Chapter 619 The action begins
This news, like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly caused a thousand waves among the silent leaders of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan and quickly caused an uproar.
Even Huang Tian, the patriarch of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, who was elusive and rarely showed up in clan affairs, looked solemn after hearing about this.
He knew very well that this matter was by no means ordinary, and there might be variables hidden behind it that could shake the foundation of the entire ethnic group.
Without any hesitation, Huang Tian immediately issued an edict, summoned several top elders of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, and urgently convened a secret meeting of the highest level within the clan.
The entire Sky Demon Phoenix Clan was shrouded in an unprecedented atmosphere of tension for a moment.
After some urgent consultations, the elders and clan leader Huang Tian basically came to the same conclusion.
This scale of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan could never appear in the territory of the Tianyao Phoenix Clan for no reason. There must be a huge mystery hidden in it.
They first discussed the most direct possibility, whether there were members of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan who had infiltrated the Tianyao Phoenix Clan.
However, considering the ancient enmity between the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan and the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan that has lasted for countless years, the old grudges are so deep that they are almost at the point of a fight to the death.
If they encounter each other by chance in the outside world, the tribes of both sides will immediately go to war, let alone sneak into each other's core territory.
If there really were members of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan who dared to do this, how could the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan be lenient? Both sides would surely start a bloody storm.
Therefore, they generally believe that although this possibility cannot be completely ruled out, the probability is so small that it can almost be ignored.
To take a step back, even if a semi-saint-level Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan warrior really sneaked in, how could he be so careless as to leave behind his precious scales?
This kind of low-level mistake that would expose one's whereabouts would never be made by a strong person who has at least reached the semi-saint level.
Various doubts intertwined together further confirmed their judgment that this matter was by no means as simple as it seemed on the surface. There must be other hidden stories behind it, and some unknown conspiracy hidden.
Although they were inclined to believe that there must be something fishy behind this matter and it was not just a simple enemy infiltrating, the cautious leaders of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan knew that no possibility could be completely ruled out without solid evidence.
What's more, even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, it means that there may be an enemy of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan who is at least half-saint level lurking in the clan. This is definitely an extremely dangerous hidden danger.
In order to thoroughly find out the real reason for the appearance of this scale, and at the same time to completely eliminate the risk of enemy infiltration, which is minimal but still exists, clan leader Huang Tian and several elders quickly reached a consensus.
They decided that they must immediately mobilize the elite personnel of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan to conduct a thorough carpet search of the area within a radius of thousands of miles around where the scales were found.
This is not just a routine inspection, but more like a special operation targeting potential high-level strongmen.
They ordered the tribesmen who participated in the search to be vigilant, not only to carefully search for any suspicious traces, but also to pay special attention to those that might be deliberately covered up or whose energy fluctuations were extremely weak.
Any unusual smells, unnatural energy residue, or even the slightest hint of something wrong in the air must be reported.
Following this order from the top leaders of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, for a moment, the originally peaceful area of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan was invisibly shrouded in a tense and murderous atmosphere.
After giving instructions for all matters to be taken care of, he watched the last elder leave the meeting hall with his clansmen. Suddenly, Huang Tian was the only one left in the empty hall.
The hall was filled with the faint smell of burning incense and residual fluctuations of spiritual energy, and the air seemed to still be frozen in the solemn atmosphere of the emergency meeting just now.
Huang Tian stood quietly for a moment, then he took steady steps and walked out of the hall.
Standing at the high gate of the palace, he overlooked the stacked and well-arranged buildings below, as well as the rolling mountains and lakes in the distance.
As far as his eyes could see, he could see the magnificent scene of the core area of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan. The breeze blew by, bringing the fragrance of plants and trees in the distance, but Huang Tian's mind was still immersed in the thorny problem just now.
As the patriarch of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan and the ruler of the current era, his own cultivation has reached the terrifying realm of a five-star Dou Sheng. This strength gives him a keen perception that ordinary people can hardly imagine.
Therefore, he could almost immediately determine the unusualness of the Taixu ancient dragon scale.
