ATPnovel Chapter 96 Consent to Exchange
Chapter 96 Consent to Exchange
Chapter 96 Consent to Exchange
Zhen Yuanzi said no more. With a thought, a clear and bright light, exuding endless tranquility, calming and dispelling illusion, flew out from his sleeve and hovered in the void between the two.
Within that mysterious light was a section of emerald green bamboo, with six leaves and an innate Daoist charm, seemingly able to isolate all disturbances and suppress all inner demons—it was the Primordial Bitter Bamboo!
"This is a top-grade innate spiritual root, the Bitter Bamboo," Zhen Yuanzi introduced, his voice clearly reaching Yuan Feng's ears.
"Its effects are not offensive or defensive, but rather suppressing fortune, calming the mind, dispelling illusions, and helping practitioners resist external demons and solidify their foundation."
Especially for races that are thriving and numerous, this spiritual root, residing at the core, can ensure the clarity of the clan's spiritual realm, reduce internal strife and the risk of demonic possession, and subtly purify the bloodline, enhancing overall potential and cohesion.
He looked directly into Yuan Feng's phoenix eyes, which were filled with surprise and uncertainty, and slowly said the most crucial words: "Fellow Daoist Yuan Feng, although the Flame Banner of the Earth is powerful, for the Phoenix Clan, it is more of a powerful treasure for suppressing the fate and a weapon for fighting enemies."
But what is the fundamental basis for the Phoenix Clan's long-term development and continuation of its bloodline? It lies in the potential of its members, the growth of future generations, and the stability and harmony of the clan's internal order.
"The Bitter Bamboo may not be as effective as the Flame Banner in terms of killing, but its role in nourishing and stabilizing the foundation of the race, especially in resisting inner demons and tempering the Dao heart, is of great long-term value to the Phoenix Clan, which is determined to rule the prehistoric world and continue for ten thousand generations. It is probably more important and more suitable than a simple weapon for killing and defense."
Zhen Yuanzi's words struck Yuan Feng's heart like a heavy hammer.
She stared intently at the suspended section of bitter bamboo, her divine sense already sensing the immense vitality it contained and the unique, supreme Daoist charm that soothed the primordial spirit and cleansed inner demons.
As the queen of the Phoenix Clan, how could she not understand the deeper meaning behind Zhen Yuanzi's words?
The Phoenix Clan appears to be at its peak, but it is not a monolithic entity. It has numerous branches and conflicting interests, and cultivating the fire-based Dao easily breeds inner fire, potentially triggering internal demons. With Bitter Bamboo in charge, the long-term benefits to the entire clan would be immeasurable!
On one side is the powerful, but more symbolic, fiery banner raised off the ground; on the other is the bitter bamboo, which can fundamentally enhance the tribe's potential, solidify its foundation, and reduce internal strife.
Yuan Feng was caught in an unprecedented struggle and weighing of options.
Silence fell once more within the main hall, save for the tranquil glow emanating from the stalk of bitter bamboo, a stark contrast to the intensely flashing flames in Yuan Feng's eyes. The scales of this transaction, concerning the future and foundation of the Phoenix Clan, were quietly tipping.
Inside the main hall, time seemed to stand still. Yuan Feng's gaze was fixed on the section of bitter bamboo shimmering with clear light, and a storm far more intense than the discussion they had just had was raging within her.
Zhen Yuanzi's words accurately struck at her core anxieties and desires as the ruler of her clan.
The Flame Banner, one of the Five Primordial Banners, is a precious treasure that the Phoenix Clan has possessed since its inception.
Its power is unparalleled. When it is deployed, it disrupts Yin and Yang, reverses the Five Elements, makes all evils retreat, and is impervious to all laws. It can also command all fires and amplify the Phoenix Clan's supernatural powers. It is an important part of the Undying Volcano Defense System and a symbol of the Phoenix Clan's conquest of all directions and display of its military strength.
Losing it would undoubtedly weaken the Phoenix Clan's immediate combat power and some of its defensive capabilities, and might even affect some of the ancient restrictions that were set up relying on the power of the treasure flag.
However, as Zhen Yuanzi said, it is more of a weapon for "external" purposes.
And what about the Phoenix Clan itself? Yuan Feng knows better than anyone.
The clan is vast, with numerous branches, including the Vermilion Bird, Azure Phoenix, Young Bird, and Swan—all of which revere her as their queen, yet there are still conflicts and competition among them.
Cultivating the Great Dao of Fire, while possessing immense power, can also easily lead to a violent temper, intense inner fire, and the growth of inner demons.
Historically, there have been instances where exceptionally talented members of the Phoenix Clan perished or betrayed the clan due to the backlash of their inner demons or internal strife. This has been a hidden worry that has long hindered the Phoenix Clan's development.
This bitter bamboo—Yuan Feng's divine sense carefully perceived the tranquil, calming, and delusion-dispelling Daoist charm within it.
