Chapter 1012 - 1020: Chi Yuan

Danxue Mountain.

Ancestral land of the Eagle Owl Race in the Celestial Star Realm.

It is said that the Eagle Owl Race are descendants of the Divine Phoenix, possessing the bloodline of the Divine Phoenix within them. The Eagle Owl Race honors their ancestors as Phoenixes, and the entire mountain range is planted with Phoenix Trees.

"I have said, there are only three slots for the Biyun Secret Realm for our clan, and we absolutely cannot let even one slot go to an outsider."

In the council hall of the Eagle Owl Race, a young man in purple robes looked at Huang Yi beside him, speaking in a cold voice.

"Fifth Elder, I'm not asking the clan to give him a slot. Isn't the secret realm selection trial happening soon? I only want to get him a chance to participate in the trial. Is the Fifth Elder worried that our younger generation can't even surpass a young man from the Land of Spiritual Extinction?" Huang Yi said.

"Hmph, how could the geniuses of our clan be inferior to a peasant from the Land of Spiritual Extinction?" The young man addressed as Fifth Elder snorted coldly, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes, and said, "Even if it's just the qualification for the trial, no outsider should be allowed to meddle."

"Chen Mo is not an outsider; he is the descendant of our clan's benefactor. The clan confiscated the medicine garden resources left by the ancestors to them, and now won't even give him a trial qualification. Is the Eagle Owl Race an ungrateful clan?" Huang Yi argued.

"Our clan sheltered them for thirty thousand years; the favor was repaid long ago." The young man in purple frowned.

"Fifth Elder, don't forget that when the ancestors relocated them to the Land of Spiritual Extinction, they entrusted their Magical Treasures, Cultivation Techniques, and Divine Powers to our clan. The ancestors said we were merely safeguarding them and would return them when they came to claim them. Have we returned them after all these years, instead occupying their treasures?" Huang Yi said.

"That was their reward for the ancestor saving their lives. Since it's a reward, it naturally belongs to our clan."

"If it's a reward, then how can the Fifth Elder say the favor was repaid?"

"Huang Yi!" The young man in purple stared at Huang Yi and rebuked, "Don't forget you are also a clan elder; everything must be prioritized for the clan's benefit."

"Fifth Elder, repaying kindness is an ancestral teaching." Huang Yi's voice also grew colder.

"Huang Yi, what has that young man fed you to make you so considerate of him?"

"I am defending the family's reputation and acting for justice."

"Justice, indeed! I suspect you're targeting me."

"I am not targeting anyone."

"Huang Yi, no matter what you say, I still disagree."

"I haven't asked the Fifth Elder to agree." Huang Yi stepped forward, bowed to the elder at the head with closed eyes and a kind face, and said, "Great Elder, I request to convene the Elder Council."

"Huang Yi, you're insane." Hearing Huang Yi's words, the young man in purple was startled and frowned, "You're waking up the sequestered elders to convene the Elder Council for such a trivial matter?"

"Matters concerning the descendant of a benefactor are not trivial."

"Huang Yi!"

"Fifth Elder!"

"Enough."

The elder at the head opened his eyes, glanced at the woman in white skirt below, and smiled, "I never expected the carefree Xiao Yi to take such interest in this matter."

"Great Elder, I am doing this for justice." Huang Yi said.

The elder chuckled, "Xiao Yi, Feng Hong is right; there's no need to disturb all elders and convene the Elder Council for such a small matter."

Fifth Elder Feng Hong gave Huang Yi a "you see" look.

"Of course, the favor should not be forgotten. If it weren't for the benefactors aiding our clan in its infancy, the Eagle Owl Race wouldn't be where it is today. Hence, let him..." The Great Elder paused, looking at Huang Yi, "What is his name again?"

"Chen Mo."

"Right, Chen Mo, let him participate in the secret realm selection trial. If he wins, what's the harm in giving him a slot?" The Great Elder said.

"Great Elder..."

Feng Hong wanted to say more, but the Great Elder waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "If they can't even outperform a young man from the Small World, they don't deserve to enjoy the Seven-Turned Spirit Fruit. That's settled, no more discussion."

"Great Elder's decision is wise." Huang Yi smiled softly, her voice gentle.

...

The scene shifted to the Immortal Island.

"Fairy Yi."

Chen Mo flew to Huang Yi, who wore a flowing multicolored dress today, still as light as cloud and mist, with predominantly elegant hues of white, blue, pink, and gold.

Her dress was adorned with exquisite embroidery and flower petals, swaying gently in the breeze.

Her figure was slender, and her posture was light, as if untouched by earthly life.

Chen Mo's heart pounded uncontrollably, and he bowed, "Sorry to keep Fairy Yi waiting."

Huang Yi shook her head, her lips like flower petals lightly parted, "I've arranged everything for you. Now it's up to you to seize the opportunity."

"Chen Mo, this young man, will give it his all, not letting Fairy Yi down."

"Since you're ready, follow me."

...

The Eagle Owl Race has only three slots to enter the Biyun Secret Realm.

But there are more than three younger members in the Spirit Platform Realm within the clan.

If the elders appointed three to go and excluded others, some would surely be unsatisfied, and it would be unfair.

