Thinking of this, Gong Shaojun had a faint feeling of guilt in his heart.

Her fingertips danced in mid-air, and a complex rune slowly materialized above the void.

As the glyph was about to take form, Gong Shaojun forced a drop of blood from his fingertips.

That essence blood contains a rich and potent fairy energy.

When it fell into Palace Seven's body, it instantly erupted with terrifying power, as if it had devoured a celestial vein in an instant.

A little spark ignited Gong Qi's power as a member of the Ice Phoenix clan within his body.

Gong Qi's wings trembled slowly, the phoenix pattern on them spreading across her body, growing deeper in color.

It was originally pale and light, as if floating above.

Now it looks like it grew out of flesh and blood, very obvious, and the color is getting darker.

From deep purple to a deeper, nearly black.

The phoenix patterns are still subtly increasing.

Six Paths, Seven Paths, Eight Paths.

Every additional phoenix pattern is like extracting all the blood from her body, a pain that surpasses bone tempering by several times. Yet it also fills the void, replenishing blood and flesh on her withered bones.

With the eight phoenix patterns firmly in place, Gong Qi could no longer hold on and fainted.

Yūn Rùn immediately pulled her out.

Gong Shaojun pinched the seal with both hands, slowly closing the Phoenix Pool. His gaze fell on Gong Qi who was in a coma.

Yun Run said softly, "The Seventh Young Master is only young, but he already has eight purple veins. His talent is truly extraordinary. Compared to the Third Young Master of those days, he is not inferior."

"That she could go from the Cangwu Realm to the Xuan Tian Realm in just over thirty years is beyond my expectations."

Gong Shaojun knew that Gong Qi had a good talent, but he didn't expect it to be this outstanding.

"I only hope she doesn't follow in her older sister's footsteps and go astray."

Yunrun dared not answer, she only silently treated Gong Qi's wounds.

This time, the Cleansing Marrow was much longer than Gong Shaojun had expected. It took a whole half month before letting Gong Qi completely shed his old self and be reborn anew.

Finally, after the last refinement, Gong Qi successfully transformed into the Ice Phoenix's true form.

All the flaws accumulated over decades in the Cangwu realm have now been exposed.

Palace Seven's pair of wings, compared to her blood purity, are already relatively small.

But her body was even more slender, and it seemed quite out of harmony with her pair of wings.

There's a feeling of being somewhat underdeveloped.

Gong Shaojun looked, silent for a long time.

The low air pressure around is terrifying.

After a long while, Gong Shaojun let out a sigh and said to Yun Run, “Yun Run, treat her well. Spare no resources!”

Yunrun: "Yes!"

Originally, Gong Shaojun wanted to wait for Gong Qi to pass through the Phoenix Pool tempering before sending her to the North Sea.

Now it seems like there's no need to rush this.

Newborn members of the Binghuang Clan are sent to the Huangchi Pool for a cleansing ritual, so they can transform into their true Binghuang forms as quickly as possible.

The earlier the cleansing is done, the better the effect, and the less pain there will be.

There aren't many like Gong Qi who only washed their marrow halfway through life.

After this coma, Gong Qi lived in a side hall of the Emperor's Phoenix Palace in the northern territory for a month.

However, for this past month, she hadn't seen Gong Shaojun. It was usually Yun Run who came to look after her.

When Lin Qi knew that Yun Run was the biological father of Gong Liu, her expression had a momentary Spartan look.

How could her mother possibly be so trusting of Yunrun?

Gong Liu was exiled to Beihai and stripped of her title as the Shaojun. In any case, Gong Qi is involved.

Isn't she afraid that Yunrun, harboring bad intentions, will take this opportunity to vent her anger on behalf of her own daughter?

Yunrun was a smart person, how could she not see through Gong Qi's careful thoughts?

One day, he came to stimulate Mo Qi's bloodline awakening with a fairy formation. After finishing, he suddenly said.

"My Yunhuang clan has always been loyal to the Emperor, with no personal interests whatsoever." Yun Run's voice was light: "Your worry is unnecessary."

Gong Qi: “…”

She hasn't said anything yet.

Yun Run is so smart, how come his daughter Gong Liu is so foolish?

Yun Run added, "Your other two uncles are like me. You needn't worry that we have ulterior motives."

Another two uncles?

That is to say, her mother's other two men... Gong Qi suddenly became a little curious.

Well, she's just a little bit nosy.

During her time living in DiHuang Palace, Gong Qi's strength improved rapidly.

This strength doesn't refer to cultivation, but rather to overall comprehensive strength.

The purer the Bing Huang bloodline, the stronger her physique. From meridians to bones, it was as if she had been reborn, almost a qualitative leap.

This is so powerful, even after Palace Qi restored the Bing Huang's main body, it became even stronger.

Even within the Imperial Phoenix Palace, although Prince Gong did not personally guide her cultivation techniques, there were figures like Yun Run and others who were all top-tier powerhouses.

That's enough pointing at her.

The Prince Consort knew that Lin Qi was skilled in formations and rune crafting. He specially sent a celestial array master and celestial rune master from the Ice Phoenix Clan to teach Lin Qi.