She could "hear" the subtle, cleansing sound of the bamboo leaves moving without wind;
One can "see" the boundless vitality contained within the emerald green bamboo, enough to soothe the restlessness of the primordial spirit. If this thing were planted in the core of the immortal volcano, its tranquil Daoist aura, which it constantly exudes, would subtly influence the clan's mind over time, inevitably leading to a more peaceful and stable state of mind, reduced internal friction, and a significantly lower risk of going astray!
Its value in enhancing the cohesion of the entire clan, purifying bloodline potential, and ensuring the smooth growth of future generations is indeed difficult to measure with a single offensive spiritual treasure!
"To rule the primordial world and continue for ten thousand generations—" Zhen Yuanzi's last words echoed in her heart like a resounding bell.
Is the Phoenix Clan's goal merely to dominate temporarily through sheer force? No, Yuan Feng's ambition is to make the Phoenix Clan the true and eternal protagonist of this primordial world!
To achieve this goal, internal stability, potential development, and orderly inheritance of the clan are far more important than the power of one or two top-tier spiritual treasures!
One is a sharp blade to strengthen claws and teeth, and the other is a source to strengthen the foundation and nourish the blood.
How to choose?
Countless images flashed through Yuan Feng's mind: the regret of a clan's genius falling due to inner demons; the annoyance of friction between branches over resources; the yearning for the clan's overall strength to reach new heights in the face of the growing pressure from the Dragon and Qilin clans —
The bitter bamboo brings a solid foundation and limitless possibilities for the future. The flaming banner off the ground represents present strength and deterrence.
But—how long can this current strength last if its foundation is unstable?
Although the shadow of the Dragon-Han Calamity has not yet completely enveloped the world, as an emperor, Yuan Feng has a vague premonition that the future prehistoric world will not be peaceful forever.
Only a Phoenix Clan that is more united, more stable in mindset, and has its potential better developed can survive better in the storms that may come!
Time passed slowly, and Zhen Yuanzi waited patiently without urging him. He knew that this decision was crucial for Yuan Feng and required time to weigh.
Finally, the intense flames flickering in Yuan Feng's eyes slowly subsided, replaced by a deep, resolute calm. When she raised her eyes and looked at Zhen Yuanzi again, her gaze was different.
"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi," Yuan Feng's voice regained its clarity, yet carried a hint of barely perceptible solemnity, "what you say is indeed to the point. While the Flame Banner is good, for the Phoenix Clan in the long run, the Bitter Bamboo may be more valuable."
She paused, as if making her final decision, and then flipped her jade-like hand. In an instant, the temperature in the entire hall soared, and a scorching yet majestic aura spread out.
A small flag, about 1.7 feet in size, appeared in her palm. The flag was crimson and surrounded by endless flame phantoms. The flag was covered with Dao patterns, as if it contained the secrets of all the laws of fire in the world. It was radiant with thousands of rays of light and auspicious colors. It was the Southern Flame Light Flag, one of the Five Primordial Flags!
"This is the Southern Flame Banner." Yuan Feng held the banner in her palm, her gaze complex as she looked at this treasure that had accompanied the Phoenix Clan for countless years. Then, she resolutely looked at Zhen Yuanzi, "Today, I will use this banner to exchange for the top-grade innate spiritual root in your possession—Bitter Bamboo!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she slightly released the force in her palm, and the crimson banner transformed into a stream of light, slowly flying towards Zhen Yuanzi. At the same time, the bitter bamboo, which was suspended in the air, also flashed with a clear light and flew towards Yuan Feng.
Zhen Yuanzi reached out and caught the flying Flame Banner. As soon as he touched it, he felt a pure and vast fire elemental power that resonated faintly with the central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner within his body.
He was certain that one of the most important goals of this journey had finally been achieved! He carefully sensed the treasure flag and confirmed that it was undamaged and full of essence. He then stored it deep within his primordial spirit to nurture it.
On the other side, Yuan Feng also caught the section of bitter bamboo. The emerald green bamboo felt warm and smooth to the touch, and its calming and soothing Daoist aura instantly soothed her slightly turbulent emotions caused by making such an important decision.
She could clearly feel the immense vitality contained within this spiritual root and its subtle nourishing power for her primordial spirit and bloodline, and a look of satisfaction appeared on her face. With this, the Phoenix Clan's future was promising!
"The deal is done." Zhen Yuanzi cupped his hands, his tone sincere. "Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist Yuanfeng."
Yuan Feng carefully put away the bitter bamboo and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "It's just a matter of mutual benefit. For my Phoenix Clan, it's a fortunate thing that you exchanged bitter bamboo with me."
Thus, the transaction involving two top-tier innate spiritual artifacts was successfully completed under the witness of two Primordial Golden Immortals.
Zhen Yuanzi obtained the Southern Flame Banner he had longed for, bringing him one step closer to his goal of collecting all five innate banners; while Yuan Feng introduced a crucial source to the eternal foundation of the Phoenix Clan.