Hence, the clan decided to hold selection trials to determine the strongest three to represent the Eagle Owl Race in the Biyun Secret Realm.

Whether one can obtain a slot depends on merit and true capability.

If one's skills are inferior, they cannot blame others.

The competition venue is set at the Eagle Owl Race martial arts field.

For fairness, during the competition, both sides are prohibited from using magical treasures or elixirs to enhance their strength. They must not cause fatal injuries. Whoever knocks the opponent out of the ring or makes them concede will be declared the winner.

The Biyun Secret Realm opens only once every millennium, with just three slots available each time.

Consequently, the young Spirit Platform Realm members of the Eagle Owl Race hold today's trial in high regard.

Some have been intensely cultivating early on just for this day.

Therefore, even before the competition begins, the participants have already crowded around the martial arts field.

"There's no need to say more; the slots this time are surely meant for Brother Feng Ying, Ms. Huang Su, and Cousin Feng Xuan."

"Barring any surprises, that's right. Every previous clan competition, the top three have always been them. Looks like we're just here to fill the numbers this time."

"..."

The gaze of the entire younger generation was fixed on the three young men and women, surrounded by a crowd.

Among them, the girl had the most people around her. She did not stand at the crowded edge of the martial arts field but was under a gallery instead. Her lotus-colored gauze dress billowed gently in the wind; the delicate ornaments in her hair swayed lightly, making her brows and eyes appear even softer. With her fingertips holding a white plum blossom, she listened to the flattery and admiration around her but merely lowered her head to gently smell the plum.

The scent of the plum was delightful; strands of stray hair swept across her nose, and a gentle smile graced her lips, akin to a lady stepping out of a painting.

Youths are naturally attracted at such an age; nearly all the young men gazed at Huang Su with adoration.

Only Feng Ying was an exception, facing the starry aura around Huang Su since arriving at the martial arts field, his gaze showed no deliberate inclination towards her.

Even in the face of the surrounding peers' flattery and conversation, he seemed oblivious.

"They're here, they're here, Elder Huang Yi has arrived."

At this moment, there was a stir among the crowd. The focus that was previously on Feng Ying, Feng Xuan, and Huang Su suddenly shifted elsewhere.

Huang Su, who was smelling the plum blossom, also raised her beautiful eyes.

Not far away, a streak of green light sped across the sky.

When the green light drew near, the crowd first saw a woman.

She was dressed in a rainbow-colored dress, seemingly woven from mist and cloud, with an exquisite face like a painting. Walking through the air, her steps carried an elegance and composure, surrounded by a layer of light radiance. It seemed like the condensation of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, bringing an innate sense of nobility and tranquility.

Huang Su looked at the newcomer, a hint of barely noticeable envy and jealousy flashed deep in her eyes.

And Feng Ying, who had been unmoved by the outside world, couldn't help but show a touch of admiration in his eyes at the sight of Huang Yi.

When Huang Yi's gaze scanned around the martial arts field, it naturally swept across Feng Ying.

This made Feng Ying feel she was looking at him, causing his gaze to shyly dodge.

Just then, a clamor erupted.

"Who's the man behind Elder Huang Yi?"

"The bracelet he's wearing looks familiar."

Besides the young ones, there were also elders present, some several generations removed.

"Isn't that the Qiankun Bracelet Huang Yi used in her youth? Why is it on this man's wrist?"

"What's Huang Yi's relationship with this man?"

"..."

Previously embarrassed, Feng Ying, upon hearing these words, immediately raised his head to look. He stared intently at the man behind Huang Yi. Seeing the green jade bracelet on the man's wrist, his entire expression sank instantly, his fists clenched tight.

"Could he be the person from the Small World?"

"Is he Chen Mo?"

"It's true, an outsider is here for the competition!"

"I've heard he is the descendant of a benefactor to our race. Elder Huang Yi offended the Fifth Elder for him."

"…"

These words fell on Feng Ying's ears, piercing his heart like sharp thorns, making the young man's breathing slightly rapid.

Huang Yi listened to these murmurs, frowning slightly, realizing someone had leaked information about Chen Mo ahead of time.

She landed on a vacant spot beside the martial arts field with Chen Mo.

Before she could say anything to Chen Mo.

A handsome young man walked up to her and respectfully saluted, "Aunt Yi."

"Feng Ying," Huang Yi glanced over at the youth and nodded.

"Aunt Yi, the other day in the chamber, grandpa wasn't targeting you; he was considering the clan's best interests and hopes Aunt Yi doesn't take it personally."

Feng Ying spoke, then glanced at Chen Mo beside Huang Yi, smiling, "Aunt Yi, is this the young benefactor? The one hundred and seventeenth descendant of the Eagle Owl Race, Feng Ying, greets the young benefactor."

With that, he bowed ceremoniously to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo was still curiously observing his surroundings, but upon hearing someone speak to him, he promptly regained focus and looked over.

This was a handsome young man dressed in fine garments, courteous and polite, with clear and bright eyes. His smile revealed a neat row of white teeth, exuding friendliness and warmth.

The initial impression was quite positive.

"No need for such courtesy, Young Master Feng Ying. I am Chen Mo, greeting Young Master Feng Ying," Chen Mo said, naturally adhering to etiquette.