Chapter 244: The Extinct Phoenix

Suddenly, a pair of wings unfurled from Yan Yichen’s back with a SWISH. His tightly shut eyes snapped open, and he shot out of the room.

BANG—

The force of his exit blasted a huge hole through the wall and window.

The commotion instantly jolted everyone else awake. A brilliant golden light flared outside, drawing everyone out to see what was happening.

Yue Junxiao didn’t even have time to get dressed before he dashed outside. As he ran, he didn’t forget to ask Hu Yan and Lang Qiu, who were also emerging from their rooms, “What was that rumbling sound? What’s going on?”

Hu Yan stared in the direction of the golden light. “Judging by the commotion, it must be coming from Yan Yichen’s room.”

The moment Yue Junxiao heard Yan Yichen’s name, he ran even faster, his face a mask of annoyance. “That idiot has been in a funk for the past two days, but didn’t Bai Zhi talk him through it yesterday? Why is he still making such a huge scene? When I get my hands on him, I’m going to give him a good thrashing! What funk? He’s just asking for a beating! A good beating will knock any mood right out of him!”

When Bai Zhi came out, she ran right into them. Seeing her, Yue Junxiao guessed she wanted to go too. Without a second thought, he scooped her up into a princess carry and took off.

By the time they arrived, Yan Yichen had already soared into the air.

He then shifted into his true form, which grew larger and larger. Finally, long tail feathers sprouted, and his already beautiful colors became even more magnificent.

Just then, Hu Yan said with a grave expression, “It’s a Phoenix.”

Yue Junxiao turned his head in confusion. “A Phoenix? Where?”

Hearing this, Bai Zhi immediately looked up at Yan Yichen. He had ascended tens of meters into the sky, his body now dozens of times larger than before. He was wreathed in golden light, his magnificent colors looking even more beautiful under its glow.

Lang Qiu also looked surprised. “I never would have guessed Yan Yichen was a Phoenix.”

Hearing this, Yue Junxiao said in disbelief, “Who did you say is a Phoenix? Yan Yichen? Isn’t he just a pretty little bird?”

Hu Yan explained, “It was likely because he was still young, in his juvenile stage. Now, he’s evolved into his Growth Stage. I never imagined we’d see a Phoenix, a species thought to be extinct, here of all places.”

After her shock subsided, Bai Zhi was at a loss for words. ‘I thought my predecessor’s father had finally missed one, but it turns out the last one is the biggest catch of all!’

She no longer had any doubt. ‘My predecessor’s father must have had some kind of cheat ability. How else could he have picked up five people, every single one of them so incredible?’

Yue Junxiao finally caught on. “So, Yan Yichen wasn’t being all dramatic and depressed, he was evolving? And he’s not some ordinary bird, he’s an extinct species—a Phoenix?! Holy crap! Way to go, Yan Yichen! You’re either completely silent or you drop a bombshell on everyone!”

After a while, Yan Yichen completed his Transformation and slowly descended.

“Leave it to you to be a Phoenix!” Yue Junxiao exclaimed, subconsciously raising a hand to slap him on the back. Only then did he remember he was still holding Bai Zhi.

He then set Bai Zhi down. Just as he was about to give Yan Yichen a hug, Yan Yichen walked over to Bai Zhi’s side, his face beaming with joy, and called out excitedly, “Bai Zhi.”

He didn’t say anything more, but Bai Zhi understood what he meant.

He wanted to tell her that he was a Phoenix, a member of an extinct race. That he wasn’t lacking. That he was strong!

While her guidance yesterday had been helpful, successfully transforming from his juvenile stage into his Growth Stage and becoming a Phoenix today gave him an even bigger boost of confidence.

Bai Zhi smiled. “Congratulations.”

The others also came over to congratulate him. A smile returned to Yan Yichen’s face. “Thank you all.”

Yue Junxiao clapped him on the shoulder, feigning annoyance. “What are you talking about? We’re all in this together!”

To celebrate Yan Yichen’s successful entry into his Growth Stage, Bai Zhi and Hu Yan personally cooked a meal together.

That evening, Hu Yan suddenly said to Bai Zhi, “My mother asked when I’m going to bring you to meet them. Are you ready?”

Hearing the words “meet the parents,” Bai Zhi wasn’t as nervous as she had been before. Firstly, she had been mentally preparing herself for a long time. Secondly, she had already met Yue Junxiao’s parents.

Bai Zhi nodded. “I’m ready. Any time is fine.”

A glint flashed in Hu Yan’s eyes as he made a swift decision. “Then let’s do it tomorrow.”

Bai Zhi vaguely felt that something wasn’t quite right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. After all, Hu Yan had discussed this with her before, and she was mentally prepared. The short notice didn’t seem to make much of a difference, so she decided not to dwell on it.

Bai Zhi asked, “Are the others coming with us?”

Hu Yan thought for a moment. “I’ll ask them later. They can come if they want to, but they don’t have to.”

During dinner, Hu Yan told the others, and it turned out that everyone decided to go.

The next day, everyone took special care in dressing up. After all, they were meeting the Federation Emperor and Empress; it would be unseemly to be dressed inappropriately.

Hu Yan’s Starship could fly directly into the palace grounds.

As she disembarked from the Starship, Bai Zhi saw quite a few people heading into the palace and found it a little strange. “Is the palace always this crowded?”

Hu Yan replied, “Not usually.”

Hu Yan changed the subject. “Come on, let’s go see my father and mother. They’ve been waiting for a while.”

Hearing that, Bai Zhi immediately had no time for other thoughts.

Lang Qiu and Sang Mo, however, seemed to have noticed something. They exchanged a look, each seeing understanding in the other’s eyes.

‘Something is definitely not right.’

Since he and Bai Zhi were going to see the Empress first, Hu Yan had someone lead Lang Qiu and the others to the banquet hall.

When they arrived, Empress Leia and the Emperor were, as expected, already waiting.

Bai Zhi couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. After all, this was the Emperor and Empress!

But Hu Yan immediately noticed her nervousness and took her hand. Feeling his touch, Bai Zhi looked at him, only to find him already looking back at her. Their eyes met.

Hu Yan led Bai Zhi forward. “Father, Mother, this is my partner, Bai Zhi.”

Then he lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be nervous. They won’t give you a hard time.”

Seeing how close the two were, the smile on Empress Leia’s face deepened. “Hu Yan is right, don’t be nervous. We just wanted to meet you and get to know you a little. If he ever bullies you, you come straight to the palace and find us.”

The Emperor added, “That boy Hu Yan has always been strong-willed. The person he chooses is bound to be wonderful. We aren’t the kind of narrow-minded parents who would interfere. If he’s in the wrong, we absolutely won’t cover for him.”

Hu Yan smiled at Bai Zhi. She nodded back and called out with a smile of her own, “Father, Mother.”

That sweet smile and sweet voice instantly melted the hearts of Empress Leia and the Emperor, who answered warmly in unison, “Ah, yes.”

Then, the Empress gestured for the presents to be brought over.

Empress Leia said, “I had these prepared a while ago, but you two have been traveling all over. See if there’s anything you like. We have plenty more in the vaults. If you don’t like these, I’ll take you to the vaults to pick something out yourself.”

Bai Zhi watched as a long line of at least twenty or thirty people approached, each holding a box containing exquisite jewelry. ‘This is a scene I’ve only ever seen on TV!’

She hurriedly said, “I love them! I love them very much! Thank you, Father, Mother.”