He could easily conclude that this scale was definitely placed in the territory of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan by someone on purpose.
The scales themselves may be real, but no energy fluctuations or residual breath belonging to the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan were detected in the surrounding environment.
If there really were strong men from the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan active here, even if they were just staying for a short time, with his perception as a five-star Douluo, combined with his Heavenly Demon Phoenix bloodline's innate almost instinctive rejection and induction of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, it would be impossible for him to not notice it.
That aura was like water and fire, and could not be hidden at all.
Huang Tian did briefly consider whether there really was a powerful Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan member whose strength far surpassed his and who could sneak into the Tianyao Phoenix Clan quietly.
However, as soon as this thought came to his mind, he quickly suppressed it.
The reason is very simple. Huang Tian knows the current situation of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan very well.
Ever since the mysterious disappearance of the last Dragon Emperor, the huge clan that once dominated the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan fell into chaos, and eventually split into four Dragon Islands in the east, west, south, and north, each of which is independent and has lost its overall strength. The clan has even been caught up in serious internal strife.
He even knew that, apart from East Dragon Island, the leaders of the other three Dragon Islands, for their own interests, had some secret communications and even conspiracies with him, the patriarch of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, but they failed to form a true alliance due to various reasons.
With Huang Tian's current powerful strength of a five-star Douluo, if he had not been concerned about those old guys who left the Ancient Dragon Island and roamed the void with unfathomable strength, he would have taken action against the severely damaged Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan long ago.
Since the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan has now fallen to such a state, how could there be a stronger member of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan than him who would choose to sneak into the Tianyao Phoenix Clan alone when they are facing internal divisions and powerful enemies outside?
This was totally illogical and beyond his current understanding of possibility.
Therefore, Huang Tian concluded that there was another mystery behind this matter, and it was definitely not as simple as an enemy invasion.
Of course, although Huang Tian is powerful and has been in charge of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan for many years, he is not omniscient and omnipotent.
Even though he pondered over the strange appearance of this scale, he still couldn't come up with a definite clue immediately, and some doubts remained in his heart. Since he couldn't figure it out for the time being, he could only hope that the people sent out by the tribe could get some valuable clues during the field investigation.
Moreover, his innate pride also supported him invisibly.
In his opinion, it was just a scale. Even if there were people with ulterior motives behind it and wanted to do something bad to the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, what did he, Huang Tian, have to fear since they were in the base camp of his own clan?
How could the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan be able to stand for so long in this cruel Douqi continent? How could their foundation be shaken so easily?
Thinking of this, the solemnity in his eyes lessened slightly, replaced by a kind of confidence and majesty that would not bend even under pressure.
"The Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan..." Huang Tian looked into the distance, muttering to himself in a low voice, with a complex light flashing in his eyes.
Before, he really didn't associate this matter too much with the core strength of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. After all, they were suffering from serious internal strife and their strength was not as good as before. But now it seems that perhaps he should consider taking the initiative to contact them and try to get some information from them.
He remembered that he seemed to have heard that a young man from the Dragon Emperor's lineage had been found on Donglong Island.
This news did not attract much of his attention at the time, but now thinking about it, it is indeed quite interesting.
"Do you really think you can recreate the prosperity of the ancient Taixu Dragon Clan?" Huang Tian raised a barely perceptible sneer at the corner of his mouth, judging secretly in his heart. His broad palms rubbed his chin involuntarily, and his knuckles made a slight sound.
After thinking for a moment, a decision gradually became clear in his mind.
Since it is not possible to find out the results from within for the time being, and the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan is vaguely related to the incident, why not go there in person?
I'm going to meet those Dragon Kings who are now ruling their own regions. This is not only to sound out their opinions in the hope of finding out some clues about the scale incident, but a deeper consideration is, isn't this a great opportunity?
He could use this trip to secretly exert influence and further intensify the internal disputes within the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, which was already plagued by internal strife.
If they could really take advantage of this opportunity to severely damage their strength and seriously injure their vitality, it would undoubtedly greatly reduce the potential threat to the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan in the future.
Once this thought arose, it quickly occupied his mind, making him have a strong desire to go out.
