Li Hongzhao reveals she was soundly defeated in a spar by an expert from Prince Su's lineage, frustrating her due to his Green Lion Bloodline being inferior to her Phoenix Bloodline. The competition results impact the four lineages' privileges.Chu Zhiyuan helps Li Hongzhao analyze the Phoenix Divine Palm technique she received, discovering it was flawed and using his comprehension to correct it, then transmits the corrected technique's rhythm to her.
Fifteen minutes ticked by as Chu Zhiyuan retracted his finger.
Li Hongzhao remained perfectly still, a blazing aura swirling around her.
It felt as though she was drawing nearer to a molten pool, her aura intensifying with each passing moment.
The very air distorted as if under immense heat.
Within this warped atmosphere, a faint phoenix began to materialize.
A magnificent phoenix, two people tall and exuding elegance, hovered above her head, reaching nearly to the ceiling.
A majestic presence surged upwards, seeming to cast its gaze upon everything.
Chu Zhiyuan felt an involuntary, overwhelming urge to prostrate himself.
Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed within his mind.
As this Dragon Thought appeared, all illusions dissolved instantly, and a sense of lightness pervaded his being.
He offered a slight smile, recognizing that the Phoenix Divine Palm technique was indeed the most fitting for Li Hongzhao.
It synergized perfectly with her Phoenix Bloodline, allowing her to easily channel its inherent power and unleash formidable might.
The Phoenix Burning Heaven Scripture, being merely a spiritual cultivation method, was primarily for refining the Phoenix Bloodline and advancing one's Realm.
In terms of sheer offensive capability, it paled in comparison to the Phoenix Divine Palm.
Chu Zhiyuan now understood that Song Chaoge likely never intended for Li Hongzhao to be drawn into combat.
However, he hadn't anticipated her Realm progressing so rapidly, which necessitated her intervention.
Ultimately, she found herself outmatched by the prodigy from the Prince Su Lineage.
While Li Hongzhao was universally acknowledged as a genius, in the end, even geniuses clashed, and she was defeated.
He gently shook his head.
Yet, this defeat might not be an entirely negative outcome for Li Hongzhao.
It reminded him of their time at Little Outer Heaven, where she had sought him out to hone her skills, and with each setback, her resolve grew, leading to swift advancements.
The Phoenix, after all, was fabled for its Nirvana Rebirth.
"Boom!"
Above Li Hongzhao's head, the spectral phoenix ignited in a burst of flames.
The inferno consumed the entire chamber, causing the internal temperature to skyrocket.
It felt like being enveloped in a scorching blaze, with pain searing the skin and reaching into the very soul.
Instantly, the Miao Jing Spirit Water surfaced in his mind.
His entire body registered a profound coolness, akin to plunging into refreshing autumn waters.
He carefully observed Li Hongzhao's ongoing transformation.
Within the fiery aura, the phoenix gracefully beat its wings, dispersing a Seven-Colored Light.
The radiance was so intense that he struggled to keep his eyes open.
It intensified in the air before suddenly coalescing into a sphere of light.
This Seven-Colored Light Ball was almost too blinding to behold directly.
A slight throbbing began on his forehead; were it not for the Miao Jing Spirit Water, his only recourse would have been to flee.
This Seven-Colored Light didn't assault the eyes but rather the senses directly.
It overwhelmed his entire mind and body with its dazzling brilliance.
Abruptly, the Seven-Colored Light Ball shot towards Li Hongzhao's Bai Hui acupoint.
For a moment, the surrounding void seemed to dim.
In the very next instant, Li Hongzhao herself began to emanate the Seven-Colored Light.
This was still a light perceived more through feeling than sight.
Visually, her injuries appeared to be mending at an astonishing rate.
Her pallid complexion rapidly regained a healthy blush, radiating a luster that restored her former captivating beauty.
Her breathing stabilized swiftly, True Yuan surged through her, and her aura transitioned from feeble to potent in a blink.
This complete turnaround transpired within a mere ten breaths.
Chu Zhiyuan clicked his tongue in pure astonishment.
This indeed was the marvel of the Phoenix Bloodline.
The preeminence of the Four Bloodlines across Biyuan Heaven was clearly justified.
Li Hongzhao's phoenix eyes snapped open, her smile blooming like a delicate flower.
Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Are you recovered?"
Li Hongzhao let out a soft chuckle. "Now I can genuinely claim to have grasped the profound secrets of the Phoenix Bloodline. This Phoenix Divine Palm technique is truly astonishing!"
Chu Zhiyuan asked, "So it wasn't the result of the Phoenix Burning Heaven Scripture?"
Li Hongzhao replied, "The Phoenix Burning Heaven Scripture merely aids in refining the bloodline; it doesn't grant such wondrous applications."
Chu Zhiyuan gave a slight nod.
Li Hongzhao sighed. "Our Phoenix Bloodline has never been truly dominant, always living under suppression, primarily because no one could master this Phoenix Divine Palm."
"How is that possible?" Chu Zhiyuan questioned. "With an unbroken bloodline inheritance, the cultivation method for the Phoenix Divine Palm should surely not be lost either."
