Chapter 68: The Whereabouts of Xiao Ling'er’s Mother — A Dream Across the Ages

“How… how is this possible?!”

The entire Phoenix Lightning faction was dumbfounded. They never imagined that after such a brief departure, Phoenix Feather would return with a clanswoman who possessed an imperial bloodline.

This was, after all, the bloodline of emperors!

For the Phoenix clan, this meant there was hope for revival.

“Imperial bloodline, truly imperial! How can this be?” Among those most unwilling to believe what they saw was none other than Phoenix Quan, the leader of the Black Flame faction. Having come so close to seizing power, he was a mere step away; who could have expected that this one step would bring about such upheaval?

“Imperial bloodline! She must choose me—I will provide the finest guidance!”

“Out of the way! Weren’t you just clamoring to take him as your disciple? He’s yours; but this young girl, she’s mine!”

“All of you move aside—let me do it. The moment I saw this girl, I knew she and I were destined teacher and disciple!”

The Phoenix clan’s elders, unable to contain themselves in the face of such a miracle, began bickering and vying with one another—how could anyone refuse an apprentice with an imperial bloodline?

Should she one day ascend as the Supreme Empress, their names would be remembered for eternity.

Phoenix Nest watched as the elders who just moments ago were fighting over him now turned their attention to Xiaoling’er. Bitterness filled his heart; this girl had stolen all his glory!

It was simply intolerable!

Why did she have to appear at this very moment? Wasn’t this deliberately making things difficult for him?

He even started to suspect Xiaoling’er was doing this to spite him.

In truth, he was overthinking it.

Ling Tian was not surprised by the chaos Xiaoling’er’s presence had caused. Instead, he found his curiosity piqued by the Ancestral Blood Essence.

Just a single drop had evolved her bloodline to such a degree. Clearly, anything bestowed by the system was extraordinary. He would have to use it judiciously.

Still, seeing Xiaoling’er receive such attention was a scene Ling Tian was happy to witness. He believed she would know how to choose wisely—if not, he would have no qualms about teaching her himself.

“That’s enough! Cease this clamor at once—what a disgrace! I will personally instruct her!”

A gentle yet commanding voice rang out, bringing the elders’ quarrel to an immediate halt.

Soon, five more elders of the Phoenix clan arrived.

The aura of these five far surpassed that of the previous group.

Upon seeing them, everyone present gasped in awe.

Now, all ten elders of the Phoenix clan had appeared together—for the sake of one girl!

Such honor was almost more than one could dream.

“You are truly exceptional,” the leading elder said, looking Xiaoling’er over with satisfaction and nodding approval.

Ling Tian could tell at a glance: this one was a genuine Supreme Emperor.

For Xiaoling’er to become his disciple was no small fortune.

She was about to speak, but a look from Ling Tian made her hold her tongue.

The elder gazed deeply at Ling Tian, then said lightly, “It is settled,” before turning away with the others, their hearts full of reluctance.

In their departure, they even forgot to settle the matter of Phoenix Nest’s mentor.

With Xiaoling’er’s emergence, Phoenix Nest’s situation had become awkward, like tasteless food—too precious to discard, but hardly worth savoring.

As always, it was just as people say: the memory of the first is eternal; the second is often forgotten unless they are truly extraordinary.

Phoenix Nest’s face was ashen, but for all his resentment, he no longer dared entertain thoughts of harming Xiaoling’er.

To lay a hand on the newly accepted disciple of the most senior elder—who would dare?

“The patriarch is truly cunning! To think you found a genius like this. If not for her, I might have believed you indifferent to fame and power!”

Phoenix Quan snorted coldly, glaring at Phoenix Thunder, his disgust deepening.

To claim he did not care, and yet have his own son bring back such a prodigy—was this not the ultimate contradiction?

If this was not hypocrisy, what was?

Phoenix Thunder merely curled his lips—was it not possible he really hadn’t known?

“Hmph, let’s go!” Without giving Phoenix Thunder a chance to explain, Phoenix Quan swept his sleeve, leading his Black Flame faction out of the arena, each with their own look of dismay.

This place had become unbearable.

“Ling’er, you’re truly incredible!” Phoenix Feather said joyously as Xiaoling’er descended.

After all, Xiaoling’er’s arrival had dealt a severe blow to the Black Flame faction, bringing much delight to their own.

Ten elders of the Phoenix clan, all appearing for her sake—how could anyone not be pleased?

“Feather, who is she…?” Phoenix Thunder asked, hearing his son address her so familiarly. He himself was not acquainted with the girl and needed to know her origins.

“I met her in the White Tiger clan. I felt an immediate kinship—her full name is Xiaoling’er,” Phoenix Feather explained all he knew.

