And thus, time went on and months passed before there was only a single month remaining for the battle between siblings to occur.

In the Ninebless Phoenix Island, Heifeng Jiansui upgraded the 999 Phoenix Nirvana Domain to a true Earth Rank formation while setting up four more Earth Rank formations: a Coiling Dragon Reviving Formation, a Soaring Dragon, Dancing Phoenix Formation, a Life Nurturing Grand Formation and finally, the Trueyuan Shading Formation. These formations would come together to nurture the aura of dragon and phoenix, transform the beasts within the forest and eventually form a grand army of beasts that could slaughter through legions. The final formation was for hiding that all these formations had been set up in the first place!

In the Ninebless Island, Heifeng Jiansui was showing around the official that had come to take him back around the island’s sect ruins. The man was tall and sallow, with yellow skin wearing a red robe with four phoenix tails behind it.

“My maids were exploring this island when they found this ruin. It is certainly the ruin of the Ninebless Phoenix Sect. We explored it, but other than the manuals, everything important seems to have disappeared!” Heifeng Jiansui was showing the man the ruins of the sect. Now that Ninebless had incarnated with a body, keeping this ruins a secret was meaningless. After hiding the sleeping dragon and core of the formations carefully, he took around the sallow official around the ruins.

While following the prince around, the official only nodded as he explored the ruin. In any case, while it seemed that the price had looted the ruins, it wasn’t necessary in the first place. Since this island was the prince’s dominion, he had all rights to do as willed with the ruins.

After the official communicated this to him, Heifeng Jiansui nodded. He had known this, having read through the books pertaining to royalty and dominions in the castle. “I separated the books unique to this sect in the library. You can collect them if you wish.”

After taking the official to the library, he showed all the shelves with the legacy of the Ninebless Phoenix Sect. The man nodded as he asked, “Do you want to grant the books to the care of the library? You will receive Elemental Jades as rewards.”

“I don’t mind, take them away. By the way, what are Elemental Jades used for? I was granted 100,000 of them as allowance but haven’t used them yet.” Hearing this, the official was surprised, but replied. “Elemental Jades are items that contain pure Elemental Qi. This Qi is useful to all cultivators until the third boundary. You can exchange them for some items in the palace.”

“I suppose it is meaningless then. I don’t think any items will be useful to mortals unless they carry a heavy price.” Saying this, Heifeng Jiansui thought for a moment. “Can you have the ruins renovated?”

“Why don’t you hold on to those jades? If you are victorious in the battle for succession, you can have the ruins renovated at no cost.” The official said.

“I suppose that’s true… Let’s go then. I will bid goodbye to my maids before leaving.” The official nodded once more, before handing over a talisman. “You go then. I will pack up these shelves of books in the meantime. Break the talisman when you call me.”

+++

And once again, Heifeng Jiansui was in the mobile estate. The girls had assembled before him, standing in attention. “So, the battle for succession is going to happen in a month. I am moving over to the Royal Palace in the meantime. If I win, I will give you further orders. If I lose… Well, I have made a will that will appear before you after my loss. For now, cultivate. That is the only way you all will of any use to me.”

At his words, all the girls nodded to him with determination. Words don’t need to be exchanged, as their belief in their master’s victory doesn’t need to be said in the first place. Having spent four years with him, while the mystery of Heifeng Jiansui hadn’t been revealed, they had come to trust him and knew that he held deep care for them.

“Well, now that you’ve said your piece, will you come with me?” The official seemed to have packed up the books and had come to take Heifeng Jiansui back. He waved goodbye to the girls, accepted their wishes of good luck and went to the official’s side.

The official grasped the young prince with his left hand while crushing a single seal with his left. The power of teleportation appeared and the two men flashed through space to appear in the Imperial Palace.

+++

“It really seems like it has been a long time since we’ve met.” Chanlong Yue, Heifeng Jiansui’s mother looked at her son with a mix of fear and relief. Fear for the coming tribulation, and relief that he was safe in the present.

“Don’t worry. I am going to win this battle for sure.” Even after seeing the determination in her son’s face, she had a look of uncertainty.

“I hope so. I am sorry I have nothing to give you other than my good wishes. For this one month calm yourself and still your heart.” Chanlong Yue offered her advice as usual.

Back when he was born, this mother helped him a lot, but now she couldn’t even see his path…

“Don’t worry. I’ll win for sure.” Repeating his words once again, Heifeng Jiansui left the scene.

Despite this woman being his mother, he felt a disconnect from her that couldn’t be rectified.

+++

“You look all fired up, little brother. All enthusiastic to kill me?” Heifeng Xingmei had a mocking expression as she looked at her brother.

“Killing siblings is such an ugly matter. I am not enthusiastic at all.” Heifeng Jiansui replied with a calm expression.

Both the siblings glanced at each other before turning their heads away.

“…So, I guess you mastered the foundations of Black Phoenix Allbeast Rule. Your bloodline energy seems to be overflowing and without a trace of other bloodlines. It seems that the technique truly unifies the bloodlines under the Allbeast Black Phoenix.” Heifeng Jiansui paused a bit before praising his sister.

“So is that the only thing you noticed? Aren’t you going to comment on my cultivation having reached the Dantian Layer, at the peak of Origin Pass Stage?” Heifeng Xingmei seemed to be somewhat intrigued at his question.

“Actually, that is more praiseworthy I suppose. It shouldn’t have been many months since you turned 13 and gained the power to cultivate. How did you reach that realm in such short time?” Heifeng Jiansui’s expression was quizzical.

“It’s been only 5 months since I began cultivating. And of course, I had to pay a price for that. I suppose that if I survive, I will have to spend a few decades on my foundation.” Xingmei looked a bit disconcerted as she admitted this.

“A few decades are only a blink on the path of cultivation. It isn’t a big deal at all.” Heifeng Jiansi calmly consoled his sister.

“I won’t have my life, much less care about the immortal path after a month. No matter what, it is impossible for me to win.” Heifeng Xingmei calmly said this. “You are too unfathomable. Be it when I first met you wrapped in your mother’s arms, on your first birthday, the day when you forged me the Allbeast Spear or today, I can’t see myself competing against you. You will win no matter what.”

Heifeng Jiansui did not deny that. He simply looked her in the eyes.

“Even though it isn’t possible, I want to say something to you… I love you.” At her tender words, Heifeng Jiansui’s expression didn’t change.

Even so, she continued speaking. “I don’t know if you know, but back before you forged me the Allbeast Spear, I simply kissed you because I wanted to confuse you. Only after you forged that spear for did I truly fall for you.”

“It isn’t all that surprising, you know. All the while, you have been isolated in this castle, forced to nurture hatred towards your sibling due to the fate deathmatch. Back then, when I helped you, my mysterious unfathomable demeanor and the fact that I did not hate you, it wouldn’t have been difficult for your feelings to reverse.” Heifeng Jiansui said this with a straight expression.

“That’s true then… I suppose you aren’t going to answer my confession.” Heifeng Xingmei was extremely surprised at Heifeng Jiansui’s correct understanding of her falling in love.

“If you want an answer… I don’t believe an incestuous relationship can work out. In the first place, I don’t love you.” At Heifeng Jiansui’s blunt refusal, she couldn’t help but bitterly smile.

“I suppose this is the fate of unrequited love… One month from now, I will await my death.” Saying this, the girl returned, her back seeming cold and desolate as it slowly disappeared.