As the black phoenix asked, more and more featherless phoenixes gathered around. Even the fully feathered juvenile phoenixes perched on nearby branches, watching with curiosity.
The phoenix whose feathers had grown back, named Ale, also descended from the treetops and continuously called out to explain the situation to the other phoenixes. From its varied tones, it was clear that it had been through a lot emotionally, though the outcome was positive despite the dangers faced.
Ale spread its wings, showcasing the splendor and grace characteristic of an adult phoenix. The surrounding phoenixes craned their long necks to take a closer look, their eyes showing unreserved admiration and longing.
Shu Bao and the others couldn’t understand the phoenixes’ conversation but guessed the gist of it from their behavior and reactions. At this moment, the only speaking black phoenix in the group spoke again, “Do you have a way to help us regrow our feathers? Please let us know what you need.”
Shu Bao and the others exchanged glances. Ultimately, Fu Qing, who seemed the most human-like, stepped forward as their representative.
Instead of immediately answering the black phoenix’s question or making any demands, Fu Qing first asked about the reason behind the collective feather loss among the phoenixes. After all, Fu Qing believed that understanding the situation would maximize their business prospects!
Initially, Fu Qing thought the inquiry might not go smoothly. Surprisingly, the black phoenix was forthcoming with information. Perhaps it felt that the Phoenix clan had already reached a dire point and there was no need for secrecy.
According to the black phoenix, the Sea of Fire Trees was once vast and home to a large number of phoenixes, a beautiful haven for them.
However, over a decade ago, a group of humans arrived, discovered the Phoenix clan, and began hunting them. As rumored, phoenixes were considered gods of the Sea of Fire Trees, and those humans did not succeed in their hunt. They left in defeat, covered in dirt and grime.
Afterward, those people returned several times, each time leaving empty-handed. However, for some unknown reason, the trees in the Sea of Fire Trees gradually stopped bearing fruit. The fruit of the fire trees was the fire seed, which was a crucial food source for the phoenixes.
Phoenixes needed to continuously consume fire seeds throughout their growth. The fire seeds were their source of strength and were vital for their development. Consuming a sufficient amount of fire seeds was also a prerequisite for their rebirth through fire.
With the disappearance of the fire seeds, the phoenixes faced a grave crisis. Food shortages led to slow growth, and some phoenixes, nearing their rebirth through fire, were burned alive due to insufficient fire seeds.
Just when the phoenixes were at a loss, those humans returned. The phoenixes were initially ready to attack but were surprised when the humans produced fire seeds and demanded that the phoenixes exchange phoenix feathers for the fire seeds.
At this point, the phoenixes realized, even if they were not yet aware of the full reason, that the lack of fire seeds must be due to the interference of these humans. In order to survive and to have time to uncover the truth, the phoenixes accepted the trade. From that moment on, they fell into an endless cycle of suffering.
Initially, ten phoenix feathers could be exchanged for one fire seed, but soon the demands became increasingly excessive—twenty feathers, thirty feathers, a hundred feathers…
“What, no more phoenix feathers? Well, phoenix meat will do! No meat? Then bones will suffice.” Step by step, the once mighty and beautiful beings were reduced to a state of disrepair and ugliness. But they could not leave the Sea of Fire Trees; this was their homeland. The Sea of Fire Trees had once provided them shelter. Now that it was in trouble, they had to offer the same protection.
Of course, for the continuation of their race, the young phoenixes were not required to have their feathers plucked. The oldest phoenixes were the ones most often stripped of their feathers. Once their feathers were all gone, they faced two choices: to turn to ashes in the flames or to exchange their lives for two fire seeds for their kin.
This harsh life continued for a long time. Thanks to the traded fire seeds, the young phoenixes were able to grow up healthily, but it was ultimately a drop in the bucket. The phoenix race grew smaller and smaller, and the fire seeds they could obtain became increasingly scarce.
After listening to the black phoenix’s story, not only did Shu Bao and the others feel anger, but even the three dragon cubs started huffing with rage! However, they were here for the phoenix feathers, so they also felt a bit guilty.
But in the next moment, Lan Qing puffed out his chest and pulled out a bottle of hair growth potion from his system wristband. “This is for you. Do you have a public bathhouse?”
The phoenixes clearly did not have such a thing, but they had a sweet spring water pool that the phoenixes loved.
