Chapter 286

Chapter 286: The Correct Way to Hatch Eggs

You You asked Yu Hao to consider her proposal carefully. After two days of hesitation, he observed the Feng Clan members in the Zhen Yan Sect and realized they truly harbored no ill intentions, as You You had claimed. Gradually lowering his guard, he agreed to her request.

Without delay, You You sent him to the Immortal Realm to meet Old Nine. Since Yu Hao was originally the Ninth Heavenly Emperor’s destined Opportunity, this arrangement made sense. However, Old Nine had been preoccupied with matters in the Seventh Heavenly Layer. Whether Yu Hao could focus on Cultivation now depended entirely on his skills as a mentor.

After dispatching him to the upper realm, You You paid no further attention—gods seldom caused trouble quietly.

“Where’s Feng Rong?” she suddenly wondered after settling Yu Hao’s affairs. It struck her that she hadn’t seen him for two days.

“The honorable one has been occupied with family duties,” Ling Qi replied casually after finishing his report. “He’s likely still at the Five Peaks.”

Concerned about the Feng Clan, You You declared, “I’ll find him,” and left.

At the Five Peaks, she inquired with the affection-displaying phoenixes and learned Feng Rong was “on duty” in the central cave mansion. Confused, she entered the spiritual energy-rich cavern.

Inside, the spacious cave was crowded. Feng Rong, rarely in his full phoenix form, lay curled on the ground, his magnificent feathers forming a protective nest around two snow-white phoenix eggs.

He was… incubating eggs?!

“Pfft—” You You burst into laughter.

“Stop laughing!” Feng Rong’s irritable yet grievance-laden voice rang out, his neck feathers bristling. Despite his mood, he stayed rooted, shielding the eggs beneath him.

You You approached, stifling giggles. “Didn’t you swear you’d never hatch eggs?”

“Blame the elders,” he grumbled. “Most Feng Clan members haven’t regained their divine power. They dragged me here to fill the quota.” Resentful but diligent, he adjusted his wings to channel divine energy into the eggs.

You You understood—Feng Rong’s unmatched divine power made him the ideal caretaker. “How much longer?”

“One day. Ten phoenixes rotate monthly.” His voice drooped, but two tail feathers slyly coiled around her waist, pulling her into his feathery embrace.

Sinking into soft plumage, You You absently stroked his radiant head feathers. “Any signs of awakening?”

“No.” He rested his massive head against her. “Their vitality remains too weak.”

You You glanced at the eggs, recalling a lingering doubt. “Are you certain these aren’t Thunder Phoenix eggs?”

“No Thunder Spirit Presence,” he confirmed. “Why?”

“If no Thunder Phoenixes exist among the awakened Feng Clan,” she mused, “where did Qin Hong’s Lightning Feather and the one activating ‘Momentary Retention’ in Fengdu come from?”

Feng Rong frowned. “True Feathers aren’t given lightly—only to Partners. Unless other phoenixes exist…”

You You nodded. The Feng Clan’s Love-struck Brain nature made random gifting implausible. Yet Qin Hong insisted the Lightning Feather originated from the Sacred Tree space.

Something felt off. Studying the eggs, she noticed their faint vitality glow seemed duller. “Are they… darker?”

“Impossible.” Feng Rong tilted his head. “Daily divine infusions should brighten them.”

You You shrugged, then remembered the Yin Volume. “Let me try the three scrolls again—” Her palm touched the eggshell.

*Crack!*

A fissure spiderwebbed across the egg. Bone-numbing cold exploded from it, followed by torrents of pitch-black Demonic Energy. Feng Rong yanked her outside as the cave flooded with black mist. The protective mountain formation activated instantly, shielding all except the Five Peaks.

Outside, Wutong Spiritual Plants withered rapidly. Phoenixes rushed over, freezing at the sight.

“Sect Master! Feng Rong—”

A collective gasp rose as the black mist billowed skyward.

“Demonic Energy!”