“Her surname is Xiao?” Upon hearing this, Phoenix Thunder’s expression changed to one of astonishment. He studied Xiaoling’er closely, having already sensed something familiar about her, though he couldn’t quite place it. Now, with her surname revealed, it struck him—Xiaoling’er bore a remarkable resemblance to his own sister!

“This isn’t the place to talk. Come with me,” Phoenix Thunder said, then fell silent, leading Ling Tian and the others away from the arena.

Ling Tian watched his retreating figure, a vague premonition stirring in his heart.

“Ling’er, I am your uncle,” Phoenix Thunder declared without reservation once they had reached his private hall.

“What?!” Fox Fairy and Tiger Yunying exclaimed in unison, stunned by the revelation of Xiaoling’er’s connection to Phoenix Thunder.

Phoenix Feather froze for a moment, then realization dawned—so that was why he had felt such affection toward her.

Besides his aunt, who else could have birthed someone with such an extraordinary bloodline?

“Uncle?” Xiaoling’er murmured, looking at the middle-aged man before her, then her expression sharpened. “Where is my mother? Where is she?”

Her fists clenched. Her mother had been held by the Phoenix clan—had he been involved? Otherwise, why had her mother not come to see her for so long?

“Alas, this is partly my fault…” Phoenix Thunder sighed, preparing to take the blame.

Before he could continue, an aged voice sounded from outside the door.

“A mistake is a mistake—it is not for you to shoulder my burden!”

“Grandfather!”

A figure appeared. Phoenix Feather called out. It was the sixth of the ten elders.

The hale and spirited old man approached Xiaoling’er, shaking his head.

“This was entirely my doing. If I hadn’t forcibly severed Phoenix Creek’s bond with your father, she would not have chosen to cultivate that forbidden art, and things would not have come to this…” As he spoke, Phoenix Huang’s face seemed to age further.

He realized now how deeply he had erred. Regret gnawed at him, but it was too late.

“What happened to my mother?” Xiaoling’er interrupted, eyes full of worry.

Upon hearing that her mother had cultivated some dangerous technique, she feared she might have fallen into oblivion.

“She… is trapped in her own dream,” Phoenix Huang replied bitterly.

Had he not forbidden their reunion, Phoenix Creek would never have attempted the Eternal Dream technique to break through to the Saint realm.

She believed that if she could become a Saint, the family could no longer restrain her—then she would be free to seek out her husband and daughter.

By the time Phoenix Huang understood, it was too late. Phoenix Creek had fallen into a deep sleep from which she had yet to awaken.

The Eternal Dream was a supreme emperor’s technique—its rewards were great, but its dangers were greater still. A single misstep would trap one forever within a dream.

Even those with unswerving determination might not survive, let alone someone like Phoenix Creek, whose heart was burdened with longing.

Phoenix Huang was wracked with remorse, but there was nothing more to be done. Even when Xiao Ding came searching for her again and again, he had turned him away, adding only to his sorrow.

He had secretly observed Xiaoling’er too, but never realized the strength of her phoenix bloodline. Now, seeing her, he admitted his own blindness.

He never expected their reunion would take place in such circumstances.

He needed to make things clear—Xiaoling’er must not hold a grudge against the entire Phoenix clan. If there was blame, let it fall on him.

“Where is she? I want to see her,” Xiaoling’er said, biting her lip, unnervingly calm.

“I’ll take you to her,” Phoenix Huang replied without hesitation, and in an instant, he and Xiaoling’er vanished.

Phoenix Thunder and his son watched the scene unfold in dejection.

What should have been a joyous family reunion had become a tragedy.

Ling Tian had not expected that Xiaoling’er’s mother was not imprisoned by her clan, but rather trapped within her own dream by cultivating the Eternal Dream. It was truly lamentable.

“Young friend, might we have a word?”

A voice sounded in Ling Tian’s mind. He glanced at Luo Changsheng, whose twisted expression betrayed the pressure he felt.

Ling Tian gave him a reassuring look and answered calmly, “Of course.”

The words had barely left his lips before he found himself atop a spiritual peak.

Ling Tian smirked—indeed, those of true power could flaunt their might so effortlessly. A single thought and you were brought before them.

“Please, have a seat,” said Elder Phoenix Flame, who had just accepted Xiaoling’er as his disciple, gesturing toward the seat across the chessboard.

What courtesy, Ling Tian mused. He took his place without hesitation.

“Do you play?”

“I’m not an expert, but I can manage a few moves,” Ling Tian replied, picking up a white piece and placing it on the board.

Phoenix Flame selected a black piece, stroked his beard, and with narrowed eyes asked, “You and Ling’er seem quite close. Bringing her back to the clan—what are your intentions?”