Feng Tian raised his head and stared at Ou Yangming with an imposing gaze. “Although you’re a human, you’ve obtained the bloodline inheritance of the Phoenix King,” he said in a deep voice, “Right now, you’re also a legitimate member of the Phoenixes. So, how will you choose the path in front of you?”

Ou Yangming’s expression slightly changed. He opened his mouth and showed a hint of hesitation.

Since Feng Tian had met him personally, it meant that he was showing his final stand.

Ou Yangming knew that once he rejected Feng Tian’s good intentions, or rather, recruitment, Feng Tian would not be easy to talk to. At that time, what he would receive would probably be a thunderous strike from this big boss.

Facing Feng Xiang and the other true juniors of the Phoenixes, Feng Tian would be afraid and would not dare to kill them. On the other hand, he would certainly not have the slightest bit of pity for a human like Ou Yangming.

Relatively speaking, Feng Tian was far more dangerous than Feng Mu.

Then, what choice should Ou Yangming make?

Ou Yangming was silent as if he was considering the situation. After a long time, his face revealed a hint of determination.

He touched his chest. He really could not do something that went against his wishes.

If it was in the past, when Ou Yangming was weak, he would not have minded feigning civility and compromise. Now, he had gained powerful strength. He could dominate the Great Wide World and be invincible but as a Venerable One, he had possessed the strength to resist a Ruler.

He asked himself, ‘If I still have to submit to tyranny at this moment, a giant demon will be born in the depths of my heart. Besides, it’ll be an obstacle that I’ll never be able to climb over.’

In other words, Ou Yangming’s cultivation would stop at this stage in this lifetime, and he would not be able to advance any further. Comparing his options, he naturally knew what choice he should make.

Slowly raising his head, Ou Yangming’s eyes shone brightly, bravely meeting the gaze that made countless powerhouses tremble. He did not open his mouth to speak, but he had clearly expressed his stand.

Feng Tian suddenly let out a long sigh and questioned, “Why?”

Ou Yangming shook his head and said, “I’m sorry.”

After saying that, he gave a deep bow to the elder from the Phoenixes and turned around to leave. They had different paths and plans, but Feng Tian was indeed devoted to the Phoenixes. It was a perfect depiction of “exhausting all of one’s efforts”. Feng Tian and Feng Mu had chosen different paths but even if it was for the sake of Feng Tian’s sincerity, Ou Yangming, who possessed the strength of the Phoenixes, was respectful of him.

Looking at Ou Yangming’s receding figure, Feng Tian’s eyes were filled with a complicated and puzzled look. He slowly said, “This shouldn’t happen.”

The Imperial Bloodline that flowed in Ou Yangming’s body was genuine. Otherwise, he could not have resonated with the ancestral land. Logically speaking, since he possessed such a powerful bloodline, his hatred toward the Dragons should come from deep within his bones and could never be erased. Even if the young fellow was a human, since he possessed such a bloodline, there would be no difference.

Therefore, even though Feng Tian knew Ou Yangming was on good terms with Feng Xiang and the rest, he still had absolute confidence that he could rope him in.

The Phoenixes’ bloodlines were meant to be noble and could suppress everything.

Who knew, Ou Yangming’s choice greatly surprised Feng Tian.

“Father, Feng Xinxiao stepped forward and called out in a low voice.

Feng Tian pondered for a long time before he finally waved his hand gently and said, “Since the fella’s unwilling… Go ahead.”

“Yes,” Feng Xinxiao replied softly and turned around to leave.

Feng Tian raised his head and looked into the distance. It was unknown whether his eyes were flashing with regret or not. Nonetheless, after a short while, his face was calm again.

※※※※

Ou Yangming slowly returned to his room. He was a little emotional. After he came to the Phoenixes, he still got involved in the fight between the sects.

He calmed his mind and slowly sat. He immersed his mind in his sea of consciousness and continued to condense the boundless mountain.

At this time, he had a subtle sense of danger in his heart. Especially after leaving Feng Tian’s place, this feeling became more intense. Therefore, he could not let go of any opportunity to improve his strength, and he worked hard to cultivate. His progress might be a little slow but if he did not train hard every day, how would he be able to break through and advance?

Waves of strong mental power spread out from his body. The strength of that power was still limited to that of a Venerable One, but it was incredible and terrifying.

It was similar to a hidden power under the calm surface of the sea, and it could subvert everything. If this power was released, it would be enough to destroy the world.

When Ou Yangming was focused on cultivating, he could not feel how quickly time had passed. After an unknown time, he suddenly felt something in his heart. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Lil’ Red’s figure.

“When you cultivate, you’re really not distracted,” Lil’ Red remarked.

