Another elder looked as if he had something to say, a complex expression flashing across his eyes. "Regardless of rumors, our priority right now is to discuss this thoroughly," said a burly elder, stepping forward. "We retreat first, and figure out Qin Zhizhi's background before making any further moves!"
On the Demon Realm's side, the situation was much the same. The demon generals who had originally clamored to seize the Phoenix Power were now as silent as cicadas in winter, their gazes filled with dread as they looked at Qin Zhizhi.
"Fall back!" The leading black-robed man of the Demon Realm gave a cold snort, turned to tear open the void, and departed first.
The Immortal and Demon Realms both chose to retreat, slightly easing the previously tense atmosphere.
With Yin Sichen's help, Qin Zhizhi slowly opened her eyes. She looked around at the devastated battlefield, her heart a tangled knot of emotions.
"It's over?" Qin Zhizhi's voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Mm, it's over." Yin Sichen gently helped her up, his eyes full of tenderness and doting. "You did very well. You protected the ones you wanted to protect."
Qin Zhizhi nodded lightly. She knew this battle was only a beginning. She had a more important mission to complete: to discover the mystery of her birth, break the seal on the Phoenix Power, and guard the peace of the world.
"Sichen, I want to go back to the Qin Family." Qin Zhizhi looked at Yin Sichen, a resolute light flashing in her eyes.
"Alright, I'll go back with you." Yin Sichen gripped her hand tightly, offering her strength and support.
After returning to the Qin Family, Qin Zhizhi immediately set about reorganizing the clan and strengthening its defenses. She knew very well that the Immortal and Demon Realms would not let the matter rest; only by making herself stronger could she protect the safety of herself, her family, and her friends.
At the same time, Qin Zhizhi began actively searching for clues about her origins. She scoured all the family's ancient texts, yet never found any record concerning the descendants of the phoenix.
"Could it be... my heritage is a taboo of the family?" Qin Zhizhi's heart was filled with doubt and unease.
She decided to go and ask Father Qin for a clear answer. However, when she arrived at Father Qin's study, she unexpectedly discovered him in a secret conversation with a mysterious man in black.
Qin Zhizhi's heart tightened. She held her breath and crept closer to the study, wanting to hear the conversation clearly.
"Are you certain? Zhizhi truly possesses that power?" Father Qin's voice was filled with disbelief and a trace of imperceptible fear.
"Without a doubt." The man in black spoke with absolute certainty. "The awakening of the Phoenix Power foretends a new balance for the Three Realms. Family Head Qin, you should understand what this means."
"But... but Zhizhi is still too young. She is utterly incapable of controlling that power, let alone..." Father Qin's words were heavy with worry and hesitation.
"This is her destiny; no one can escape it." The man in black's tone was icy and unquestionable. "I will help her, guide her, and make her the true Guardian."
"Guardian?" Storms raged in Qin Zhizhi's heart. Whose guardian was she? Why must she guard?
"Precisely. The Phoenix Power is the purest and most Yang power between heaven and earth. Only she can balance the Immortal and Demon Realms and maintain world peace."
The man in black continued, "And you, Family Head Qin, must also prepare yourself to assist her in fulfilling her mission."
"I understand." Father Qin took a deep breath, as if having made a certain decision. "I will do everything in my power to protect Zhizhi and help her."
The conversation inside the study ended there. The man in black pushed open the door and ran straight into Qin Zhizhi standing outside.
Their eyes met. Qin Zhizhi caught a glimpse of complex emotion in the deep eyes of the man in black, but it vanished almost instantly.
"Zhizhi, you're here." The man in black spoke in a gentle tone, as if his cold ruthlessness just now had been an illusion.
"Who are you? Why are you telling me these things?" Qin Zhizhi stared directly at the man in black, her heart brimming with questions.
The man in black smiled faintly. Instead of answering her directly, he said meaningfully, "Child, noble blood flows within your veins; you are destined for greatness from birth. One day, you will understand everything."
With those words, the man in black flashed and vanished into the night, leaving behind a bewildered Qin Zhizhi.
Qin Zhizhi walked into the study to see Father Qin sitting in a chair with a solemn expression, seemingly lost in deep thought.
"Father, who was that person just now? What did his words mean?" Qin Zhizhi asked eagerly, her heart filled with doubt and anxiety.
Father Qin raised his head and looked at his daughter's anxious expression, a tumult of emotions in his heart. He knew some things could no longer be hidden; it was time to tell Zhizhi the truth.
Father Qin let out a long sigh and slowly began, "Zhizhi, you are not my biological daughter, you are..."
Before Father Qin could finish, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door. Immediately afterward, a familiar figure rushed in, looking panicked.
"Zhizhi, it's bad! Something has happened to the Yin Family!"
The person who arrived was Yin Sichen's personal guard. The news he brought was like a bolt from the blue, causing the complexions of both Qin Zhizhi and Father Qin to change drastically.
"What did you say?!"
"Zhizhi, it's bad! Something has happened to the Yin Family!" Yin Sichen's personal guard rushed into the study in a panic, interrupting the words Father Qin was about to utter.
Qin Zhizhi's heart sank heavily, and an ominous premonition surged in her mind.
"Tell me slowly, what on earth has happened?" Father Qin asked in a deep voice, the authority of someone long accustomed to high positions allowing him to maintain his composure amidst the panic.
"Reporting to Master and Young Miss, the Demon Realm launched a sudden attack on the Yin Family, and the Family Head... the Family Head was heavily wounded in order to protect the clan members!" The guard's voice trembled, clearly terrified by the scene he had witnessed.
Qin Zhizhi turned pale, grabbed the guard's arm, and asked urgently, "How is Brother Sichen now? Is his injury severe?"
The guard's tone was heavy. "The Family Head's injuries are severe, but fortunately his life is not in danger, only..."
"Only what? Speak quickly!" Qin Zhizhi was burning with anxiety, wishing she could instantly fly to Yin Sichen's side.
"It's just that the Demon Realm came aggressively this time and was clearly well-prepared. The Family Head is worried... worried they still have a follow-up move." The guard lowered his head, not daring to meet Qin Zhizhi's anxious gaze.
Qin Zhizhi took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
The Yin Family attacked, Brother Sichen heavily wounded—all of this had happened so suddenly that she found it hard to accept for a moment. But she knew this was no time for panic; she had to pull herself together and face the impending crisis alongside Brother Sichen.
"Father, I'm going to the Yin Family!" Qin Zhizhi said firmly, her gaze filled with worry and resolve.
"Zhizhi, calm down!" Father Qin grabbed Qin Zhizhi's hand, his brow furrowing deeply. "The Yin Family is a place of trouble right now; you cannot go and take such risks!"
"But Brother Sichen..."
"I will send people to gather news. Stay here and wait in peace."
Qin Zhizhi wanted to say more, but was stopped by a single look from Father Qin. She knew her father had her best interests at heart, but she truly could not stay here peacefully and do nothing.
At that moment, a gentle voice suddenly rang out inside the study: "Family Head Qin need not worry. This old man perhaps has a way to help the Yin Family and resolve this crisis."
Qin Zhizhi and Father Qin simultaneously turned toward the source of the voice. There stood an immortal-looking elder, who had appeared at the study door at some unknown time. He wore a green robe, his hair and beard were completely white, yet he was full of vigor, and his pair of eyes were bright and piercing, as though they could see through everything in the world.