Li Hongzhao shook her head. "I have no idea why, but it vanished. If Master had known it, she would have surely mastered it long ago."
"Your Master didn't master it either?"
"No," Li Hongzhao confirmed. "Currently, within the Phoenix Lineage, I am likely the only one who has achieved mastery."
Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded in understanding.
Li Hongzhao then said, "But it's alright now. You can tell me how exactly to train it, can't you?"
Those who struggle will not achieve it; those who understand will find it effortless.
A profundity insufficient for comprehension renders even the most miraculous Secret Manual unmasterable. Such is the true essence of despair.
Chu Zhiyuan declared, "First, employ the Phoenix Burning Heaven Scripture to activate this Secret Manual. Its three visualized diagrams will undergo transformation. Then, visualize these altered diagrams concurrently, merging them into a coherent sequence to grasp their inherent Divine Charm. With this Divine Charm, activating the Phoenix Divine Palm will naturally unleash its formidable power."
Li Hongzhao offered him a speechless gaze.
Chu Zhiyuan inquired with a smile, "Surely, that isn't excessively difficult, is it?"
Shaking her head, Li Hongzhao sighed, "No wonder no one has ever managed to master the Phoenix Divine Palm."
Chu Zhiyuan countered, "The materials of the Secret Manual are quite unusual. Did you not suspect there might be some hidden enigma within?"
"Indeed, I harbored suspicions, but I failed to uncover anything out of the ordinary," Li Hongzhao admitted.
"Upon activating the Phoenix Burning Heaven Scripture, you should be able to discern it. Although the alterations in the visualization diagrams are subtle, careful observation will reveal them," Chu Zhiyuan explained.
He believed reaching this stage wasn't particularly arduous; a modicum of attention would suffice to identify the anomaly and uncover the true essence of the Secret Manual.
These three visualized diagrams possessed slight inefficiencies, which consequently led to significant divergences.
Without prior adjustments, mere visualization would be insufficient to capture their true Divine Charm.
However, attaining this prerequisite step presented its own challenge, requiring the simultaneous visualization of the three diagrams, their orderly sequencing, and the formation of dynamic motion.
It was a fleeting spark of spiritual insight in his mind that enabled him to achieve this crucial step.
Otherwise, such a revelation would have eluded him entirely.
"Now, I finally understand. Yet, even with this knowledge, it remains futile," Li Hongzhao lamented. "Visualizing the three diagrams concurrently and imbuing them with movement—that is something beyond my capability."
Considering herself a prodigy, she found it astonishing that even she could not accomplish this feat; her refined spiritual power, no matter how pure, proved inadequate.
"Not everyone is incapable," Chu Zhiyuan remarked with a gentle smile. "There must surely be other geniuses within your Phoenix Bloodline."
Li Hongzhao shot him a sidelong glance, "Does that imply my own talent is merely mediocre?"
Chu Zhiyuan responded with a soft chuckle.
Li Hongzhao let out a snort. "Very well, when measured against you, I am indeed ordinary... Should this method be shared with Master?"
"Speak your mind freely," Chu Zhiyuan encouraged. "Should your Phoenix Lineage manage to regain its former glory, your own future will undoubtedly be brighter."
Li Hongzhao declared, "I shall first ascend to become the foremost expert within the Phoenix Lineage."
In this world, strength commanded respect, a principle that extended even to the Imperial Family.
She resolved to become the supreme expert, commanding the full might of the entire Zhuang King’s Lineage.
As her personal strength grew, so too would the influence of the Zhuang King’s Lineage.
Once that point was reached, she could then mobilize the entirety of the Court’s formidable power to lend support to Chu Zhiyuan.
Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan turned his head, announcing, "Senior Song has arrived."
Li Hongzhao was about to rise when the rustling of robes echoed from outside, and Song Chaoge’s voice called out, "Hongzhao."
In the ensuing moment, she materialized within the room.
Upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, she chuckled warmly, " I had a feeling you would be here."
Chu Zhiyuan offered a respectful salute, cupping his hands.
Song Chaoge, however, waved dismissively. "No need for such formalities; we are hardly strangers."
Her gaze then fell upon Li Hongzhao, a look of surprise crossing her features. She turned to Chu Zhiyuan, inquiring, "What sort of spiritual medicine did you employ?"
Li Hongzhao’s injuries were far from trivial, having been inflicted by the peculiar palm strike imbued with the Green Lion True Essence.
This particular palm strike concentrated the formidable power of the bloodline, rendering it impervious to conventional True Yuan.
Suffering such an impact would invariably exacerbate the wounds, leading to an inescapable despair and ultimately, death, rendering spirit pills utterly ineffective.
Even with the inherent resilience of the Phoenix Bloodline, it proved a strenuous ordeal for Li Hongzhao; intervention was necessitated.
Yet, observing her current state, she appeared completely restored, as if the grievous injuries had never occurred, perhaps even surpassing her prior condition.
The nature of the spiritual medicine capable of such miraculous restoration remained a profound mystery.