Ou Yangming smiled indifferently and responded, “This is the Phoenixes’ ancestral land. If I can’t rest assured here, I think there’s no place in the Great Wide World where I can cultivate in peace.”

Lil’ Red raised his head and said proudly, “That’s right. In the ancestral land, you really don’t need to worry about any accidents or dangers.”

This was the headquarters of the Phoenixes. There was a conflict between the sects at the moment, but the sects had their boundaries. At the very least, it was impossible for a certain phoenix powerhouse to be assassinated here. If someone was blind enough to do that, they would certainly become the public enemy. Even a big shot like Feng Tian would not be able to escape the disaster.

“Master.”

King Kong and the goshawk entered one after another. Together with Big Yellow, they looked at Ou Yangming with a trace of worry in their eyes.

Ou Yangming was slightly startled and could not help but laugh, “You all know already?”

Big Yellow nodded and said, “Yes. The news has spread in the last few days. You’ve made your choice and rejected Feng Tian’s recruitment.”

Ou Yangming turned his head and looked at Lil’ Red.

Lil’ Red said without hesitation, “That’s right, I was the one who spread the news. Hmph, just by looking at Feng Xinxiao, I know he must’ve failed.”

Ou Yangming shook his head and smiled bitterly, “Lil’ Red, you don’t have to think too much. I won’t change my mind.”

The reason Lil’ Red and Feng Xiang had spread the news so widely was that they wanted to confirm the matter and let everyone in the race know that the human genius who possessed the Imperial Bloodline was with the Peacemaking Sect.

Lil’ Red’s face turned slightly red as he said softly, “I was just a little worried.”

“What?”

“Hmph, it’s nothing.” Lil’ Red’s eyes rolled as he said, “Oh right, I came because I want to tell you something.” His eyes flickered as he noted, “We just received news that there’s a sudden change in the heart of origin.”

“The heart of origins?” Ou Yangming’s expression changed slightly as he asked in a low voice, “Is that true?”

The heart of origins was the center of the Great Wide World. It was a place that ordinary living beings could not even reach nor imagine.

According to legends, that place was where space and time intersected. It possessed the origin power of the entire Great Wide World. While Ou Yangming had started to study the origin power, he had only scratched the surface. Hence, he was filled with anticipation and curiosity toward where the heart of origins was located.

Moreover, the more he understood it, the more respectful he was toward such a place.

This was because he knew how terrifying the origin power was. If something happened to the heart of origins, even if it was just a small change, it would have an incredible impact on the entire Great Wide World.

Of course, it was not an easy task to monitor the heart of origins. In the Great Wide World, only the Dragons and the Phoenixes were qualified to do that.

Lil’ Red said solemnly, “Why would I joke about this?” He paused before continuing, “Besides, during the transformation of the heart of origins this time, the Phoenix King’s color seems to have appeared.”

Ou Yangming suddenly raised his head. His eyes flashed with an insuppressible joy.

The king’s color, and it was from the Phoenixes. What did this mean? If Ou Yangming could enter the place and explore it, it might be the greatest opportunity for him.

Clearly, Lil’ Red and the others were well aware of this. Otherwise, they would not have informed him for no reason.

“Lil’ Red, are you planning to make arrangements for me to enter?” Ou Yangming asked with an expectant look.

The little red bird nodded and said, “That’s right. Since the color of our king has appeared, we mustn’t miss this opportunity.” He blinked and added, “We’ve opened a special passage and kept it a secret from Feng Tian and the others. Now, we’re just waiting to send you there.”

“I want to go too,” Big Yellow shouted.

However, Lil’ Red shot him a disdainful look and said, “Hmph, Lil’ Ming’s going to explore the mysteries there and seek opportunities. If you follow him, I’m afraid you’ll be seeking your death. Don’t forget, this is the Phoenixes’ ancestral land.”

Big Yellow grimaced, but he had nothing to say.

Ou Yangming smiled and said, “Alright, they’ll stay, but I’ll need you to take care of them.” He stood up and said impatiently, “Let’s go. This matter can’t be delayed.”

They were swift and decisive. Once they made a decision, they would not delay any time.

After a short while, under Lil’ Red’s lead, Ou Yangming arrived at a secret Teleportation Formation. Only Feng Xiang was stationed here.

They met but did not say a word to each other. This was because they knew that this was a rare opportunity. In order to not let the Main Combat Sect find out and interfere, it was best not to alarm anyone.

On the Teleportation Formation, a huge light flashed and enveloped Ou Yangming’s figure.

In just a blink of an eye, once the light disappeared, he had disappeared.

Lil’ Red’s eyes were a little dim. Feng Xiang chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, he’ll return safely for sure.”

The little red bird nodded and said, “Yes, return safely.”