Chapter 602 - 600: I’m Back

"I really wish I could help you with that, but it’s impossible right now. I don’t have any of the Royal Family’s Phoenix Essence Blood..." Bingxin said with a bitter smile.

"What?!" Lin Xuan froze, as if struck by lightning.

’I went through hell and back to get here, only to find there’s no Royal Family Phoenix Essence Blood? Was this trip all for nothing?’ But it wasn’t a total waste. Helping Bingxin made it all worthwhile.

"You said it’s impossible *right now*?" Lin Xuan quickly caught on, picking up the hidden meaning in her words.

"Yes, it’s impossible for now. Only by obtaining the Heart of the Fire Phoenix can I possess the Royal Family’s Essence Blood. To be blunt, only one person can obtain the Royal Family’s Phoenix Essence Blood. That’s precisely why, once I have the Heart of the Fire Phoenix, the Phoenix Race will have to recognize me as their Clan Leader, no matter how much they object!" A hopeful light shimmered in Bingxin’s beautiful eyes.

That was why she was willing to take this gamble. As long as she could obtain the Heart of the Fire Phoenix, it would all be worth it to make the Phoenix Race finally accept her. The problem was getting inside in the first place. If it weren’t for that, Bingxin wouldn’t have resorted to a scheme like carelessly tossing the key away.

Fortunately, no race other than the Phoenix Race could possess the Heart of the Fire Phoenix. They couldn’t even touch it, let alone absorb it.

It was said that anyone not of the Phoenix Race who touched the Heart of the Fire Phoenix would be burned to ash. Who would dare to touch it? This was all Bingxin wanted; she didn’t care about any other treasures. She just wanted to secure her position as Clan Leader, become the true heir, and take back what was rightfully hers!

With her qualifications, she should have been able to obtain the Heart of the Fire Phoenix, but she was imprisoned by the Fire Phoenix King. Thankfully, she had hidden the key in advance. Otherwise, she never would have survived long enough for Lin Xuan to rescue her.

"Does that mean this Stone Slab of mine is useless?" Lin Xuan took out the Stone Slab that Wei Jun had given him. As long as he stayed with Bingxin, opening the gate was no problem. The main key was in her hands, so his slab seemed meaningless.

Bingxin glanced at the Stone Slab and frowned. "This slab isn’t from the Phoenix Race. It’s completely different. Here, let me show you."

She took out a small Stone Slab of her own. A quick comparison showed they were completely different, with two distinct designs. However, the feather carved on his was so lifelike. ’Could it be something other than a Phoenix Feather?’

"Then what is it?" Lin Xuan asked, puzzled.

"I’m not sure, but it doesn’t look like an ordinary item. You should just hold onto it." Bingxin gestured for Lin Xuan to put it away. "So, about the Royal Family’s Phoenix Essence Blood... I can’t help you right now. If I already had it, giving you a drop would be no problem. I’d just need to rest for a bit. If you want some, you’ll have to wait until I obtain the Heart of the Fire Phoenix."

This was what Bingxin meant when she said she couldn’t give it to him *for now*. If she failed to obtain the Heart of the Fire Phoenix, then his chance at the Royal Family’s Phoenix Essence Blood would be gone. After all, if she didn’t get it, the Fire Phoenix King would. And if the Fire Phoenix King got it, Lin Xuan would have zero chance.

"It looks like we have to get that Heart of the Fire Phoenix, no matter what!" Lin Xuan’s eyes glinted. He turned to Bingxin with a faint smile. "But looking at it now, the power disparity is pretty huge. If we don’t find some reinforcements, we won’t even have a place to start. And with the Black Dragon Race involved now, things are going to be a real mess."

Some factions within the Phoenix Race wouldn’t move against them, but that didn’t mean others would show the same restraint. The Black Dragon Race, especially, would never let Bingxin off the hook.

"Reinforcements? What reinforcements could you possibly have right now?" Bingxin asked, puzzled.

"The Ice and Snow Tower. Have you heard of it, sister?" Lin Xuan asked with a smile.

"Of course I’ve heard of it. I’ve just heard that the Ice and Snow Tower has a true master now. I remember that master’s name is... Lin Xuan?!" Bingxin’s gaze shot to Lin Xuan, her beautiful eyes wide with astonishment. Her voice had risen, causing everyone nearby to turn and look.

"That’s right. I am the City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower! The Demon Fox Race and the Golden Dragon Race are inside, and they all hate the Black Dragon Race to the bone. If I go ask them, they will absolutely come and help!"

Both the Golden Dragon Race and the Demon Fox Race have powerful experts. So, in the fight for the Phoenix Ruins, while we might not have an absolute advantage, we at least won’t be at a severe disadvantage.

"What? He’s really the City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower? We thought it was just someone with the same name..."

"Oh my god, the first City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower—and he’s a human—is standing right in front of us. This is unbelievable..."

...

The crowd erupted in chatter again, utterly shocked that Lin Xuan was the City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower. Even Bingxin had initially assumed it was just a coincidence. There were countless people named Lin Xuan; it wouldn’t be surprising to find someone with that name among the vast Demon Race.

Who would have thought it was actually *him*? The revelation was simply staggering.

"Is this what they call a blessing from the heavens? It seems you really are my lucky star. You not only saved my life, but you can also bring us allies..." Bingxin was almost at a loss for words.

"Sister, there’s actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Do you happen to know who your father was?" Lin Xuan asked.

"My father..." Bingxin sighed. She looked at Lin Xuan with a smile tinged with admiration. "Of course I know. The founder of the Ice and Snow Tower, the Youlan Emperor... he was my father."

Bingxin had never met her father, but she took great pride in him. It couldn’t be said that the Youlan Emperor had let her mother down, because both husband and wife had already left this world...

So her goal had always been to follow in their footsteps. But now, with this whole crisis, ’if my mother were here, the Fire Phoenix King wouldn’t have enough lives to die.’

"Then let’s head to the Ice and Snow Tower now. We can gather everyone and plan things out," Lin Xuan said.

Bingxin nodded. With no time to waste, they immediately prepared to leave and rushed toward the Ice and Snow Tower. Since they were all Phoenixes—and Mutated Phoenixes at that—they possessed a huge advantage in speed. Within a very short time, they arrived at the foot of the Ice and Snow Tower.

The area hadn’t changed much. However, the moment they appeared, spies from the Black Dragon Race lurking in the corners immediately scurried off to report their arrival.

They paid the spies no mind and headed straight for the Ice and Snow Tower. As its master, Lin Xuan gave a light wave of his hand, and they all easily entered the tower—arriving directly on the Tenth Layer.

The moment he returned, he was greeted by familiar faces. The first person he saw was Liu Yue’Er. She was looking over some schematics and discussing matters with the Elders, fully taking on the role of a leader and offering her opinions.

When he appeared, Liu Yue’Er froze for a moment, then threw herself into Lin Xuan’s arms. "Brother, you’re back!" she exclaimed with delight.

"Yeah, I’m back..." Lin Xuan hugged Liu Yue’Er. He had really missed his little sister. ’Looks like she can handle things on her own now.’