"..."
Luo Hao stared at the Phoenix before her as if she'd seen a ghost.
The Ming dynasty? Five hundred years ago?
What kind of ancient monster was this?!
Even Sasha Dejanstahl Voban, hailed as the oldest Campione, was only three hundred years old.
The young... no, ancient monster before her claimed her last appearance was five hundred years ago. That meant... she must be even older than five hundred years. Perhaps much older.
In that moment, Luo Hao suddenly understood. Her inability to defeat Phoenix wasn't due to her own weakness, but rather the overwhelming power of her opponent.
"You're talking about China's guardian? What does that mean? Do you protect China? And... why did you reappear after five hundred years to become a Campione? If you've always possessed such tremendous power, shouldn't you have become a Campione long ago?"
Though not fully convinced by Phoenix's words, Luo Hao found herself believing most of it. The explanation made too much sense to dismiss entirely.
This way, everything made sense—why Phoenix's modern life left no traces, why she possessed power rivaling a Campione's. All could be explained.
Still, even with this understanding... Luo Hao remained curious. As China's guardian, shouldn't such a figure be renowned rather than obscure?
"Legend tells of an immortal in China who, whenever calamity strikes, vanquishes disasters and safeguards the realm. Whether foreign invaders or natural disasters, none can harm China before this immortal's might."
"The immortal's name is Jingwei. With white hair and crimson eyes, she walks amidst raging flames, her footsteps upon clouds."
"I am Jingwei."
Instead of explaining directly, Phoenix stood before Luo Hao, arms crossed behind her back. Tilting her head upward at a dramatic angle, she answered with an air of affected grandeur.
"Immortal? Jingwei? You're... a Heretic God?"
Luo Hao's brow furrowed as realization struck. Yet something didn't quite fit—how could a Heretic God become a Campione? Moreover, this mysterious power didn't resemble a Heretic God's at all.
Immortals... even if this were China's Heretic God, Luo Hao had slain many such deities before.
"A Heretic God? No, no... Don't lump me with those myth-born entities."
Phoenix cast Luo Hao an unexpected glance, completely taken aback that she would associate her with Heretic Gods. In this world, Heretic Gods were beyond mortal comprehension, but to a Campione... they were mere prey.
Phoenix certainly didn't want to be mistaken for such a thing.
"I'm human. Just consider me a person who's lived a bit longer!"
Though she said this, the truth was... her current body had indeed lived for over fifty thousand years, but her soul... wasn't the "true" soul of the Red Kite Immortal.
"A person who's lived a bit longer? Might I ask your age..."
Luo Hao felt today's version of herself was undoubtedly extraordinary, but after encountering these events, it would be impossible not to feel special.
"..."
Hearing Luo Hao's question, Phoenix glanced at her.
A woman's age is not something to be casually inquired about. Even if asked, there are only three possible answers:
18 years old! 17 years old... or simply "underage"...
Like the eternal 17-year-old girl.
But... Phoenix wasn't truly a woman, so she didn't mind answering.
"I once played with Fuxi and Nuwa, witnessed Nuwa molding clay into people (dolls), and discussed with Fuxi how to establish civilization (currency). I also galloped horses with Xuanyuan." As Phoenix spoke, she seemed to sink into thought, recalling the doll Tanju (also known as Nuwa) had molded for Jingwei.
What a wonderful doll! It was practically misleading people.
However... if Immortal Chiyuan's chest were truly that large, that would be amazing.
There was also Cangxuan (Fuxi). The female version of Fuxi was truly adorable.
"You..."
Luo Hao was once again stunned by Phoenix's words, unable to believe what she was hearing.
Nuwa... Fuxi?
People from the same era as Nuwa and Fuxi? Are you joking? Aren't they figures from mythology?
Even if Nuwa and Fuxi truly existed, how could such ancient deities... appear before me like this...
"You don't believe me? Then there's nothing more I can say! I'm not going to waste my breath explaining further. I've said all that needs to be said. Now it's time to discuss your situation."
Seeing Luo Hao's disbelieving expression, Phoenix couldn't be bothered to explain further. There was no need to force her into believing the truth.
In short... believe it or don't.
"My situation? What situation..." Luo Hao was still contemplating whether to believe Phoenix's words when she suddenly heard more from Phoenix, leaving her utterly stunned.
After that thorough beating from Phoenix, though Luo Hao refused to admit it, deep down... her arrogance and pride had been shattered into pieces.
Since becoming a Campione, Luo Hao had never suffered such a humiliating defeat.
Among Campione, she couldn't kill her archenemy Marquis Voban, but neither could he truly harm her.
As for other Campione, none could match her strength.
When it came to Heretic Gods, aside from those wielding "Steel," the others were child's play. Yet this invincible Luo Hao had been thoroughly taught a lesson today, nearly losing her composure.
Her opponent hadn't used Authority, Weapons, or even Cursed Power. Merely fists, strange flames, and terrifying fire proved more than enough to overwhelm her.
"Now... do you still believe you are the Ruler of the Martial Realm? The Martial Hero... King!"
"..."
Luo Hao's expression darkened once more. To her, Phoenix's words felt like an insult. She had always proclaimed herself as the supreme master of Martial Dao. In her early years, she became the Martial Alliance Leader through her formidable martial arts and magical techniques. Later, as a Campione, her Authority and Cursed Power made her martial prowess so terrifying that ordinary people couldn't even begin to imagine it.
Even Luo Hao herself believed she stood at the pinnacle of Martial Dao in this world.
If she were to deny being the Ruler of the Martial Realm, wouldn't that make her a laughingstock to outsiders?
"What? No response now?"
Observing Luo Hao's sullen expression, Phoenix knew changing her stubborn nature would require patience... step by step. After all, Luo Hao's temperament wasn't something that could be transformed overnight. Rushing the process would only backfire.