A Form Of Freedom.

" Meanwhile, the fragment of the [World Ode of the Phoenix] is inscribed on this jade stone. Together, the [World Ode of the Phoenix], the [Vermillion Bird's Consoling Spirit Song], and the [Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World] were known as the Three Great World Scorching Heavenly Books. Each possessed tremendous power capable of burning the heavens. That year, the Phoenix left behind the first six stages of the [World Ode of the Phoenix]." The Spirit of the Phoenix said.

" .... " Ikuya simply picked them up without saying anything. He stored away the Divine Phoenix pellet and then scanned the [World Ode of the Phoenix] with his mental energy and instantly copied it down in his memory. There were only the fifth and sixth stages of [World Ode of the Phoenix] imprinted in the broken jade, which Ikuya has already known of.

" Are you not going to ask anything?" The Spirit of the Phoenix asked when it saw Ikuya not bombarding it with questions like it had expected.

Ikuya ignored the Spirit of the Phoenix and simply continued to see through the essence of the profound arts. He is not bored enough to ask about something he already knows.

After three minutes, Ikuya was able to completely understand and comprehend the essence of the fifth and sixth stages of [World Ode of the Phoenix] which was quite expected considering his perception capabilities. By simply manipulating his mental energy, temporarily boosting his comprehensive ability by hundreds of times is an easy feat for him.

Of course, such a feat is possible only for him who has almost absolute control over mental energy.

The Spirit of the Phoenix saw that Ikuya had no intention of asking about the specifics about the missing stages of [World Ode of the Phoenix]. It was feeling helpless.

From the very creation of this trial ground, every one who has ever taken the trial had fear and reverence towards the Spirit of the Phoenix. It has always been like that. But.....

In the end, it is Ikuya who makes the difference.

Forget about fear and reverence, Ikuya didn't even acknowledge it's status as a Primordial Divine Beast. What he had shown towards the Spirit of the Phoenix was clear indifference.

Ikuya's only goal here was the Phoenix Blood and the [World Ode of the Phoenix].

The Spirit of the Phoenix Sighed and then said, " You must be wondering why there are only the fifth and sixth stages are here. Originally, this [World Ode of the Phoenix] had recorded everything from the first to the sixth stage, but before the first challenger arrived, an unexpected accident happened."

"That year, the Phoenix left two trial grounds in this continent. One was here and the other was at the enormous Divine Phoenix Empire a long distance away. The trial ground at the Divine Phoenix Empire was quickly discovered and the Divine Phoenix Sect was created. That trial ground also became a restricted area that belonged solely to the Divine Phoenix Sect. Afterwards, the Divine Phoenix Sect became the number one sect of that empire. The empire was renamed as the Divine Phoenix Empire and even the empire's capital was established near the Divine Phoenix Sect. Thus, the area where the trial ground was located became the empire's most prosperous region. Humanity's avarice, deceit, barbarous acts, and war constantly existed and tainted the aura within that region. It thereby infected the Phoenix's spirit in that trial ground and gave it a consciousness it should not have had... Which led it to betray the will of the Phoenix."

"As a part of the Phoenix spirit with a different body, I knew of its existence then; and similarly, it knew of mine. After it had developed the consciousness it shouldn't have, it actually had the idea of destroying me and this trial ground, wanting to have the entire continent to itself. Thus, it transferred its energy to an common firebird and came here. It fiercely battled against me and completely destroyed my copy of the jade that recorded the [World Ode of the Phoenix].

"During the intense fight, I destroyed a portion of its copy of the [World Ode of the Phoenix], leaving it with only the first four stages. Afterwards, I was no match for it and had no other option but to create a false illusion of dissipating into flames. Only until then did it leave… But it didn't know that I had removed the fifth and sixth stages of the [World Ode of the Phoenix] instead of destroying them, which is the piece that you are holding right now. After that, I completely severed my soul connection to it. It never felt my existence again and has always believed that I had died but I have continued to carry out the will of the phoenix. While guarding this trial ground, I have welcomed and monitored all the challengers."

" I'm done." Ikuya said with no regards to the words of the Spirit of the Phoenix.

" Hm? I see. So you gave up, huh? It's understandable. There's almost no chance of comprehending the fifth and sixth stages of the [World Ode of the Phoenix] without comprehending the beginning stages." The Spirit of the Phoenix said.

" I want to leave. Now." Ikuya said, without denying the wrong judgement of the Spirit of the Phoenix. Ikuya saw no benefit in admitting his successful comprehension of the fifth and sixth stages of the [World Ode of the Phoenix].

" Again, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Considering how brilliantly you passed the trial, you should deserve more rewards. But the way you passed does not match what the Phoenix wanted. So, even if I feel that you deserve more, I am unable to defy the will of the Phoenix." The Spirit of the Phoenix said in an apologetic voice.

" So you can't even think anything for yourself, huh? How pathetic." Ikuya said with an indifferent tone, giving no respect to the Spirit of the Phoenix.

The Spirit of the Phoenix wasn't perturbed by Ikuya's complete lack of respect towards it.

" I am but a mere fabrication created by the Phoenix to guard the trial ground. The will of the Phoenix is absolute to me. I have no freedom, but, I have no problem with it. After all, I'm a mere artificially created being." The Spirit of the Phoenix said with no changes in its tone as a golden portal appeared a few feet away from Ikuya.

Ikuya walked towards the golden portal as he said, " It doesn't matter what you are. As long as you possess a Will of your own, a Will that you feel is your 'True' Will. A Will that is not fabricated by someone or something else, then it can be considered as a form of freedom as well."

The golden eyes of the Spirit of the Phoenix raised in surprise at Ikuya's words.

Right before Ikuya entered the golden portal, he said, " By the way, I am Ikuya Senya, The Zenith. Farewell."

As he said that, Ikuya entered the golden vortex as he disappeared from the place.

The next second, he was in front of the red sigil which is the entrance to the Trial Ground of the Phoenix.

" Young Ikuya." The voice of the Spirit of the Phoenix resounded in his mind as he turned around to look towards the Sigil.

There he saw a stunningly beautiful woman, whose beauty far surpassed even that of Xia Qingyue. The woman had beautiful long silky red-gold hair with a pair of unique golden eyes. She was looking at Ikuya and said with a slight smile.

" How about we make a deal?" The woman asked.

" What's in it for me?" Ikuya asked.

Suddenly, two golden light shined in front of Ikuya and two jade bottles floated in front of Ikuya.

These were two Divine Phoenix Pellets!

" Oh..... I'm listening." Ikuya said to which the Spirit of the Phoenix slightly smiled.

After listening to the deal of the Spirit of the Phoenix, Ikuya took the two jade bottles and stored it away as he turned around and started to walk away.

" And one more thing...." The Spirit of the Phoenix suddenly called out.

" I hope you can make some pleasant memories one day." As she said that, the beautiful woman dispersed into flames.

Ikuya's eyebrows slightly raised in surprise. It was not because of the woman's beauty, but because of her words. No one has ever said such a thing to him.

" Pleasant memories, huh.... I don't think I'm suited to possessing such things." Ikuya muttered as he moved forward.