Chapter 32: Phoenix Crown

Chapter : The Phoenix's Revelation

The Visions of the Phoenix Crown

Feng Ruoyan gasped as the Phoenix Crown seared into her mind, its ancient power unraveling the threads of fate.

Memories—some hers, some belonging to souls long past—flooded her consciousness. Images of whispered betrayals, hidden alliances, and a shadow pulling the strings behind her downfall flashed before her eyes.

And then she saw it.

A dark room, candlelight flickering against jade walls. A figure, cloaked in celestial energy, speaking in hushed tones to another, obscured by darkness.

"The Phoenix Heir must never rise."

"We will handle her."

The voices sent chills down Ruoyan's spine. One was calm and composed, the other dripping with arrogant confidence.

The image shifted, revealing glimpses of past events from a new perspective:

Her best friend had been manipulated, her actions orchestrated by an unseen force.

Her fiancé's betrayal had been planned long before their engagement.

Even her execution had been a mere step in someone else's grand design.

And at the center of it all…

The Star Lord stood within an ethereal palace, speaking to a shadowed figure—a presence even Ruoyan could not identify.

Her heart pounded.

"Could it really be him?"

The visions snapped shut, and Ruoyan staggered, nearly collapsing. Lin Feiyan caught her just in time.

"Ruoyan! What did you see?"

She swallowed hard, the weight of truth pressing against her chest.

"I saw…" she hesitated, "a conspiracy larger than I imagined."

Lin Feiyan's gaze sharpened. "Who?"

She shook her head. "Not yet. I need to be sure."

She wasn't ready to say it—not until she gathered proof.

Because if she was wrong… it could cost them everything.

The Gathering Storm

Night fell over the ancient ruins as Ruoyan and Lin Feiyan made camp. The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls.

Lin Feiyan stirred the flames, his expression pensive. "You've been quiet since we left the temple."

Ruoyan exhaled, tightening her grip on the Phoenix Crown. "Because what I saw… it changes everything."

She glanced at him. "What if I told you that someone we all trusted was behind my downfall?"

Lin Feiyan's jaw clenched. "Then I'd say I already suspected it."

She raised an eyebrow. "You did?"

He nodded. "I never believed your execution was a simple matter of betrayal. Too many things didn't add up."

Ruoyan considered his words. "And what if the real traitor is someone we cannot easily accuse?"

Lin Feiyan's eyes darkened. "Then we gather evidence."

Ruoyan stared into the fire, her mind spinning with possibilities.

Tomorrow, she would confront one of the most powerful figures in the cultivation world.

But tonight… she had one more stop to make.

The Abyssal Lords Make Their Move

Deep within the Abyssal Domain, a council of shadowed figures convened.

The Abyssal Lords—ancient beings who thrived on chaos—watched a projection of Ruoyan.

"She has awakened the Phoenix Crown," one murmured.

"Good," another said, a smirk in their voice. "That means the real game begins."

A figure draped in blood-red robes stepped forward. "And what of the prophecy?"

The oldest among them chuckled. "She has already set foot on the path of destruction."

The red-robed figure tilted their head. "Then shall we… assist her?"

A ripple of laughter echoed through the abyss.

"She will come to us soon enough."

And with that, the darkness swallowed them whole.

The Mysterious Figure's Warning

Ruoyan moved swiftly through the forest, Lin Feiyan close behind.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"To meet someone," she replied. "Someone who might have answers."

As they reached a secluded clearing, a golden flame erupted before them.

The cloaked figure from before emerged, their presence otherworldly.

"You again," Ruoyan said, eyes narrowing. "Are you here to warn me again?"

The figure exhaled. "No, Phoenix Heir. I am here to tell you the truth."

Ruoyan's breath caught.

The figure raised a hand, and a golden sigil appeared in the air.

"The Star Lord is not your true enemy."

Lin Feiyan stiffened. "Then who is?"

The sigil pulsed, revealing another face—one that made Ruoyan's blood freeze.

She recognized him immediately.

It wasn't the Star Lord.

