as we don't give up, hope…… will surely be there!"

On the Human Emperor's weathered face flashed a brilliant, bright gaze beyond compare, shaking the heart.

"Let this fire burn for a while…… if one day doesn't succeed, then a thousand days!"

"If a thousand days don't work, then it's ten thousand years!"

"If ten thousand years won't work, then burn for an entire era!"

Hearing this, those who don't know might even think the girl and Fengxi have a grudge…… this persistence in cremating corpses is simply outrageous!

But in reality, this is merely a kind old father's full affection for his daughter, unwilling to accept the fact of eternal separation between heaven and humanity, wishing to stake his life against heaven and earth to retrieve the girl's lost little life!

Such steadfast will made Ancestor Witch Jumang click his tongue, inwardly lamenting Nüwa's good fortune to have such a loyal supporter.

Regarding Fengxi's sincere heart, Jumang was moved.

But in the next moment, the original intention of that moved feeling changed, not only because of loyalty, but also because of strength.

——Fengxi made a move!

"Boom!"

Yandi stretched out his hand; at this moment the heavens trembled, the earth wept, the surrounding spacetime wailed, myriad Dao collapsed…… everything, everything, was heading toward nothingness!

Yet within the nothingness, a new heaven was being opened…… brand-new rules, a new order, defying and opposing Honghuang's principles, attempting to alter the boundary of life and death!

Boundless divine abilities, boundless mana, blossoming at this moment, lightly sweeping over the girl's corpse, letting that nirvana fire burn more thoroughly, letting the human race's fortune flourish even more splendidly…… fire and fortune intertwine, the hope of great life seems to be brewing, to bring the girl back!

"Taiyi?"

"Taiyi!"

Ancestor Witch Jumang's face showed astonishment, "Human Emperor, you're not bad, you actually cultivated such an achievement!"

"In this era, a seat among the players is surely yours!"

Ancestor Witch Jumang was greatly shocked, his attitude toward Fengxi underwent a major change.

If one were to say, previously Jumang's interactions with Fengxi were based on equal standing, a Human Emperor worthy of three parts of courtesy——but that was all.

Once you, Fengxi, retire, it's just that…… a faded old emperor, ordinary and common.

But now, Jumang is utterly solemn, engaging as a true fellow cultivator.

Even if Fengxi, in the Taiyi realm, has not gone very far, compared to Jumang's background——the ancient Phoenix's Dao cultivation——he is lacking by quite a bit.

But know, Fengxi is a newcomer who has just risen in this era!

A mere newcomer, in the shortest time, has achieved such splendid accomplishments…… it's like a brand-new sun rising, making even an old primordial god sage like Jumang feel a slight glare, praising Fengxi's achievements.

Creating a cultivation myth, it's simply the ultimate show-off among show-offs!

Who could have imagined that such a person would, in the future, attain such an extraordinary state?

If possible, I wish I could forgo such achievements in exchange for the girl's safe recovery.

Faced with Jumang Ancestor Witch's praise, Fengxi felt neither joy nor sorrow: "After all, seven or eight tenths of my various cultivation achievements are thanks to her!"

Without her, there would be no me today.

If it weren't for the need to have an undercover agent rooted beside Nüwa, how could there be one—or rather two—Pangu, plotting painstakingly, bringing about Fengxi's present achievements?!

Of course, to Jumang's ears, the meaning was not like that…… He simply said that Nüwa gave strong support, Fengxi possessed astonishing ability, and in the tumultuous era of the great calamity he painstakingly attained Taiyi Daluo!

——Such a wise ruler and virtuous minister could become a tale for the ages…… No wonder, at this very moment, Fengxi risked his life, poured out his family wealth, and was determined to rescue the girl.

This is a bond beyond any linguistic description!

Jumang Ancestor Witch admired the great feeling between ruler and subject, father and daughter—that is the loftiest will that can inspire one to transcend life and death and overcome all difficulties and dangers.

But sometimes, willpower cannot be eaten as rice, and it is not enough to do as one pleases.

Yandi sought to defy heaven and change fate, having obtained the fire of nirvana and staked the mighty clan's fortune; finally he tried to use his bond with the girl as a link, unleashing the supreme Taiyi divine power, aiming to overturn life and death and pull back the girl whose death was obscure.

But in the end, he still failed!

In the dark, a muffled thunderclap exploded—unknown where it came from, unknown where it went—but its consequences were severe and tragic.

At that moment, Fengxi's divine ability was shattered, the art of reversing life and death ceased abruptly; the emperor swayed, countless cracks appeared at his brow, blood flowed incessantly, staining his collar.

"Alas…" Jumang Ancestor Witch gazed, letting out a soft sigh.

"Alas…" Fengxi also spoke softly, "I am ultimately still too weak…"

His body swayed slightly, he staggered incessantly, almost falling to the ground.

However, he still had pride, not allowing himself to be weak, he forced himself to stand firm; merely his pallid complexion and dim pupils showed how poor his condition was.

Even so, after stabilizing his condition, Yandi's face also showed a genuine smile: "Good… hope… ultimately still exists…"

He spread out one hand, upon which a dim gray flicker of spiritual light flashed.

"This…" Jumang looked, clicked his tongue, "You really managed to churn out a bit of gain?"

"Contending with heaven for life, we failed to retrieve the girl's life, yet we managed to snatch back a trifling remnant of thought?!"

"Um… the girl died during her eastern tour, her curtain falling upon the Eastern Sea."

"Thus this remnant of thought arose likewise… it bears longing for the vast sea, while also carrying a hint of resentment."

Jumang Ancestor Witch said, saying, his tone mixed with a bit of regret.

After all, it is merely a remnant of thought, not even a lingering obsession.

If it were a lingering obsession, there would still be some possibility to stir up wind and waves.

