Chapter 78: You're Lying—Eating Sweets Doesn't Bring Happiness

"My natal flame is the Threefold True Fire; I daresay it's not inferior to innate heavenly flames," Ling Tian mused, feeling that some of his secrets could not escape the Emperor's discerning gaze. Take, for instance, the Azure Lotus Fire within him. Yet, this was not necessarily a bad thing. He could distinctly sense the Emperor's meticulous refinement of his Threefold True Fire. Though not born as an innate flame, the woman before him had become an Emperor, and his own natal fire had been tempered by tribulation—no ordinary power now.

It was quite a gain.

"Then, I accept your gift," Ling Tian finally replied with calm humility. When someone grants you such an opportunity, not expressing gratitude would be unseemly.

"In that illusion, you said, 'To nourish each other, yet better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.' Can you truly do that?" The Emperor's beautiful eyes fixed on Ling Tian, questioning him about the vision from earlier.

Ling Tian looked deeply at her, as if understanding something at last. Perhaps this Emperor was indeed the Huang Yan from his memories. Yes, Huang Yan—the name belonging to the Phoenix clan.

So that's how it was. The Emperor's requirement for a man and woman to enter together was not due to the inheritance of cultivation techniques, but rather a desire for role play—one to portray Huang Yan, the other, the monk. Who would have thought her obsession ran so deep?

Ku Yan—her name, meaning "mourning face." Ling Tian finally understood; he hadn't expected this Emperor to have experienced such things.

"That version of myself was on the verge of death. Rather than prolonging pain, it's better to end it swiftly. To let her witness my demise would be cruel; a silent departure might spare her greater sorrow. There's a saying: 'Part well, part clean.' If staying together means mutual hardship, perhaps it's best to separate and forget, and seek a broader world. Time erases all; after seeing the world, one may return to face things calmly."

Since the Emperor asked so earnestly, Ling Tian did not conceal his true thoughts, adding, "If I survived, the scene I'd most wish to witness would be her happiness and joy. Loving someone means being content with their happiness, doesn't it?"

The Emperor fell silent for a long time before letting out a slow sigh. "So, that's what he thought then?"

Her eyes conjured the image of that monk—gentle as jade, who merely offered congratulations before departing. As for Ye Long, the one in her memories, she had slain him herself.

After that day, her grief towards the monk turned to cold resolve. Since he was that sort of person, she saw nothing worth lingering for. She resolutely walked the Path of Severed Emotion and achieved Emperorhood.

But after ascending, the path's influence waned. Her heart could not understand why the monk, who spoke so passionately, would retreat and relinquish at the critical moment. Alas, he was long gone, and there was no way to confirm.

She lived on with that regret, feeling life to be dull, leaving incarnations behind and establishing this palace. And so, she created the three trials. She had not expected to finally glimpse thoughts akin to the monk's from that time.

"To nourish each other, yet better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes."

"To love someone is to wish them happiness and joy..."

"So, that's what he thought then?"

The Emperor sighed, and her figure slowly began to dissipate.

"Well done, very well done. If ever you reach the lands beyond, you may come seek me..."

A look of relief appeared on her face; now that she had obtained the answer she sought, there was no reason to linger.

"Senior, what are the lands beyond?" Ling Tian wanted to ask, but the Emperor's form had already vanished, leaving no explanation.

"The lands beyond? I've never heard of such a place." Ling Tian narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Clearly, there were many mysteries in this world beyond his knowledge. At the very least, he was not yet qualified to learn what those lands were.

The bond between Huang Yan and the monk was truly moving, but Ling Tian was faced with a practical dilemma: how was he to leave? And what about Xiao Ling'er?

Head spinning, Ling Tian tugged at the corner of his mouth; this Emperor was truly unreliable. He had felt sympathy for her, but now, not at all.

There was no way out, so he could only cultivate here. Everything was prepared, save for the eastern wind. He now possessed a rare flame and medicinal formulas; with some herbs and a furnace, he could begin refining pills.

The art of pill refining was not to be underestimated; in fact, it required exquisite control of spiritual energy and was itself a form of cultivation. Moreover, alchemists held a prestigious status and could play a crucial role at critical moments. With his gifts and ancient formulas, it would be wasteful not to refine pills.

Two days later, Xiao Ling'er appeared before Ling Tian, as enchanting as ever, with a faint and mysterious aura about her.

"You've gained much?" Ling Tian asked, observing her calmly.

"Yes, thank you," Xiao Ling'er replied, though her spirits were low.

