SHAOYANG FIRST AWAKENING
Morning light spread gently across the realm, the sky still pale with the first hint of sunrise.
The doors of Heping Hall slid open with a soft sound.
The corridor curved quietly through a secluded part of the realm far from where phoenixes are gathered.
Qianfan walked slowly along the stone path without any real destination in mind. He had simply kept walking after leaving Heping Hall, following whichever path looked the most peaceful.
Soon the buildings faded behind him.
His mind has never felt this peaceful he thought to himself.
This part of the realm felt almost hidden.
Tall flowering trees leaned over the corridor, their branches heavy with blossoms. Petals drifted lazily through the air, settling along the railings and the ground like soft snow.
Butterflies fluttered everywhere, dancing between the bright flowers.
Above the trees, the faint wailing cries of baby phoenixes echoed across the sky— young Phoenixes playing around
The whole place felt alive and gentle.
Qianfan smiled to himself .
"Ah… this place is beautiful."
He slowed, reaching out to lightly touch one of the blossoms hanging beside the path. The petals were soft under his fingers. A butterfly briefly landed on another flower nearby before fluttering away again.
He moved from one plant to another, quietly admiring them like a curious child discovering a secret garden.
The corridor was so peaceful that he hadn't noticed how far he had wandered.
No disciples.
No servants.
Only flowers, butterflies, and young playful little Phoenix
Qianfan bent slightly, brushing his fingers over a cluster of pale blossoms, completely absorbed in them.
Then—
A voice.
Soft, calm, and unmistakably familiar from afar
He slightly looked up and surprised to see Shaoyang
Qianfan : (calling her at the top of his voice ) Shaoyang
Shaoyang was turning back to go another direction when she suddenly heard her name , she stopped at that point and looked back to see who was calling her after looking around she sighted qianfan and happily waved at him
Shaoyang : ( running towards qianfan happily) Qianfan good to see you, how's are your injuries now my dad said you were severely injured
Qianfan : They are very much better and you how's your body coping
Shaoyang : Am fine , but when I woke up I was feeling sore and heavy all over
Qianfan : "Well, that's to be expected after such a huge power outburst."
Shaoyang : ( Shaoyang blinked in confusion) "Power outburst? What do you mean by that?"
Qianfan : (Qianfan frowned slightly, surprised.) "But you were the one who burst open the icy stone cave on Mount Kunlun."
Shaoyang : (Shaoyang's eyes widened in shock.) Me ?!
Shaoyang stared at him in disbelief.
Shaoyang : Me? That can't be right. I don't even remember doing that.
Qianfan: (frowning slightly) You really don't remember anything?
Shaoyang: The last thing I remember was you motioning a magic against the icy stone cave and it became bigger and entered my body that's all I could remember. After that, everything went blank.
Qianfan: (crossing his arms) That explains it then.
Shaoyang: Explains what?
Qianfan: When you were engulfed with the fire you burst out a huge wave of spiritual energy which thrown back everything and because I was the closest, so I took the worst of it.
Shaoyang: (worried) So that's how you got injured?
Qianfan: Yes… but that's not the strange part.
Shaoyang: (nervously) There's more?
Qianfan: When the ice shattered, you were engulfed in a huge power your eye color changed to that of red and there was a red Phoenix mark on your forehead.
Shaoyang: (quietly) And you're sure … that person was me?
Qianfan: (nodding slowly) Your eyes were glowing, and the ice around the mountain was responding to your power.
Shaoyang: That's impossible. I've never had spiritual energy to begin with so how could I have been able to control that much of a spiritual energy.
Qianfan: This was what I overheard someone saying , they said you could have awakened your Phoenix origin
Shaoyang: (shaking her head) Awakened… what?
Qianfan: No one knows yet. But after the cave broke open, an ancient seal appeared inside.
Shaoyang: A seal?
Qianfan: Yes… and it reacted when you touched it.
Shaoyang: (stepping back slightly) Qianfan… you're starting to scare me.
Qianfan: I'm not trying to. But your parent have already sent people to investigate Mount Kunlun again.
Shaoyang: Why?