Merely a remnant of thought, a reflection of true events that occurred…… yet it amounts to nothing.

Having paid such a great price, Yandi himself was wounded, and what he retrieved was merely a 'keepsake'…… it is inevitable that one feels it was not worth it for him.

From this one can also see how terrifyingly difficult it would be for the girl to feign death!

Being regarded as comparable in difficulty to East Hua's coffin‑lifting uprising, there is reason for that.

"This is fine…… this is fine……"

Fengxi coughed blood, "Let this remnant of thought endure, soaring between heaven and earth, just right to constantly remind me that hope endures, never to be abandoned."

"What has returned now is merely the remnant of thought…… could it not be that one day the whole person will return, right?"

"Please, Jumang Ancestor Witch, help me enlighten this thought, just to leave me a lingering idea."

"Good!" Jumang did not refuse, flicked his fingertip, and a drop of divine blood shot forth, merging with that spiritual light.

The next moment, brilliant flame light ignited, and a tiny divine bird flew forth——

It resembled a crow, with a speckled head, white beak, red claws…… At first it showed a bit of commanding arrogance and self‑satisfaction, looking left and right, but soon the whole bird became bewildered, its mouth calling 'Jingwei', 'Jingwei'.

Suddenly it rose and flew, in an instant crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, traversing ages and spacetime, possessing unimaginable power!

But having reached such power, its subsequent actions were rather childish…… It angrily faced the sea, the lingering sorrow of its finale, feeling no fondness for the vast ocean, busily carrying dry grass and stones, continually throwing them into the blue sea, as if trying to fill the boundless Eastern Sea.

But at this point of great power, what it does right after is rather childish... It angrily faces the sea, the lingering melancholy of the curtain's fall, feeling no fondness for the boundless sea, busily clutching dry grass and stones, constantly throwing them into the vast sea, as if trying to fill the boundless, endless East Sea.

Jumang was first startled, then suddenly understood, he gave two dry coughs, "That remnant of thought is too scarce, the damage too severe, so……"

"This child that came into being, his brain is missing a few threads…… that is understandable."

So Jumang Ancestor Witch felt embarrassed to blurt out those two words——

"No problem…… I can accept." Fengxi raised a hand to cover his mouth, as if trying to hold back the urge to cough blood, he spoke muffledly, "After all, it's merely adding a bit more dark history to Lady Nüwa's side…… but what does it matter if others know? Who would dare speak more?"

"Among humanity, high and low, myriad tribes await only a command, and they will tear to shreds anyone who dares to waggle their tongue recklessly."

The old emperor snorted coldly, indicating that humanity these years has gotten by not on benevolence toward others!

How many halls and branches—all are backed by real swords and spears!

Of course, this is for dealing with outsiders, the situation where outsiders are wagging their tongues.

But for our own people…… that's another matter.

Just like now, Fengxi has a rather subtle association with the Jingwei bird.

Just like now, Fengxi has a rather subtle association with the Jingwei bird.

Really didn't expect that Lady Nüwa, who has a bit of a problem with her brain, would actually show a bit of childlike fun... rather has the habit of drawing circles to curse people.

"Heh... ha..." Jumang usually doesn't laugh, unless he really can't hold back.

Just like now.

The Ancestral Witch laughed, his voice gradually growing from soft to loud, his shoulders shrugging repeatedly, overly happy and joyful.

In a moment, even the originally dull atmosphere here was greatly alleviated.

This also affected Fengxi, making him a little less worried and hesitant, and a little more calm and composed.

"A lingering thought, active in the world, may perhaps become a crucial turning point in the future..."

Yandi's gaze fell, looking at the girl's corpse enduring in the Nirvana fire; for a moment it seemed to gain a bit of vitality, yet it seemed merely an illusion.

"I sought to contend for life with divine powers, but unfortunately I have failed, proving this cannot be done by mere human strength; perhaps one needs heavenly timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony to truly let the girl defy heaven and return."

"Fortunately, I had other contingency plans earlier..."

Fengxi said, forcefully closing the coffin.

"Do you have any other methods?" Jumang, the Ancestral Witch, asked with interest.

"Just some heretical ways." Fengxi lifted the coffin, "The girl was subjected to Absolute Kill; in the Three Realms and Six Paths, her name was erased, cutting off all possibility."

"Normally speaking, there is no way forward."

"But some side doors can still be tried."

"Since the Three Realms and Six Paths do not accept it, then let's jump out of the Three Realms and Six Paths... I was once one of the planners who designed the Underworld; I have thought and explored methods to find loopholes, and I have some superficial insights."

"So, I wish to bury the girl's body, with a strand of Nirvana fire unextinguished, the human race's fortune added to her, externally there is a lingering thought pulling, striving to seek life in death, to transform through spirit communication!"

Fengxi whispered, stepping forward, he traversed the Eight Wastelands, crossed the mountains and seas; all the marvelous places of creation flickered beneath his feet.

Until at a certain moment, he stopped... and it was north of the 'Red Water'!

Jumang followed, watching, as if deep in thought.

Fengxi pointed a finger, the earth split open, revealing marvelous terrain, with vast transformations of creation flowing, life and death interdependent and transmuting, most marvelous.

He solemnly buried the coffin within, carving a protective formation that cuts off all surveillance.

Then he erected a stele, inscribing——

Tomb of Yandi's Daughter!

Having done all this, Fengxi silently burned incense, exhausting the last of his affection.

"Not a bad idea... but if she succeeds, reborn from death, her past memories may be completely severed, and she won't recognize you anymore," Jumang said.

"Then let's wish her to embark on a new life... perhaps then she will need a new name?" Fengxi turned and walked away gradually, "I think... Female Drought Demon, seems quite good?"

(End of chapter)