Chapter 240
Chu Feng returned to Crescent Group with the Void Stone and Illya.
Zhuang Feixue looked relieved to see him. “You’re finally back.”
“There was a lot to handle, so I got delayed,” Chu Feng said, noticing her expression. “Did something happen?”
Zhuang Feixue shook her head. “Nothing big. Just… a lot of people have been asking me about the phoenix.”
The news of the phoenix’s emergence had caused an uproar. Many were asking whether the Phoenix Goddess might burn the Capital and if they should flee.
Zhuang Feixue was getting irritated. How was she supposed to know if the Phoenix Goddess would torch the Capital? She wasn’t a worm in the goddess’s belly. Of course, they weren’t really seeking her opinion—they wanted to know what Chu Feng thought.
After being asked so much, Zhuang Feixue herself started feeling uneasy.
“I don’t know what the Phoenix Goddess will do,” Chu Feng said. “It depends on the negotiations with the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities.”
“Then we’ll just wait and see. Oh, by the way, lots of people have been asking about ginseng fruit, wanting to buy it.”
Chu Feng waved it off. “There are only a few—three have been eaten, two planted. If the trees I planted survive and grow, I’ll think about selling them then.”
“You’re planting ginseng fruit trees? Is that even possible?” Zhuang Feixue asked in surprise.
Chu Feng nodded. “Of course it’s possible.”
If the Tree of Life could be grown successfully, then planting a Ginseng Fruit Tree shouldn’t be a problem—it would just take time. After chatting with Chu Feng for a while, Zhuang Feixue left.
Chu Feng took out the box containing the Void Stones and picked up the smallest one.
Just like last time, the stone turned into liquid in his hand. The previous time, he had been inexperienced and absorbed too much spatial energy all at once, nearly dying from the pain.
This time, with experience, Chu Feng slowly guided the spatial energy into his body, and the process went smoothly.
After absorbing one Void Stone, he could clearly feel the energy in his body rising significantly.
Illya looked at him. “The fluctuation of your spiritual power has become much stronger.”
Chu Feng tossed another Void Stone in his hand. “Compared to witch stones, these are far more effective for me—one of these is worth twenty or thirty witch stones.”
Illya took the stone from him and put it back in the box. “You’ve already absorbed one today, so don’t take another.”
Chu Feng nodded. “True.” Absorbing too much spatial energy at once wasn’t good either.
The scene of the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities’s Medicinal Garden being attacked by the firebird was spectacular, and many people had captured it in photos.
The news of the phoenix’s appearance couldn’t be kept secret. The internet was flooded with posts about the “Phoenix Goddess.”
The topic was so hot that many people, risking being burned to death, were actively searching for her.
“She’s trending,” Chu Feng said.
Illya gave him a look. “Not surprising.” Someone so powerful, and tied to a legendary divine beast, was bound to draw attention.
If someone like Delice could make headlines just by buying a book, a legendary creature would cause a sensation.
“This firebird actually took over eight trending spots at once,” Chu Feng said, shaking his head.
Some of the top searches read:
“Phoenix Goddess stuns the world.”
“How terrifying is an SS-class beast?”
“Shocking—firebird can transform into a human.”
“Phoenix Goddess vs. Forest Prince—who is more beautiful?”
Chu Feng scrolled through the comments.
“In my lifetime, I never thought I’d see a real phoenix.”
“Legend made real—Phoenix Goddess is too beautiful.”
“Her flame ability is terrifying. The fire ability-users I know can barely light a cigarette.”
Chu Feng shook his head. “Some of these die-hard fans are scary.”
“What is it?” Illya asked.
“Most comments are normal, but some are extreme. Look—‘I’m willing to die in her flames.’ And this one—‘My queen, burn me to death.’ Another—‘I wish to leave this world beneath the Phoenix Goddess’s flames.’ And even—‘I’ll gain immortality under her fire.’”
Chu Feng sighed inwardly. Do they all have a death wish?
“They’re probably just exaggerating,” Illya said.
“Probably,” Chu Feng agreed. Dying by fire must be agonizing. “She’s so popular now that even the Qiu Luo Shaman has been overshadowed.”
Originally, the’s appearance should have drawn plenty of attention.
“The Shaman won’t care,” Illya said with a smile. “If anything, being low-key is better.”
Chu Feng nodded. “True. The Crescent Group has already been in the spotlight enough—having the Phoenix Goddess take public attention away is actually a good thing.”
*
Zhuang Family
Zhuang Zhenyang frowned and put down the phone.
“What is it?” Su Manqing asked.