Upon hearing this, Lan Qing immediately followed the phoenixes to the spring. Shu Bao and Fu Qing naturally followed behind.
After walking a short distance, they arrived at the spring. It was not very large, only about three to four meters in diameter, with a bubbling source of clean water at the center.
As Lan Qing was about to pour the hair growth potion into the spring, Fu Qing stopped him. Fu Qing instructed Lan Qing to take out all the hair loss and hair growth potions and, with a serious expression, explained to the phoenixes, “To grow new feathers, you first need to lose the old ones. Otherwise, the new feathers won’t match the old ones. Just ask Ale; it was only after losing its old feathers that it grew this beautiful new plumage.”
All the bald phoenixes looked at Ale, who was momentarily frozen. After a moment, Ale, seeing that Fu Qing’s words made sense, nodded and chirped in agreement, confirming that it was indeed the case.
So, under the expectant gazes of the phoenixes, Fu Qing poured all the hair loss potions into the spring. The phoenixes eagerly started drinking the water.
The effect of the nine bottles of hair loss potion was quite evident. Feathers began to fall off the phoenixes. Of course, the fallen feathers were not wasted. Shu Bao and Lan Qing were already collecting them in small bags, and the phoenixes even helped by picking up the feathers and placing them in the bags.
By the time all the feathers were collected, Shu Bao and Fu Qing’s bags were already filled to the brim. Despite most of the phoenixes being bald, they still managed to gather a substantial amount of feathers.
During the feather collection, the water in the spring had already been refreshed by the bubbling source, and the hair loss potion had been carried away by the flowing water.
Fu Qing then took out all the hair growth potions and poured them into the spring. The phoenixes eagerly drank the water, even drinking until they were full, fearing that the effect might not be sufficient.
Soon, they felt an itching sensation all over their bodies, and feathers began to sprout. The shore was filled with delighted chirps as the once-bald phoenixes began to grow their feathers back.
Of course, compared to Ale, who had drunk a whole bottle, the growth of feathers here was not as rapid, but the new feathers were enough to bring joy to the phoenixes.
The phoenixes didn’t seem to mind the slow growth of feathers. They were immersed in their immense joy—some were raising their necks and chirping, while others flapped their wings, eager to experience the joy of flying once again.
“Big Black, Big Black,” Fu Qing called out to the black phoenix, who was admiring its tail feathers not far away.
“Are you calling me?” The black phoenix seemed a bit puzzled by the name “Big Black”.
Fu Qing nodded. “Yes.”
The black phoenix immediately walked over and tilted its head, clearly inquiring why Fu Qing had called it.
“Do you know who the people selling the fire seeds here are?” Fu Qing asked.
The black phoenix nodded. “They claim to be from the Empire. Every time they come, they bring many powerful magicians, mostly of the water and ice elements.”
Upon hearing that it was an imperial group, Shu Bao blinked in surprise. What a coincidence! Last time they had taken the Empire’s dragon eggs, and this time, they had cut off their supply of phoenix feathers.
But who could tolerate such ruthless actions? Not only did they pluck feathers, but they also ate the meat and dismantled the bones. Such actions—like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, or in this case, killing the bird and plucking its feathers—were truly unacceptable.
Resolving the phoenixes’ feather loss issue wasn’t enough. After all, without the fire seeds, the trade would just continue. If not with the Empire, then with other nations.
Fu Qing asked the black phoenix in detail about what those humans did when they first arrived at the Sea of Fire Trees and which places they visited.
“They didn’t do much at first. They just camped near the water sources and used those spots as bases to hunt my people continuously until they started trading,” the black phoenix answered honestly. In fact, they had also tried countless times to find the reason for the abnormalities in the Sea of Fire Trees but had found no clues.
“Which water sources did they camp near?”
“Almost all of them. Of course, the largest one was used the most. After entering the Sea of Fire Trees, finding water sources and camping there is common sense. We checked the water sources many times after they left but found no problems,” the black phoenix said. It had checked the water sources but hadn’t found any issues.
As soon as the black phoenix finished speaking, Ale flew over and began to call out repeatedly, as if reminding the black phoenix.
The black phoenix could only speak up again, “Yes, that’s right. Not only were there no problems, but the water also became even sweeter, cooler, and more pleasant. Many animals like to go there for drinking.”
