Chapter 713: Feng Qiu Huang

Ji Yuan temporarily had no interest in what the Nine-tailed Fox Maiden, far away in the Jade Fox Cave, might be thinking. The current situation was quite intriguing.

On the offshore reef, after Tu Xin's divine consciousness dissipated, only Ji Yuan remained standing. Birds of various sizes, all with powerful auras and astonishing demonic energy, filled the sky both near and far.

These were very powerful flying creatures, and countless other birds were even further away. Even though Ji Yuan knew he was inside the "Discourse on Birds," he couldn't help but marvel at the wonder of "Myriad Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix."

At the same time, Ji Yuan clearly sensed that each of these birds possessed a unique personality. Their gazes toward him conveyed wariness, curiosity, and even excitement.

Just then, the outer circle of birds flew away to either side. A five-colored divine light, like a rainbow, stretched toward them, and the divine bird Phoenix, with its unique elegant posture, flew above the reef where Ji Yuan stood.

"Mr. Ji, the fox demon is dead. Is it convenient to talk now?"

Ji Yuan looked up at the Phoenix and nodded.

"Yes. If it's convenient, shall we go to the Wutong tree?"

"That works."

After a brief discussion with Dan Ye, one flapped its wings and the other rode the wind, and they soon returned to the Wutong tree in the sea.

By then, the morning sun had fully risen from the horizon, its light dazzling for ordinary people, but it posed no issue for Ji Yuan and the Phoenix, who could still admire the distant sunrise.

Although the other birds were very curious, they all kept a considerable distance from the Wutong tree under the Phoenix's command. Some circled in the air, while others returned to their respective island roosts.

As the sun climbed higher, more and more birds left the circling formation around the Wutong tree to rest on their islands. Only a few with considerable cultivation continued to persistently fly around the tree.

Scarcity creates value. All these birds were extremely curious about Ji Yuan, the outsider immortal, but they had no idea what the Phoenix and Ji Yuan had been discussing for so long on the Wutong tree.

On an outer branch of the Wutong tree, facing east, Ji Yuan sat cross-legged, and the Phoenix perched beside him.

"Alright, I've said all I can say."

Phoenix Dan Ye gazed at the sun on the horizon. The five-colored light remained divine, but a hint of confusion entered her eyes. After a long silence, the Phoenix finally looked down at Ji Yuan.

"So, you mean this world is merely a book? My existence, the existence of the myriad birds in the sea, this Wutong tree, this vast ocean… they are all just creations within a book, not real?"

Ji Yuan frowned slightly, shaking his head.

"That's not entirely accurate. All of this is indeed within a book, but it's not completely unreal. Here, you and I can communicate freely, and they were even able to surround and severely injure the incomplete body of the Nine-tailed Fox. However, a book is still a book…"

Ji Yuan didn't elaborate further on that point, and the confusion in the Phoenix's eyes deepened.

"As you say, then my birth, growth, cultivation, and memories up to this day were all born out of nothing…"

"Not necessarily."

Ji Yuan thought for a moment, then began to articulate his thoughts.

"In this world, everything operates according to its own principles. The fact that you can recall your past years of cultivation, and that other birds can corroborate each other's memories, means it cannot be considered false. It simply means that even I, the one who cast this spell, cannot fully comprehend the mysteries within."

A resonant phoenix cry emanated from the Phoenix's mouth. The surrounding sea breeze calmed slightly, and a sense of tranquility pervaded the air.

"Master Ji, since you are the one who cast this spell, if you could remain in this realm indefinitely, would this realm also exist forever?"

Despite the Phoenix's question, Ji Yuan felt no threat or tension whatsoever. He simply shook his head truthfully.

"Leaving this place is but a thought for me. Even if I could remain here indefinitely, human strength is finite, and mental energy eventually runs out. While the art of dream wandering and the art of creation from heaven and earth are marvelous, they both consume mental energy and require stability. Even if my mental energy were boundless, my mind could not remain constantly serene."

"Then, Master, can you take me out?"

Ji Yuan knew that even a spirit as enlightened as the Phoenix would surely ask this question. Prepared for it, he answered calmly.

"Alas, Ji Yuan does not possess such ability. Even superfluous gold, silver, or inanimate objects brought out of the book world would ultimately amount to nothing, let alone living beings, and certainly not a divine bird like yourself."

This answer seemed to have been anticipated by the Phoenix, who showed no sign of dejection or anger.

"I see. This floating life is like a dream. Are we all beings within your dream, then, Master?"

Ji Yuan pondered for a long time. Since achieving success in his cultivation, he hadn't dreamed, having long forgotten the sensation of it. Although the current situation was different, it bore more similarities. After a long while, Ji Yuan nodded.

"Perhaps, one could say that."

