Phoenix Empress: Rise of the Fallen

Just as the black-robed figure was about to strike, a blinding red light suddenly burst from Ling Susu's body.

"This is..." Shock flashed in the black-robed figure's eyes.

The necklace on Ling Susu's neck - the one she had given to Ling Qianxue - suddenly flew up, transforming into a streak of light shooting toward Ling Qianxue.

"So the key was this!" The black-robed figure suddenly understood, immediately reaching out to intercept it.

But it was too late. The necklace merged with the jade pendant on Ling Qianxue's chest, erupting with even more dazzling light.

"Aunt, this is..." Ling Qianxue looked at Ling Susu in shock.

Ling Susu smiled bitterly. "I'm sorry, Qianxue. This should have been given to you when you turned eighteen, but now..."

Her words were cut short as the black-robed figure struck her back with his palm.

"Pff!"

Ling Susu spat out a large mouthful of blood, her whole body flying forward like a broken kite, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Aunt!" Ling Qianxue cried out in anguish.

"Don't rush to die yet," the black-robed figure walked toward Ling Susu with a sinister smile. "You're quite attractive. Let me enjoy myself before you die."

He reached out with his filthy hands, tearing at Ling Susu's clothes. Ling Susu struggled desperately, but heavily injured, she had no power to resist.

"Beast! Stop!" Ling Qianxue charged forward in fury.

"Get lost!" The black-robed figure casually waved his hand, sending Ling Qianxue flying.

Just at this critical moment, an unprecedented power suddenly erupted from within Ling Qianxue's body. Her eyes turned golden, her entire body wreathed in golden flames.

"You're courting death!"

She shot toward the black-robed figure like a golden lightning bolt, her speed astonishing.

The black-robed figure was startled and hurriedly retreated, but he was still a step too slow. Ling Qianxue's fist, wrapped in golden flames, struck his chest hard.

"Pff!"

The black-robed figure spat blood and flew backward, looking at Ling Qianxue in disbelief. "Impossible! You're only Awakening Stage three-star!"

Ling Qianxue paid him no attention, quickly helping up Ling Susu. Though her aunt's clothes were disheveled, she hadn't suffered the ultimate humiliation.

"Qianxue..." Ling Susu struggled to raise her hand, caressing her niece's face. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't speak, I'll heal you right now!" Ling Qianxue frantically took out pills.

"It's no use..." Ling Susu shook her head, her clothes in disarray, eyes filled with pain and shame. "Listen to me... your mother... was indeed the Phoenix Clan's princess..."

She coughed up blood. "Twenty years ago... when your mother fled to Tiandu City... it was I who took her in... from then on we became the best of sisters..."

"What?" Ling Qianxue was shocked.

"It was I... who introduced my brother to her..." Ling Susu's voice grew weaker. "Once... I accidentally saw the Phoenix mark on her back while she was bathing... only then did I learn her identity..."

"Your father never knew about this..." Tears mixed with blood flowed down her face. "I promised your mother... I would protect you..."

"That necklace... is the key to unlocking the seal within you... now... you can use a portion of the Phoenix power..."

"Aunt, please don't die!" Ling Qianxue's tears fell like broken pearls.

"Silly child... don't cry..." Ling Susu struggled to smile. "To see you grow up... I'm very happy..."

"Remember... don't trust anyone claiming to be from the Phoenix Clan... they... are all already..."

Before she could finish speaking, Ling Susu's hand fell powerlessly, the light in her eyes gradually fading.

"Aunt! Aunt!" Ling Qianxue held Ling Susu's body, grief-stricken.

"Tsk tsk, what a touching scene," the black-robed figure sneered. "But dead is better, saves me the trouble."

Ling Qianxue slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with hatred.

In that moment, something within her was completely awakened.

"You deserve to die!"

Her voice was no longer the clear tone of a young girl, but carried a heart-palpitating majesty.

The black-robed figure's heart tightened, sensing danger. "Little girl, you..."

Before he could finish, terrifying flames erupted from Ling Qianxue's body.

These flames weren't ordinary red, but tinged with pale gold, their temperature frighteningly high.

"Impossible!" The black-robed figure was shocked. "You're only Awakening Stage three-star, how can you hurt me! I'm at peak Foundation Building Stage!"

Ling Qianxue didn't answer. Her eyes had turned golden, with faint Phoenix marks flickering on her forehead.

"Phoenix True Fire?!" The black-robed figure finally recognized these flames, his face changing drastically. "Not good!"

