Chapter 747
Page 747
They are all tools used to endorse and amplify the authority of the ceremony.
Compared to Senior Feng Hanchi, who was tangible and had indeed given her many useful suggestions, Han Lu, who was from the Central Plains and had already cultivated to the Nascent Soul Realm, did not have much trust in this so-called "True Phoenix Will".
Han Lu had no idea whether the "True Phoenix Will" truly existed.
Perhaps it's just something fabricated, something that conforms to probability, finding reasons for failure and patterns for success.
In addition, she already had two goals in mind, and only needed to make a simple choice to make the final decision.
It was her inevitable choice to voluntarily step out of the ceremony, not participate in it, and simply act as a mascot, fulfilling only the duties of a phoenix of the Phoenix Clan.
“I just sent a telepathic message to Senior Hanchi,” Fengyou had already considered this, “He is currently in seclusion and will not have time for cultivation for another three days.”
"Then in the next three days, I will have to trouble you to help me smooth things over and find a few friends with Nascent Soul cultivation to see if any senior is willing to contribute three drops of essence blood for me to ask for a favor."
After their essence and blood harmonize, a subtle connection will be established between the phoenixes.
Although she didn't know what the purpose of this connection was, or whether it would bring benefits or harm to the Harmonists, Han Lu still preferred to form this indelible bond with her trusted clansmen.
Feng You has extensive connections within the clan, so he can naturally handle this matter.
"It's perfect timing. Many powerful phoenixes from various races have been invited to Phoenix Perch Forest to participate in the ceremony and provide their essence blood," Feng You asked. "Lu'er, which bloodline do you want to be with Ming?"
Han Lu had already made up her mind, and immediately replied, "Yan Feng or Yu Feng."
Following that, Han Lu explained the reasons for her choice.
"There are several relatives of the Rock Phoenix clan in my family, and I have some Rock Phoenix blood in my body."
“Based on my observations and the research findings of Senior Feng Hanchi, this should increase the success rate of the harmony,” Han Lu gave an example, “like how my younger brother successfully used his mother’s Ice Phoenix bloodline to achieve harmony.”
"As for the Prison Phoenix..." Han Lu pondered for a moment, organizing her thoughts, "Isn't there a saying that the Fire Phoenix and the Fiery Phoenix are combined to form the Prison Phoenix?"
"I have successfully combined the Fire Phoenix bloodline and the Fiery Phoenix bloodline. When I combine the Hell Phoenix bloodline, I should be able to increase the success rate considerably."
Having already cultivated to the Nascent Soul realm, Han Lu and Ming's goal has changed from obtaining one or two new Phoenix Divine Powers to simply sharing a bloodline with each other, so that they can get closer to the True Phoenix.
Therefore, when choosing a bloodline of harmony, she values the success rate more than whether the supernatural powers derived from the phoenix bloodline can help her make up for her shortcomings.
“I have quite a few friends among the Rock Phoenixes, so getting three drops of essence blood from one of them shouldn’t be a problem,” Feng You thought, a few names flashing through his mind. “But I don’t know many of the Prison Phoenixes. If I’m unlucky, none of them might be in the Three Phoenix Forest right now.”
"However, I can make contact with the Prison Phoenixes who reside in the Phoenix Perch Forest through the other members of the Illusion Phoenix Clan in the Phoenix Perch Forest."
"At worst, we can get this done by paying a small price."
Fengyou quickly came up with a plan, confident that helping her daughter complete the task would not be a problem.
Hearing her father's answer, Han Lu felt much relieved and thankful that her father was by her side.
If she were to handle these matters alone, she would likely have to run herself ragged before she could manage to arrange them properly.
Within the small area of Phoenix Forest, three days is enough time for Feng You to smooth things over and help his daughter resolve this matter.
Soon, the two phoenixes from the Rock Phoenix Clan warmly accepted Feng You's invitation and became Han Lu's "potential blood donors".
No charge whatsoever.
As for Yu Feng, they only managed to contact one of the Yu Fengs who came to participate in the Harmony Ceremony.
