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Phoenix Mountain, also known as the Miao Tribe's sacred ground, is nestled within a range of mountains that stretch for hundreds of miles. Those unfamiliar with the area would find it nearly impossible to locate an entrance. Wei Ning followed the Tuo River upstream and finally caught sight of an ancient Miao Tribe village, Phoenix City, which sparkled like a green pearl among the peaks.
Legend has it that Phoenix City was established during the Wu Ze era and has been the residence of every Phoenix Maiden since. Wei Ning casually fashioned a ring from nearby reeds and placed it on his head. In the world of Gu Masters, this is known as a "Grass Marker." Any Gu Master who sees this Grass Marker would recognize him as one of their own and would not easily resort to using sorcery against him.
After disembarking from his boat, Wei Ning entered Phoenix City. Inside, a stream wound through the town like a jade ribbon, flanked by large wooden buildings constructed from cedar logs. Rows of paper windows were propped open with wooden sticks, adorned with strings of red chili peppers and bundles of golden corn from the mountains. Miao women occasionally passed by, glancing at Wei Ning with playful smiles before moving on. This place felt far from dangerous; instead, it resembled a paradise.
Suddenly, Wei Ning noticed a fleeting figure ahead. His heart raced as he thought, Is it her? He quietly followed.
The figure seemed aware of Wei Ning's pursuit and deliberately slowed down, maintaining a distance between them. When they reached a secluded hilltop, the person tilted their head and turned to face Wei Ning with a bright smile. "You little rascal, you came looking for me, didn't you? Missed me?"
Wei Ning cut straight to the point, his voice low. "Where's your sister?"
The girl wrinkled her nose and pointed toward a dense forest ahead. "She's waiting for you in there. So, are you interested in my sister? Last time..."
At this point, she burst into laughter, clearly recalling Wei Ning's first intimate encounter with the Phoenix Maiden in a cave.
Wei Ning replied coldly, "I'll settle this matter with you later," and walked into the forest.
Watching him disappear into the trees, she frowned. "What's up with him? It's like he's become a different person—so cold and distant. I preferred the old Wei Ning—funny, silly, and not bad-looking either." She chuckled to herself before humming a tune as she left.
Not long after, she suddenly turned back with a sly grin. "If those old lovers want to meet, they'll surely get cozy. I'll record their sweet moments and then... hehehe, my sister won't dare mess with me again."
With that thought in mind, she stealthily followed him into the woods.
Wei Ning walked into the forest and saw the Phoenix Maiden waiting for him. She got straight to the point, saying, "Phoenix Maiden, I know Qiqi is on your Phoenix Mountain. How did she end up there? Please give me a reasonable explanation."
The Phoenix Maiden sighed lightly and replied, "So you've found out. Wei Ning, why do you need to know so much? Phoenix Mountain isn't a place you can come and go as you please. Qiqi is not someone you can save. With your current abilities, coming here would only lead to your demise. Just go back."
Suddenly, an inexplicable shadow of Wei Xian Gui appeared in Wei Ning's mind. He coldly said, "Maybe that was true before, but now... that may not be the case."
The Phoenix Maiden scrutinized Wei Ning for a moment, sensing that he was different from before. She sighed again and said, "Forget it. You really can't... Qiqi is... never mind..."
Wei Ning stepped forward slightly and pressed, "What is it? Tell me."
Just as the Phoenix Maiden was about to speak, Wei Ning suddenly perked up and said, "Wait." He picked up a stone from the ground and threw it with force. A scream echoed through the air as Qing fell from the tree, landing in a heap of dirt and leaves before scurrying away.
"Now we can talk," Wei Ning said.
The Phoenix Maiden pointed to the top of the mountain where a large tree cast a shadow over them. She explained, "Qiqi's soul is meant to be offered to the Phoenix Tree. This has been decided for twenty years; we chose her long ago. Now we are just fulfilling that decision."
Wei Ning glanced at the Phoenix Maiden and asked in a deep voice, "Why Qiqi? Why not someone else?"
The Phoenix Maiden sighed again and replied, "All the curses on Phoenix Mountain have their origins, and this Phoenix Tree is the source of all those curses. We must periodically offer pure souls to the Phoenix Tree; otherwise, it will wither."
"I ask you again, why Qiqi?"
The Phoenix Maiden looked at Wei Ning and said, "Because Qiqi is Impermanence; she often loses her spirit. Thus, she is suitable for nurturing curses."
"Is that all?"
"Is that all?" the Phoenix Maiden looked at Wei Ning, suddenly sighing with a hint of pleading in her voice. "Because someone once wanted to exchange ten years of Lifespan for his mother's life, but Qiqi refused. And that mother was me, the Phoenix Maiden. So, there’s a bit of revenge in it as well."
"What about Qiqi? Isn't she the innocent one who suffers unjustly?" Wei Ning stared at the Phoenix Maiden and said, "You clearly know Qiqi's identity, yet you deliberately hid it from me. You even brought Qiqi's soul to Phoenix Mountain to sacrifice to the Phoenix Tree. Qiqi has lived a miserable life; don't you know? How can you still... do you even have a conscience?"
Tears welled up in the Phoenix Maiden's eyes as she spoke with a trembling voice, "Wei Ning, I truly had no choice. I know I have wronged Qiqi..."
Wei Ning waved his hand dismissively and said, "Enough. I’m going to chop down that damned Phoenix Tree and rescue Qiqi. You better not try to stop me."
The Phoenix Maiden was startled by his words and exclaimed, "Wei Ning, are you crazy?"
Wei Ning looked at her and replied, "Qiqi has sacrificed so much for me; shouldn't I do this?"
The Phoenix Maiden fell silent.
Wei Ning ignored her and continued up the mountain toward the Phoenix Tree.
"Wait," the Phoenix Maiden suddenly spoke up. "I'll go with you."
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