Thinking of this, a barely perceptible coldness appeared on Huang Tian's lips.
He decided it was time to go there himself.
Having made up his mind, Huang Tian did not delay at all and put it into action immediately.
He first summoned the second in command in the clan, Fenghuang, who was second only to him in status and whose strength had reached the level of a two-star Dou Sheng, and solemnly instructed him, "You must immediately keep a close eye on all movements in the clan, especially those related to the Taixu Ancient Dragon Scales. You must not slack off in the slightest."
After finishing the instructions, Huang Tian did not stop. His figure flashed and turned into a stream of light, rising straight into the sky, penetrating the clouds, tearing open a crack in space, and rushing towards the depths of the endless void.
……
At the same time, as the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan was in turmoil and panic because of the news of the scale, Xiao Ling, who was far away on the island where Feng Qing'er lived, was obviously also keenly aware of this unusual tense atmosphere.
In the pavilion in the center of the courtyard, Xiao Ling and Feng Qing'er were sitting opposite each other.
Xiao Ling chuckled, with a hint of amusement in his eyes: "It seems that the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan is quite quick. They discovered it earlier than I expected."
Feng Qing'er frowned and said, "I didn't hear any news before. The tribe has already sent a lot of people. Now the entire tribe is conducting a carpet-style exploration. A large number of people have been mobilized. Even the guards who are usually responsible for guarding the islands have been transferred over. It seems that the tribe leader really attaches great importance to this matter."
She paused, then added, "That scale of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan has indeed attracted a lot of attention. I'm afraid it will be more troublesome than we expected."
There was a hint of solemnity in her voice, and she obviously felt the seriousness of the situation.
Xiao Ling listened to Feng Qing'er's words, and a deeper smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He slowly spoke, as if talking to himself, but also as if responding to Feng Qing'er:
"Well, this is just right. It coincides with my previous expectations. I think most of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan's vigilance has been mobilized to deal with that scale. And the defense measures of the "Phoenix Mausoleum", which is not usually taken seriously, are probably also affected to a certain extent. It is just right for my next action..."
He paused, his eyes flashing with a hint of calculation, "Anyway, the opportunity has come."
Feng Qing'er looked at Xiao Ling's confident expression and a flash of understanding came to her mind. She naturally understood that Xiao Ling was planning to go to Huangling next.
According to the plan he had made before, he sneaked into the ancestral land of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan and stole the magic cores of the high-level Sky Demon Phoenix clan members buried there.
Although Feng Qing'er knew very well in her heart that she could not dissuade Xiao Ling from this matter, the young man's decisiveness and sharpness of a strong man made her realize that persuasion would most likely be futile.
But Feng Qing'er couldn't help it after all. She stood up, walked to Xiao Ling, sighed softly, and reminded him: "Master, I'm afraid Qing'er will not be able to assist you in the next action. However, Qing'er still hopes that you can put your own safety first. No matter what the result is, please take care of yourself."
There was a barely perceptible worry in her voice, which was not only due to her concern for Xiao Ling's safety, but also mixed with a complex emotion of not wanting to see him in danger.
Feng Qing'er was so excited that she even had trouble controlling her emotions. She said again with a trembling voice, "If something unexpected happens to you, sir... I will not live in vain and will leave with you."
These words were full of determination, which made Xiao Ling, who had always appeared calm, slightly stunned, and his heart was immediately stirred up.
He didn't expect Feng Qing'er to be so direct and even tie her life and death to him.
However, this feeling did not last long. Xiao Ling quickly suppressed the strangeness in his heart and regained the confidence and calmness that belonged to a strong man.
He stood up, walked to Feng Qing'er, looked down at her worried face, and said softly: "Don't worry, nothing will happen to me."
After he finished speaking, he did not say anything more, but lowered his head slightly and gently kissed her on the lips.
Afterwards, without any further delay, he seemed to have merged into the void of the courtyard, and silently rushed towards the direction of Huangling. Only Feng Qing'er was left standing there in a daze, looking at the direction where he disappeared, with thoughts running through her mind...
(End of this chapter)
