Phoenix Empress: Rise of the Fallen

The appearance of Mo Qianji instantly silenced the entire Awakening Plaza.

This Dean of Tiandu Academy was a legendary figure throughout the Dragon Bloom Empire. It was said that in his youth, he traveled far and wide, once single-handedly eradicating an evil cult, and during the beast tide a hundred years ago, he turned the tide and saved countless lives.

Though now over two hundred years old, he still appeared middle-aged, with an extraordinary bearing.

"Dean Mo!" Master Lingji bowed respectfully.

The black-robed figures exchanged glances, clearly not expecting to alarm such an important person.

"Mo Qianji, this is Phoenix Hunting Organization business. It has nothing to do with you," the lead black-robed figure said in a deep voice.

"Oh?" Mo Qianji stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm. "Committing violence in my Tiandu City, and you say it has nothing to do with me?"

His gaze swept over the fallen Xiao Hanye, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Injuring people of my Tiandu City - how do you plan to account for this?"

"A mere mortal..."

Before the black-robed figure could finish, Mo Qianji had already moved.

No one saw how he struck. They only saw the black-robed figure suddenly fly backward, crashing heavily to the ground and spitting blood.

"You dare be insolent before me?" Mo Qianji's voice remained calm, yet it made people feel a bone-chilling cold.

Seeing this, the other black-robed figures immediately assumed combat stances.

"Attack together!"

Several figures pounced toward Mo Qianji simultaneously.

Mo Qianji stood in place, merely waving his hand lightly.

"Boom!"

An invisible force swept out, and all the black-robed figures were sent flying, falling to the ground in disarray.

"With such meager skills, you dare run wild in Tiandu City?" Mo Qianji shook his head. "Get lost. If I see you again, it won't be so simple."

The black-robed figures struggled to their feet. The leader glared venomously at Ling Qianxue. "We won't give up on the Phoenix bloodline! Mo Qianji, you can protect her for a time, but not for a lifetime!"

"Is that so?" Mo Qianji suddenly smiled. "What if she's my disciple?"

These words caused an uproar throughout the venue.

Mo Qianji was taking a disciple?

Everyone knew that though this Dean had students throughout the land, he had never taken a personal disciple. Countless geniuses had wanted to study under him, only to be politely refused.

Now, he was actually taking the initiative to accept Ling Qianxue as his disciple?

The black-robed figure's expression changed. "You want to take her as your disciple?"

"Is there a problem?" Mo Qianji asked in return.

"You..." The black-robed figure gritted his teeth. "Fine, Mo Qianji, we'll remember this! Let's go!"

The Phoenix Hunting Organization people quickly left, disappearing into the horizon.

Only then did Mo Qianji turn to Ling Qianxue, carefully examining her.

Having endured the heavenly thunder, Ling Qianxue was exhausted but still forced herself to bow. "Thank you, Senior, for saving me."

"No need for formalities," Mo Qianji said gently. "You're Ling Qianxue?"

"Yes."

"Your performance during the awakening was excellent - you even withstood the nine-fold heavenly tribulation," Mo Qianji praised. "Moreover, your fire-element talent is indeed rare."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the jade pendant at Ling Qianxue's chest, a knowing look flashing in his eyes.

"Are you willing to take me as your master?"

Ling Qianxue was stunned, then became excited. "This junior is willing!"

To take Mo Qianji as a master - this was what countless people dreamed of!

"Don't be so quick to agree," Mo Qianji said. "To enter my tutelage, there are three conditions."

"Please enlighten me, Senior."

"First, as my student, you must be diligent and hardworking, without the slightest slack."

"Second, you must not use the sect's name to commit evil."

"Third, in the future, if you encounter evil demons and heretics, you must stand up and protect all living beings."

Ling Qianxue nodded seriously. "This disciple will remember."

"Good." Mo Qianji nodded with satisfaction. "From today onward, you are my closed-door disciple."

Closed-door disciple!

This title shocked the onlookers even more. This meant Mo Qianji would take no other disciples - Ling Qianxue would be his sole inheritor.

"Disciple Ling Qianxue greets Master!" Ling Qianxue knelt respectfully, performing the ceremony of taking a master.

Mo Qianji helped her up and took out a token from his robe. "This is the Dean's token of Tiandu Academy. Seeing this token is like seeing me. From today, you are a core disciple of Tiandu Academy."

Then he took out a storage ring. "Inside are some cultivation resources and techniques. Take them for now. The formal apprenticeship ceremony will be held after you enter the academy."

Ling Qianxue accepted the items, her heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Master."

"By the way," Mo Qianji looked at the still-unconscious Xiao Hanye, "what is this young man's relationship to you?"

