Above Mount Lu's cloud-tipped summit, scattered rubble and ruins lay strewn across the landscape.
The battle between Luo Hao and Phoenix had left the mountain's peak utterly devastated.
Standing upon a human-sized boulder, Phoenix conversed with the renowned Cult Leader Luo Hao. Though she'd promised to instruct Luo Hao in martial arts, the time clearly wasn't right - the setting proved too inappropriate.
"Now that Mount Lu has been destroyed..." Phoenix observed Luo Hao curiously, "Where will you reside next?"
Luo Hao's former abode had been obliterated. Even if Phoenix could order its reconstruction, the mountain's scenic beauty wouldn't recover so easily.
"Your concern is unnecessary, master," Luo Hao replied. "I'll have the Holy Sect disciples rebuild Mount Lu."
"Very well. Oh, and... if you don't wish for others to know you've taken me as your master, there's no need to announce it publicly. You could even say... you've taken an elder sister."
As Phoenix gazed at Luo Hao, she suddenly realized... given the girl's pride, publicly declaring herself as her disciple would undoubtedly be too humiliating.
Moreover, it would make her too conspicuous.
After all, even the Cult Leader of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains—the Martial King of Jiangnan—had become the seventh Campione's disciple. How would others perceive this?
While such recognition might be gained, it would... prevent me from maintaining my previous lifestyle. The other Campiones wouldn't dare provoke me so easily...
How utterly boring!
Therefore, keeping it secret would be preferable. This way, I could both cultivate Luo Hao's favor and protect my own interests.
As expected, after hearing Phoenix's words, Luo Hao looked at her with surprise and astonishment. She hadn't anticipated such a suggestion...
However, the idea proved deeply appealing.
Though she had chosen Martial Dao over narcissism, having an elder sister rather than a master sounded far more favorable.
"Is this... acceptable?"
"If you have no objections, let's agree. From now on, there's no need to address me as Master—just call me Sister!"
The idea of treating a disciple as a younger sister might seem unconventional to outsiders, given the generational gap. But for Phoenix, it felt perfectly natural.
After all... hadn't she always treated her previous disciples like sisters?
Though officially their master, their daily interactions were those of sisters—or perhaps lovers.
"Sister..."
Luo Hao, having heard this, dropped all formalities. As a woman from ancient times, she found the concept of her master becoming her elder sister somewhat improper. But compared to preserving her own reputation, such trivialities mattered little.
As for addressing Phoenix as "Sister," Luo Hao felt no discomfort. After all, this was a primordial deity who had lived for ten thousand years.
In truth, it was she who stood to gain the most from this arrangement.
If Phoenix wasn't lying, and she was friends with Fuxi and Nuwa, didn't that make her the same generation as those primordial deities?
Luo Hao gazed at Phoenix before her. The lingering resentment in her heart vanished completely, replaced by a growing fondness.
In Luo Hao's eyes, Phoenix's actions were all for her benefit, though she couldn't fathom what Phoenix's true motives might be.
"Yes, I'll remain in China for some time. If you have any questions about the Martial Dao, feel free to ask me." This marked Phoenix's first return to China since her transmigration. Though this wasn't the China of her original world, she still wished to explore this version thoroughly.
Truth be told, despite being a native of China... Phoenix had never truly traveled through the continent.
After exchanging ideas with Luo Hao at the summit of Mount Lu, Phoenix effortlessly resolved several of Luo Hao's martial arts conundrums.
Perhaps due to her current embodiment, Phoenix found herself understanding martial arts principles with remarkable clarity. A single explanation sufficed to pinpoint flaws and grasp techniques.
As the saying goes: "An old master in the house is like a treasure trove."
For Phoenix, who had walked the martial path for fifty thousand years, even a pig would accumulate martial experience beyond ordinary comprehension.
After hearing... Phoenix's explanation, Luo Hao suddenly understood her long-standing problem as if a sudden realization had dawned upon her, like a clear spring water poured over her head.
The Martial Dao that had shown no progress for decades now showed signs of breakthrough.
This made Luo Hao extremely excited, truly realizing that choosing to apprentice under Phoenix was the right decision.
"A single word from you is worth more than ten years of study. Now, after hearing Master's explanation, it's worth more than a hundred years of my own groping."
"Thank you for your guidance, Sister. I feel the stagnant bottleneck in my Martial Dao has regained momentum. Therefore..."
"You're about to break through your Martial Dao bottleneck? That's wonderful! Go ahead and break through. Do you need me to stand guard?"
Hearing Luo Hao's gratitude, Phoenix was somewhat surprised but also felt it made sense. Luo Hao's foundation and experience were already substantial; she simply hadn't found the right method.
After all, she could only rely on herself to figure things out. In this world, if Phoenix hadn't appeared by accident, in terms of martial arts... she would be number one.
And if she had to rely on her own efforts, it might take centuries to make any progress.
"You don't need to trouble Sister here," Luo Hao said with confidence. "In China... especially at Mount Lu, no one would dare disturb me. Of course... except for you, Sister." Her words carried the weight of her conviction.
Though Luo Hao's temper was poor, her presence as a Campione ensured no one dared to cause trouble across the Continent.
"Very well. Go into seclusion to achieve your breakthrough! I'll continue traveling through China. It's been too long since I last wandered these lands."
"Hmm, I'll inform the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains. If you need anything, contact them immediately. There's hardly anything they can't accomplish across the entire Continent."
Luo Hao's voice brimmed with confidence. Eighty percent of the Continent's power pledged allegiance to her, while the remaining portion... were simply insignificant pests beneath her notice.
"Understood."
As Luo Hao departed to enter seclusion, Phoenix retracted her gaze and prepared to descend the mountain.
After all, Mount Lu had been virtually destroyed, leaving little worth seeing.
When Phoenix reached the foot of the mountain, she encountered Erica and Liliana. The two Italian Maiden Knights hurried toward her, their pairs of beautiful eyes fixed intently on her figure. Only after confirming she was unharmed did they release their breaths in unison.
"King, we're so relieved you're safe."
The weight that had pressed down on Liliana's heart finally lifted. The King... had returned completely unscathed.