Chapter 60: 060: Phoenix Nirvana

    After arriving home, Taiyang and Yue Xuexia set up the common antiques that they had purchased from the auction house in the living room of the mansion; priceless antiques were strewn about the space like common items. Taiyang had gone straight to the kitchen to get something to put in his stomach, while Tan Bingyu had briefly left to make contact with her family''s intelligence division. Yue Xuexia retired to her room.

    She was mentally exhausted from the voyage, from using her divine skill to heal someone, from seeing people die under her orders, and from all of this; Taiyang and Tan Bingyu knew this, which is why they left the auction house right away and went home.

    After making a call, Tan Bingyu got the information about the lady and her group just now. She was planning to give it to her mistress as soon as possible, but was stopped by Taiyang.

    "Do it later. She is sleeping. Let her rest first. It is her first time witnessing death like that," Taiyang said with a huge bowl of cereal in his hand.

    Though her mistress might have a strong will, Tan Bingyu recognized that she was still mortal, so she did as her mistress asked and let her sleep first, helping to tidy up the antiques in the living room instead.

    Taiyang asked, "Is there something wrong?"

    "It''s nothing much, but my father suggested sending more people to protect the Yue Family after today. What happened in the Crimson Cloud Auction House today will make huge changes in both worlds," Tan Bingyu said.

    Taiyang said, "You guys are worrying about those bugs. There is no need. Report to me those who planned back with malice. I shall exterminate them all before they can even touch Xue''er."

    "Of course, I know what the Lord is capable of doing. I am more worried about those who planned to make a move without any malice. My Mystic Pavilion is only composed of a few numbers of cultivators compared to these big clans and sects. I''m afraid I might not be able to protect the Mistress and her family," Tan Bingyu said.

    Taiyang thought for a while and commented, "Indeed. Your group is too weak. You will only be considered a bit useful when you reach the Innateness Stage. Tell your father to meet me tonight and bring a handful of talented individuals when it comes to fire and fist techniques. I will let them become strong."

    Then he looked at Tan Bingyu and said, "As for you, your main weapon seems to be hidden weapons. It''s better if you learn poison instead. As for your cultivation, you can ask Xue''er for that stupid flower to help you get stronger. That thing is compatible with you but not useful in your hands. That is something more useful for a Divine Doctor like her."

    Taiyang picked up the gluttonous black kitten eating with him in the kitchen and threw it at Tan Bingyu, which the latter caught gently.

    "To get stronger, fight with it for three hours everyday. That thing might be young but it''s already in Peak Innateness. Fighting with it will allow you to see the path of survival when fighting against that level and help you get stronger," Taiyang said

    MEOWWWW~

    But before Yue could even make it up the stairs, Taiyang had already grabbed its neck again. The little beast king was clearly objecting to this plan and complaining about it. It wanted to sleep with its master, not play with such a helpless human. It stretched its claws, waiting to scratch Taiyang again, but as if Taiyang expected it, he put some distance between them.

    Taiyang said, "Play with this human, and I will ask your master to make you some candies (pills). You want to grow up fast, right?"

    Meow? (You''re not lying?)

    "I''m not. It''s just a pill. Your master can make a lot if she feels like it." Taiyang said.

    Meow~ (I agree then.)

    Taiyang said this to Tan Bingyu. "The little one agreed. You can go to the training room. Don''t worry about destroying that place. I have placed multiple formations in it. Not only does it isolate sounds, but I have also enhanced the walls, floor, and ceiling. It won''t break unless you are stronger than me."

    Taiyang said, "Summon all your people. I''m going to choose a few and guide them a bit. You are included in it. At least 30 people at most. This group will be hidden, and your priority and only priority is to protect Yue Xuexia. Her wishes will only be second after her safety."

    "The boss wanted to make a personal group of guards for the mistress. Is it because of what happened in the Crimson Cloud Auction House?" Tan Shenyu said.

    Taiyang responded, "Her identity as the Divine Doctor is exposed. Even for cultivators, the existence of the divine doctor is a special case. I will help this group reach the Innateness Stage in three months."

    "I-Innateness Stage?!" Tan Shenyu shouted in disbelief.

    Taiyang looked at him with disdain and said, "You at least should have reached the Golden Core Stage after three months. With your peak foundation and compatibility with fire elements, you should be able to do it. How about it? Do you want to become my named disciple? You can''t even become a registered one with how low your talent is. Allowing you to become this Benzong (venerable one) named disciple is already an exception. I don''t usually accept trash talents."

    Tan Shenyu did not think twice to bow down to Taiyang, even though he initially believed the young man to be only marginally stronger than he was. However, after seeing himself transform into an adult and witnessing his mistress save his daughter, Tan Shenyu realized that although the young man appeared to be a teenager, he was actually an old monster whose original cultivation was sealed at his weakest state.

    "Tan Shenyu greets his master."

    "Good. Remember well that your master is known as Immortal Monarch Taiyang. Aside from Xue''er and me, you are not allowed to lower your head to anyone. The disciples of this Venerable One are not just anyone whose head can be lowered at will. Even if you are going to die, die with your head up to the heavens. Do. you understand?" Taiyang said that Tan Shenyu can almost see the sun behind Taiyang. Hovering around him like an obedient puppy.

    "Yes, Master!"

    When the young man in front of Tan Shenyu met his eyes with red-gold eyes that did not seem human, Tan Shenyu could not help but shudder as he instantly agreed to his words.

    The divine aura around Taiyang immediately dispersed as he said, "But your body is truly trashy. Let''s change it for something better." All of a sudden, a pure red fire appeared above Taiyang''s palm. It looks like it is alive with how its presence is perceived, as if the fire itself were breathing.

    Still kneeling before his master, Tan Shenyu felt fearful when he stared at the crimson flame in Taiyang''s hand.

    "Master, what is that fire? Why does it feel like it''s alive?" Tan Shenyu asked politely.

    Taiyang answered, "Phoenix Nirvana. It is one of the hottest and purest flames in existence. It burns all the filth that exists and helps one''s body to be reborn. The Phoenix is said to get stronger after death. It''s the weakest fire I have in my control. I plan to let you experience the Phoenix rebirth so that the trashy physique of yours can be replaced."

    "M-Master, does this mean I will die for real?" asked Tan Shenyu.

    Taiyang said, "Of course. How can your body be reborn if you don''t die once? What are you afraid of? It will only be your body that will die, not your soul. This flame will also help you regenerate a whole and more powerful body. The process is extremely painful, though. Don''t lose consciousness. You will die in a real sense if you lower your guard down."

    "I will... try my best, Master," Tan Shenyu said.

    "Whatever, you won''t really die with me here. Just do your best," Taiyang said as he flicked the crimson flame toward Tan Shenyu.

    Simultaneously, after the flame touched his body, everything on him was burned almost in an instant, and Tan Shenyu could help but scream like a woman giving birth.

    AAAHHHHHH!!!!

    The office room they are in is protected from fire by a protective barrier and noise-canceling barrier that Taiyang covered the entire space with. Tan Shenyu screams in agony and rolls around the room covered in red flames. Taiyang sits on the couch and watches this scene with a casual expression on his face.