The Long Journey to Immortality

Han Lu was puzzled, but Feng Rubing seemed to attach great importance to this point.

Although she didn't understand, she didn't ask any questions or inquire about the reasons, simply assuming it was a local sentiment of the "wild and untamed spirits."

Lying on Feng Rubing's back, with the morning sun just rising from the horizon, Han Lu looked down at this wild land she had never set foot on before for the first time.

Han Lu was taught from a young age that the Wilderness was a place where no human, whether cultivator or mortal, was allowed to set foot.

The reason is simple: the wilderness is inhabited by a large number of true spirits and demonic beasts that are unfriendly to humans, making the phrase "fraught with danger" quite fitting.

In addition, the wilderness is described in various works as a place with extremely harsh living conditions.

Everywhere there are broken walls and ruins that cannot be repaired or restored to their original state due to the wars of the ancient times, and everywhere there are places comparable to dragon's den and tiger's lair.

This impression is like a label, firmly affixed to a place that almost all cultivators and mortals in the Central Plains can never set foot in or see with their own eyes in their lifetime.

This concept is so deeply ingrained that when the Golden Core cultivator who was dedicated to literary creation described a beautiful, wild world to the readers of the Central Plains, he received a lot of negative reviews and was criticized for making things up.

At that time, Han Lu was also one of the opponents of this "beautiful wilderness" concept.

But when Han Lu actually saw the desolate scenery, she realized that she had made a mistake.

The wilderness was far better than the cultivators and mortals of the Central Plains imagined.

At least, the place Han Lu is currently passing through is not a barren desert, but a lush, green landscape, similar to a primeval forest in an ancient cultivation secret realm, full of vitality.

"Sister, is this how it is in the wilderness?" Han Lu asked.

Although Han Lu's question was somewhat vague, Feng Rubing could still understand what Han Lu meant.

"No, that's not it. The wilderness is very large. In human terms, the climate varies from place to place."

"There is more rainfall here, fewer monsters and spirit beasts living here, and no humans have set foot here, so the green grass and land are full of life."

"Where is the Phoenix Clan?" Han Lu asked.

"This..." Feng Rubing didn't know how to explain to Han Lu the current situation of the Phoenix Clan in the Wilderness.

Seeing Feng Rubing hesitate, Han Lu knew there was more to the story. "What, could it be that Jiu Feng is still living separately and not together?"

“That’s not it,” Feng Rubing said. “It’s just that everything has a degree of closeness or distance.”

"After the True Spirit Era, although Jiu Feng has reconciled, a broken mirror cannot be mended, so how could they possibly be as good as before?"

"Finally, after migrating to the new wilderness, they still lived in three separate groups according to their original relationships."

Han Lu listened very carefully, knowing that these things would be of great help to her in the future.

"Due to various reasons, the Illusion Phoenix, the Fire Phoenix, and the Ice Phoenix gathered together to live."

"The remaining six phoenixes also split into two groups and lived in other parts of the wilderness."

"And Jiufeng also symbolically established a settlement in the new wilderness, and built a large grove of phoenix trees there."

“Every hundred years, each place will send a few young men to live in that grove of phoenix trees to guard this sacred place called Phoenix Perch Grove.”

"As for the scenery of the four places, the scenery of Phoenix Perch Forest is quite nice, and the place where the Illusion Phoenix, Fire Phoenix and Ice Phoenix live is also a wonderful place."

"The other two places are just so-so."

Feng Rubing's extremely subjective evaluation left Han Lu somewhat at a loss for words.

However, Feng Rubing's words aroused Han Lu's curiosity about other aspects.

Chapter 360 Returning to the Clan, Identity

"Holy Land? Phoenix Perch Forest? Sister, tell me all about that place."

Han Lu has read quite a few novels written by human cultivators, many of which contain plots about human cultivators befriending true spirits.

In these stories, there are always one or two sacred sites within the True Spirit Clan, where methods and opportunities to enhance one's strength are hidden.

Judging from Feng Rubing's description, Phoenix Perch Forest is clearly a place that might bring people opportunities.

"Phoenix Perching Forest..." Feng Rubing knew without a doubt what Han Lu was thinking and what her purpose was in asking her about this sacred place for the Phoenix Clan.

"This was originally just one stop on our journey. If you want to obtain the essence blood of the other six phoenixes, you need to come with me to Phoenix Perch Forest and cultivate good relationships with the seniors there. Only then will you have a glimmer of hope."

"As for that place, its history can be traced back to 100,000 years ago."

"During the True Spirit Era, there was also a Phoenix Perching Forest in the Wilderness, but it was destroyed due to the division of the Nine Phoenixes and war."

"Originally, some of the feathers and blood essence of the ancestors enshrined in the Phoenix Perch Forest were destroyed, while the remaining parts were taken back to their respective clans by the clan leaders for preservation."

"After the Great Battle of the True Spirits, the nine phoenixes symbolically united, and the matter of rebuilding the Phoenix Perch Forest was brought up."

"None of the clan leaders refused this good thing that would benefit the clans."

"In the end, it took a year to build a large grove of phoenix trees. Three years later, many feathers and blood essence belonging to the Phoenix Clan's predecessors were sent back to the new Phoenix Perch Forest."

These few words made Han Lu understand why Phoenix Perch Forest was regarded as a sacred place by Feng Rubing and other true spirits of the phoenix.

Compared to the shorter-lived human race, the True Spirit Clan values ​​this kind of historical heritage more.

If this Phoenix Perch Forest were considered a temple complex, it would surely be a place of great religious activity, where famous and influential figures would be worshipped.

