Chapter 129 - 128: Visiting the Left-Behind Old Man and His Little Island

After leveling up, Feng Qiwu’s power was on a completely different level than before. Not only had the might of her Phoenix True Fire surged, but it had even given birth to a Fire Spirit.

This kind of entity typically only existed in legends. Forged by seizing the essence of heaven and earth, most possessed their own intelligence and could cultivate to increase their strength on their own.

Just like the Guardian Spirit in the patch of weeds outside the Xihe Tribe, it had self-awareness.

For Feng Qiwu to have received such a great opportunity, she could be considered someone blessed with immense fortune.

Although the Fire Spirit was not a natural creation of heaven and earth, it was still formidable in its own right.

Even against others of its kind who already possessed Phoenix True Fire, its destructive power was still considerable.

This was evident from Feng Su’s agonized screams.

No matter what, Feng Su was still Feng Qingqing’s older brother. She naturally couldn’t just stand by and watch him in such a sorry state.

She didn’t possess the fighting prowess of Feng Qiwu and the others, so by the time she ran over, her forehead was already drenched in sweat.

Her chest heaved violently from exhaustion, and her breathing sounded like a bellows. But she didn’t have time to catch her breath; she just swallowed hard and said, "Don’t hurt my brother!"

"We never intended to hurt him. He pretended not to hear me and tried to leave by force. We had no choice but to do this."

Hu Qiumu shot Feng Qiwu a meaningful look before turning to explain to Feng Qingqing.

Feng Qiwu didn’t say anything, just raised a hand and retracted the Fire Spirit. Now, only the ropes formed by ordinary Phoenix True Fire bound Feng Su.

Other than his limbs being immobilized, Feng Su felt no discomfort.

"Just wait until I get back and tell the Beast Mother! Your tribe can forget about ever knowing peace again!"

His intentions seen through, Feng Su couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore. Banking on the fact that they wouldn’t dare actually kill him, he began to threaten them.

"Tsk... Such a grown man, yet the first thing he thinks of when he’s been wronged is to go crying to the Beast Mother. How pathetic."

Feng Qiwu’s face was full of contempt as she shot a verbal barb at him.

"Looks like the last lesson wasn’t enough. How about I land a few more punches and see if he still talks so tough."

Xiong Xianhui was a man of action. The moment he finished speaking, he started walking toward the Phoenix on the ground.

’Since we’ve already stopped him, it wouldn’t be right to attack him again. If we truly make him bear a grudge, then even when the other members of the Phoenix Clan join us, things won’t be harmonious.’

"Alright, I think he just hasn’t realized his situation yet. Why don’t we let her try to persuade him."

Hu Qiumu looked toward Feng Qingqing, gesturing for her to say a few words.

Feng Qingqing immediately nodded. "My brother is just confused right now. Don’t worry, I’ll convince him!"

Feng Qingqing stood in front of her brother, her tone softening slightly.

"Qingqing, get out of the way. Don’t speak to them so humbly. I don’t need you to."

"You have to understand, our Beast Mother is the clan leader. As long as..."

Before he could finish, Feng Qingqing clamped his chattering beak shut, preventing him from saying another word.

The Phoenix’s head thrashed from side to side as he tried to break free from his sister’s grasp. But to his surprise, Feng Qingqing’s strength was immense, and he couldn’t get away no matter how hard he struggled.

"Brother, you should really talk less!"

Meeting Feng Qingqing’s small, serious face and the dark look in her eyes, Feng Su’s heart leaped in alarm. His struggles abruptly ceased.

He stared blankly at this sister before him who was both familiar and yet somewhat strange. His mind went blank, and only after a long while did he gradually come back to his senses.

By the time he came to, he was already back in the Xihe Tribe, placed in a courtyard with guards standing watch.

Seeing his somewhat dazed look, Feng Qingqing comforted him, "It’s alright, brother. We’ll go home once my business here is finished. Just think of it as staying here to keep me company for a few days, okay?"

Feng Su gave her a complicated look. After a long moment, he finally nodded in agreement. "Alright."

Seeing him like this, Feng Qingqing felt relieved and turned to leave the courtyard.

"Qingqing, is what you’re doing very important to you?"

Just as she reached the gate, Feng Su’s raised voice reached her ears.

Feng Qingqing didn’t turn back. She just said, "Very important."

After that, Feng Su said no more, silently watching her retreating figure.

The Sound Transmission Bell in his sleeve trembled, and he subconsciously took it out.

"Su, have you found your little sister?"

"The other party for the marriage alliance has arrived. If you’ve found her, bring her back as soon as possible."

Feng Su was silent for a moment before replying, "I haven’t found her yet. It might still take some time."

"As soon as I see her in person, I will bring her back immediately."

The person on the other end quickly received the message, said a few more words urging him to hurry, and then cut off the connection.

Feng Qingqing didn’t know what her brother had done for her. After leaving the courtyard, she went to the training grounds to find Xiong Jiaojiao.

Having just rejected Xiong Jiaojiao’s invitation, she was now going back on her word and naturally felt a little embarrassed.

She stammered for a long time before finally mustering up the courage to say, "Your chief hasn’t returned yet. I’ll have to trouble you to teach me during this time."

Xiong Jiaojiao gave her a surprised look. It was rare for Feng Qingqing to speak so politely. But without commenting on it, she simply said, "Sure."

And so, the tribe once again began its intense training.

----

「Five nights later.」

Chu Liangyu, who was meditating to restore her meridians, suddenly opened her eyes. They shone with exceptional clarity in the pitch-black night.

"They’re finally healed!"

She let out a long sigh of relief, stood up, and stretched. She tentatively unfurled her wings and, finding not the slightest feeling of obstruction, a smile finally graced her lips.

Over the past few days, with He Yushu’s help, she had gotten much closer to Void Island. At her speed, she could reach it in another two days.

With this in mind, Chu Liangyu decided to leave immediately. But as her gaze fell upon the person sleeping soundly against a tree, her movements paused for a moment.

She found a branch and began to write on the ground: *Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. The truth is, everything I told you was a lie. I just needed to get back to my tribe as soon as possible. To make it up to you, I’ll bring back a lot of grass carp as compensation.*

’Void Island did have delicious grass carp, that much was true. But bringing He Yushu along would slow her down. Besides, the Guardian Spirit of the Barrier would never let him inside.’

After writing this, Chu Liangyu spread her wings and left without a sound.

When the sky began to lighten at dawn, He Yushu woke from his sleep and instinctively looked toward Chu Liangyu’s spot.

He found no one there at all, only the message written on the ground with a branch.

After reading it, his first reaction was anger. After a while, however, he felt a certain emptiness in his chest.

With nothing left to do, he suddenly didn’t know what to do with himself.

...

Question: "Are you here to visit the solitary old man and his island?"

Answer: "No."

Chu Liangyu stared at the question on the Barrier, and dark lines seemed to appear on her forehead.

’When did the old man set up a question to enter the Barrier? He must have known I was coming and doesn’t want to see me.’

She didn’t think for long, reaching out and tapping "No" twice.

Before the great hammer materialized by the Barrier above her could fall, she said, "Tu Bai, a double negative means a positive. My answer wasn’t wrong. You have to let me in."

"If you don’t believe me, ask the old man and see if I’m right."