"What? You want me to test his bloodline already? It hasn't even been a full minute since whatever you did to him! Do you think our bloodline can be improved so easily?" The phoenix with the Celestial Phoenix Needle remarked with a frown on his face. “You'll know once you test his bloodline," Yuan replied with confidence. "...Whatever. If you say so." The phoenix proceeded to test Feng Haoyu's bloodline again. A moment later, when the phoenix saw the results, he dropped the Celestial Phoenix Needle onto the ground, his face frozen with shock and disbelief. "Well? What's the result?" the other phoenixes pressed, their voices brimming with curiosity and anticipation. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 The phoenix swallowed nervously before responding in a dazed voice, "86.9 percent..." “What?! His bloodline purity has improved by half a percent in just a minute?! Impossible! Test his blood again!" The phoenixes urged. Picking up the Celestial Phoenix Needle, the phoenix looked at Feng Haoyu, who was just as dazed by the result, and said, "Excuse me..." He tested Feng Haoyu's bloodline again. “Impossible!” The phoenix exclaimed a moment later. "H-His bloodline is now at 87.3 percent!" The entire chamber fell silent as the phoenixes struggled to comprehend what they were witnessing. In just a minute or so, Feng Haoyu's bloodline purity has improved by nearly an entire percent, something that normally requires hundreds of thousands of years. “What in heaven's name is going on?! How can consuming a human's blood strengthen his bloodline?!" The leader of the Radiant Phoenix Clan exclaimed. Though they wanted to believe it was some kind of trick, they knew that was impossible, as the Celestial Phoenix Needle could not be deceived. Yet, a few of them soon reached a startling thought. “Wait... a human's blood capable of strengthening a divine beast's bloodline? That sounds exactly like the Immortal Monarch's power... None dared to voice such a notion aloud, for it bordered on madness. The Immortal Monarch had perished many eras ago, after all. And yet, the more they turned the thought over in their minds, the more plausible it began to feel. “Well, are you satisfied? Or do you need more evidence?" Yuan suddenly said, breaking the brief moment of silence in the chamber. “One... one more time. Let me test your bloodline again!" the phoenix with the Celestial Phoenix Needle demanded, his eyes fixed on Feng Haoyu. Feng Haoyu quickly nodded in approval, as he, too, was eager to know if his bloodline had strengthened further. The other phoenixes swallowed nervously. A moment later, the results came back. "8...89.3 percent! His bloodline has improved by yet another entire percent!” "Heavens! Another percent?! Even if the improvements stopped at this point, his bloodline still improved by two percent in just a few minutes! This level of progress is unheard oft" "How much more will his bloodline improve?" The leader of the Etheral Phoenix Clan asked Yuan. He shrugged,”Honestly,! have no clue.If you really want to know, you'll have to wait a few days for the final results-weeks to be safe." Very well, I'll acknowledge your ability to enhance our bloodline.But what about your second claim? If true, it would be an “Unfortunately, I cannot provide proof at this moment, as I currently lack the ability to do so," Yuan said. "However, once I regain more of my strength, I will be able to begin attempting it. For now, you'll have to take me at my word." "Regaining your strength...? Just who are you?" The leader of the Jade Phoenix Clan questioned. “Who am I? I think many of you already have a clue about my identity, so why don't you try to confirm it?" Yuan responded with a smile on his face. Feng Lingyang of the Rising Phoenix Clan was the first to stand up and open her mouth, “Then if you don't mind me asking... Are you related to the Immortal Monarch?" “What?! The Immortal Monarch?!" Those who did not connect the dots exclaimed in shock after hearing his name. The atmosphere in the chamber quickly shifted, becoming heavier as the phoenixes anxiously awaited Yuan's response. “You can say that." Yuan acknowledged. "W-What is your relationship with the Immortal Monarch? Is he still alive?” Feng Lingyang continued to question. “Yes, the Immortal Monarch is alive. As for my relationship with him..." After a brief pause, Yuan continued, *I am the Immortal Monarch." The phoenixes in the chamber leapt to their feet, their eyes widening so much it seemed they might fall from their sockets. The revelation was so staggering and confusing that silence blanketed the chamber for several long moments. Then, the stillness was shattered with the sound of laughter. "Hahaha! I can't hold it in any longer! You're the Immortal Monarch? That's hilarious!" scoffed a handsome young man seated beside the leader of the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan. Yuan turned his gaze to the young man, who had risen to his feet and was now striding toward the center of the chamber, closing the distance between them. The young man stopped right before Yuan and spoke, “If you're really the Immortal Monarch, you should be able to make me kneel with just your words, right? Try it." "Are you sure you won't mind the humiliation?" Yuan asked. “Don't worry, I won't be humiliated," he confidently responded. "Why? Because you're a Primordial Phoenix?" The smile on the young man's face instantly disappeared. "Oh? How did you figure it out? I purposefully suppressed my aura to hide it." “Just a guess," Yuan said. "I figured that if the Celestial Emperor wanted the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans present at this gathering, he would also want the Primordial Phoenix to attend. Also, while you can hide your aura, you can't stop the others from giving you glances." “I see... so the others sold me out." Realizing his cover had been exposed, the young man released the restraint on his aura, letting it surge forth and flood the entire chamber.