Feng Xi chuckled, "I'm just joking with you! I just wanted to ask whether you've run into Shen Zhilan from Hunyuan Sect."
Feng Xi thought that since Shen Zhilan would definitely encounter Jiang Ji, it would be better to find Shen Zhilan first. If she followed her, she would be able to find Jiang Ji.
As it happened, Tian Qing really had run into Shen Zhilan two hours earlier. She had already regrouped with several of Hunyuan Sect's direct disciples.
At the time, Tian Qing had even sighed inwardly. Entry points into the secret realm were all random, yet the four from Hunyuan Sect had managed to gather so quickly, their luck was really good!
After asking for the location, Feng Xi said, "Daoist Tian, these three Black-Patterned Jackal corpses are all yours!"
Tian Qing naturally refused. In the end, after much persuasion, Feng Xi only kept one Black-Patterned Jackal.
Tian Qing became even more convinced that Feng Xi's character was noble and that she indeed deserved the title of the role model of the human race!
After they parted ways, Feng Xi took Jun Wen to look for Shen Zhilan.
This time, Jun Wen couldn't hold back, "Little Junior Sister, why are we going to look for Shen Zhilan?"
"She has good luck. We'll follow her and pick up leftovers!"
Jun Wen: … Didn't you keep saying she was a jinx before?!
He asked again, "Why were you so courteous to that independent cultivator?"
Feng Xi put on a look of profound mystery, "Guess!"
Jun Wen: "..."
Of course, Feng Xi had her reasons. Although independent cultivators looked like a scattered rabble with little use, if they could be brought together, they would become a very powerful force.
In the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme, but at times one was also constrained by factions.
So if one truly wanted to control their own fate, they had to work on multiple fronts.
She never put all her eggs in one basket.
Her empty politeness toward Blood Tiance before, her friendly relations with City Lord Hu of An Ding City, and even her deliberate favor toward the independent cultivator Tian Qing just now, all of it was part of the web she was weaving…
Feng Xi and Jun Wen went to the location Tian Qing mentioned but found nothing. That was normal. After all, two hours had already passed.
Just as Feng Xi was guessing which direction Shen Zhilan and the others might have gone, flames suddenly shot skyward in the distance.
Feng Xi's eyes lit up, "Fifth Senior Brother, Shen Zhilan and the others must be heading over there!"
Because in the book, during this Turtleback Mountain Secret Realm, Shen Zhilan not only "saved" Jiang Ji, but also contracted a little phoenix.
By the time Feng Xi and Jun Wen arrived, the flames were still roaring, and even the surrounding ground was rolling with waves of heat.
People kept rushing over, after all, the flames were an extremely conspicuous target.
The direct disciples of Wan Jian Sect and Beast-Taming Sect had also all gathered.
However, none of the independent cultivators were in sight.
Xing Wu saw Feng Xi winking at him, but he didn't come over.
The reason was very simple, everyone wanted that little phoenix right now. They were all competitors.
The little black ball said to Feng Xi through divine sense, "I'm telling you, phoenixes are little weak chickens. Apart from breathing fire, they can't do anything!
And if you want it to advance, you still have to help it find fire marrow. It's an absolute pain!"
Feng Xi said leisurely, "You don't need to say so much. You just don't want me to take another spirit pet, do you?!
Don't worry. As long as you don't make trouble, you'll be my only spirit pet.
All my affection will be given only to you!"
The little black ball said awkwardly, "Hmph, that's not what I mean! Who cares about your affections!"
After speaking, the body attached to the Blood Demon Clan Order turned pink.
As for why…it was just… dyed by the order!
Although Feng Xi's words had a bit of coaxing in them, she really wasn't interested in the little phoenix. Because the little black ball was right, raising a phoenix was too troublesome!
However, she's very willing to stir things up, preferably to ruin Shen Zhilan's contract with the phoenix.
As time passed, the flames gradually weakened, and everyone's gazes grew even more fervent.
Finally, the flames completely died down, revealing a phoenix egg marked with blazing patterns.
Crack, crack, the phoenix egg developed fissures.
Looking at the egg, Feng Xi thought of… her own dantian!
Not exactly the same, but pretty close!
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly. Finally, a bird's head poked out of the eggshell.
It cautiously observed its surroundings, then crawled out of the shell.
Although everyone's eyes were red with desire, no one dared move, because a ring of golden phoenix flames surrounded the little phoenix.
Even someone at Nascent Soul Stage wouldn't be able to withstand it.
The little phoenix unhurriedly ate the eggshell, then continued to look around.
Xing Wu couldn't help saying, "Little phoenix, I'm a disciple of Beast-Taming Sect. Our sect has cultivation techniques and pills specially for spirit beasts. Come with me!"
Seeing this, others also began recommending themselves.
In the end, only Jun Wen, Feng Xi, and Shen Zhilan remained silent.
Jun Wen had no interest in this thing at all, he didn't want to raise a spirit pet more flamboyant than himself.
Feng Xi narrowed her eyes, clearly thinking about something.
Seeing the two of them say nothing, Shen Zhilan smiled lightly and said, "Little phoenix, I am a top-grade water spiritual root. If you contract with me, I have the ability to help you find fire marrow and let you advance quickly."
The little phoenix was clearly tempted. It walked toward Shen Zhilan.
Mu Zihuai wore a smile of shared pride, only Junior Sister Zhilan was worthy of becoming the master of a phoenix.
Feng Xi called out twice, but the little phoenix ignored her.
A Qi Refining Stage trash wasn't worthy of speaking to it.
Feng Xi had a sudden inspiration and took out a feather from a Golden-Winged Iron-Feathered Eagle.
This thing was not only large but also glittered with golden light, and it indeed caught the little phoenix's attention.
"Little phoenix, I don't want to sign a contract with you. I just want to give you a few words of advice.
You're a fire-type spirit beast, how can you sign a contract with someone who has a water spiritual root?!
Haven't you heard the saying that water and fire are incompatible?
I think you should choose Xing Wu from Beast-Taming Sect instead!
He's has a fire spiritual root and likes dealing with spirit beasts. Contracting with him would be the most suitable!"
Xing Wu hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes! We're the most suitable! You should sign a contract with me!"
Shen Zhilan clenched her teeth in anger, "Little phoenix, don't listen to Feng Xi's nonsense. I have a top-grade water spiritual root, and that doesn't conflict with you being a fire-type spirit beast.
If you contract with me, I can feed you a hundred-year fire marrow right now."
The little phoenix's eyes lit up!
"Eat!"
Everyone couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. As expected of a divine beast, even as a hatchling, it could already speak human words.
Shen Zhilan hesitated for a moment. Her original intention was to feed the fire marrow to the little phoenix after signing the contract.
But with Feng Xi stirring things up like this, the little phoenix was wavering. It would be better to feed it first. Once it tasted the sweetness, it would naturally sign a contract with her.
So she took out a jade box made from special materials from her storage ring, containing a hundred-year fire marrow.
Afraid of being burned by the phoenix flames, Shen Zhilan placed the jade box on the ground and retreated several steps.
The little phoenix eagerly stepped forward and swallowed the hundred-year fire marrow.
After swallowing it, everyone noticed that it had grown just a tiny bit larger than before.
It seemed that the little phoenix really did advance through fire marrow!
Shen Zhilan smiled and said, "Little phoenix, can you sign a contract with me now?"
The little phoenix glanced at her, then pattered over to Feng Xi.
"Mother!"