He turned to flee, but it was already too late.

"Phoenix Soaring Through Nine Heavens!"

Ling Qianxue instinctively executed a technique she had never learned. The golden flames transformed into a massive phoenix, pouncing toward the black-robed figure.

"Dark Shield!"

The black-robed figure desperately defended, but his shield was like paper before the Phoenix True Fire, instantly burned through.

"Ahhh!"

Agonized screams pierced the night sky. The black-robed figure was engulfed in golden flames, struggling desperately but unable to extinguish them.

"Spare me! Please spare me!" he begged in pain.

But Ling Qianxue's eyes held only cold killing intent. "You killed Aunt - you must pay with your life!"

The flames grew fiercer. The black-robed figure's screams gradually weakened until he finally turned to ash.

With the enemy dealt with, the flames on Ling Qianxue's body slowly extinguished, and she returned to normal.

But what followed was an enormous sense of weakness. Her legs gave way, and she was about to collapse.

"Sister Qianxue!" Xiao Hanye caught her in time.

"Hanye..." Ling Qianxue weakly leaned against him. "Aunt, she..."

"I know," Xiao Hanye's eyes were also red.

Ling Susu had been very good to them both, and now...

"Let's take Aunt home first," Xiao Hanye suppressed his grief, lifting Ling Susu's body.

Just then, sounds of breaking air came from the distance.

"Who dares use Phoenix True Fire here!"

Several figures descended from the sky - the instructors from Tiandu Academy responsible for protecting Ling Manor.

Seeing the scene, the instructor's expression changed. "What happened?"

Ling Qianxue's heart tightened. She knew she couldn't reveal her ability to fight above her level.

"It was people from the Phoenix Hunting Organization who attacked my aunt," she pretended to be still shaken. "That black-robed figure wanted to capture me, but Aunt detonated a special magical artifact before dying, perishing together with him."

"Magical artifact?" The instructor was puzzled.

"Yes, Aunt said it was left by Mother, to be used at critical moments to save lives," Ling Qianxue fabricated. "The explosion was too powerful, turning that person directly to ash."

The instructor examined the scene and indeed found traces of an explosion. Though he still had doubts, he didn't press further.

"The Phoenix Hunting Organization is getting more and more audacious," he sighed. "Let's go, I'll escort you back."

Ling Qianxue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had to keep this secret - once exposed, it would only bring more trouble.

Back at Ling Manor, Ling Tianhua was devastated upon learning of his sister's death.

"Susu! My sister!" He held Ling Susu's body and wept bitterly.

Ling Qianxue told her father what her aunt had said before dying.

"So that's how it was..." Ling Tianhua suddenly understood. "No wonder Susu was so good to Wan'er - they had such a relationship."

"Father, you didn't know Mother's identity?" Ling Qianxue asked.

"I truly didn't know," Ling Tianhua smiled bitterly. "Your mother only said she was a merchant's daughter from the south. I never suspected otherwise."

The next day, Ling Manor held a grand funeral for Ling Susu.

Mo Qianji also came in person.

"My condolences," he comforted Ling Qianxue. "Your aunt was a respectable person."

Ling Qianxue lowered her head, pretending to grieve. She hadn't told her master the truth, even hiding it from him.

"Master, that magical artifact Aunt detonated before dying..."

"Should be something your mother left behind to save lives," Mo Qianji said thoughtfully. "To kill a peak Foundation Building Stage cultivator, this artifact wasn't simple."

"Too bad it could only be used once," Ling Qianxue pretended to regret.

"Life-saving items being able to work once is enough," Mo Qianji patted her shoulder. "Be careful. The Phoenix Hunting Organization lost a master - they definitely won't let this go."

"I understand, Master."

After Mo Qianji left, he exchanged a meaningful glance with her, as if he had noticed something but ultimately said nothing.

"Also," Mo Qianji changed the subject, "did your aunt say anything special before she died?"

Ling Qianxue pretended to recall. "She told me to be careful, saying there were people coveting my bloodline."

She didn't mention the Phoenix Clan matter - the fewer people who knew these secrets, the better.

"Be cautious of other forces too," Mo Qianji reminded. "Your bloodline is special. Those coveting it won't be limited to the Phoenix Hunting Organization."

"This disciple understands," Ling Qianxue said respectfully.

After sending off Mo Qianji, Ling Qianxue came to her aunt's memorial tablet.

"Aunt, rest assured, I will definitely become stronger," she silently vowed in her heart. "I will protect Father, protect the Ling family, and not disappoint your expectations."

