Phoenix Rest Manor, as the name suggests, is a place where the phoenix once rested.
The divine bird's brief favor was originally a heavenly blessing, but it was exploited by someone with ulterior motives, trapping it here forcefully.
Tao Mian stepped out of the dilapidated house, looked up, and shouted to the person on the bird's back—
"Hello, friend up there!"
"……"
The friend above said nothing.
Perhaps it was because the distance was too far, or they thought shouting like this seemed foolish.
"The friend up there is really aloof."
Tao Mian muttered to himself, but he held the peach branch tightly. No matter how relaxed he appeared, his hand never loosened.
Since the aloof friend wouldn't come down, he had no choice but to go up.
Just as Tao Mian was about to move, the other seemed to have anticipated his actions. The phoenix let out a hoarse cry, spread its massive wings, and charged straight at him.
Even after being restrained for years, the giant phoenix's might had not diminished much. Without any other techniques, the spiritual power attached to each feather alone could tear a person apart.
Tao Mian ducked low, narrowly avoiding it, and still had the leisure to spit out the sand he accidentally swallowed.
"Cough, cough, that's really unkind..."
He waved the dust away in front of him, trying to see the other's position. Just then, a gust of wind came from behind, the divine bird rose again, seemingly about to slam him into the ground—
This time, as the giant bird swept past, the house collapsed, leaving a pile of ruins.
But Tao Mian was nowhere to be seen in the wreckage.
The person on the giant phoenix looked around, searching for the Immortal's trace...
"Looking for me?"
A voice suddenly came from behind, and as they turned in surprise, Tao Mian was smiling at them.
"Manor Lord Qi, you're more suited to be a businessman than a cultivator."
Qi Yun didn't expect Tao Mian's actions to be so unpredictable. Before he could react, the other was already close to him.
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"Why must the Immortal ruin my plans? I'm just a mere mortal with this small wish..."
"Manor Lord Qi, it's not that I want to ruin your plans, but if I don't act now, your manor will swallow me whole."
Tao Mian shook his head disapprovingly.
Qi Yun kept one hand behind his back, secretly drawing a weapon while trying to placate Tao Mian.
"Immortal, you are an Immortal Being, how could you understand the desires of us mortals? Precisely because life is short, some things must be sought urgently. Unlike you, Immortal, who has endless time to while away."
"Whiling away, huh," Tao Mian chuckled, "it's more like wearing away."
The giant phoenix let out another cry, seemingly aware of the extra person on its back, becoming frantic and distressed.
It flapped its wings, trying to fly higher, but was restrained by the shackles on its feet, stumbling and falling, pitifully.
Tao Mian crouched down, gently stroking its feathers.
Unfortunately, it had been force-fed the flesh and blood of cultivators, its spirituality blocked, unable to sense the pure spiritual power Tao Mian was passing over, struggling even more fiercely.
Tao Mian felt a deep pity.
"Manor Lord Qi, the phoenix is the king of birds, with spirituality and divine status. Offending the divine will result in punishment by the heavenly way after death, casting you outside the three realms, suffering the pain of soul tearing, never to enter reincarnation."
Qi Yun sneered.
"I only want to live forever in this life, I care not for reincarnation."
"Arrogant fool."
Since he was obstinate, there was no need for further words.
The Immortal of Peach Blossom Mountain was as gentle as a breeze, disliking conflict. Because of this, people often mistook him for a weak scholar who only appreciated the moon and drank wine.
But the disciples he taught were all unparalleled. If the disciples were so, how could the Shi Fu be weak?
Qi Yun had gained the phoenix's divine power, forming his own sect through unorthodox means. He wielded a sword, its intent fierce, imbued with endless resentful spirits' miasma.
But Tao Mian only used a peach branch.
Three moves.
The first move broke Qi Yun's protective miasma, leaving him nowhere to hide.
The second move disrupted Qi Yun's sword energy and mind, breaking his rhythm, exposing his flaws.
The final move, the long sword fell to the ground, the peach branch pointed at Qi Yun's heart, ready to strike.
Tao Mian's gaze was cold and serene.
"I don't wish to increase my killing karma, but you've committed too many wrongs. This action is for the phoenix, and for my peers. Manor Lord Qi, immortality is not a blessing, the blessing lies in long-lasting peace. The cruel means you used to gain immortality will eventually backfire on you."
Qi Yun, empty-handed, forced a smile.
"Immortal, you are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish? You look down from above, seeing me as nothing but an ephemeral creature in a pond, struggling all my life."
"……"
Tao Mian slightly pursed his lips, a wisp of spiritual power like silk, infused into the peach branch.
A flash of white light, and on the phoenix's back, only Tao Mian remained.