565 Confirmation (1/2)
”Impressive methods! Impressive calculations! The sword and armour, together with the publicity, will serve as solid proof of the royal mandate!”
Fang Yuan watched on silently. He had no intention of making a move.
The person who had orchestrated the whole thing must still be watching behind the scenes. Would they choose to appear now?
”This Five Elements Purple Phoenix, however…”
Fang Yuan examined the beast. His eyes gleamed.
”Not only is it a divine beast with magical talents, but it has also mastered the five elements. Its power is only superseded by that of the True Divine. Perhaps we can call it a Secondary Divine. Could it be Kong Xuan[1]?”
Of course, although the peacocks were descended from the phoenixes, they were distinct from each other. Fang Yuan could tell them apart easily.
”The Five Elements Phoenix is a rare species. Not sure if it is a representative of a higher being, or is it here of its own accord in support of the Marquis …”
Fang Yuan's stared at the Five Elements Purple Phoenix and frowned.
For some reason, the Phoenix invoked in him a sense of familiarity.
It looked like someone he was pursuing!
”The Ancient One?! It may or may not be…”
This person had abandoned his original body and had undergone reincarnation. It was only to be expected that his divine soul had changed. Besides, he was once a Sage and would have no lack of concealment methods.
In truth, Fang Yuan did not recognise him on first sight.
Even upon closer inspection, Fang Yuan had not managed to find any proof that the Phoenix was the Ancient One. It was only his spiritual sense that was doing the talking.
'Could it be that the Ancient One has become a Phoenix through reincarnation?'
Fang Yuan was stumped for a moment.
Under normal circumstances, Fang Yuan would have killed the Phoenix regardless of whether it was the Ancient One in disguise or not. It was better to be wrong than to have the Ancient One slip through his fingers again.
However, there was a problem.
The Five Elements Purple Phoenix had the power of a Secondary Divine. Fang Yuan's Ultimate Witch Body was not fully developed and he would not be able to overwhelm the Phoenix yet.
It would become much harder to get to the Phoenix when Nuwa arrived!
Fang Yuan did not want to put himself at more risk than he had to.
”I'll continue to wait and see!”
Fang Yuan kept his eyes trained on the Five Elements Purple Phoenix.
At the same time, the Marquis seemed to have come to a decision and announced it loudly.
”From today onwards, Western Zhou will adopt the Phoenix as a national symbol! The era name shall be changed to Auspicious Phoenix in commemoration of this event!”
”Yes, my lord!”
All the soldiers and peasants present broke out into loud cheers.
Fang Yuan could see that puffs of tribal energy were gathering to form a dense mass.
The energy of destiny surrounding the Marquis had stabilised completely and was rushing up into the sky like a pillar to the heavens.
Another purplish-black Phoenix had appeared within the pillar. It bore a great resemblance to the Five Element Purple Phoenix.
”Chirp! Chirp!”
The Five Element Purple Phoenix let out a shriek and flew into the pillar of energy where it became one with the other Phoenix.
”Has...has this Phoenix become the divine protector of the state?”
Fang Yuan's eyelid twitched.
The Five Elements Purple Phoenix had intertwined itself with the fate of Western Zhou.
This way, the Phoenix would perish if Western Zhou fell. On the other hand, the Phoenix would prosper if Western Zhou managed to overthrow the Shang Dynasty.
This was a life-and-death gamble for the Phoenix and even Nuwa did not interfere.
'These methods...are pretty familiar…'
Fang Yuan let out a sigh.
At the very moment where the Five Elements Purple Phoenix had fused with the energy of destiny, a small bit of its true aura had escaped into the air and subsequently, into Fang Yuan's grasp.
Fang Yuan had been unsure previously. Now, he was dead sure that the Five Elements Purple Phoenix was the Ancient One!
”Chirp! Chirp!”
The Purple Phoenix let out an extended shriek. Colourful lights shone from its body as it displayed its majesty.
Fang Yuan turned around to leave without hesitation.
The Purple Phoenix had secured a breakthrough for itself when it chose to fuse its own fate with the tribal energy of Western Zhou. It was as powerful as a True Divine now!
Besides, as long as Western Zhou remained strong, the Phoenix would thrive as well. It would even be able to come back to life in the event of its destruction!
”What a pity...I was too late!”
Fang Yuan sighed inwardly and quickly retreated.
...
”Master?!”
Hei Zhong and Ge Nie were just about to rest when they saw Fang Yuan appear in the burst of fire. They greeted him heartily.
”Are we heading to Western Zhou's capital city now?”
”We're leaving now!”
Fang Yuan waved a hand gloomily.
There was nothing more he could do in Western Zhou.
'The Five Elements Purple Phoenix, now the sacred beast of Western Zhou, is the Ancient One! He has regained his level of cultivation as a True Divine spiritual knight and is being backed up by Western Zhou's tribal energy. Dealing with him will be very difficult…'
'However, the Ancient One is very ambitious. He wants to take this chance to regain his Sage status as well as to attain Dao using the five elements. He even covets Nuwa's power. There must be an opportunity here somewhere for me to make my move!'