After Ji Yuan spoke, a long silence fell between him and Phoenix Dan Ye. It wasn't that Ji Yuan had nothing to say, but rather that there was nothing that absolutely needed to be said. Phoenix Dan Ye likely felt the same.

After about half an hour of silent contemplation, Dan Ye suddenly spoke again.

"Master, you mentioned earlier that in the true world, you have never seen a Phoenix, only legends of their existence without any trace?"

"That's right. So, this time, I am engaging in this discussion with you, fellow Daoist, out of curiosity."

The Phoenix, who had been quietly perched on the branch, began to stretch its body, and the divine light on it became even more brilliant. Although Ji Yuan knew the Phoenix bore no hostility, he didn't understand what it was about to do.

"Master, you once said that my phoenix cry was as melodious as a song. In truth, those were just a couple of casual calls. In this realm, there is no other Phoenix besides me, Dan Ye, let alone an 'Huang' (female phoenix). To whom, then, could I sing my songs?"

Ji Yuan slowly stood up, as if understanding what the Phoenix intended. Indeed, he heard Dan Ye continue.

"However, meeting you today is… well, it is fortunate. So, I, this Phoenix, will offer you a Phoenix Song as a farewell. I hope, Master, you can carry this melody out of the book. It would be a trace of my continued existence."

As a clear phoenix song resonated, Phoenix Dan Ye spread her wings and soared high, circling in the sky with five-colored divine light. The melody rose and fell, and the Phoenix twirled and soared, occasionally landing on the Wutong tree to dance, unfurling her wings or displaying her feathers. Each movement created arcs of rainbow light, and her song spread across the vast ocean.

All bird calls in the sea ceased. The waves in the ocean grew calmer, and a rare tranquility descended.

Ji Yuan widened his eyes slightly, taking in every posture of the Phoenix's soaring dance. Every phoenix cry was etched firmly in his memory.

The time wasn't long; just a quarter of an hour later, Phoenix Dan Ye slowly flapped her wings, returning to perch on the branch, and looked at Ji Yuan with a smile.

"Master, did you hear clearly?"

"My hearing is unforgettable; I heard it clearly."

"What do you think of this Phoenix's song, Master?"

Ji Yuan replied sincerely and with genuine admiration.

"Its melodious beauty is unparalleled in this world. It is the most exquisite music I have ever heard in my life; even heavenly melodies would struggle to compare."

The Phoenix was clearly pleased by these words, its eyes revealing a distinct smile. It then asked another question.

"Master, what do you think would be a fitting name for this song, or rather, this melody?"

Almost the instant Ji Yuan heard the question, a name instinctively sprang from his lips.

"Phoenix Seeking Phoenix."

The Phoenix on the branch shone brightly, looking at Ji Yuan with a serious gaze.

"Master is truly a celestial being. I hope this song can be spread."

Ji Yuan smiled and shook his head simultaneously.

"Even if this melody can be formalized into a composition, those capable of playing it are rare in this world. But I will always remember it and ensure it does not disappear."

"Thank you, Master."

"Why thank me? It is I, Ji Yuan, who should be grateful! To hear a performance of 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix,' what immense fortune!"

On a distant island, Hu Yun and Little Yin Qing sat together. Hu Yun held the "Discourse on Birds" to his chest, but at that moment, both were staring in a daze at the faintly visible, enormous Wutong tree in the distance.

"It was truly beautiful, but sadly so brief…"

Little Yin Qing said this, and Hu Yun nodded in agreement.

"Yes, truly beautiful. That must have been the Phoenix's song, right?"

"Mm, probably."

As for whether Ji Yuan had dealt with that hateful demoness, Hu Yun wasn't worried at all.

After a long wait, someone rode the wind from the direction of the Wutong tree. It was Ji Yuan, who had departed earlier. He had waved his sleeve to banish the demon when leaving; now he returned alone.

Ji Yuan arrived at the previous island, seeing both Hu Yun and Little Yin Qing standing up. His gaze finally settled on the book in Hu Yun's hand.

"Let's go, we can return now."

Ji Yuan patted Hu Yun and Little Yin Qing on the head. The next moment, everything around them began to blur.

In Hu Yun's cave on Niukui Mountain, the red fox, sitting cross-legged, stirred slightly and opened his somewhat weary eyes. Though his body felt tired, his gaze was remarkably clear.

Hu Yun looked left and right within the cave, then stood up and darted out, surveying the outside world. Only after finally confirming his surroundings did he let out a long sigh.

"Phew… it's finally over… Even in a dream, Master is still so powerful!"

As Hu Yun mumbled this, he suddenly paused, slightly stunned.

"Wait! Master returned! How could I possibly imagine what a Phoenix looks like, much less imagine a Phoenix singing!"

At that moment, the phoenix song, still carrying the lingering echoes of its melody, resonated in Hu Yun's mind. "Beautiful" was insufficient to describe its splendor.