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Chapter 449: Chapter 449: People Are Not Always What They Seem

With a swift movement, Wu Jiutian\'s figure disappeared from the spot.

On Phoenix Island, the sky changed rapidly, lightning flashing in and out with astonishing speed.

Meanwhile, Zhong Shan stood in Xuan Yuan\'s valley, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"Was it you who angered Wu Jiutian?" Xuan Yuan asked, slightly surprised.

"This is just the beginning. Next, I will need your help, Xuan Yuan," Zhong Shan said.

"There are only a few Heavenly Realm experts in the Divine Land. You\'ve managed to provoke two of them. Even though I don\'t know which two, any pair would be enough to make your name known throughout the land. Since I agreed, I won\'t go back on my word. Rest assured, for six months," Xuan Yuan said, deeply impressed.

"Thank you!" Zhong Shan smiled.

Xuan Yuan nodded.

Turning his head, Zhong Shan looked at Zhihuo and Qinghong.

The two were still staring at the sky where the clouds had just dissipated, filled with astonishment.

"Zhihuo!" Zhong Shan called.

"Your Majesty!" Zhihuo immediately flew over.

"You and Qinghong should return to the capital of Lihuo now and assist Lin Xiao," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" Zhihuo responded promptly.

He quickly took Qinghong with him, heading back to the capital of Lihuo. As for Zhong Shan\'s safety, Zhihuo was no longer worried. With Xuan Yuan around, who could touch Zhong Shan? Even if Wu Jiutian sought trouble, Xuan Yuan could still protect Zhong Shan by escaping.

Wu Jiutian\'s destination was indeed the capital of Lihuo.

A Heavenly Realm expert, one of the strongest in the world, could move at astonishing speeds.

In just one day, Wu Jiutian arrived in the capital of Lihuo, appearing instantly before the Suzaku.

"Wu sister, look at Little Red. What happened to her? Why is she like this?" Tian Ling\'er asked, tears filling her eyes.

Wu Jiutian picked up the featherless Suzaku, examining it closely. Her expression fluctuated between light and dark. The little Suzaku, upon meeting Wu Jiutian, behaved very obediently, without any resistance, though it seemed slightly listless.

"Six months? Only six months left?" Wu Jiutian\'s face showed a mix of anger and worry.

"Wu sister, will Little Red be okay?" Tian Ling\'er asked, her concern evident.

"Take good care of it. It will only thrive by your side," Wu Jiutian said solemnly, handing the Suzaku back to Tian Ling\'er.

"But what about Little Red...?" Tian Ling\'er asked, still worried.

At this moment, Wu Jiutian looked at Tian Ling\'er with a complex expression in her eyes.

"Don\'t worry. As long as it has you, it will be fine," Wu Jiutian reassured her.

"Okay!" Tian Ling\'er nodded.

With a step, Wu Jiutian vanished from Princess Ling\'er\'s residence.

Just then, Nie Qingqing rushed in.

"Ling\'er, what happened just now? Why was there such a strong barrier around the residence? I couldn\'t get in!" Nie Qingqing asked, frowning.

"Uh? I don\'t know!" Tian Ling\'er replied, bewildered.

"Who came here?" Nie Qingqing asked.

"Wu sister said Little Red will be fine," Tian Ling\'er said.

"Wu sister? Which Wu sister?" Nie Qingqing asked, puzzled.

"The one we saw at the Phoenix Palace last time. Don\'t you remember? She was the one who gave Little Red to me," Tian Ling\'er recalled.

Hearing Tian Ling\'er\'s words, Nie Qingqing\'s face stiffened. The Phoenix Supreme?

"What\'s wrong?" Tian Ling\'er asked, confused by Nie Qingqing\'s reaction.

"Nothing, nothing!" Nie Qingqing replied with a peculiar expression.

Wu sister? Perhaps Tian Ling\'er was the only person in the world with the privilege to address the Phoenix Supreme this way.

After leaving Suzaku, Wu Jiutian swiftly flew to a building.

"Greetings, Supreme!" Seven or eight people bowed simultaneously to Wu Jiutian. They all had a common trait: phoenix eyes, regardless of their gender, with multicolored eyelashes indicating they were Phoenix Generals.

"Is there a Mingyuan Pill in the capital of Lihuo?" Wu Jiutian asked.

"Mingyuan Pill?" The group seemed puzzled.

"This one!" Wu Jiutian waved her hand, projecting an image of the Mingyuan Pill.

"The Elixir of Immortality from the Southern Ming Tribute Hall?" a Phoenix General exclaimed.

"Where is it?" Wu Jiutian\'s face lit up, ready to seize it with all her might.

The group exchanged strange glances.

"Supreme, you are too late!" a Phoenix General said.

"Oh?"

"Two days ago..."

As she listened to their explanation, Wu Jiutian\'s brows furrowed tighter and tighter. How coincidental that the Mingyuan Pill disappeared just as Suzaku\'s problem emerged?

Sensing something unusual, Wu Jiutian didn\'t bother to explain to her subordinates. Her figure flickered and she disappeared again.