She thought to herself, "Tall trees attract wind. Before I truly become strong, I must hide my strength."

"And the secrets of Mother and the Phoenix Clan - I will slowly uncover them all."

Xiao Hanye stood beside her, silently holding her hand. "Sister Qianxue, I'll always be with you."

Ling Qianxue looked at Xiao Hanye, hesitating briefly before ultimately not telling him the truth. Some secrets were better borne alone.

She gripped his hand in return, warmth flowing through her heart.

Yes, she still had Hanye, still had Father, still had Master. She wasn't fighting alone.

In the following days, Ling Qianxue cultivated even more diligently.

Her aunt's death made her understand that in this world where the strong prey on the weak, only strength could protect those she wanted to protect.

And that accidentally awakened Phoenix True Fire also gave her new understanding of her bloodline.

She could feel even more powerful forces slumbering within her body. As long as her cultivation was sufficient, she could release all these powers.

"Sister Qianxue, rest a bit," Xiao Hanye brought her a cup of tea. "You've been cultivating all day."

"Thank you," Ling Qianxue took the teacup. "Hanye, you said Aunt told us not to trust people from the Phoenix Clan before she died?"

Xiao Hanye thought for a moment. "Aunt said they're all already... already what?"

"Traitors?" Ling Qianxue pondered.

Indeed, if the Phoenix Clan was exterminated by external enemies, it unlikely to be so thorough. But if there were internal traitors...

"Regardless of the truth, we must be careful," Xiao Hanye said seriously. "Sister Qianxue, promise me you won't take risks alone."

Looking at the young man's concerned eyes, Ling Qianxue's heart softened. "Alright, I promise you."

The two smiled at each other. Though they had just experienced separation by death, they knew life must go on.

Moreover, they had many things to do.

For instance, redeeming Mother's belongings.

Ling Qianxue remembered something and took out a small pouch from her storage ring.

This was found while organizing her aunt's belongings, containing quite a few silver notes and spirit stones, plus several precious pills. Among them were three Beauty Preservation Pills - apparently her aunt had maintained her youthful appearance by relying on these pills. Ling Qianxue carefully put away the Beauty Preservation Pills - these were extremely precious items.

"Aunt accumulated quite a bit of wealth during her years as a merchant outside," she said. "With these, we can redeem the items we pawned before."

"Especially Mother's jewelry - I must get them back."

Those pieces of jewelry weren't just Mother's belongings; they might hide some secrets.

The next day, Ling Qianxue took Xiao Hanye to the pawn shop.

"Miss Ling, you've come," the shopkeeper's attitude was much more respectful than before. "What can I do for you?"

"I've come to redeem the items we pawned before," Ling Qianxue said.

"No problem!" The shopkeeper immediately instructed his assistant to fetch them.

Those treasures that had been sold cheaply were now finally back in Ling Qianxue's hands.

Especially Mother's set of phoenix jewelry - holding them, she could feel the lingering warmth on them.

"Mother..." She gently caressed the jewelry, her eyes full of longing.

"Sister Qianxue," Xiao Hanye comforted, "Your mother's spirit in heaven would surely protect you."

Ling Qianxue nodded, carefully putting away the jewelry.

After leaving the pawn shop, the two strolled along the street.

"Sister Qianxue, you'll be going to Tiandu Academy in three more months," Xiao Hanye said. "How about we go out for training during this time? I'll go with you as your accompanying cultivation attendant, and we can gain more experience now."

"Training?"

"Yes," Xiao Hanye nodded. "And..."

He hesitated.

"And what?" Ling Qianxue asked.

"Sister Qianxue, I've noticed your cultivation consumes an especially large amount of spirit stones," Xiao Hanye said worriedly. "At the current rate, I'm afraid resources will be exhausted before you enter the academy."

Ling Qianxue smiled bitterly. "You've noticed too. Though the Phoenix bloodline is powerful, the required resources are more than ten times that of ordinary people."

"So we need to go train even more," Xiao Hanye said. "Hunting demon beasts not only improves combat experience, but demon cores can be sold for money to buy spirit stones."

Ling Qianxue nodded - this was indeed the best solution at present.

"Alright, we'll set out tomorrow."

"Great!" Xiao Hanye said excitedly. "I've long wanted to test my Indestructible Diamond Body!"

Seeing the young man's excited appearance, Ling Qianxue couldn't help but smile.

With him by her side, it felt really good.