Chapter 973: Immortal Mist Island's Worries

Xiantai Island’s intention to withdraw from the world was not difficult to guess. As a renowned immortal sect, Xiantai Island had hardly released any news into the world since the last Immortal Journey Convention, and it was rare to encounter its cultivators outside.

Although Zhu Tingtao did not directly admit it, he also did not refute Ji Yuan’s earlier statement. As he led Ji Yuan to Xiantai Island, he subtly mentioned something.

“However, it’s truly a coincidence that you arrived, Mr. Ji. Xiantai Island is celebrating a grand event these past two days. Your presence, Mr. Ji, will surely delight the entire sect!”

“A grand event?”

“Indeed, you’ll know once you arrive, Mr. Ji.”

Ji Yuan felt a little surprised. It was true that he had a good relationship with Zhu Tingtao, and it was also true that he had helped Xiantai Island before. However, for him to come to Xiantai Island, especially with a purpose, the most Xiantai Island would do is show him respect and courtesy. To say the entire sect would be delighted seemed exaggerated.

Ji Yuan didn't have much time to ponder, as they quickly approached Xiantai Island. Breaking through layers of dense fog, the entire island was enveloped in a brilliant glow. This radiance wasn't dazzling, but it made the whole island appear resplendent and vibrant.

“Mr. Ji, please follow me onto the island.”

Ji Yuan followed closely behind Zhu Tingtao and noticed that unlike typical immortal sects, there was no distinct sensation of passing through a barrier when they arrived on the island. Instead, under the illumination of the glowing light, they smoothly landed on Xiantai Island.

Suddenly, their vision cleared. Although the surroundings were obscured by fog, looking out from the island, they could see through it, a blend of haziness and clarity coexisting.

From outside the fog, Xiantai Island didn't appear very large. However, after entering the formation of radiant light, the island seemed vast; its edges were nowhere in sight.

Xiantai Island was almost entirely populated by cultivators, with no ordinary mortals. The island was covered in mountains, and Ji Yuan saw many gigantic parasol trees rising from the ground, their crowns reaching high into the sky. Furthermore, the venerable Xiantai Island did not seem to be situated within a Grotto-heaven.

However, Ji Yuan found that Xiantai Island was not as welcoming as Zhu Tingtao had implied. Apart from Zhu Tingtao, they only encountered a few cultivators when flying onto the island. As they slowly glided on the wind, no one paid them any extra attention.

Ji Yuan was content with the peace and quiet. It was evident that Zhu Tingtao had concealed his arrival at Xiantai Island. Of course, it was also possible that Zhu Tingtao had rushed back after receiving the talisman and didn't have time to inform anyone, but this seemed unlikely.

Sure enough, after flying for a while on the island, Zhu Tingtao got straight to the point with Ji Yuan.

“Mr. Ji, to be honest, I didn't inform the sect master about your arrival on the island, nor did I tell anyone else. I even sensed the guiding talisman I gave you years ago and managed to obscure its radiance, coming out alone to welcome you to the island.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

Ji Yuan wondered to himself: he had a respectable reputation in various cultivation circles, and his relationship with Xiantai Island was good. It was unlikely that his arrival would be met with hostility. Moreover, while he knew that there were problematic cultivators within Xiantai Island, their animosity towards him, Ji Yuan, would not be too strong; at worst, they could at least feign civility.

Zhu Tingtao looked at Ji Yuan and spoke with great apology.

“Mr. Ji, Xiantai Island is about to move to Wutong Island Continent. If I had informed the sect master just now, he would surely have politely refused your visit to the island. The matter is urgent, so I had no choice but to act first and report later. I hope you can forgive me, Mr. Ji...”

Ji Yuan understood. Zhu Tingtao wasn't apologizing for a lack of courtesy. Rather, he was afraid that if Ji Yuan heard about Xiantai Island's impending relocation, he wouldn't come to the island. Now that he was here, his presence might delay other matters due to the relocation.

“Has Xiantai Island already started moving?”

“To be honest, it had already begun moving when you arrived, Mr. Ji. I earnestly request that you accompany us!”

In the end, Zhu Tingtao couldn't bring himself to force the issue. He already felt guilty for bringing Ji Yuan to the island without prior notice. If Ji Yuan wished to leave now, he clearly wouldn't stop him.

“What are you saying, Daoist Zhu? Since you have a request, as a friend, I will naturally do my best. Please tell me plainly, what is it that you need my help with?”

Zhu Tingtao's heart leaped with joy. He quickly led Ji Yuan to a forested area below, finally landing by a mountain pond. There was a tea table and meditation cushions there, and no one else was around, clearly indicating it was Zhu Tingtao's private spot.

“Mr. Ji, Xiantai Island will reach Wutong Island Continent faster than you might imagine. Before that, please allow me to explain the reason for my request.”

Zhu Tingtao no longer concealed anything from Ji Yuan, recounting his concerns in full detail.

It turned out that Xiantai Island was indeed considering withdrawing from the world. This was not only due to their premonition of a looming worldly crisis and the information disseminated by the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets to various sects and schools, but also because Xiantai Island was about to enter a period of decline.

