The disciples of the Willow Noodle Sect who had received favors were also discussing amongst themselves, "Miss Feng is truly formidable. If not for her, we would have likely perished in the snow and never seen today's sun."
"Miss Bai, having such a master is truly enviable. I even want to ask Miss Feng if she takes disciples!"
As the words reached her ears, Bai Niannian's cheeks flushed with pride, as if the praise was directed at her.
From the beginning, she had been drawn to Feng Ninghe's extraordinary nature and thus wished to become her disciple.
Ultimately, it was her good judgment that had led her to choose Feng Ninghe early on.
Feng Xing's expression, however, showed a hint of urgency, "Where is she now?"
Su Qianyao shook her head, indicating she didn't know, "I haven't seen her since we parted in the snow. She only said she was going to find you. I surmise she is safe now."
Feng Xing's brows remained furrowed, her heart not yet at ease, "There are many in the secret realm who wish to harm our Mistress. We must find her quickly."
"A Xing, come with us. I also need to find him. Perhaps we'll have a chance to encounter her along the way."
Su Hongxiu spoke, her face bearing her usual gentle smile, as comforting as a spring breeze, "It will be safer with us."
Feng Xing did not refuse, nodding her head generously.
Su Hongxiu looked up at the sky, a few wisps of thought subtly appearing in her eyes.
For some reason, he felt a sense of familiarity with the blood phoenix that had just appeared in the sky.
Yet, he couldn't pinpoint where that familiarity came from...
Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the secret realm.
Elsewhere in the secret realm.
Feng Ninghe and her companions arrived at a secluded spot.
Only after they had walked some distance did they slow their pace.
"Senior, what should I call you?"
A clear female voice fell slowly, and Feng Ninghe's gaze landed on the burly man before her.
In essence, she still had to thank the person before her.
The timely appearance of the burly man had indeed helped her.
Facing the question, the burly man casually picked up his wine gourd, poured wine into his mouth, and leisurely looked at her, "Gongyi Yuan. You can call me Master."
Feng Ninghe had never heard this name before. A bright smile bloomed on her fair face as she thanked the burly man for his kindness.
"Senior, I can sense that your cultivation is profound, unlike what your appearance suggests. However, I have no intention of taking another master at this time."
She spoke politely.
Gongyi Yuan smiled and took a large gulp of wine, "Little girl, becoming my disciple will never put you at a disadvantage. Your affairs have caused quite a stir throughout Jinling, I've heard it all. Several major sects have made a move against you. Staying at the Willow Noodle Sect is not a long-term solution. Why don't you come to the First Sect?"
"The First Sect?"
Feng Ninghe's eyes flickered slightly.
This was the first time she had heard of the First Sect.
Sensing Feng Ninghe's hesitation, Gongyi Yuan put down his wine pot, a hint of emotion in his eyes, "The First Sect is the foremost sect in Jinling. In all of Jinling, no sect can compare."
Xiao Zhao, without hesitation, chimed in, "If the First Sect is so powerful, why have I never heard of it?"
Although Xiao Zhao was a spirit beast, the moment it entered Jinling, it had investigated all the immortal sects within the city.
It was also the first time it had heard of the First Sect.
Si Jianye's eyes narrowed slightly, his thin lips moving, "The First Sect is a top-tier immortal sect, far surpassing all others. A thousand years ago, the First Sect retreated and has not appeared before the public since, but its legend has always circulated within Jinling."
In its prime, the First Sect was renowned and served as a model for all sects.
But later, no one ever saw the First Sect again.
Gongyi Yuan looked at Si Jianye with a hint of appreciation, "It's good that someone still remembers the First Sect. The younger generation nowadays has no idea about it."
Feng Ninghe looked at Gongyi Yuan with some confusion, "Since the First Sect is so powerful, why did it retreat?"
Gongyi Yuan's gaze darkened slightly, and he looked up at the sky, "What's the point of being powerful? This world is far vaster than we imagine. What we see is merely the tip of the iceberg."
For some reason, she felt that Gongyi Yuan's words held deeper meaning.
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze and shook her head, rejecting his offer, "Whether the world is vast or not is irrelevant to me. I only wish to protect those I care about."
A smile appeared on Gongyi Yuan's face, "You possess the Phoenix Bone. Few people in this world have the Phoenix Bone, and you are the one chosen by the Blood Phoenix. The path you have to tread is still long."
Feng Ninghe directly voiced her doubts, "What is the Blood Phoenix?"
She didn't know what had happened when she was fighting Hei Lizhi.
She only knew that her body had felt a surge of heat, as if a fire had burned Hei Lizhi to ashes.
Xiao Zhao quickly came forward and explained the entire sequence of events.
Si Jianye also looked at Feng Ninghe at this moment, "The Phoenix Bone appears once in ten thousand years. Are you truly from a minor family in the Li Kingdom?"
His voice was slightly deep, carrying a hint of doubt.
Feng Ninghe met his gaze squarely, "What else would you think?"
She was, after all, the former Empress of the Lin Kingdom, a renowned prodigy.
And she was also Feng Ninghe, a member of the Feng family.
Xiao Zhao clicked its tongue softly from the side, not saying anything more.
Its master was naturally not a disciple of some small family; she was the universally acknowledged prodigy, the Empress of the Lin Kingdom!
Thinking this, a hint of pride appeared on Xiao Zhao's face.
This was the master it was proud of.
Si Jianye withdrew his gaze and said no more, but his steps paused at this moment, and he looked up at the distance ahead.
He could feel something there calling to him.
Gongyi Yuan looked at Feng Ninghe beside him with enthusiasm, and eagerly said, "Little girl, becoming my disciple will never treat you unfairly. The First Sect is not comparable to those minor sects. It will absolutely not disappoint you."
As the Sect Master of the First Sect, countless people wished to become his disciple.
Yet now, Gongyi Yuan was circling around a young girl.
Feng Ninghe smiled, not taking his words to heart, "Senior, I have many things yet to do and no time or energy to spare for other matters. I thank you for your kind offer, but I must decline."
Gongyi Yuan was not discouraged and fell into thought, constantly pondering how to phrase his words to make this girl agree.
Feng Ninghe stopped at this moment, sensing something as she turned back to look.
Si Jianye wore a mask, making his expression unreadable, his eyes exceptionally deep.
"Aren't you coming?"
She proactively asked.
The crimson mole at the corner of his eye appeared exceptionally alluring, his eyes so profound that one could not fathom his thoughts.
A low male voice slowly emerged from his lips, "We may have to go somewhere first."
Feng Ninghe nodded slightly, "Then let's go."