Those scrolls and ancient texts buried in the underground palace can also be studied openly.

When it came to formations and talismans, Gong Qi was a prodigy who could achieve the progress of a thousand miles in a day.

All have reached an intermediate level.

If it weren't for the consideration of Gong Qi Shaojun's status, the celestial formation masters and celestial talisman masters who came to teach her would almost want to take her as a disciple.

During this period, Gong Shaojun would continue to send Gong Qi endless cultivation resources.

Gong Qi now has a considerable fortune and will not lack cultivation resources for at least the next ten years.

As soon as January arrived, Prince Gong asked Yun Run if Gong Qi wanted to go to Beihai.

Since Gong Qi suggested going to Beihai, although Gong Shaojun didn't know the reason, he still followed her wishes.

Palace Seven, of course, will go.

However, before leaving, she also expressed a desire to meet Gong Shaojun.

Before heading north to Beihai, Gong Qi once again stepped into the Dihuang Palace.

Last time, he came suddenly and his identity was not clear enough. Gong Qi had no time to look around Di Huang Palace.

This time, she took a good, long look around.

At first glance, everything is covered in frost. Carved into various mythical beast runes, they stand tall everywhere, exquisite and majestic, with a faint, ethereal aura of the immortal realm.

The gigantic circular ice pillar is said to have ninety-nine and eighty-one rods, each intricately carved with exquisite phoenix patterns that appear lifelike, as if they are about to fly out of the circular ice pillar the next second.

The palace was magnificent, with intricate carvings and a majestic emperor's throne that radiated an overwhelming sense of power.

Before this, the most luxurious palace Palace Qiy had seen was the Shaojun Palace built by Palace Liujie in the mortal realm.

But compared to Shaojun Palace and Dihuang Palace, it is truly too small.

Being in the center of Dihuang Palace always gives one a feeling of having strayed into an immortal palace.

What did you think of Di Huang Palace?

Above the high platform, Gong Shaojun spoke softly, his light voice echoing throughout the entire palace.

She wore a blue robe embroidered with gold, her imperial attire was both magnificent and imposing. Even a mere glance from her sent shivers down one's spine.

Even if this person were her own daughter.

Palace Seven's praise was very straightforward: "It is truly magnificent and awe-inspiring, like an immortal palace in the heavens."

"Then, will you be willing to live with your mother for the rest of your life here?"

Gong Qi instantly fell silent.

During her time recuperating at the Imperial Phoenix Palace, Gong Qi also learned quite a bit of news.

Although Gong Shaojun had six sons, he was not close to his children. Besides raising them for two years according to the rules, he hardly showed any favoritism towards any of them.

Several other young masters in the main hall of Emperor Empress Palace, did not dare to call their palace mistress mother. They only dared to call her "Empress".

This represents Gong Shaojun's supreme majesty.

Today, Gong Shaojun claims to be a woman.

But if Gong Qi had Palace Wu's wolfish ambition, he would be eagerly coming down.

"No."

The crisp two characters fell within the Di Huang Palace, then echoed softly once more.

Gong Shaojun's eyes held no emotion. "Why are you unwilling?"

Gong Qi also wasn't afraid of being ridiculed: "I always feel that my world is very vast, and it shouldn't be confined within this palace."

You can say that Palace Seven is infatuated and delusional, or you can say that her ambition knows no bounds.

She knew how capable her mother was, always feeling that one day she too could stand at such a high position, or even higher.

Gong Qi has never been one to take shortcuts. She enjoys the feeling of fighting her way to the top, step by step.

Moreover, she didn't know how much truth was in her mother's words.

Gong Shaojun didn't pursue the topic further, and simply said, "Well then. Is there anything else? If not, I will have someone send you to Beihai."

It was Palace Seven who suggested meeting with Young Master Gong, and Palace Seven naturally wasn't willing to leave yet.

"Yes, quite a few." Gong Qi said, trying to act nonchalant.

Gong Shaojun also watched her quietly, his face not showing too many expressions.

Gong Qi coughed twice, forcing down the awkwardness to speak: "While I was in the lower realms, someone asked me to ask my mother a question."

After she finished speaking, she quietly glanced at Gong Shaojun's expression.

He still wore a look of frost in his brows and eyes, with not a hint of emotional fluctuation.

"He said."

A clear and simple word fell. Gong Qi continued, “That person’s name is Chu Ziru. He wants to know if his mother remembers him.”

Gong Shaojun's eyebrows and eyes narrowed slightly: "It seems I have misunderstood him."

Looking at it, I can still remember.

Just by hearing this, one can tell that Gong Shaojun has no romantic feelings for Chu Zirou.

However, judging by Palace Seven's observations, her mother hasn't shown any affection towards anyone, including Yun Run.

She didn't dwell on the issue any longer; she had already questioned Chu Ziran about it.

She asked again, "Mother, who is my biological father?"

Hearing this, Gong Qi clearly felt a heavier pressure around her, somewhat intimidating.

Her mother... doesn't like her own father?