“They were asking about the ginseng fruits,” he said.
“Didn’t the phoenix take them all?”
The Phoenix Goddess incident was making huge waves, and Zhuang Zhenyang knew all about it. “According to the deal between the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities and Chu Feng, he got five fruits, and the remaining twenty-five went to the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities.”
“So Chu Feng has five?”
He nodded. “Yes. Many people are ready to offer sky-high prices for them.”
That ginseng fruit tree at the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities had been eyed by countless people—many saw it as a ticket to longevity. People had fought fiercely for a chance to get the fruit. But now, with the Phoenix Goddess’s sudden appearance, not only were all the fruits taken, but there seemed to be other heavy losses as well.
“With something that good, he’s already eaten them. Who’d sell them?” Su Manqing said.
“True,” Zhuang Zhenyang agreed.
“Is it really a ginseng fruit?” she asked.
“The legends are probably exaggerated,” he said, “but it should be valuable.”
“Does Chu Feng still have any left?” she asked hopefully.
Zhuang Zhenyang gave a wry smile. “Forget it. Even if he does, they won’t be for us.”
Su Manqing froze, feeling a faint disappointment.
Chu Feng and Illya went to the National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities.
Shen Yutong looked at him with slight reproach. “Young Master Chu, you left so early last time—it made us feel rather abandoned.”
The Phoenix Goddess’s aura had been overwhelming. With Chu Feng and Illya present, things were manageable, but the moment they left, the pressure on them doubled.
Chu Feng smiled. “The National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities has plenty of capable people. I’d just get in the way. So—has it been resolved?”
Shen Yuxing took a deep breath. “The National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities returned the ginseng fruit tree, and also agreed to gift them a luxury cruise ship.”
He sighed. They’d gone through great trouble to obtain that tree, only to invite a calamity. Chu Feng, on the other hand, had luck on his side—under their earlier deal, he’d secured five fruits. The Phoenix Goddess surely knew this, but she hadn’t brought it up—likely because she respected Chu Feng’s strength and didn’t want open conflict.
Chu Feng asked in puzzlement, “A luxury cruise ship? What does that firebird want with something like that?”
As a phoenix, it shouldn’t like water, right? Could it be that the firebird enjoys going out to sea for fun?
Shen Yuxing shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe it just wants to play at sea… or maybe…” she hesitated, “it’s looking for something out there.” In addition to the cruise ship, the Phoenix Fairy had also requested a satellite map of the sea.
“Could it be… looking for something out there? The Three Immortal Mountains?” Chu Feng muttered.
In ancient myths, there were said to be three immortal mountains—Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou—the very places Emperor Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han sought when they searched for immortals and the elixir of immortality. After the recent earthquake, many new mountains had emerged on land, and apparently, many new islands had appeared at sea too!
Shen Yutong shook her head. “I have no idea. Immortal mountains are just legends.”
Chu Feng shrugged. “With a phoenix showing up, it wouldn’t be strange if immortal mountains existed too.”
Shen Yuxing nodded. “True. With the world the way it is now, anything could happen.”
Chu Feng smiled. “Anyway, enough of that. I’m here to settle my debt.”
Shen Yuxing smiled back. “Young Master Chu doesn’t owe that many points—it’s not urgent.”
Chu Feng waved it off. “Still, it’s better to repay them and have peace of mind.”
He opened a nearby box. “Here’s the green silkworm silk you wanted.”
Shen Yuxing’s eyes lit up. “You have it?” She had previously asked Chu Feng for a small sample to test. This fabric was excellent for defense and could also conceal the aura of witch stones and herbs—extremely useful.
Chu Feng nodded. “A new batch just came in. Miss Shen can decide how to calculate its value.”
Shen Yuxing nodded. “Alright.”
Chu Feng then took out a vial. “This is the ‘Immortal Water’ you asked for. Crescent No. 6 wine only had the effects people talked about online because it contained this. Of course, a lot of what people say is exaggerated.”
Shen Yuxing was visibly shocked—she never expected Chu Feng to bring this out too.
Although life essence liquid was valuable, excessive use could lead to resistance. Since the Tree of Life was growing steadily, Chu Feng didn’t mind trading some of it.
The National Bureau of Paranormal Abilities had plenty of good things, and Chu Feng would inevitably do more business with them in the future—showing a bit of goodwill now was worthwhile.
Shen Yuxing said, “As for calculating the points for this, I can’t decide on my own. I’ll have to consult my superiors.”
Chu Feng waved a hand. “Of course.”