There are double-digit numbers of phoenix spirits at the "Transformation Realm" and "Ascension to the Spirit Realm" levels alone, and countless phoenix spirits with powerful magic like Feng Rubing.

"When we arrive at Phoenix Perch Forest, may I pay my respects to those predecessors?"

Han Lu's words were quite subtle.

Feng Rubing said, "Not yet. You haven't returned to the clan yet. Although you have Phoenix blood and are my acknowledged sister, you are not yet a member of the Phoenix clan. Those 'guardians' who protect Phoenix Perch Forest will not allow you to enter this sacred place."

"Returning to the clan? What's that?" Han Lu heard another new term.

Feng Rubing gave an analogy, "It's like a family tree in a human clan, recording all blood relatives."

“After the phoenix is ​​born, it also needs to complete a citizenship ceremony.”

"At that time, the newborn phoenix will be taken deep into the Phoenix Perch Forest."

"At that time, an incredible opportunity may arise to elevate the bloodline grade of a newborn."

"You were born away from home, and your return will naturally require going through this process before you can enter the depths of Phoenix Perch Forest to seek the opportunity you desire."

Han Lu accurately captured the most crucial word in Feng Rubing's words: "Is it just a formality?"

“For the newly born phoenixes in the clan, it’s just a formality,” Feng Rubing judged based on her status as a 6,000-year-old senior, “but it’s a bit difficult for you.”

"Why?" Han Lu asked, puzzled.

Immediately afterwards, Han Lu could clearly hear Feng Rubing sigh.

“Returning to the clan requires the consent of more than half of the guardians currently residing in Phoenix Perch Forest from the nine clans.”

"and……"

"Han Lu, although we have always called each other sisters, do you really consider yourself a member of the Phoenix Clan? Or rather, if you set aside the opportunity that you might have, would you be willing to return to the clan?"

Feng Rubing's words were sharp, but they accurately struck at Han Lu's absolute weakness in this regard.

Han Lu was speechless for a moment.

She realized that she didn't really identify with the phoenix's identity.

She had always considered herself more like a human cultivator who had mastered the true power of transformation, just like when she met the snow fox the day before, and the fox initially thought she was a human cultivator, which made her happy. This was a manifestation of this mentality.

Although Feng Rubing had been reborn and frozen for five thousand years, she still had more than a thousand years of life experience. Naturally, she had seen this point early on, which is why she brought it up at this time to thoroughly "interrogate" Han Lu.

Han Lu found it difficult to lie to Feng Rubing's face.

After struggling with the decision for a long time, she finally answered honestly.

“Sister, you’re right. I now see the ability to transform into a phoenix more as a supernatural power, a means of combat, rather than an identity.”

Feng Rubing had mixed feelings about Han Lu's honest answer.

She first said sourly, "Sigh, I never thought that with such a mindset, you could actually fuse two bloodlines and become a Three-Winged True Phoenix, while I couldn't do it."

Then, she expressed her understanding of Han Lu's thoughts, "After all, you were raised by humans and do not know who your parents who gave you your bloodline are, so it is perfectly normal to have such thoughts."

Hearing Feng Rubing's reaction to her answer, Han Lu breathed a sigh of relief.

For a fleeting moment, Han Lu was genuinely afraid that her answer would not please Feng Rubing and that she would be thrown off the spot.

Regarding Han Lu's desire to rejoin her clan and venture deeper into Phoenix Perch Forest, Feng Rubing offered her advice as a senior member.

"Perfect timing. In half a month, we will arrive at the gathering place of the Illusion Phoenix, Fire Phoenix, and Ice Phoenix. You can spend some time there and see if you can find your biological father."

"After all, you have already fused three types of Phoenix bloodline."

"Such talent is extremely rare in the Phoenix Clan."

"As far as I know, there are only two Three-Winged True Phoenixes in the Phoenix Clan, including you."

"With this in mind, and with my biological father helping to smooth things over, plus my assistance, we should be able to get the guardians of the other clans who are to be assigned to Phoenix Perch Forest to agree."

Feng Rubing's analysis was very logical and reasonable, which reassured Han Lu and gave her more confidence about the future.

After the heated discussion, Feng Rubing began to have Han Lu as her advisor.

The "security guards" in Phoenix Perch Forest are replaced only once every hundred years. Two years ago, when Feng Rubing, who had been missing for five thousand years, returned to the Phoenix Clan, she naturally made a trip there.

Feng Rubing knew exactly who was stationed in Phoenix Perch Forest, which ones were familiar with her, which ones respected her as a senior, what their likes and dislikes were, and how to get along with them so that Han Lu could "trick" her into giving her her essence blood.

Feng Rubing went to great lengths to help Han Lu realize her past dream and the shared dream of many phoenixes.

Clinging to Feng Rubing's back, Han Lu listened intently.

Chapter 361 About Father

The intelligence of the True Spirit is no less than that of the human race, and in fact, due to the long years it has lived through, it surpasses many human cultivators in this respect.

Perhaps, in matters of intrigue and scheming, the true spirit is no match for the human cultivators who excel at calculation.

However, in terms of daily life and cultivation, True Spirits are no more foolish or stupid than human cultivators.

Feng Rubing explained in great detail, and Han Lu listened attentively.

From this small detail, she could deduce the living conditions of many phoenix spirits in the wilderness, as well as the habits and preferences of most phoenixes.

Compared to the glamorous world of the Central Plains and the Great Yu Dynasty, life in the wilderness was much more austere and dull.

Not to mention that as a true spirit, it has a lifespan nearly three times longer than that of human cultivators of the same level.