Chapter 72
The village chief didn't say anything but shown them the mark hidden on his right shoulder. When they looked at it, the mark shaped like a phoenix but the mark was dark red in color.
"This is the proof we are cursed by the phoenix G.o.d itself." Feng Baichuan s.h.i.+ft his clothing back before begin his story.
"We, the Phoenix Clan resides in this mountain range for a thousand years now. Our clan is situated near the ruins of the ancient phoenix ground. You can see the ruins from here." The ladies and Yun Che shoft their eyes towards an old ruin carved on the side of the mountain. From what they can see, this used to be an ancient temple. But, the place is now covered with moss and vines. It almost looked like it was abandoned and became a ghost place. They can still see the remnants of the ancient age where the ruins once became a flourished place where wors.h.i.+pers come and wors.h.i.+p the phoenix G.o.d.
"The clan was quite secluded so almost no outsider ever stepped into this place. Sometimes we were hara.s.sed by mountain bandits but the array had protected us ever since. But, those bandits disappeared a year ago. Probably attacked by those white mask things." Feng Banchuan said with pity.
As Yun Che was listening, he was triggered by another backstory. In the real story, Yun Che supposed to arrive at this place when it was attacked by Black Demon Mercenary Group. He was supposed to destroy that group after he obtained the legacy. However, the village chief said they were destroyed by the Hollows came by a year ago.
"But, why is the clan cursed by the Phoenix G.o.d?" Retsu asked as well.
"Sigh, an ancestor of the clan pa.s.sed the phoenix trial and obtained the phoenix bloodline. They flourished into a large sect after 12 generations. During that generation, one of the ancestors fought with someone using the power of the phoenix and the flames accidentally spread to a small town and killed thirty-two thousand innocent people. The phoenix spirit was enraged and cursed the bloodline to be suppressed to the tenth level of Elementary Profound. Afterwards, the clan hid in the mountain range next to the ruins of the phoenix for a thousand years, praying to the phoenix G.o.d that the curse can be released." Feng Baichuan said with a heavy expression.
The girls were quite dumbstruck. How strong is the ancestor able to kill thirty-two thousand innocent people?
"(*Whistle), that's one strong AOE spell." Yun Che said in his heart. He already knew the story but he just let the chief preach about it to the girls. As for him, all he could think about was when the h.e.l.l is he going to summon his next companion. He has been waiting for a few days but couldn't summon anything because of Little Fairy and Cang Yue around him. All he can do just wait for him to enter the trial and summon it there. Good thing the trial only allow one to enter.
"The only way to end our curse is pa.s.s the Phoenix Trial. If the person managed to pa.s.s the trial. The curse will be broken and we could cultivate once more."
"Why haven't any young women and men tried the trial yet?" Asked Cang Yue.
"The Phoenix Ruins has the Phoenix Spirit guarding that temple. It set a restriction so that we bloodline inheritors cannot enter the trial ground. However, it opens to an outsider who is willing to enter the trial ground and obtain its inheritance."
[Ding…. Triggered Main Mission – Complete the Phoenix Trial and destroy the curse haunting the Phoenix Clan. Reward: Unknown]
Yun Che who was listening from behind, suddenly let out a grin before standing up. Feng Baichuan looked at the four of them with hopeful eyes. "This old man wishes for…."
"I'll take it." Before he could finish, Yun Che raised his hand and volunteered himself.
Then, all the ladies' eyes and Feng Baichuan suddenly turned towards Yun Che. "I'll take the trial."
"But immortal, the trial is dangerous. There's no way you could…" Feng Baichuan was afraid. He never even been into the trial and never heard the danger of it. Even if this man was powerful, he was still worried.
"I'll be fine. Completing phoenix trial allows the village men and women to cultivate again right? Then let me take it. Besides, I am looking for something challenging and that trial is perfect." Yun Che said with confidence.
"Then, this old man thanks you to the bottom of his heart."
"So what do you ladies think?" Yun Che asked the ladies.
"Personally, if you didn't volunteer. I would force you to enter the trial. Besides, I am already cultivated the Frozen Cloud Arts. Cultivating fire arts will be futile." Little Fairy said with her usual tone.
"Then, I'll be rooting for you, young master." Retsu said playfully.
"Yun Che, just please be careful." Cang Yue said with a worried tone.
"Thank you, Cang Yue. Village chief, I will undertake the trial tomorrow. Is there anywhere we can sleep for tonight?" Yun Che was not in rush, there is plenty of time to undertake the trial. He wanted to make sure to make his summon as soon as he enters the trial ground.
"Ah yes, the maidens can sleep in one of the guest house for tonight. My wife can accompany you there. As for you immortal, you can stay at my place." Retsu and the others just nod. Since they were beautiful maidens, the village chief gave them a place for them to stay.
"Sure." Yun Che simply replied.
"Then, I'll have someone to take you to the trial area tomorrow." Feng Baichuan cupped his hands before showing them the place.