In the next moment, Wu Jiutian appeared in the Lihuo Sacred Hall.

Standing before Nie Fancheng were several ministers. They were momentarily stunned by Wu Jiutian\'s sudden appearance but showed no anger. Ignoring the ministers, Nie Fancheng turned to Wu Jiutian.

"Is there something you need?" Nie Fancheng asked.

"Where is the Mingyuan Pill?" Wu Jiutian asked directly.

"In the hands of the Great Luo envoy, Zhong Shan!" Nie Fancheng replied.

"Zhong Shan?" Wu Jiutian suddenly understood everything.

Zhong Shan? You dared to scheme against me? Wu Jiutian\'s eyes turned red with rage, her anger reaching the heavens!

"Sorry to interrupt!" Wu Jiutian left those words and vanished instantly.

"Your Majesty, who was that?" a minister asked in astonishment.

Who could be so audacious in the Lihuo Sacred Hall, and why was the emperor so lenient?

"Go check on the bird beside Ling\'er," Nie Fancheng ordered.

"Yes!" came the elderly eunuch\'s voice from outside the hall.

One day later, on Phoenix Island:

Zhong Shan was seated in Xuan Yuan\'s valley, playing a game of Go with Xuan Yuan.

"Zhong Shan, you don\'t seem worried at all," Xuan Yuan said with a smile.

"The outcome is already known, so why worry?" Zhong Shan replied, placing a piece on the board with a smile.

"Well said. Some people are obsessed with results, others with the process. But you, Zhong Shan, surpass them all. You only care about the scheme. Once your plan is in motion, nothing can unsettle you," Xuan Yuan remarked, placing his piece.

"You flatter me, Xuan Yuan. There are always uncertainties in life. How can I be sure of the outcome every time?" Zhong Shan replied, placing another piece with a smile.

"But why are you so calm? Aren\'t you afraid of unexpected events?" Xuan Yuan asked with a smile, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Plans are made by humans, but success is determined by the heavens. Even if Zhong Shan were anxious, it wouldn\'t help. As long as I do my best and give it my all, my heart remains calm. Why do people get anxious? Because they haven\'t done their best. I have, so I remain calm," Zhong Shan replied, placing another piece on the board with a smile.

"Plans are made by humans, but success is determined by the heavens? People get anxious because they haven\'t done their best?" Xuan Yuan repeated thoughtfully. "Well said. I didn\'t expect someone as young as you to have such profound insight. Truly, people are not always what they seem," Xuan Yuan remarked, impressed.

"Heh..." Zhong Shan was about to say something when suddenly:

"Boom!"

A massive gust of wind tore through the valley, whipping around violently as a powerful aura pressed down on Zhong Shan. The air was filled with an overwhelming sense of anger, directly aimed at him. The sky darkened with rolling clouds and flashing lightning, creating a scene of imminent doom.

"Whoosh!"

The violent wind caused Zhong Shan\'s robes to flap wildly. Xuan Yuan frowned and stepped closer, placing a hand on Zhong Shan\'s shoulder. Instantly, the wind around Zhong Shan ceased, and his robes settled down.

Before them appeared an enraged woman.

Wu Jiutian, her phoenix eyes glaring at Zhong Shan, looked as if she wanted to tear him apart.

Seeing her expression, Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.

This isn\'t right. I expected Wu Jiutian to come looking for me, but not with such anger. A Supreme, a Heavenly Realm expert, should have a heart as solid as a rock. Emotions shouldn\'t be so apparent. Why is she so furious?

Not faking it. No need to put on a show for someone like me. So why this reaction?

Suddenly, it clicked. I underestimated how much she cares for the Suzaku.

Realizing this, Zhong Shan felt a surge of joy. His mind raced, adjusting his plan to capitalize on this new insight.

"Zhong Shan!" Wu Jiutian roared, her anger palpable.

A few days ago, she had merely looked down on him. Now, she realized just how insidious this man was.

"Zhong Shan greets the Phoenix Supreme!" Zhong Shan said calmly, bowing slightly.

"Give me the Mingyuan Pill!" Wu Jiutian demanded bluntly.

Xuan Yuan raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback. He knew Zhong Shan was planning something big, but he hadn\'t asked for details out of politeness. Wu Jiutian\'s directness was startling.

"What do you mean, senior? Zhong Shan doesn\'t understand," Zhong Shan replied, feigning confusion.

Xuan Yuan watched Zhong Shan and shook his head, chuckling softly. This young man is a classic old fox, deflecting the issue completely. Now, with Wu Jiutian explaining her reasons, Zhong Shan would hold the upper hand.

"At this point, you\'re still pretending? You\'re courting death!" Wu Jiutian\'s fury was evident.

"Senior, please clarify what I did to cause this misunderstanding. Even if I must die, let me die knowing why!" Zhong Shan shouted back, matching her anger.

Xuan Yuan sighed softly. Zhong Shan is not only cunning but has a face as thick as a city wall. Truly, people are not always what they seem.