"He's my..." Ling Qianxue blushed slightly, "family."

"Oh?" Mo Qianji looked thoughtful. "His constitution is somewhat special. Though he hasn't awakened elemental talent, his physical strength is good."

"Master, Hanye has grown up with me since childhood. Could you..." Ling Qianxue looked at Mo Qianji hopefully.

Mo Qianji shook his head. "The academy has rules - those without awakened talent cannot become formal disciples."

Seeing Ling Qianxue's disappointed expression, he changed his tone. "However, you are my closed-door disciple. You can bring an accompanying cultivation attendant. If he's willing to enter the academy in this capacity, it's not impossible."

"Accompanying cultivation attendant?" Ling Qianxue asked in confusion.

"Someone who specifically cares for and accompanies core disciples in their cultivation. In status, they're considered servants, but the treatment isn't bad," Mo Qianji explained. "Though they can't learn the academy's core techniques, basic body tempering arts can still be taught."

"I'm willing!" Xiao Hanye suddenly woke up, saying excitedly, "As long as I can stay by Sister Qianxue's side, any status is fine!"

With a wave of his hand, Mo Qianji sent a gentle force into Xiao Hanye's body. "I've helped cleanse your meridians and marrow. Though the path of body cultivation is difficult, when practiced to the extreme, one can still become a powerhouse."

Indeed, before long, Xiao Hanye woke up.

"Sister Qianxue!" He immediately looked for Ling Qianxue.

"I'm here." Ling Qianxue helped him up. "How do you feel?"

"I feel..." Xiao Hanye moved his limbs, discovering with surprise that he was full of strength. "Like I've become stronger!"

"Naturally," Mo Qianji said. "I used spiritual power to cleanse your meridians and marrow. Your physical constitution has improved by thirty percent compared to before."

Xiao Hanye quickly knelt and bowed. "Thank you, Senior, for your grace! Hanye will definitely protect Sister Qianxue well!"

"Rise," Mo Qianji nodded. "Remember, the path of body cultivation is even more arduous than elemental cultivation. Ordinary people take this path because they lack spiritual talent and can only gain power through tempering their bodies. Though it cannot extend lifespan, if practiced to the extreme, the combat power is no less than that of cultivators."

"This junior understands!" Xiao Hanye said firmly. "As long as I can protect Sister Qianxue, any hardship is worth it!"

Looking at the two young people, a glint of approval flashed in Mo Qianji's eyes.

"Good," Mo Qianji nodded, then said to Ling Qianxue, "You've just awakened and need time to stabilize your realm. Come to the academy in half a year. During this time, I'll arrange for people to protect the Ling Manor. You can cultivate in peace."

"Yes, Master."

After giving his instructions, Mo Qianji left, but news of this matter quickly spread throughout Tiandu City.

Ling Qianxue had awakened supreme fire-element talent, triggered the nine-fold heavenly tribulation, and been taken as Mo Qianji's closed-door disciple!

This news swept through the entire city like a storm. The Ling family transformed overnight from fallen nobles to hot new aristocrats.

On the way back to Ling Manor, an endless stream of people came to congratulate them.

"Miss Ling, congratulations!"

"Duke Ling is truly blessed to have such a daughter!"

"Please take care of us in the future, Miss Ling!"

Those who usually looked down on the Ling family now wore fawning smiles.

Ling Qianxue had no interest in these hypocritical compliments, only nodding politely in response.

Xiao Hanye, on the other hand, felt secretly pleased seeing these fair-weather friends. He remembered clearly how these people had bullied the Ling family before.

"Sister Qianxue, you're amazing!" Back at the manor, Xiao Hanye said excitedly. "The nine-fold heavenly tribulation! And Dean Mo personally taking you as a disciple!"

"It was just luck," Ling Qianxue said modestly, though she was happy inside.

Not because she had become stronger, but because she finally had the ability to protect her family.

"Miss! Hanye!" Butler Fu's eyes were red with emotion. "The master is waiting in the main hall!"

The two went to the main hall, where Ling Tianhua was indeed waiting. Learning of his daughter's achievement, this usually refined duke couldn't contain his excitement.

"Good! Good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row. "Qianxue, your mother would be very pleased if she knew."

At the mention of her mother, Ling Qianxue's heart stirred. "Father, about Mother..."

"Sigh," Ling Tianhua sighed. "I do know some things about your mother's background. But before she died, she instructed me to only tell you after you awakened."

"Can you tell me now?"

Ling Tianhua was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Your mother was indeed not an ordinary person. She came from a mysterious clan in the south - she didn't specify which clan. I only know she came to Tiandu City to escape enemies pursuing her."