“Let’s go and see for ourselves,” Fu Qing decided to visit personally, as he couldn’t draw conclusions at the moment.
The phoenixes, now excited with their newly regrown feathers, led Shu Bao and the others to the largest water source.
Walking through the Sea of Fire Trees felt like trudging through a desert. But in this scorching region, there were countless water sources scattered about. These water sources and the Sea of Fire Trees nourished the land and supported countless beings.
Under the warm glow of the fire trees, they quickly arrived at their destination. A large group of phoenixes moved in a flurry, making the scene quite spectacular. By the time they arrived, many creatures that had been at the water’s edge had already fled.
“Here we are,” said the black phoenix. To demonstrate that the water was harmless, it even took a sip. But soon it burped, realizing that it had already drunk quite a bit of water.
Seeing this, Fu Qing also took a small sip of the water. Upon tasting it, he indeed felt a cool and sweet sensation. In the scorching fire forest, this refreshing feeling was particularly pleasant.
Shu Bao and Lan Qing also began their inspections. Lan Qing filled a test tube with the water, planning to conduct tests later.
Shu Bao used his claws to stir the water and took a sip. The cool sensation was like drinking an ice-cold cola on a hot summer day without air conditioning—extremely refreshing. Shu Bao couldn’t help but exclaim, “Another cup, with ice!”
However, what lay before them was not cola but a large water pool. This pool, with a diameter of several dozen meters, resembled a small lake. Unlike the previous one with a spring, this pool was clear and calm, like a mirror.
“Ice,” Fu Qing mused, staring into the depths of the pool. Even though the water was clear, he couldn’t see the bottom. “Big Black, have you ever been to the bottom of the pool?”
Upon hearing this, the surrounding phoenixes looked at Fu Qing as if he were crazy. After all, they were phoenixes, fire birds; how could they dive to the bottom of the pool? That would be akin to seeking death.
Shu Bao quickly understood and excitedly tiptoed to peer into the pool. “The bottom of the pool—ice! Sunken Ive Crystals!”
Lan Qing corrected from the side, “Sunken Ice Crystals only form in Heavy Water Sea. Water in other places, even if frozen, won’t sink.”
“What if the Empire brought Sunken Ice Crystals here?” Shu Bao asked.
Lan Qing responded calmly, “Then today is destined to be a day of fortune for us!”
Shu Bao raised his little paw and high-fived Lan Qing’s tail tip. “Exactly!”
Fu Qing had already started unfastening his buttons. “The Empire really is enthusiastic.”
Removing his shirt, Fu Qing extended his palm to Shu Bao. Shu Bao tilted his fluffy little head, then extended his tiny paw to slap Fu Qing’s middle finger, exclaiming, “Yay!”
Fu Qing replied, “… I meant I’ll take you down with me.”
Shu Bao stepped back two paces, “No, fur gets all wet and uncomfortable. It’s better for me to stay dry.”
Fu Qing shrugged nonchalantly, “Alright. Looks like I’ll be the only one to collect the Sunken Ice Crystals.”
Upon hearing this, Shu Bao immediately jumped onto Fu Qing’s palm and began to close his fingers around himself, saying, “Buckle up, please. Thanks.”
Lan Qing, seeing this, quickly slid over and climbed up Fu Qing’s leg to settle around his neck, securing himself as a “lifebuoy”.
Fu Qing: “…” Was teaming up with these two a mistake?
The three dragon cubs also came closer. However, being lava fire dragons naturally averse to water and given their large size, diving into the water would be quite challenging, so they were left on the shore.
Fu Qing, holding the fluffy bundle and wearing a lifebuoy that could barely serve its purpose, approached the pool’s edge and slowly waded in. The cool lake water was not unpleasant; instead, it provided significant relief in the scorching environment.
As Fu Qing submerged, the phoenixes and young dragons on the shore lost sight of him and waited quietly.
Underwater, Fu Qing spread his wings and soon discovered that while he couldn’t fly, swimming with his wings was still feasible. He quickly took the two down further, heading toward the pool’s depths.
Shu Bao, sitting in the makeshift “submarine”, was strapped with five safety belts, feeling particularly secure as he looked around.
The pool was filled with various aquatic plants and animals, some exhibiting the unique glowing properties of the chaotic world. However, they soon had to focus on the task at hand as the water temperature steadily dropped, turning from comfortably cool to uncomfortably cold.
