Caught Unprepared

　　“Screech~ Screech~~” Seeing that Teng Qingshan had taken the Grass of Immortality, Little Blue’s mother emitted several cries and began talking to Little Blue who was at the side.

　　Li Jun revealed a shocked expression.

　　“What happened?” Teng Qingshan quickly asked.

　　“Qingshan, Little Blue’s mother said that since we have finished aiding Little Blue, we can leave.” Li Jun explained anxiously, “She wants Little Blue to build a nest with her.”

　　“What?” Teng Qingshan was shocked and immediately asked, “Little Blue’s mother wants us to leave and have Little Blue to stay here?”

　　“Yes. That was what she said.” Li Jun appeared slightly anxious.

　　Teng Qingshan’s facial expression changed drastically. When the Blue Luan morphed into an Undying Phoenix, it possessed incredibly great strength. Teng Qingshan naturally wanted to return to the Nine Prefectures in an extraordinary manner. According to his plan…the Undying Phoenix, Little Blue, would be an essential helper. If Little Blue did not return to the Nine Prefectures with him, he would suffer a great loss.

　　“Qingshan, what should we do?” Both Teng Qingshan and Li Jun were caught unprepared.

　　“It can’t be help.”

　　Teng Qingshan calmed himself and shook his head as he answered, “Although Little Blue had said that she would go to the Nine Prefectures with us, if she obeyed her mother’s order and stayed on this island, there’s nothing we can do.” Teng Qingshan couldn’t force the Little Blue to do anything.

　　“Screech~ Screech~~” The Undying Phoenix gazed towards her mother in a dissatisfied manner as she replied.

　　“Qingshan, Little Blue said that she would follow us.” Li Jun was surprised.

　　Immediately, Little Blue’s words displeased her mother.

　　The Undying Phoenix ‘Little Blue’ and her mother began screeching and crying towards each other. However, the cries and screeches sounded very melodious.

　　“What are they saying? Little Jun.” Teng Qingshan couldn’t understand at all.

　　Little Blue told her mother that she is willing to go to the Nine Prefectures with us. She also said that she has never ventured the Nine Prefectures before and life on this island wasn’t interesting,” Li Jun translated as she listened, “Little Blue said that you’re extremely proficient in fist art and even understood the Metal Elemental Dao. The comprehension of the Metal Elemental Dao would be easier if she followed you!”

　　Teng Qingshan became nervous.

　　Whether the Little Blue would leave with him or not would only be decided by Little Blue and her mother. Outsiders cannot interfere.

　　Suddenly, Little Blue’s mother stopped and turned to Li Jun, softly calling towards her.

　　“Eh?” Li Jun was slightly surprised and began replying in screeches and bird cries.

　　After a while—

　　Disappointment could be seen on Li Jun’s face as Little Blue and her mother stopped quarreling.

　　“What happened?” Seeing this, Teng Qingshan sensed that the result was something bad.

　　“Qingshan,” Li Jun said with a helpless smile, “There’s a good news and a bad news. Which one would you like me to say first?”

　　“Tell me the bad news first.” Teng Qingshan could feel his heart rise to his throat.

　　“The negotiation between Little Blue and her mother has ended. Little Blue has agreed to her mother’s words. She will not be going to the Nine Prefectures with us.” As Li Jun spoke, Teng Qingshan’s facial expression changed slightly.

　　Little Blue really isn’t going to the Nine Prefectures with him.

　　“Let it be. I must respect Little Blue’s decision,” Teng Qingshan thought to himself and sighed.

　　Li Jun then said, “The good news is…Little Blue’s mother wanted to Little Blue to stay because she wanted to teach Little Blue special techniques that only Undying Phoenixes could perform. Since Little Blue is now an Undying Phoenix, she wants Little Blue to be able to perform these supreme skills. The same strength but with different powers of the Heavens and Earth, different degree of flames, and a different way of performing that would result in a display of a different power.”

　　“Phoenix Supreme skills?” Teng Qingshan understood.

　　It was just like how the Toxic Dragon Drill and the Vermillion Tiger Roar displayed a power greater just a simple thrust of the spear.

　　Little Blue’s mother had lived several thousand years and had even followed the Omnipotent Expert, Poetic Sword God Li Taibai. Because she had received instructions from an Omnipotent Expert and comprehended Dao for several thousand years, she naturally possessed some special techniques!