It was the one standing at his side.

A figure who had hidden in plain sight, pretending to be an ally.

A person she had once trusted above all others.

Ruoyan's fingers curled into fists.

"The real traitor…" she whispered.

The golden flames flickered.

And for the first time since her rebirth—Ruoyan felt true fear.

The Confrontation

Dawn broke over the celestial palace, its golden spires piercing the sky.

Ruoyan and Lin Feiyan stood at the gates, tension thick in the air.

"Are you sure about this?" Lin Feiyan asked.

Ruoyan exhaled. "I have to be."

The palace doors opened, revealing the Star Lord himself—serene, unreadable.

"Phoenix Heir," he greeted. "I hear you've uncovered… something."

Ruoyan met his gaze. "Yes. And I need answers."

The Star Lord motioned for her to follow.

Inside the grand hall, Ruoyan turned to face him directly.

"You've known all along, haven't you?" she said. "About the traitor."

The Star Lord's expression did not change. "Perhaps."

Ruoyan's temper flared. "Then why didn't you stop them?"

For the first time, something flickered in his gaze.

"Because," he said, "some things must happen for fate to unfold."

Ruoyan clenched her fists. "You let me die."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, the Star Lord spoke:

"Not everything is as it seems, Ruoyan."

She gritted her teeth. "Then tell me who they really are."

The Star Lord exhaled. "You already know."

Ruoyan's hands trembled.

Yes. She did.

And that truth…

Would change everything.

Got it! I'll update her senior brother's name from Jing Zeyan to Xiao Han (萧寒) while keeping the story intact. Here's the revised Chapter 35 with the correct name.

Flames of Reckoning

The Betrayer Revealed

The celestial palace stood eerily silent. The golden spires shimmered under the morning light, yet to Feng Ruoyan, the radiance felt cold, devoid of warmth.

Her fingers twitched, heat gathering at her fingertips. The truth was finally laid bare.

She had spent years believing the Star Lord might be the mastermind behind her downfall. But the real traitor was someone far more insidious—someone who had stood by her side, someone she had trusted beyond doubt.

Her heart clenched.

A name formed on her lips, but before she could speak it, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"You've come quite far, Ruoyan."

From the grand doors of the celestial hall, a tall figure emerged, his white robes pristine, his aura noble and untouchable.

Xiao Han.

Ruoyan's breath hitched.

Her former Senior Brother, the one who had always been kind, the one who had always protected her, the one who had sworn to avenge her death in her past life.

Yet, here he was.

Not as an avenger.

But as the architect of her demise.

Lin Feiyan's sword was unsheathed in an instant. "You." His voice was sharp as steel. "You were the traitor all along."

Xiao Han's lips curved into a soft smile. "And what if I was?"

The words struck like a thunderclap.

Ruoyan forced herself to breathe, every muscle in her body tightening with barely contained fury. "You… you played us all."

Xiao Han tilted his head, his serene expression unnerving. "Not quite."

He stepped forward, leisurely, as if the weight of his crimes meant nothing.

"I merely did what needed to be done."

The Web of Lies

Ruoyan's vision blurred for a moment. Countless memories from her past life overlapped with the present.

The patient and noble Senior Brother. The man who had vowed to find justice for her. The one who had held her hand as she lay dying.

But now…

That same man stood before her, calm and unapologetic.

"Why?" Her voice trembled, but she didn't allow herself to break. "Why betray me? Why orchestrate my execution?"

Xiao Han sighed as if she was a foolish child. "Because you were always meant to die."

Lin Feiyan took a step forward, his killing intent almost tangible. "You—"

Xiao Han raised a single hand, and a barrier of celestial energy blocked Lin Feiyan's advance.

Then, he turned back to Ruoyan.

"I never intended for you to suffer, Ruoyan," he said, almost gently. "But you were always too stubborn to accept your fate."

Ruoyan's fists clenched. "Fate?"

Xiao Han nodded. "You, the Phoenix Heir, were destined to die and trigger the awakening of the Divine Cycle."