During that night, the phoenix clan celebrated their luck for being spared by the calamity of the hollows and chased away the Menos Grande that suddenly appeared. They enjoyed eating and drinking around the village. As for Yun Che and the others, alcohol was never a thing for them and they indulge themselves into drinking fruit juices made by the villagers. It was fun and they met all kinds of people. The people in the mountains are nicer compared to those lived in the city. Yun Che didn't treat himself as king even though he has the higher ground. They were being humble to these cursed people. They are smiling sometimes because even if these people are cursed, they are still able to smile rather than looking despair all the time.
Little Fairy excused herself from the celebration due to her not be able to handle large crowds. As someone who are used to being alone still having trouble adapting to culture change. In the end, she sits under a large tree overlooking the phoenix ruin. She thought about her adventure these past months. She learned new things, new culture and people from following Yun Che. It was better than years of
When she looked, the shadow immediately dives behind the tree again. Then, the shadow peek at her to see her reaction. Little Fairy was shock to see a little girl was actually looking at her. The little girl was actually holding a plate of fruits seems to be some food for her.
Instead of her stone cold face, her gaze softened as she said with a soothing tone. "Don't be afraid, come on out."
The little girl hesitates for a while before coming out from behind the tree. The girl looked like she was ten years old. She was indeed holding a plate of fruits. She dressed in a small red dress and her hair was tied into two buns. Her eyes were bright and had slender brows. If it to be describe, she looks really pretty for a ten-year-old girl.
"Ummm, My mommy didn't see you at the celebration so she asked me to brought you these." The little girl said while handing over a plate of fruits to her.
"You're too kind, thank you. What is your name?" Little Fairy asked her with a soothing tone.
"I am Feng Xian'er. Big sister, thank you for saving us. Thank you so much. My mommy isn't worried anymore."
"It's okay. Big sister did it to save the nice villagers. Especially little Xian'er over here." She said at the same time petting Feng Xian'er head affectionately.
"Big sister is really nice just like the two pretty big sisters and big brother." She said and Little Fairy knew she was referring to Cang Yue, Retsu and Yun Che.
With a soothing tone once more, she extends her hand and said "Thank you, would you like to eat with me?"
Feng Xian'er's smile grew bigger into a happy expression and joined Little Fairy for a meal. Little Fairy's face was decorated with a smile so sweet that it melts the men who looked at her right now.
"Big sister, why is your energy blue? Your energy is different from papa and mama's energy." Feng Xian'er suddenly asked. Little Fairy thought maybe she saw her ice art when she battles the hollows this afternoon.
"Ohh, Little Xian'er, this is ice energy. Let me show you." Little Fairy extends her hand and her Frozen Cloud Art gathered around them creating a beautiful snowy scene.
"Wow, it's beautiful. Big sister." Feng Xian'er eyes were widen and a beautiful smile was seen on her face. As someone never actually see snow before, she started to play around the snow Little Fairy created.
Then, she suddenly extends her hand again and the ice immediately converge into her hand. She formed the ice into a shape of a necklace complete with a string made up from ice. The necklace was shaped like a snowflake and really attract the attention of Feng Xian'er. Then, she grabbed the snowflake necklace and presented it to Feng Xian'er. "Now, then. This is for you. Don't worry, the ice will not melt."
"*sniff..sniff. Thank you big sister, I'll treasure it for the rest of Xian'er's life. When I grow up, I want to be strong, pretty and nice like big sister." Xian'er was so happy she received the ice necklace from Little Fairy. She immediately wear it and asked "Big sister, Is it beautiful?"
"Yes, it suits you just fine." Little Fairy said with a smile earning another happy smile from Xian'er.
After that, she plays with Little Fairy for some time before she pa.s.sed out of exhaustion on her lap while holding the necklace she gave. When she looked at the sleeping Xian'er in her lap, her face was wrapped with a smile once more. As she was looking, a voice suddenly sounded in the air.
"Heee, never expected you have a soft spot for a child."
When she heard the voice, she knew the owner of it so well. Before she could say anything, the owner suddenly lands next to her donned with a black outfit and wrapped sword on his back. He was also holding a cup of juice. The owner was none other than Yun Che himself.
"Rascal? What are you doing here?"
"Her mother was looking for her, so I offered myself to find her. Turns out she was with you the whole time. Retsu and Cang Yue were forced to try the outfits made by the villagers and I think they will be gone for a while." He said while pointing at the sleeping Little Xian'er. He used his energy detection to detect her profound strength and detected Little Fairy along with her.
"Really? She brings me some food a while ago."
"Looks like she really likes you. Like I said, never expected you have a soft spot for a child." Yun Che said while putting his left hand behind his head and leaning against the tree beside her.
"I do. They're the most innocent people in this world. This world is full of bad intention people but children are most innocent of them all. Compared to them, I really like when it comes to children."
"Little Fairy, you're different from I imagined you would be."
"Oh, how did you expect me to be?" She looked at her with doubtful eyes.
"I thought you're more of an ice cold type. Turns out, you're different. You're kind of sweet actually when you're with Little Xian'er here." Yun Che said with a grin on his face.