However, when the other party heard that it was to provide the only Four-Feathered True Phoenix in the clan with Harmony Blood, the Prison Phoenix was quite enthusiastic and did not bargain with Feng You and Han Lu, providing blood for free.
At first, Han Lu was a little confused, but after recalling what Feng Hanchi had once said to her, she found it quite normal.
The phoenixes all have more or less hope that the true phoenix will appear in the world, regarding it as a beautiful vision, just like Han Lu and Wen Qing are committed to creating a better society.
Now that such an opportunity has presented itself, the phoenixes are naturally willing to lend Han Lu a hand, hoping to use her to realize their own beautiful wishes.
Everything went smoothly regarding the source of the essence and blood.
Now, only two issues remain that are troubling Han Lu.
Is the harmony performed before or after the ceremony?
Is it the bloodline of the Mingyu Phoenix or the bloodline of the Yan Phoenix?
After hesitating for a long time, Han Lu finally decided to ask Senior Feng Hanchi for his decision.
Three days later, Han Lu went alone to Feng Hanchi's residence to pay her respects to Senior Li Feng, who had always taken good care of and helped her.
Nearly fifty years have passed since we last met.
Feng Hanchi, whose remaining lifespan is less than a hundred years, looks much older than he did fifty years ago.
If we say that Feng Hanchi looked like a middle-aged man nearing forty fifty years ago...
This time, Feng Hanchi, sitting not far from Han Lu, had already grown gray hair and wrinkles, looking no different from an elderly person in their fifties or sixties.
Seeing the changes in Feng Hanchi's appearance, Han Lu couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow in her heart.
Feng Hanchi noticed Han Lu's expression and guessed what she was thinking. He took the initiative to comfort her, saying, "I have lived for more than 8,300 years and have long seen the vicissitudes of this world. It is not an exaggeration to say that I have no regrets in dying."
"For me, death may just be the beginning of another journey."
Feng Hanchi had long since seen through life and death, and did not think that dying in the Phoenix Perch Forest after exhausting his lifespan was a terrible thing.
Chapter 1210
Regarding life and death, cultivators have different feelings, understandings, and thoughts.
As true spirits, both Han Lu and Feng Hanchi were destined to be among the long-lived cultivators.
Even if they only cultivate to the Transformation Realm, the phoenixes can live freely in the human world for at least two thousand years, with a lifespan almost the same as that of the vast majority of human Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.
Those who cultivate to the late Nascent Soul stage, like Feng Hanchi, can have a lifespan approaching ten thousand years.
For them, especially for those like Feng Hanchi who have no hope of advancing further, without offspring, friends, or other ties, they might become the group with the highest suicide rate among cultivators.
They're tired of living; that's exactly what they're talking about.
Therefore, it is quite normal for Feng Hanchi to have a slight longing for death, to have some fantasies about it, and not to take it seriously.
Since Feng Hanchi was fearless in the face of death, Han Lu naturally had no reason to be too sad.
After chatting and reminiscing, Han Lu talked at length about what had happened in the Central Plains before getting down to business and asking the expert for his opinion.
Feng Hanchi had known Han Lu for over a hundred years and had met her nearly ten times, so he naturally knew what kind of personality and behavior Han Lu had.
In Feng Hanchi's view, Han Lu must have already made up her mind, she just needed a reason to help her make up her mind.
And that is clearly the reason behind his suggestion.
Therefore, instead of hastily giving advice based on his own ideas, he pondered for a hundred breaths, combined with Han Lu's description of the matter, and pondered Han Lu's inner thoughts before giving his answer.
"Why not try the Phoenix Bloodline first?"
Although Feng Hanchi gave his advice based on Han Lu's thoughts, the reasons he gave the advice were still based on his own investigation and research.
Feng Hanchi gave three reasons in detail, and Han Lu nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Hanchi. I will try the Phoenix Bloodline first and see if there is any chance to advance further."
Following that, Han Lu consulted Feng Hanchi about the interpersonal relationships in Fengqi Forest and whether it was appropriate for her to seek his opinion on the matter.