In the path of cultivation, some matters are indeed profound and mysterious. For instance, Xiantai Island can sense its own destiny, and unique elements influence them. This period of decline is by no means baseless.

Besides the sect's destiny, Xiantai Island's fortune was intricately linked to a divine creature: the mythical Phoenix. The radiant glow of Xiantai Island also subtly implied the Phoenix's aura.

Xiantai Island actually originated from Wutong Island Continent. The mythical Phoenix is extremely mysterious and has long resided on both Xiantai Island and Wutong Island Continent. There are many ancient parasol trees on both Xiantai Island and Wutong Island Continent.

During various crucial stages of their cultivation, if Xiantai Island cultivators could use the scattered feathers of the Phoenix, their efforts would be twice as effective. Additionally, the Phoenix was a crucial reliance for Xiantai Island. The ancient Phoenix regarded Xiantai Island cultivators as complementary Daoist companions. The sect fully protects the Phoenix, and she, in turn, sees Xiantai Island cultivators as her descendants and children. If anything happens to Xiantai Island, she will not stand idly by.

After the last Immortal Journey Convention, the mythical Phoenix of Xiantai Island seemed to have encountered some trouble. The entire Xiantai Island was in extreme tension, but thankfully, the situation did not worsen.

In recent years, the Phoenix had been on Wutong Island Continent. A few days ago, several high-ranking cultivators on Xiantai Island suddenly sensed the Phoenix's aura weakening. Even some reclusive elders were startled awake from their seclusion. Some even dreamed, during their meditative trance, that the Phoenix's divine light was dissipating, after which no one could sense the Phoenix's aura anymore.

Currently, most of those in the know on Xiantai Island were in a state of panic. The entire Xiantai Island unanimously decided to immediately relocate the island and return to Wutong Continent at all costs.

These were matters unheard of in the cultivation world, practically secrets of Xiantai Island. Ji Yuan listened with repeated astonishment, unable to help but voice his question.

“Daoist Zhu, can you truly disclose such astonishing information to an outsider like me?”

Zhu Tingtao sighed.

“Of course not. I have already violated sect rules. But Mr. Ji, you are no ordinary person. I've heard that your musical attainments are unparalleled in the world, and a single performance of 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' is enough to mesmerize all beings. I hope that if we cannot find the Phoenix, you could assist us with this melody. The key is that since you can compose such a piece, you must have a considerable understanding of the divine Phoenix... To be honest, just two days ago, I suggested to the sect master that we invite you here, but my proposal was ultimately rejected by the others in the sect. It truly infuriated me!”

As Zhu Tingtao spoke, he looked at Ji Yuan and said,

“But heaven has opened its eyes! Mr. Ji, your visit at this very moment—how can it not be the will of heaven!”

“Alright, alright, Daoist Zhu...”

Ji Yuan smiled wryly.

“Playing 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' is indeed possible, but with your 'act first, report later' approach, when I appear and Xiantai Island sees an outsider like me involved in secret matters, they might not let me off easily...”

Xiantai Island had kept this secret for so many years, and now Ji Yuan knew it. Crucially, he understood that there was likely only one such divine Phoenix in the world, and Xiantai Island had been protecting it all along.

Well, now Ji Yuan also knew. Zhu Tingtao trusted him, but what about others?

“Rest assured, Mr. Ji. You are my friend, Zhu Tingtao's friend. If anyone dares to harm you, I will protect you with my life.”

What could Ji Yuan say? This matter was merely surprising at first, but even after understanding it and being given a choice, he would still face the same situation. Moreover, Xiantai Island cultivators might not be able to do anything to him. If there were real problems, there was also the Xiezhi, not to mention Zhu Tingtao. Ji Yuan also didn't believe that Zhu Tingtao was a lone wolf on Xiantai Island.

However, Ji Yuan also had concerns, not about his own safety, but about the Phoenix. There were "unclean" individuals within Xiantai Island, and it was hard to say if there was any foul play concerning the Phoenix. After all, this was a divine bird of unknown age. The blood of the Phoenix had always been legendary for its ability to turn decay into wonder, often called the “Heavenly Spirit Root of Hot Blood.”

A rumbling sound...

The previously tranquil Xiantai Island suddenly began to shake. Ripples spread across the pond next to Ji Yuan and Zhu Tingtao.

“Mr. Ji, Wutong Continent has arrived.”

So fast? Ji Yuan had just heard Zhu Tingtao mention that Xiantai Island had set up a grand formation on Wutong Island Continent and had, at all costs, directly used immense magical power to perform a great teleportation spell on the entire Xiantai Island. Ji Yuan could not imagine how much energy such a method would consume or how it was accomplished. He also never expected that it would cross a distance that would take a flying boat several months in such a short time.

“Daoist Zhu, I have a premonition that finding this divine Phoenix isn't the only issue; there will be further disturbances within Xiantai Island.”

Ji Yuan's sudden remark caused Zhu Tingtao to momentarily freeze.