Chapter Thirty-Three: The Mandate of the Heavenly Phoenix

After absorbing the Southern Bright Departure Flame for several days, Ancestor Qiankun discovered a problem. Although this flame was one of the most formidable divine fires in the primordial world, over the countless years beneath the Southern Bright Volcano, it had given rise to fire fiends and poisonous fire vapors that inevitably affected Ancestor Qiankun through the Candle Dragon's Eye.

“My decision to let the Candle Dragon's Eye first absorb the power of the aurora was indeed wise,” Ancestor Qiankun thought, sitting cross-legged amid the endless Southern Bright Departure Flame, the Candle Dragon's Eye at his brow flickering with red and white light. Whenever the white light grew strong, strands of dark red, violent energy would drift out like mist. “The purifying effect of the power of light is remarkable—it even dispels and dissolves the stubborn fire fiend and poisonous vapors within the Southern Bright Departure Flame.”

With the aurora’s cleansing effect, Ancestor Qiankun grew more confident in absorbing the flame. Several years passed in the blink of an eye, and only when deeply immersed in the mysteries of the fire element did Ancestor Qiankun finally slow his absorption.

“That should suffice. If I absorb too much, the Candle Dragon's Eye might not endure it,” he mused, preparing to inform Heavenly Phoenix and depart from the Southern Bright Volcano.

Upon hearing that Ancestor Qiankun intended to leave, Heavenly Phoenix hesitated, then couldn’t help but ask, “Daoist Qiankun, might I trouble you with one matter?”

“Oh? If you have any requests, do tell. Should it be within my power, I will not refuse,” Ancestor Qiankun replied with a nod and a smile.

“To be honest, I once had two children. Yet before their birth, the three clans of Dragons, Phoenixes, and Qilins waged war. Helpless, I was forced to leave them in two places within the primordial world, allowing them to slowly gestate and be born,” Heavenly Phoenix said earnestly, pleading, “Daoist Qiankun, I wish to ask you to check on my two children. If possible, I hope you might look after them for me. I ask nothing else, only that they might live happily in this vast world.”

Ancestor Qiankun was not surprised, but could not help his silent sigh: “Indeed, the hearts of parents are ever compassionate!”

“Rest assured, Heavenly Phoenix. I will take this matter upon myself,” Ancestor Qiankun agreed, “Where are your children located?”

Heavenly Phoenix was overjoyed and quickly revealed the two locations. Ancestor Qiankun nodded in acknowledgment, promised his best efforts, and then departed the Southern Bright Volcano.

Leaving the volcano, Ancestor Qiankun used spatial techniques to travel, pondering, “Heavenly Phoenix’s two sons—Kong Xuan truly possesses astounding talent. Despite lacking guidance, he has achieved such cultivation; his Five-Colored Divine Light sweeps all before it, and he has earned a great reputation during the Investiture of the Gods. By comparison, the Great Peng is formidable as well, but his strength comes largely from innate talent, falling short of his elder brother Kong Xuan.”

“Moreover, the Great Peng is an Immortal Wing disciple of the Sect of Severance, and only thanks to the guidance of a sage has he attained such prowess. If he had cultivated alone, he would be even less than Kong Xuan. Kong Xuan—a fine seedling! Since he is destined to rely on his own cultivation, perhaps I should consider taking him as a disciple in the future. With a little guidance, his achievements should not fall short of Bai Ze,” Ancestor Qiankun secretly resolved to accept him as a pupil.

As Ancestor Qiankun mused, the system’s cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind: “You have acquired the Candle Dragon’s Eye, absorbed the aurora and the Southern Bright Departure Flame, and mastered this awe-inspiring divine ability. Five thousand system points awarded.”

“Five thousand points? Not bad,” Ancestor Qiankun raised his brows, a hint of satisfaction at his lips, and continued traveling northwest across the primordial world.

In the current age, the central, eastern, and southern regions teemed with cultivators. In contrast, the western and northern areas were desolate. The western region suffered destruction of its spiritual veins when Rahu self-destructed, while the north was genuinely barren, lacking in sacred mountains and blessed lands.

In the northwest, a vast expanse of bleak mountains lay, their vegetation sparse, spiritual energy thin, and vitality lacking.

Deep within these mountains, a towering peak pierced the clouds, its summit lost in mist. A blurred shadow flashed by, soon materializing in the lofty sky near the peak—a figure clad in dark green Daoist robes: Ancestor Qiankun.

“Heavenly Ravine Mountain—this should be the place,” he murmured, soaring down toward the mist-filled gorge below. Within moments, he reached the valley shrouded in fog.

Entering the mist, Ancestor Qiankun quickly discovered a deep, shadowed cave hidden from sight.

“From the outside, one would never guess there’s anything special here!” he whispered, eyes narrowed, then flew into the cave, following its winding depths.

After some time, Ancestor Qiankun approached the innermost cavern, where darkness reigned, not even a hand visible before one’s eyes.

“Hm?” Suddenly, at a bend ahead, faint five-colored light flickered. Ancestor Qiankun’s expression shifted as he hastened forward; upon rounding the corner, he found the passage flooded with five-colored radiance.

Proceeding, Ancestor Qiankun felt an intense surge of five-elemental energy, the corridor filled with five-colored mist.

“What a gathering place for five-elemental energy—so much spiritual power accumulated here. Despite the barren mountains outside, such treasured land surely has ways to conceal itself!” Ancestor Qiankun silently marveled.

Passing through the mist, Ancestor Qiankun finally came upon a spacious cavern with a shimmering five-colored lake, mist swirling above it. Upon the lake floated a giant, multicolored egg, slowly absorbing the five-elemental energy, its surface awash with shifting hues.

Fixing his gaze on the egg, Ancestor Qiankun clearly sensed a robust life force within. It already possessed spiritual awareness, and seemed to sense his arrival, its aura growing agitated, faintly expressing anxiety—as if it feared Ancestor Qiankun.

“Haha… little one, don’t worry. I won’t harm you. I come at your mother’s request, to see you,” Ancestor Qiankun laughed gently. “To think you possess such spirit even before birth—remarkable! Since we meet today, let me help you, and explain the path of cultivation so you may be born sooner.”

With these words, Ancestor Qiankun sat cross-legged, instructing the unborn Kong Xuan in cultivation.

As he spoke, the egg’s radiance flickered, suggesting Kong Xuan was listening intently.

Ancestor Qiankun explained only simple, fundamental cultivation methods, keeping them clear and accessible. Even so, he spent several days teaching, ensuring Kong Xuan could comprehend despite not yet being born.

Just as he finished, a vast, majestic aura pulsed through the primordial world—endless divine music echoed, fragrance filled the air, beasts roared in unison, and auspicious energy rained down upon the land. All across the world, grasses, beasts, rare treasures, and countless spiritual beings awakened their intelligence; some even transformed and transcended directly. At that moment, a resounding voice echoed in his ear: “I am Ancestor Hongjun. I have attained sainthood. Beyond the thirty-three heavens, in the Purple Cloud Palace, I will lecture on the Grand Dao. All fated beings of the primordial world are welcome to come and listen.”

The aura came and went swiftly, vanishing in an instant. Ancestor Qiankun’s expression changed, his heart shaken: “Is this the aura of a saint? Even separated by such distance, it feels utterly unmatched. Hongjun has finally become a saint. The age of many saints is about to begin in the primordial world.”