Chapter 2189: The Nine Phoenix Formation

The gray气流 within the other party only devoured true qi power and did not alter one's bloodline. The reason it couldn't be detected earlier might be because it was suppressed by this thing.

Just like on the Firmament or the Master Continent, where one couldn't sense the divine bloodline of the Star Chasing Palace or the Alien Clan.

Now that the airflow has been completely eliminated, the bloodline power should be able to recover, and after being sorted by the Heavenly Dao true qi, it might even become purer!

"Alright..." Feng Jiuge nodded.

Although he was skeptical about whether the bloodline test, which had disappeared, could reappear, he had absolute faith in the teacher before him.

Ignoring the injured Feng Xiang and Feng Chao, the two walked into the Fire Phoenix Clan. As soon as they entered the courtyard, a crowd surrounded them.

It seemed that the news of Feng Jiuge recovering his strength and injuring people had already spread within the clan; everyone knew.

In just a few dozen breaths, so many people rushed over. Truly worthy of being the head of the three great families in Lingyuan Heaven—the news traveled fast enough.

"Jiuge, you've already been expelled from the clan, yet you dare to barge in and injure core disciples. What, are you planning a rebellion?"

A young man at the forefront raised his brows, his tone aggressive.

Being expelled from the clan meant severing ties. Barging in again was equivalent to challenging the clan's authority.

"Feng Jiang, I believe the previous bloodline test was inaccurate. I want to come back and retest!" Feng Jiuge looked over. "If I pass the test, I'll still be a core disciple, still a clan member. A contest between clan members, sparring in martial arts... that's hardly a rebellion!"

Feng Jiang frowned.

He carefully examined the young man before him.

In just an hour or two, his aura had clearly changed, giving a sense of heaviness. He had actually reached the peak of the Upper Grade Celestial God, just like himself!

Most importantly, the demeanor and confidence he exuded gave a feeling of two years ago.

Two years ago, this man had roamed the clan with the bearing of a Divine King. Even he had to bow and dare not overstep...

After two years as a waste, suddenly turning over to his former self was hard for him to accept.

"Retest?" Feng Jiang squinted and snorted. "Do you think the clan's test is a game, to be taken whenever you want?"

Testing bloodline within the clan consumed certain resources. Ordinary disciples only had one chance in their lifetime. Feng Jiuge was special, having been tested twice, and now he wanted to continue...

Did he really think it was still two years ago, when he could do as he pleased?

"I know the test is no game and requires a certain cost. I'll cover the cost!" Feng Jiuge said.

Although his cultivation had been declining over the years, as a former candidate for the Divine King in the Fire Phoenix Clan, he still had some savings. Not much, but more than enough for one bloodline test.

"You'll cover it?" Feng Jiang snorted, then suddenly thought of something. His eyes flickered with a playful smile. "How about this: regardless, you were once a core disciple. If you want to test, fine—I'll give you a chance. Break through the [Nine Phoenix Formation]! If you succeed, you can return to the clan. If not... then I can't help it!"

"That's right, break the formation!"

"Since you've recovered your strength, go ahead. If you succeed, we'll acknowledge you. If not, you can only blame yourself for lacking power..."

The surrounding crowd all laughed, each one gloating.

"The Nine Phoenix Formation..." Feng Jiuge's face changed, and he squinted.

"What, afraid to try? If you don't dare, then admit you're causing trouble here. Men, seize him and take him to the interrogation hall to find out his real purpose..." Feng Jiang waved his hand.

"Yes!"

Immediately, four young men emerged from the crowd and walked over with smiles.

"Let's go, our 'former' Master Jiuge!"

"Strength recovered, but without bloodline, you're just a loose cultivator. What, did you really think that without the clan's protection, you could still enjoy your former treatment and soar to the sky?"

In the past, Feng Jiuge had been a proud young man, unrestrained, and many in the clan had suffered at his hands, so he wasn't very popular.

"What is the Nine Phoenix Formation?"

Seeing the crowd's attitude and Feng Jiuge's expression, Zhang Xuan frowned and sent a voice transmission.

"Teacher, the Nine Phoenix Formation is the only way for a disciple expelled from the Fire Phoenix Clan to regain recognition. It's a formation composed of nine clan experts. Only by defeating all of them can one pass..."

Feng Jiuge's expression darkened. "I've looked through the clan's history of nearly three thousand years. A total of three hundred and seventeen expelled disciples returned to challenge the formation. In the end... only three passed. The others... almost all died!"

"Died?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

Only three out of over three hundred passed—a one percent chance...

Although they were expelled, they were once clan members. Returning to challenge shouldn't be so ruthless!

"Being expelled from the clan usually means committing an unforgivable crime. Even if they return, they don't fit in. So... their return is not welcome. Those in charge of the assessment go all out, showing no mercy..."

"Since it's so dangerous, why do people insist on returning and challenging such a difficult formation?"

What's wrong with not being part of the Phoenix Clan?

Isn't it good outside?

Like me, before returning to the Zhang family, I lived freely and carefree.

"Teacher, you may not know. These people challenge the Nine Phoenix Formation because... whether they succeed or fail, after death, they can be buried in the ancestral grave, and their descendants have a chance to return to the clan. If they don't challenge or back out, they are forever separated from the Fire Phoenix Clan!"

Feng Jiuge shook his head.

Zhang Xuan understood.

Falling leaves return to their roots. No one wants to die without being able to return to the clan, especially when it involves future generations.

"So, those who return to challenge are mostly near the end of their lifespan. The so-called challenge is essentially a willing death... Therefore, the Nine Phoenix Formation is also called the [Death Formation]! It's the only path for expelled clan members to return to the clan and enter the ancestral hall..."

Feng Jiuge's expression was grim. "He wants me to challenge it, clearly intending for me to die!"

He was only in his twenties, far from the end of his lifespan. Charging in now was clearly inappropriate.

"What are the cultivation levels of the guardians?"

Zhang Xuan asked.

The Nine Phoenix Formation was guarded by nine people. The formation was important, but more important was the strength of these nine.

"They are all at the same cultivation level as the challenger. That is... nine against one, with the same bloodline, and combined with the formation... how can one possibly win?"

Feng Jiuge said.

"Same strength? Nine against one?" Zhang Xuan smiled.

He thought it would be difficult, but it didn't sound like much?

Not to mention anything else, just the assessment for the Holy Son back then at Zheng Yang was many times harder than this.