"Hmph, you and your words." Little Fairy's face was blus.h.i.+ng when he said that. But she hides it immediately but unaware Yun Che had already noticed her reaction.
"At least I spoke the truth." Yun Che said and continued watching the snow she created. He admits, it looked really beautiful.
Keeping herself calm, she continued "Hnnn, it was one of my dreams actually."
"Dreams? I thought you wanted to the strongest in the world?"
"It's one of my dreams but my greatest dream was…" As she was saying, Yun Che took a sip the cup he was holding.
And then she dropped the bomb. "To have a daughter of my own."
And this is when he burst out the water he drank before. Causing him to fell to the ground. He raised his head and said "Wait, what?"
Little Fairy looked at him with contempt before saying "Is it really that shocking?"
"No, but I didn't expect the dream of a Frozen Cloud Asgard strongest cultivator was to be a mother." Yun Che was shocked to the core. In the real story, she was forced to be a mother by him. However, he didn't expect it was her long dream afterall.
Little Fairy kept her smile and close her eyes. She said "Hnn, as women from the asgard, we were forbidden to love and have a normal family because that marks the end of our cultivation. That's why we trained to suppressed our emotions. This is to prevent our cultivation stolen by men. Men can't learn Frozen Cloud Arts but they can steal the arts from us."
Yun Che kept quiet because he knew what happen when women from the asgard gets married. That's why the asgard prevented these women from seeking love because they didn't want their arts stolen by outsiders. If this secret gets out of hand, the women will be forced into cultivations while the men rip their arts from them once they're mature. It's a horrible fate for Frozen Cloud Asgard disciples. As one of the strongest sects, they're still normal compared to four sacred grounds. He understood why his Qingyue was stone cold when he first met her.
"I know it's a bit silly for me to dream like that. But it's only a dream right?" She said in a sad tone. Even if she said those things. She wanted to fall in love with the right man and have her own family. Her dream will be shattered if it was forced.
Yun Che went up to his feet and said "It's not that silly in your situation. I can imagine the pain you went through to seal your emotions and desire. Compared to me, your life is way harder. When you told me your dream, it's kind of beautiful actually. Most women wanted to dream to be the strongest being but yours actually wanted to be a mother. You smile to the fullest when you looked at Little Xian'er but you never smile at all when it comes to cultivation. Then, continue chasing your dreams. Dreams are not impossible. We just need to find a way to make it a reality."
"Rascal." Little Fairy's gaze softened when Yun Che said such things. If she were to tell this to the other fairies or even her sect masters. She would be severely punished and forced to suppress her emotions again. But Yun Che didn't laugh, he even called it beautiful. This is when she looked at his face and a healthy blush colors her face, she avoids looking at him but she made a small smile while at it.
Yun Che was smirking inside. Little Fairy was slowly grew attached to him. But in the end, he didn't want to force her, he just let nature runs its course. As soon as he thinks that, he suddenly detected something in the bushes causing him to sigh in the end.
"Come on out, you two. There's no need for eavesdropping like that." As he said that, Cang Yue and Retsu suddenly came out from the bushes while looking innocently.
"Arara, we were caught red handed." Retsu said while sticking out her tougue innocently.
"We're not jealous or anything. Yun Che." Cang Yue said while looking at sideways, at first, both of them did entertain the villagers but Retsu detected Yun Che's energy was with Little Fairy. She was a little curious and she decided to eavesdrop on them. Cang Yue tagged along with her as well.
"Right…." Yun Che looked at them with doubtful eyes.
Cang Yue cough to dispel the awkward moment and said "Then is it true, Sister Fairy is a disciple from the Frozen Cloud Asgard?"
Little Fairy nods and she said "My name is not Little Fairy but actually Chu YueChan."
"CHU YUECHAN?!? The leader of the Seven Fairies of Frozen Cloud Asgard?" Cang Yue exclaimed. Yun Che just close his ears for her scream. He knew she was shocked to the core. Little Fairy immediately closed the ears of Little Xian'er just in case she jolts in her sleep. As for Cang Yue, that name is one of the famous name in Blue Wind Empire. To think that the owner was beside her all this time.
Little Fairy kept a calm expression and said "Hnn, but don't worry. We're still friends even if you know my true name. Just treat me as usual. Not because of my status. I thought you can guess when I used my ice arts?"
"But, I thought you were from a different sect. Friends with Chu,,, Huueeehh…" Cang Yue's brain was fried with this reveal. Even if she is the princess. It was an honor for her to be friends with one of the strongest cultivator from a big sect. In the end she was still digesting the information while Little Fairy sighs while shook her head.
Retsu take this time to sit beside her and whisper in her ears "Sister YueChan, it's a wonderful dream to be a mother. It makes me don't want to lose to you. But I want to be first one." As soon as she said that, she blinked one of her eyes at Little Fairy.
"Sister Retsu, what are you talking about?!?" Little Fairy was blus.h.i.+ng hard thinking about what she said. Retsu merely just stick her tongue out at her playfully making her look cute at the same time.
As Yun Che looked at these girls' antics, he merely sighs and thought. "Man, this is going to be a long night."