　　“Little Blue’s mother said that the Land of the Nine Prefectures was too dangerous! She absolutely will not allow her child who had just become an Undying Phoenix go to the Nine Prefectures! After Little Blue had argued with her, she took a step back and agreed to let Little Blue go find us in the Nine Prefectures when Little Blue mastered the the Phoenix Supreme Skills and possessed the strength to protect herself!” Li Jun smiled.

　　Teng Qingshan heaved a sigh of relief.

　　Little Blue will go to the Nine Prefectures when she mastered the Phoenix Supreme Technique.

　　“The Land of the Nine Prefectures is very dangerous?” Teng Qingshan suddenly realized something. What kind of speed does the Undying Phoenix possess? Yet, the Land of the Nine Prefectures was still dangerous to the Undying Phoenix?

　　“Little Jun, help me ask Little Blue’s mother a question. Why is the Land of the Nine Prefectures dangerous?” Teng Qingshan hastily requested.

　　Li Jun nodded and immediately inquired Little Blue’s mother.

　　Little Blue’s mother flicked a glance towards Teng Qingshan and emitted a melodious reply, answering Li Jun’s question. Upon hearing the answer, Li Jun’s facial expression changed drastically.

　　“What happened?” Teng Qingshan asked hastily.

　　“Qingshan,” Li Jun said solemnly, “Little Blue’s mother stated that the Land of the Nine Prefectures was the core of the heavens and earth. A great number of powerful Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts inhabited the Nine Prefectures. Although the Phoenix was called the king of the bird-typed demonic beasts, there are still a significant number of terrifyingly powerful Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts that had lived several thousand of years, Emptiness Realm Demonic Beast that had lived since Emperor Yu’s tribal era. Many demonic beasts that had reached Emptiness Realm Culmination could move even faster than the Little Blue. There are also many Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts that are much more powerful than Little Blue!”

　　Teng Qingshan understood this. There were already two Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts in Great Yan Mountain.

　　How many Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts are there in the entire Land of the Nine Prefectures? No one knew for sure. Some Emptiness Realm hid somewhere in the Nine Prefectures, while some would only emerge when disturbed. The Demonic Dragon Violet Rain was an example. Emperor Yu’s Hall and Mani Temple didn’t even know that the Demonic Dragon Violet Rain was residing within Great Yan Mountain.

　　“The dominator of the Nine Prefectures was not the demonic beasts, but humans! Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts rarely provoked the human sects, because some exceedingly powerful experts still exist in the eight Supreme Sects,” Li Jun expounded sternly.

　　“Little Blue’s mother also admitted that…the human expert that had come to ask for the Grass of Immortality was one of the most powerful experts in the Nine Prefectures and it was difficult even for her to win against that expert.” Li Jun’s words stunned Teng Qingshan.

　　Little Blue’s mother was a bird-typed godly beast that had reached Emptiness Realm Culmination!

　　There were actually humans that could make her admit defeat!

　　“The mother of Little Blue had also said that in the Land of the Nine Prefectures, many Emptiness Realm Experts loved to tame Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts! It was very dangerous for Little Qing to go to the Nine Prefectures with her current strength. Therefore, she must first master the special technique to have the means to protect herself before she goes,” Li Jun said seriously, “Qingshan, Little Blue’s mother also warned you to not look down on the sects of the Nine Prefectures. The more ancient a sect, the greater and more immeasurable the strength.

　　“For example…the Wan Xiang Sect!” Li Jun whispered.

　　“What?”

　　Teng Qingshan was astounded.

　　Wan Xiang Sect? The Wan Xiang Sect that published records of the powerful experts in this world also possessed immeasurably powerful strength? In the Nine Prefectures, the status of the Wan Xiang Sect was not as powerful as the eight supreme sects. The Wan Xiang Sect was just a sect that was good at doing business.

　　“I am such a fool,” Gaining a sudden realization, Teng Qingshan said, “The Wan Xiang Sect doesn’t contend for hegemony and doesn’t provoke the eight supreme sects, but the business of Wan Xiang Sect spread throughout the entire land. The Wan Xiang Sect possessed unlimited wealth. Even if the eight supreme sects did not covet the wealth of the Wan Xiang Sect, the other small sects would! However, the Wan Xiang Sect remained after several thousand years. Hence, it’s definitely not as simple as it appears.”

　　“Even the Gui Yuan Sect has an Emptiness Realm Expert. How can the world be as simple as the book described.”