Ruoyan's blood ran cold. "The Divine Cycle…?"

Xiao Han smiled. "The world has long been plagued by imbalance. The Phoenix Heir is sacrificed to reset the karmic order."

Her body trembled. "And you believed in this?"

He nodded. "I did more than believe. I ensured it."

The Star Lord's Warning

A slow clap echoed through the hall.

The Star Lord stepped forward, his celestial robes flowing behind him. His expression was unreadable, but there was an edge of amusement in his golden eyes.

"I always wondered how long it would take before you revealed yourself, Xiao Han."

Xiao Han turned to him, unfazed. "You knew?"

The Star Lord chuckled. "Of course. But fate is an amusing thing—I was curious whether Ruoyan would unveil the truth herself."

Ruoyan gritted her teeth. "And you let this happen?"

The Star Lord shrugged. "Destiny is a river, Ruoyan. It can be diverted but never truly stopped."

Xiao Han sighed. "And yet, you interfered."

The Star Lord smirked. "Not quite. I merely watched."

Xiao Han's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. "And now?"

The Star Lord leaned forward. "Now? I wonder… will Ruoyan still accept her fate?"

The Battle Begins

Ruoyan's heart pounded. Fate? Destiny? The Divine Cycle?

None of it mattered.

She refused to be sacrificed.

With a flick of her wrist, the Phoenix Crown ignited, bathing the hall in crimson light.

"I don't give a damn about fate," she hissed. "I'll burn it all if I have to."

Xiao Han exhaled. "Then I have no choice."

In the blink of an eye, he vanished.

Ruoyan barely had time to react before a blazing spear of celestial energy shot toward her.

She twisted, dodging the attack as the ground beneath her exploded.

Lin Feiyan's sword clashed with Xiao Han's, the impact shaking the hall. "Ruoyan, get ready!"

She didn't need to be told twice.

The Phoenix Crown's power surged through her veins. Flames erupted at her fingertips, forming a golden fire lotus.

Xiao Han smirked. "That's more like it."

He countered with a sweep of his sword, sending waves of energy crashing toward her.

Ruoyan leaped, dodging midair as she unleashed a barrage of fireballs.

Lin Feiyan moved in tandem with her, their attacks synchronized.

But Xiao Han…

He was faster.

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned thousands of energy swords, sending them raining down upon them.

Ruoyan threw up a fiery shield, but the force still sent her skidding backward.

She coughed, tasting blood.

Xiao Han lowered his sword. "You can't win, Ruoyan."

She spat blood onto the ground. "Watch me."

The Phoenix's Last Stand

Ruoyan knew it. This was the final battle.

The moment that would determine whether she lived… or perished again.

With every ounce of strength she had left, she called upon the Phoenix's true power.

A blazing aura surrounded her, her flames shifting from crimson to pure gold.

Xiao Han's eyes flickered with something akin to respect. "So you finally awakened it."

Ruoyan smirked. "Too late to regret underestimating me."

With a roar, she launched forward.

Their blades met—fire against celestial energy. The entire hall trembled, the impact splitting the earth beneath them.

Lin Feiyan joined the fray, his sword a blur of motion.

Three warriors. One battlefield. A destiny rewritten in flames.

The battle raged for what felt like eternity. Each clash of swords sent shockwaves through the palace.

But Ruoyan knew.

She couldn't hold out forever.

Xiao Han was too strong. Too prepared.

And then—he aimed for Lin Feiyan.

Ruoyan's heart clenched.

No. Not again.

As Xiao Han's blade arced toward Lin Feiyan's heart, Ruoyan moved.

She didn't think. She acted.

Throwing herself between them, she took the full force of the strike.

Pain. Unbearable, searing pain.

Her vision blurred. Lin Feiyan's scream rang in her ears.

Xiao Han's eyes widened. "Ruoyan—?"

She gasped, blood spilling from her lips.

Her flames flickered.

Her body collapsed.

And as darkness claimed her, she heard the Star Lord's whisper:

"Ah… the Phoenix truly rises from death."