72 Chapter 72: Wait, What? (1/2)

”Cursed? What kind of curse?” Cang Yue asked them curiously. This is the first time she heard a cursed village.

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 god itself.” Feng Baichuan shift 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 worshipers come and worship the phoenix god.

”The clan was quite secluded so almost no outsider ever stepped into this place. Sometimes we were harassed 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 God?” Retsu asked as well.

”Sigh, an ancestor of the clan passed 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 god 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 hell 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 pass the Phoenix Trial. If the person managed to pass 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 her being alone. Right now, she has Retsu and Cang Yue as friends. When she's with them, she was able to discard her status as the leader of the Seven Fairies and walk with them as friends. However, she doubts her feelings when it comes to Yun Che. When she looked at him, she felt peace and her heart was racing. His teasing sometimes annoys her but at the same time, she enjoyed it. Right now, she was thinking what will happen if all of this went away one day. As she was wondering, she detected a presence from behind the tree she was sitting.

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.