Palace Shaojun merely said, "You are the Seventh Young Master of the Northern Border, my biological daughter. You don't need a so-called father."

Palace Qiy respectfully bowed: "Daughter understands."

I'm afraid Lin Jue's calculations back then, Gong Shaojun knew them all.

After asking those two questions, Gong Qi measured his words before saying, "Then... what about my master?"

This will, Palace Young Master finally had a bit of fluctuation in his eyes.

Gong Qi now understood. Whether it was Chu Ziyu or Lin Jie, they couldn't compare to the position her master, Qingyun Zhenjun, held in her mother's heart.

Likewise, her mother's love has always been evident.

As bosom friends, Chu Zi-ru was just asking her to deliver a message.

Her master, Qingyun Zhenjun, was called to the upper realm early.

As a fellow man of Prince Shaojun, Yun Run could become Prince Shaojun's confidant and handle various affairs for her, while Lin Jue was nowhere to be found.

Gong Qi then dispelled some thoughts.

Gong Shaojun only said lightly, "You will see her sooner or later."

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask? I might as well answer everything at once, so you don't have to come back several times."

Gong Qi smiled awkwardly. "It's gone."

Before leaving, Gong Qi suddenly had a bright gleam in her eyes and said excitedly, "Mother, I will definitely handle the deathly qi of Behai! Wait for your daughter to return!"

The Son of the Emperor, Palace Shaojun, slowly nodded his head.

It's a pity that Gong Qi left too soon; otherwise, I could have seen the faint smile in her eyes.

With someone seeing me off, it takes only a blink of an eye to reach the abyss of the North Sea.

Palace Seven still had the audacity to say to Yun Run, "Uncle Yun, could you please move my exiled palace a little further away? I don't really want to see her."

Yunrun: "..."

It's fine to say this to anyone else, but it's different because it's Yunrun.

Since Yunrun was also a broad-minded and calm person, she didn't say much and just left Gong Qi at the corner of the North Sea.

Palace Seven seems to know this place quite well.

In just a few short months, the entire North Sea has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Upon my first visit to Beihai, I was greeted by the sight of crystal-clear blue water and the shimmering silver sand of Beihai's coast reflecting the sun's rays.

It can also be considered a unique sight.

Today, the North Sea's corner has already been enveloped by a darkness.

Between the surging black Qi, a terrifying aura came rushing in, as if it were about to strip away the vitality within a cultivator's body.

These death qi were no weaker than what Palace Seven had encountered in the Netherworld before.

As deathly energy swirled, the surface of the North Sea began to churn as well, as if something terrible was about to emerge.

Suddenly, water splashed and a bizarre-looking ghost ape emerged from the water, brandishing its sharp claws to attack Gong Qi.

Palace Qi's brows furrowed slightly, just about to cast a spell for defense, when the Ghost-Faced Ape seemed to have collided with something, its body falling straight down.

The North Sea Monument has really been restored.

After finishing her sentence, Gong Qi leaped into the air. A pair of ten-meter long phoenix wings unfolded behind her, and a chilling aura enveloped her.

A familiar staff materialized out of thin air, swirling with ethereal energy.

It was precisely the day when the Celestial Staff of Cangwu Realm.

It wasn't until after Palace Seven arrived at the upper realm that she realized the core of this celestial power staff lay within the spirit stone atop the staff.

It is precisely the lotus heart of the Shenhua Tian Shan Snow Lotus that is refined, which has the power to suppress the world's evil qi and evolve sins.

This piece of spirit stone is still only a small part of Lian Xin.

Back then, Gong Qi relied on the Celestial Staff to resolve many crises brought by demonic and death qi, accumulating a great deal of merit.

Now she asks to be punished, delving into the North Sea. She's after the boundless merit it holds.

particularly in the Xuan Tian realm where cause and effect are especially emphasized.

The appearance of the Underworld Dragon brought devastation to the North Sea, causing countless creatures to suffer. Its relentless attacks spread havoc both across the land and sea.

If this stagnant air is not dispelled by external force, it is feared that it could exist in the North Sea for tens of thousands of years.

This karma accumulated over tens of thousands of years is probably enough to directly sever Gong Liu's path to immortality.

But at the same time, if Gong Qi could resolve it, it would also be considered taking advantage of the east wind to send himself on a path of meteoric rise.

And the dao of life and death she cultivates is now in a stalemate, needing a place full of death energy to comprehend.

To her, the North Sea is a good place to go.

During her time in the Dihuang Palace, Gong Qi asked Gong Shaojun for a complete Tian Shan Xuelian lotus heart and requested the Xianqi master to recast the Tianling Staff.

Only after preparing everything did Gong Qi dare to venture into the perilous situation alone.

As the Binghuang's twin wings spread, Gong Qi passed through the North Sea Realm's defenses and stood face-to-face with the oppressive death qi emanating from above the North Sea.

Those monsters who had miraculously survived the death qi, but were now infected and mutated by it, extended their sharp claws, wanting to attack.

—

The last two chapters have been combined, the word count hasn't decreased, it's still four thousand words.