Chapter Forty: Rebirth

The Golden-Winged Roc is one of the fastest creatures in the world, not only because it is a rare species born of heaven and earth, but also due to its two innate golden feathers imbued with the power of wind. Kong Xuan had calculated that the round trip would take just over twenty days, and now, eighteen days had already passed, yet he was still above Kunlun Mountain. Having just returned from the Heavenly Pool Dragon Palace, he could hardly believe how smoothly the journey had gone, except for some delay before the Tai Chi Palace at Kunlun Mountain.

After following the map Kong Xuan had given him to the Heavenly Pool Dragon Palace, he was soon led inside. He did not enter the true Dragon Palace, but a young attendant took his golden invitation within, and soon returned with a reply: a post marked with a five-clawed golden dragon. The attendant informed Nan Luo that Prince Ao Yuan had agreed to attend the ceremony.

It took him a day to fly back above Kunlun Mountain, gazing down at the undulating peaks like ocean waves. The clouds and mist shrouding the mountains made Kunlun appear mysterious and ethereal.

Before setting out for the Dragon Palace, Nan Luo had thought the journey would be complicated—why else would a prince himself arrange it? Yet when he agreed to go, Kong Xuan had only pondered a moment before consenting, hardly concerned whether Nan Luo would succeed. Kong Xuan mentioned the itinerary in passing, as if the success or failure of the mission was of little consequence—a stark contrast to his earlier insistence that the Crown Prince of Qianshou be sent. Yet, he had gravely requested Nan Luo to ask the Celestial Master Tongxuan a question, though despite kneeling for three days, Nan Luo never saw him.

From high above, Nan Luo gazed once more into the mountains. The Roc’s astounding speed soon left Kunlun far behind. Only when Kunlun became a tiny black dot and vanished from sight did he look away.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and silently recited the Scripture of the Yellow Court.

More than ten days passed in meditation and cultivation. As Phoenix Mountain appeared in the distance, Nan Luo felt uneasy—a sense of guilt for not having fulfilled Kong Xuan’s wishes during his journey.

From afar, he saw Kong Xuan standing before the Peacock Hall of the Immortal Palace, resplendent in his five-colored ceremonial robe. In the past, Nan Luo always thought such robes ill-suited him, but now, he could not imagine anyone more fitting.

Kong Xuan stood on the palace steps, hands clasped behind his back, as if awaiting Nan Luo’s return. His expression was as gentle as ever, yet Nan Luo sensed a weight pressing upon his heart. In the past, Kong Xuan’s gentle smile radiated an innate arrogance, immaculate and untarnished.

As Nan Luo thought this, he alighted from the Roc’s back. Just as he was about to apologize for failing in his task, Kong Xuan spoke first, smiling, “This journey took longer than I estimated, but it seems you encountered no danger. What did the Celestial Master say?”

Nan Luo had not expected Kong Xuan to raise the matter so quickly. Unable to meet Kong Xuan’s eager gaze, he lowered his head and replied, “I did not see my master, the Celestial Master Tongxuan…”

“What happened?” Kong Xuan frowned.

Nan Luo had already guessed that Kong Xuan cared deeply about this question. Now, he asked nothing about the invitation or the Dragon Palace’s response, but was anxious to learn the Celestial Master’s answer—making Nan Luo feel all the more he had failed in his duty.

“It’s alright,” Kong Xuan said soothingly, seeing Nan Luo’s unease. “Just tell me everything that happened. I do not necessarily require your master’s answer.”

So Nan Luo recounted every detail of his journey to Kunlun. Phoenix Mountain was so high that few clouds could conceal it, yet now, above the Immortal Palace, a dark cloud lingered. Nan Luo looked up, frowned, then turned back to Kong Xuan, who was likewise frowning in thought, as if discerning some hidden meaning in Nan Luo’s words.

After a long silence, Kong Xuan seemed to awaken from his reverie. He smiled at Nan Luo and said, “You did well. I already have my answer.”

Nan Luo was puzzled, not understanding. Kong Xuan smiled, “Though your master did not see you, he has already answered your question…”

Nan Luo wanted to ask what he meant, but before he could, Kong Xuan continued, “I recall you were brought here by Eagle Three from Cangmang Cliff. It has been more than ten years, hasn’t it?” Nan Luo looked at Kong Xuan, not sure why he mentioned this, but nodded.

“Would you like to return?” Kong Xuan asked suddenly.

Nan Luo looked at him, smiled, and said nothing.

“When I brought you from Kunlun, you once asked me if I knew of a place called Yangping Mountain. I suppose that is where your tribe is?” Kong Xuan smiled.

Nan Luo was surprised that Kong Xuan remembered this and felt slightly embarrassed. Back then, on the road to Phoenix Mountain, he had fleetingly wished to return to his tribe, which indirectly meant he did not want to follow Kong Xuan. Though the thought had only lasted a moment, it had always lingered in his heart.

“If you wish to go back, then you should,” Kong Xuan said, hands behind his back, gazing at the dark cloud over the Immortal Palace—or perhaps at nothing at all, his eyes distant and void.

Nan Luo was stunned. He could sense Kong Xuan was not joking, nor did he have any other motive; he truly meant for him to leave. But why? Why so suddenly?

Kong Xuan went on, “Leave now. Go back as soon as possible. Do not come out again for a hundred years.”

A sense of foreboding gripped Nan Luo, as oppressive as the dark cloud over the palace. He wanted to ask what was happening, if some great trouble was coming—was the Phoenix Assembly not about to begin? With the Phoenix Lord so powerful, what could threaten them? He wanted to refuse, to say he wished to stay, but in the end, said nothing.

He stepped back and bowed deeply. Kong Xuan stood quietly, saying nothing. Nan Luo took his sword, the Wind Spirit Feather, and the Phoenix Talisman from his waist, preparing to leave them in the hall before departing.

“Take those with you as well,” Kong Xuan said, smiling as he watched Nan Luo turn toward the hall.

Nan Luo looked at him again, his eyes full of questions and concern, which Kong Xuan noticed. He took a breath and exhaled slowly, as if releasing all his troubles with that sigh.

In an instant, he was like a sword unsheathed, dazzling as the five-colored divine light in the sky.

“Ever since I merged with the innate Five Elements, there are few left in all the world who can match me. Even your master, victory or defeat would be uncertain. Go now. The world is about to change. After you return, do not be rash, do not lightly form entanglements. Find a place to seclude yourself for a hundred years, and when the world is at peace again, it will be safe.”

“One more thing—you owe me nothing. You have repaid me in full. From this day forth, you need bow to no one,” Kong Xuan said with a gentle smile.

Nan Luo looked at him, his gaze clear, all former turmoil gone, calm as a polished mirror, unstained by dust.

“Thank you, Prince. Take care. I will go now.” With that, he cupped his fists, stepped back three paces, turned, and pointed to the void. Instantly, the Golden-Winged Roc appeared in the sky. Nan Luo stepped onto its back and vanished, reappearing atop the Roc, wrapped in golden light, bowing deeply to Kong Xuan from afar.

As Nan Luo disappeared into the sky, the Orchid Immortal approached, her once-bright eyes tinged with worry. She stood beside Kong Xuan without speaking, while Kong Xuan gazed at the heavens and declared resolutely, “The assembly will be held as planned. I will let the world see that Phoenix Mountain holds not only the undying phoenix, but my five-colored divine light as well.”