　　Cold drops of perspiration covered Teng Qingshan’s forehead.

　　The waters of the Nine Prefectures were..indeed very deep.

　　“I have to thank Little Blue’s mother.” Teng Qingshan reoriented his position in the Land of the Nine Prefectures and thought to himself, “The Heavenly God Palace possessed such great strength, yet before I came into contact with it, I didn’t even know it existed! How many great and powerful forces hid within the Land of the Nine Prefectures? However—I shouldn’t look down on myself because of this. I have reached the Emptiness Realm, and I am as strong as the Tianfeng Martial Immortal now. Even if I were not able to raise a storm in the entire Land of the Nine Prefectures, it is enough if I can raise one in Yangzhou.”

　　Teng Qingshan then inquired Li Jun, “Little Jun, can you ask Little Blue’s mother how long it will take for Little Blue to learn this Phoenix Supreme Technique?

　　Li Jun immediately turned and asked.

　　“Qingshan, Little Blue’s mother said that it would take at least half a year or at most, one year,” Li Jun answered.

　　Teng Qingshan nodded and replied, “Good. One year will be enough for me to familiarize with the true form of the Nine Prefectures! With my current strength, I can only take action secretly. Now is not the time to stir up great movement. I must wait for the time when my Earth Elemental Dao achieves a breakthrough…when Little Blue masters the Phoenix Supreme Technique, when the Six Legged Bladelike Chi achieves another breakthrough, or when my teacher, Zhuge Yuanhong, achieve breakthrough and reaches Emptiness Realm.

　　After pondering for some time, Teng Qingshan felt extremely confident.

　　“It’s only interested if it’s challenging!” Teng Qingshan’s eyes glimmered as he said to himself, “I have restrained myself for so many years. Presently, I am returned with a great number of treasures and have a great advantage; I am in the shadow, while it isn’t. I might as well die if I lose against the Qing Hu Island again! T

　　“Screech~~~” The Undying Phoenix Little Blue emitted a few cries towards Teng Qingshan and Li Jun.

　　“Qingshan, Little Qing asked us how will she be able to find us when she goes to the Nine Prefectures?” Li Jun glanced towards Teng Qingshan and asked, “She is not familiar with the Nine Prefectures. Even if we told her, she wouldn’t know.”

　　“Screech~~Screech~~” Little Blue’s mother screeched.

　　Happiness revealed on Li Jun’s face as she said, “Qingshan, Little Blue’s mother said that she would send Little Blue over when it’s time. She is very familiar with the Nine Prefectures. She said that she would release fire on the Heavenly Cloud Mountain of Qingzhou and burn half of the Heavenly Cloud Mountain off! They will wait there for you for ten to fifteen days.”

　　“The Heavenly Cloud Mountain? Alright.” Teng Qingshan nodded and replied, “When a great fire burns the Heavenly Cloud Mountain, I will rush over immediately.

　　……

　　After making this agreement, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun bid the Little Blue farewell. Teng Qingshan and the others then rode the Six Legged Bladelike Chi and flew towards the Nine Prefectures. As for Little Blue, she was taught by her mother. She began learning the Phoenix Supreme Techniques which her mother had created after pondering upon Dao and receiving instructions from the Poetic Sword God for several thousand years.

　　If Teng Qingshan and the others wanted to see Little Blue, they would have to wait for over a year when a fire burned the Heavenly Cloud Mountain!

　　The Six Legged Bladelike Chi possessed incredibly powerful strength. It flew for two days straight and only rested for half a day. It flew past many islands in addition to Bright Moon Island.

　　Eight days had passed since they left the Phoenix Island.

　　On the ninth day.

　　“Qingshan, look!” Li Jun appeared very joyous.

　　“It’s so big!” Yang Dong and Teng Shou both stared southward in astonishment.

　　At the end of the sea, an unbordered long coastline appeared in the south. The Six Legged Bladelike Chi was still some distance away from the Nine Prefectures, but because of its exceedingly rapid speed, it flew from the sea region to the sky above the Great Prairie within a short while.

　　“Whew~~” After flying for fifteen days, they had finally arrived. The Six Legged Bladelike Chi dived down excitedly and glided low on the grassland.

　　Teng Qingshan sniffed the fragrance of the earth and the smell of the grass. His facial expression appeared complicated as tears welled up in his eyes.

　　“This is the Great Prairie of the Nine Prefectures!”

　　“I have finally returned!”