Having lived in Phoenix Perch Forest for a long time, Feng Hanchi knew very well the temperaments of the elders of the various tribes who managed the area.
“It would be best to try the harmony after the ceremony,” Feng Hanchi suggested. “At that time, whether you succeed or not, no one will gossip about your absence from the ceremony.”
Han Lu nodded slightly, agreeing that this was indeed the case.
Having already settled back in Sanfenglin, Han Lu will definitely be part of the Phoenix Clan in the future.
As a phoenix, Han Lu naturally needs to consider other people's opinions, maintain good interpersonal relationships, and establish a good image for herself in the phoenix clan.
Han Lu didn't want others to misunderstand her actions and think that her special trip to support them was sabotage.
Feng Hanchi helped Han Lu make the decision, and Han Lu temporarily had no personal matters to attend to before the ceremony.
He diligently practiced his spiritual cultivation at his father's residence in Phoenix Perch Forest, following his usual routine.
Han Lu spent the next half month in a very monotonous, boring but fulfilling way, and together with the phoenixes in the Phoenix Perch Forest, she ushered in the first "Harmony Meeting", which was quite memorable.
The ceremony was quite grand, with numerous phoenixes gathering at the sacred site, which made the event more solemn and sacred.
The ceremony itself was not complicated.
After a series of superstitious activities, each phoenix that will sing in harmony at the ceremony will step out in turn and pass through a beam of light shining down from the top of the sacred site.
This beam of light, drawn from superstitious activities, is what is known as the "True Phoenix Will".
As they walked past the pillar of light, each phoenix participating in the ceremony would be momentarily lost in thought, and then involuntarily open its beak to say which bloodline it wished to resonate with.
A total of thirty-two phoenixes participated in the ceremony, each making their own choice under the influence of this mysterious "true phoenix will".
Han Lu, who was watching the ceremony from the side, was unaware of the reason and secretly marveled, "Was it really influenced by the true phoenix will contained in this light, or did they have already decided which bloodline to match and just casually say it out loud on this occasion?"
She was very curious and looked forward to going through the light later, according to the ritual arrangements.
After the thirty-two phoenixes participating in the ceremony made their decision, someone began to organize and arrange for all the phoenix cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage or above who volunteered to participate in "unpaid blood donation" to be paired with those participants who needed blood essence for resonance.
During this break, Han Lu was invited to take the stage and deliver a speech prepared for her by others.
Walking to the center of the venue and standing in the pillar of light, Han Lu immediately experienced the wonder of the "True Phoenix Will".
Within the pillar of light, she seemed as if her soul had left her body; her mind was incredibly clear, yet she was unable to control her body.
She was like a third party, clearly aware that her mouth was out of control, rambling on and on as she delivered a prepared speech.
She spoke flawlessly, with perfect emotion, until she bowed and her body involuntarily stepped out of the light screen, at which point the feeling finally ended.
Walking back to her father's side, Han Lu gazed at the direction from which the beam of light originated, and sighed inwardly, "This is truly... amazing."
"Could this really be a remnant of the Phoenix's will left here?"
At the same time, she also discovered that a message had been left in her sea of consciousness.
"Rock Phoenix?" Han Lu asked herself, "Could it be that the will of the True Phoenix is reminding me that I should align myself with the bloodline of the Rock Phoenix?"
Han Lu recalled her experience of returning to the clan in the holy land, and couldn't help but put away her "arrogance" after advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm, regaining her previous awe towards this mysterious power whose truth was unknown.
After Han Lu delivered an inspiring speech as one of the Four True Phoenixes, the main course of the Harmony Assembly was served.
Thirty-two phoenixes used the Harmony Technique together to enter a dormant state, striving to assimilate the bloodline of their "close relatives" that had invaded their bodies.
This process lasted a full three days, from the beginning to the last phoenix failing.
Han Lu and Feng You left early, but that didn't stop them from learning the final results of the Harmony Tournament through information channels.