Qianfan: Because whatever power burst out that night… it wasn't normal spiritual energy.
Shaoyang: (uneasy) Then what was it?
Qianfan: (lowering his voice) It felt ancient… like something that had been sleeping under the mountain for thousands of years.
Shaoyang: (whispering) And you think… I woke it up?
Qianfan: I don't think so.
Shaoyang: Then who did?
Qianfan looked at her seriously.
Qianfan: I think… it woke up because of you.
Shaoyang fell silent, her heart suddenly beating faster as a strange cold sensation spread through her palms.
Shaoyang: (no longer silent, suddenly excited) Do I at least look cool during the power outburst?
Qianfan: (staring at her in disbelief) You have the nerve to ask if you looked cool? After nearly blowing my head away
He stretched his hand toward her ear, trying to grab it.
Qianfan: Come here, you reckless girl. Someone needs to knock some sense into you.
Shaoyang: Hey! Don't touch my ear!
She laughed and quickly ran forward while Qianfan chased after her.
Qianfan: Stop running!
Shaoyang: Catch me first!
As she hurried around a corner, she suddenly bumped into someone standing in front of her.
Thud.
Shaoyang stumbled back slightly. Her heart jumped in surprise as she anxiously looked up to see who she had run into.
When she saw the familiar figure in front of her, her eyes widened.
Shaoyang: Dad!
The tall man standing before her looked down calmly. His long robes moved slightly in the breeze, and his sharp eyes rested on her.
Feng Muyu: (sternly) Running around like a child again?
Shaoyang immediately straightened her posture.
Shaoyang: Dad I was wrong said coquettishly
At that moment, Qianfan arrived, slightly out of breath. The moment he saw the man in front of Shaoyang, his expression changed instantly. He bowed respectfully.
Qianfan: Uncle
Feng Muyu slowly shifted his gaze toward him.
Feng Muyu: Your injuries seem to have improved.
Qianfan: Thanks to the medicine provided
Feng Muyu nodded slightly, then looked back at Shaoyang, who was now standing very quietly.
Feng Muyu: Shaoyang.
Shaoyang: Yes, Dad?
Feng Muyu: The elders wish to see you.
Shaoyang blinked in confusion.
Shaoyang: The elders? Why?
Feng Muyu looked at her for a moment before speaking.
Feng Muyu: Because of what happened at Mount Kunlun.
Shaoyang's shoulders stiffened.
Shaoyang: (nervously) Dad… you don't actually believe I burst open the cave too, do you?
Feng Muyu remained silent for a brief moment.
Then he said calmly—
Feng Muyu: I was there.
Shaoyang's eyes widened.
Shaoyang: You… saw it?
Feng Muyu: I saw the moment the ancient seal reacted to your spiritual aura.
Qianfan glanced at Shaoyang with a serious expression.
Feng Muyu continued,
Feng Muyu: And that is exactly why the elders want answers.
Shaoyang swallowed nervously.
Shaoyang: What if… I don't have any answers?
Feng Muyu turned and began walking.
Feng Muyu: Then we will find them.
He glanced back at the two of them.
Feng Muyu: Come with me.
Shaoyang and Qianfan exchanged a nervous look before quickly following behind him.
Feng Muyu walked ahead of them through the long stone path that led deeper into the sect grounds. Shaoyang and Qianfan followed closely behind.
Shaoyang: (whispering) Qianfan… why do I feel like I'm about to be judged for a crime I don't remember committing?
Qianfan: (quietly) Because you probably are.
Shaoyang: Hey!
Shaoyang: (groaning softly) Great… just great.
Feng Muyu suddenly stopped walking.
Both of them almost ran into him.
Feng Muyu: You two are not whispering very quietly.
Shaoyang immediately straightened.
Shaoyang : Sorry, Dad.
Qianfan lowered his head respectfully.
They continued walking until they reached a large hall called "Bright moon " with tall wooden doors carved with ancient Phoenix symbols. The air around the building felt heavy with spiritual energy.
Shaoyang: (whispering again) Why does this place always feel so intimidating?
Qianfan: Why are you asking me, I should be asking you
The doors slowly opened.