Chapter 13: Why Don’t You Kneel Before Me?

The area beyond the Ice Wall was vast and boundless.

The two of them strolled casually, yet soon arrived at a grove of phoenix trees.

It was unclear what kind of climate it was, but the grove before them seemed to encapsulate all four seasons. Fresh green leaves crowded among withered branches, while patches of golden hues were hidden deep within.

Chi Xian, rolling up his sleeves, warned, “Let me make this clear—there’s a Formation at the back entrance. We’re sneaking in, not strolling around like we own the place. So don’t make a fuss, got it?”

Ji Juexiu naturally took a step to the side.

Chi Xian continued to grumble, “Why are you in such a hurry? You could’ve at least called the other brothers, or dragged that dumb ox along as backup!”

Ji Juexiu asked, “Enough talk. How do we break this Formation?”

Chi Xian pointed to his own throat. “I can’t bring myself to do it.”

Ji Juexiu instantly understood and, with a flick of his finger, made a cut on Chi Xian’s neck.

Chi Xian nervously cupped his hands to catch the blood, shouting, “That’s enough! Don’t waste it!”

With that, he scattered a drop of his Essence Blood ahead.

In an instant, the dense trunks of the phoenix trees parted to form a wide path.

“Alright, let’s go in,” Chi Xian said, pulling out a high-quality ointment to apply to the wound on his neck.

Ji Juexiu gave him a meaningful glance before stepping into the grove.

Chi Xian, predictably, started complaining again, “What are you looking at? This is a real Formation! And not just any Formation—it’s an Ancient Illusion Formation! Only the purest Phoenix Blood of the Vermillion Bird Clan can break it!”

Ji Juexiu immediately pointed out the key, “So it’s your Essence Blood that’s special, isn’t it? Capable of breaking any Formation or dispelling any spell.”

Chi Xian rolled his eyes. “Keep it a secret, alright? This is my trump card. I told you, being my brother is worth it. You fight in the front, and I’ll cheer you on from the back. I’m practically the chosen one—no, wait, the chosen chicken…”

Their bickering continued until they exited the grove and walked a short distance to an open platform.

Before them stretched a sea of white, with only a towering ancient tree standing in the center.

The tree was massive, its trunk as thick as a wall.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just a tree.

It was a tree-shaped tower!

The trunk served as the central pillar, while the branches extended outward, forming the tower’s levels.

Layer upon layer rose with the trunk, resembling a celestial tower that connected heaven and earth.

This was the Vermillion Bird Clan’s Forbidden Ground—the Phoenix Tree Tower.

The area around the tower was empty, with only two guards stationed in front of the ancient tree. They appeared casual, but the openness of the space meant anyone approaching would be immediately noticed.

If anyone dared to force their way in, it would be easy to surround and attack them.

No one dared to trespass into the Vermillion Bird Clan’s Forbidden Ground. In ten thousand years, there had only been one instance, and even that was an inside job…

Chi Xian, feeling nervous, instructed as they walked forward, “Stay behind me later, keep quiet, don’t look around, and keep a low profile. Got it?”

With that, the two of them walked straight up to the ancient tree.

The Vermillion Bird Clan guards barked, “Who goes there?”

The two figures before them were unfamiliar—they had never seen them before.

Chi Xian calmly cleared his throat and roared louder than the guards, “How dare you! Why don’t you kneel before me?!”

Ji Juexiu: “…”

So much for keeping a low profile.

The two guards were startled, their faces a mix of confusion and panic.

Who was this flamboyantly dressed young man?

Chi Xian stood tall and proud, his chin held high, exuding an air of arrogance and self-importance. “I am of the Chi family!” he declared.

As soon as these words were spoken, the two sparrow clan guards immediately knelt down in unison, bowing their heads in respect.

“Greetings, Young Master!”

In the sparrow clan, the surname Chi was revered, signifying the noblest lineage of Phoenix Blood.

At present, within the sparrow clan’s territory, there was only one young Chi who was not in seclusion and was widely known.

That was the young master of the sparrow clan, the Phoenix heir!

Chi Xian snorted coldly and led Ji Juexiu inside, casually flicking a drop of blood as he walked.

The formation at the entrance of the Phoenix Tree Tower immediately dissolved, revealing the passage within.

Seeing this, the two guards knelt even more devoutly.

It was known that the Phoenix Tree Tower was protected by an ancient magic formation, which could only be broken in two ways: either with the clan leader’s token or with pure Phoenix Essence Blood.

Chi Xian simply flicked his sleeve and walked in.

Ji Juexiu followed closely, his gaze briefly sweeping over Chi Xian’s finger.

The drop of blood had been drawn when they entered the clan’s phoenix grove, and Chi Xian had saved it until now. Two drops in total, used to break two formations, not wasting a single drop.

Once inside the Phoenix Tree Tower, Chi Xian relaxed and patted his chest vigorously. “We made it in, hurry up, what rare book do you want to see? Be quick!”

Inside, a spiral staircase wound upwards, its top invisible from below.

Ji Juexiu immediately started climbing. He remembered that the rare book was kept at the very top of the Phoenix Tree Tower.

As they walked, Chi Xian grumbled, “I can’t believe you. In the ten thousand years of the Phoenix Tree Tower’s existence, only two outsiders have entered. The last time it was you, and this time it’s still you, and both times I had to help you sneak in! I’m warning you, whatever you’re looking for better be important!”

Ji Juexiu turned back to look at him and said, “It’s not too late to back out now.”

Chi Xian jumped in frustration. “Back out my foot! We’re already in, hurry up! Don’t forget my favor, you owe me. Help me become the clan leader in the future!”

Outside the tower.

The two guards had just stood up when they saw a group of more than ten people approaching slowly.

At the forefront was a young man, dressed exquisitely, clearly of high status!

He wore a long robe woven from silk, its color resembling burning flames, with golden threads along the edges that sparkled like stars in the night sky.

On his head was a magnificent crown adorned with various gemstones that glittered in the sunlight.

Overall, he looked like a dazzling painting.

The two guards were stunned, their eyes nearly blinded by the brilliance!

So much so that when the group arrived before them, they still hadn’t reacted.

The young man at the front frowned and then spoke, “How dare you! Why do you not kneel upon seeing me?”

The guards: “???”

Why did this sound familiar?

The man’s frown deepened.

A follower stepped forward and whispered, “Young Master, you may not know, but the guards have been replaced. These two are probably new.”

The man’s expression softened. “In that case, let it be.”

He then stepped around the two guards and walked towards the Phoenix Tree Tower.

The two guards were still in a daze, exchanging bewildered looks.

They still hadn’t figured out who this person was.

They hadn’t heard of any young phoenix coming out of seclusion…

As the man reached the entrance, he suddenly paused.

He turned back and asked, “Who went in?”

The guards immediately bowed and replied, “The Young Master is inside, along with a follower.”

Although he was introduced as an attendant, both of them felt that the man in white was anything but ordinary—his appearance and demeanor were simply too extraordinary!

At that moment, they couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: truly befitting of the Young Master, to have such an exceptional attendant.

The man’s tone shifted abruptly: “Young Master? Which Young Master?”

The two guards were puzzled as to how someone could be unaware of the Young Master, but they still replied, “It’s the Young Master of the Sparrow Clan, Young Master Chi Yan.”

As soon as the words left their mouths, they noticed the young man’s face turn ashen.

The guards: “?”

The man: “Then who am I?!”