"Enemies?" Ling Qianxue frowned. "Those black-robed people today?"

"Most likely," Ling Tianhua nodded. "Your mother said her clan held a major secret that many people wanted to obtain. She sealed this secret within you - it would only gradually unlock after you awakened."

So that was it. Ling Qianxue touched the jade pendant at her chest - this must be the key her mother left behind.

"Father, don't worry. No matter how dangerous the road ahead, I will protect the Ling family."

"Silly child, it should be Father protecting you," Ling Tianhua looked at his daughter with relief. "But now that you have Dean Mo as your backing, I'm much more at ease."

Just then, the steward came to report: "Master, people from Tiandu Academy have arrived!"

The visitors were sent by Mo Qianji, bringing large amounts of cultivation resources.

Spirit stones, pills, technique manuals, and various precious materials filled the entire storeroom.

"These are cultivation resources the Dean has given Miss Ling," the visitor said respectfully. "Additionally, starting today, instructors from the academy will take turns protecting Ling Manor until Miss Ling enters the academy."

"Please thank Master for me," Ling Qianxue said.

After the visitor left, Ling Tianhua sighed with emotion, "Dean Mo is truly thoughtful. With these resources, you won't have to worry about cultivation for the next half year."

"And me too!" Xiao Hanye looked expectantly at the resources. "I need to work hard at cultivation too - I can't hold Sister Qianxue back!"

Seeing the young man's serious expression, warmth filled Ling Qianxue's heart. "We'll work hard together."

That night, Ling Manor held a grand banquet for the first time in ten years, entertaining the guests who came to congratulate them.

Amid the toasts and drinks, a smile finally appeared on Ling Tianhua's face. After so many years of decline, the Ling family had finally welcomed a turning point.

"Brother Ling, congratulations!" A merchant-looking middle-aged man raised his cup. "Your daughter has boundless prospects - the Ling family will return to its former glory!"

"You're too kind," Ling Tianhua said modestly, though he couldn't hide the pride in his eyes.

"By the way, I heard your sister Ling Susu is coming back?" someone asked.

Ling Susu was Ling Tianhua's sister, Ling Qianxue's aunt. She had also attempted awakening when young, but after failing, she left Tiandu City to do business in the south.

"Yes, we received news that she'll return next month," Ling Tianhua nodded. "By my count, it's been five years since we last met."

"That's truly double happiness!"

The banquet continued late into the night before dispersing.

Ling Qianxue returned to her room and eagerly examined the storage ring her master had given her.

The contents amazed her.

Spirit stones of various attributes were piled like mountains, the lowest being middle-grade, with even a few top-grade spirit stones. One top-grade spirit stone was worth a thousand taels of silver.

Pills were even more abundant - Foundation Building Pills for improving cultivation, Spring Recovery Pills for healing, and Mind Clarity Pills for enhancing mental power.

Most precious were the technique manuals.

"Heaven Burning Scripture," "Phoenix Dance in Nine Heavens," "Nirvana True Scripture"... each was a supreme technique that fire-element cultivators dreamed of.

"Master is so good to me," Ling Qianxue thought with emotion.

She took out the "Heaven Burning Scripture." This was a complete technique with detailed cultivation methods from Awakening Stage all the way to Saint Stage.

Opening the first page, she saw Mo Qianji's annotations: "This technique best suits your constitution. Cultivate well. Remember, haste makes waste."

Ling Qianxue took a deep breath and began cultivating according to the technique's guidance.

Meanwhile, Xiao Hanye was also sweating profusely in his room.

Though he had no elemental talent, Mo Qianji had also given him some resources suitable for body tempering - Body Tempering Pills, Bone Strengthening Powder, and a body cultivation manual called "Indestructible Diamond Body." As an accompanying cultivation attendant, though he couldn't learn the academy's advanced techniques, these basic body tempering resources were enough for him to strengthen his body.

"Sister Qianxue can become stronger - I can't fall behind!"

The young man gritted his teeth, tempering his body over and over.

Moonlight spilled across Ling Manor's courtyard. Everything was developing in a positive direction.

But unknown to them, in a dark corner of Tiandu City, a conspiracy against the Ling family was brewing.

"The Phoenix bloodline has awakened. We must advance our plans," a hoarse voice said.

"But Mo Qianji has intervened. It's hard for us to act."

"No rush. Mo Qianji can't guard her every moment. Besides..." The voice laughed sinisterly. "Doesn't she have family?"

"You mean..."

"Ling Susu is coming back soon, isn't she? Let's start with her..."

The seeds of conspiracy were planted, waiting for the opportunity to sprout.