"For a long while ahead, I may not be able to stay by your side. I've received the Emperor's legacy and the Phoenix Spirit Spring she left me. For now, I must cultivate in that place," she said, raising her hand to reveal a palace mark. With a flash of light, the two were transported out of the palace.

Ling Tian couldn't help but marvel—such grandeur, for the Emperor to bestow Xiao Ling'er the right to use the palace. Yet, with her current cultivation, she might not be able to control it fully.

"This is a good thing! With your cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds, you'll soon be able to rescue your mother," Ling Tian smiled and nodded.

"But..." Xiao Ling'er sighed, unable to finish her thought.

"It's only a few years—a mere instant to us. Since we've seized this opportunity, let's leave," Ling Tian said, not lingering on the matter, urging Xiao Ling'er to depart. Some things need not be spoken; shared understanding is enough. To speak plainly would only spoil the moment.

Once outside, the Black Flame Sect was in turmoil. Phoenix Nest was dead; according to Liu Ruoyi, it was Xiao Ling'er and Ling Tian who killed him.

As for Liu Ruoyi, she was ruthless—inflicting serious injuries on herself, then departing quickly with her protector to heal within her clan.

Faced with Phoenix Quan's furious questioning, Ling Tian said nothing, but produced a recording stone that documented everything. The truth was clear, needing no loud defense.

With this evidence, Phoenix Quan could only vow vengeance against the Swallowing Python Clan for Phoenix Nest's death.

Phoenix Lei stopped him; the Swallowing Python Clan was formidable, and the Black Flame Sect would suffer greatly.

This matter required careful deliberation. Phoenix Nest belonged to the Phoenix clan, and his death at the hands of the Swallowing Python Clan would not go unanswered.

Phoenix Quan hadn't expected Phoenix Lei's words and felt ashamed, apologizing for his earlier suspicion. Had he not been so credulous, they wouldn't have lost a prodigy of the Phoenix clan.

He recalled that Phoenix Lei had warned him several times, yet he hadn't listened. Now, with disaster upon them, he realized Phoenix Lei's foresight surpassed his own.

Afterward, relations between the two Phoenix factions became more harmonious.

Ling Tian lingered a few days longer in the Phoenix clan. Fox Immortal had long been hinting for Ling Tian to accompany her back to the Fox clan. With Xiao Ling'er settled, Ling Tian felt at ease.

Having promised Fox Immortal, he would not renege. Phoenix Yu, meanwhile, wished to follow Ling Tian—not of his own accord, but because his father and grandfather wanted him to build a strong bond with Ling Tian. It was odd, but Ling Tian welcomed the company.

Still, recalling that night left Phoenix Yu unsettled. Perhaps he was too sentimental—he hoped it wasn't mere fickleness.

Tiger Yunying also wished to join, claiming that the demon domain was dangerous, and Ling Tian had helped her greatly; she couldn't let him face peril alone.

They set out by day, exchanged a few words with Phoenix Lei, but did not see Xiao Ling'er come to bid them farewell.

"Chief Lei, farewell then—we take our leave," Ling Tian called out, then turned to depart with Fox Immortal and the others.

On a distant mountain peak, Xiao Ling'er witnessed the scene, tears streaming down her face, pitiful and forlorn.

That memory was etched into her heart, shaping her temperament profoundly. She used to think Ling Tian was less important to her than delicious food, but now, he stood supreme in her heart.

"When upset or sad, eat a piece of candy—it brings happiness," Ling Tian's words echoed in her mind. She took out the candy he'd given her and placed it in her mouth.

Sweet.

"You lied—eating candy doesn't bring happiness..." Though her mouth was sweet, Xiao Ling'er remained sorrowful.

"If you're so sad, so reluctant, why not see him off?" Phoenix Huang appeared beside her, sighing at the sight of his granddaughter's frailty.

A grown woman follows her own heart! He no longer wished to stop her, even if Ling Tian was human. He had harmed his daughter—he could not bring himself to harm his granddaughter too.

He was not a man of unyielding rigidity. Seeing her like this, he feared she would surpass her mother in passion. If he truly interfered, who knew what might happen?

Yet, he could not fathom why, despite her reluctance, Xiao Ling'er would not see Ling Tian off.

"He said, 'To nourish each other, yet better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.' Perhaps this is best. When we meet again, I can stand before him with a new identity, leaving a better impression..." Xiao Ling'er wiped away her tears, her eyes shining with hope and determination.

Phoenix Huang gazed at her, sighing helplessly, "What did that boy say to her, I wonder?"