The Endless Promise

124. Sun And Shadow

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A year later...

Yao Ling and Yao Lien became pregnant around the same time, and as the Summer solstice approached, the Old Night Immortal confirmed that the star of a phoenix had appeared in the skies.

The Central Bird Tree was also showing blooms again, and excitement filled the air as the most prominent Immortals visited the Bird Clan.

One certain Immortal arrived from Sky Palace, accompanied by the deities as his entourage.

It was the Sky Emperor of the time, Zhurong Haotian... a handsome and elegant Immortal dressed in resplendent white and gold robes, with a mild golden glow surrounding him, and a presence which instantly commanded attention.

At this point, it was a foregone conclusion in most minds that the Phoenix would arise from the Feng family, so the Sky Emperor, Deities, and most immortals flocked to the Peacock clan.

Yet as a vigil was held over Yao Ling's birth, there was the cry of a child, but no light of a phoenix.

"What is happening?"

"Usually, a giant phoenix of light would fly over the birthplace, right?"

"Were we wrong?"

Endless murmurs filled the air and the Sky Emperor and officials were already planning to leave for the Yan Clan...

Within the delivery room, High Immortal Feng, Peacock King, slapped his weak wife.

"You forced yourself on me, and then promised you would birth a phoenix! You're also the one who went about announcing we would birth a phoenix, and you invited so many without ever being sure! This child isn't even an Azure peacock, but a regular one like you!"

Yao Ling could only beg for her life, and she forced herself to her knees, grasping the hem of his robes

"Husband! Please forgive me! S- S- surely..." She cast around for an excuse. "Surely my sister must have done something to me! Yes... Y- Yes! she must have stolen my daughter's power in some way! After she paid a visit last time!"

She reached up for his hand. "Th- That means she must have birthed a phoenix, right? But since everyone is here with us, only the Yan clan will be there to bear witness! Buy me some time! I can still rectify it! I will go over to take back what is ours!"

High Immortal Feng looked down on her. "Better do as you've said! I'll expend part of my cultivation to fake the phoenix light, but it won't fool sky realm for long!"

And so, after a few hand seals, the 'Phoenix light' finally appeared over the Feng family in the form of a giant red phoenix flying overhead...

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Meanwhile in the Yan clan, a quieter birth had happened, but an even larger phoenix of light, this one golden, appeared in the skies over the Yan palace, drawing cries of joy from the entire clan.

The tree of swallows was adorned in festive colours, and a magnificent feast ran late into the night...

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Back at the Peacock Palace, the Grand Immortals were no fools.

"Your Majesty, something seems to be wrong here..." A younger Immortal Kai Zhen observed, an amused smile on his face. "The aura from the Phoenix light is primarily Immortal Feng's aura, and this phoenix is red, not golden..."

But he was instantly countered by another. "The prediction does say a 'Golden' phoenix, but that could mean anything." It was Grand Immortal Jin.