Seeing how stubborn it was, Yang Han smiled and said, "You only have two choices: one, tell me everything, or two, I'll let you out, but you'll be left outside forever, unable to die no matter how much you want it—that kind of pain."
"You're truly despicable," the monstrous bird cursed.
"Despicable? When you went after the Fire Phoenix, you didn't think twice about targeting a child!" At this, Yang Han grew indignant just thinking about Yang Huo.
"She's not really a child, so what's there to be upset about?" the monstrous bird retorted.
"In my eyes, she's my daughter. So anyone who harms my daughter will face a fate worse than death. But if you tell me what I want, I'll let you choose an easier death," Yang Han said.
"Either way it's death. Why should I bother telling you anything?" the monstrous bird snorted coldly.
"It's not the same. One is total soul annihilation; the other, your body is destroyed but I can spare your soul," Yang Han replied.
"So you mean you'll keep my soul?" the monstrous bird asked.
"That's right. Destroying your body is your punishment," Yang Han said.
The monstrous bird frowned. "Let me think about it."
"One quarter of an hour. You have only one quarter of an hour to think it over," Yang Han said.
The monstrous bird muttered to itself, "Might as well tell him. At worst, my body will be destroyed, but if my soul survives, I'll still have a chance to turn things around."
After weighing his options for a quarter of an hour, the monstrous bird finally said, "Fine, I'll tell you."
"Go ahead," Yang Han said, having already expected this choice and prepared himself.
"I am a Spirit-Wing Bird. I'm not as precious as a Fire Phoenix, but I'm not that much worse either. It's just that everyone only knows about the Fire Phoenix. After years of research, I came up with a method to transform myself and acquire the Fire Phoenix bloodline, so I came here. But I was accidentally wounded by the previous Fire Phoenix and had to hide here ever since," the monstrous bird explained.
Yang Han looked at the bird and said, "I see. And what about that method of yours for creating this space?"
"That was something I came across by chance in the Chaos World. It's called the Space Canon, and it's right here on me. Take it if you want," the monstrous bird said helplessly.
Yang Han checked and, sure enough, found a bundle on the bird's side. Inside was a book called the Space Canon.
"Is that enough now?" the monstrous bird asked.
"Yes, that's enough. Now I'll just keep your soul." With that, Yang Han destroyed its physical body.
A massive body instantly turned to dust, while its soul drifted there, staring at Yang Han in terror. "Now can I leave?" it asked.
"You can, but I've prepared a pretty good space for you," Yang Han replied, and then sealed it inside the Soul-Devouring Divine Sword.
"You—you tricked me!" the soul cried out in shock.
Yang Han laughed. "I only said I'd keep your soul. I never said I'd let it go."
"You're splitting hairs with me!" the monstrous bird protested angrily.
"That's your punishment. Maybe if I'm in a good mood someday, I'll reconsider," Yang Han said, then cut off communication with the bird.
With the monstrous bird dealt with, Yang Han put away the Space Canon, planning to study it later. For now, he needed to release Yang Huo and the others.
Outside the cave, Yang Han released Yang Huo and Lin Yue.
At that moment, Yang Huo was asleep. Yang Han frowned, "What's wrong with her?"
"She fell asleep as soon as we entered the space," Lin Yue explained.
Yang Han furrowed his brows. "Let me take a look."
Worried that something might have happened to Yang Huo, Yang Han checked her carefully and found nothing unusual. Sensing Yang Han's presence, Yang Huo slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. "Dad," she said.
"How are you feeling?" Yang Han asked.
"I'm fine. What about that big monster?" Yang Huo asked curiously.
"It's been destroyed by me. Don't worry," Yang Han replied.
"Dad, it was all my fault. I almost never got to see you again," Yang Huo said sadly.
Yang Han comforted her, "It's all right. It's over now."
"By the way, girl, how did you end up provoking that monster?" Lin Yue asked curiously.
"I..." Yang Huo explained everything, looking dejected. After hearing the story, Yang Han felt it was time to explain things, so he said to Yang Huo, "Actually, I shouldn't have lied to you, but your mother didn't want me to tell you."
"My mother..." Yang Huo's heart tightened at these words. Lin Yue, standing beside her, asked, "What's really going on?"
"Let me explain. Actually, it's like this: the statue underwater is the previous Fire Phoenix, your mother. She's there healing because she was badly wounded, but she didn't want you to worry, so she asked me not to tell you," Yang Han said.
Upon hearing this, Yang Huo's tears streamed down her face. "I understand now. It's all because I was too stubborn."
"Don't cry. Your mother wanted me to tell you that once you grow up, you can meet her," Yang Han said.
"Really? How long will it take for me to grow up?" Yang Huo asked, feeling frustrated.
"Fire Phoenixes are different from humans. As for when you'll grow up, I don't really know, but it will happen someday. So have confidence in yourself, and don't let your mother worry," Yang Han said.
"Dad, I know I was wrong. I won't do that again," Yang Huo said.
"Good. Let's go. It's time for us to leave," Yang Han said.
"Let me say goodbye to my friends before we go," Yang Huo said.
Yang Han nodded, "Alright, we'll go with you."
Soon, Yang Han followed Yang Huo to a flock of birds. Yang Huo spoke to them in words Yang Han couldn't understand. After a while, she finished, feeling much better. Finally, she shouted toward the lake, "Mom, I'll come back. Please wait for me."
After saying this, Yang Huo turned to Yang Han. "Dad, let's go."
"Alright, let's go," Yang Han replied.
So Yang Han and the others retraced their steps, exited the space, and returned to the original continent.
"We're back again, but it's a different world," Lin Yue said with a smile.
"Alright, do any of you have plans now?" Yang Han asked.
"Not sure. What do you want to do?" Lin Yue asked.
"I want to find a place to cultivate," Yang Han said.
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"Cultivate? What kind of place are you looking for?" Lin Yue asked curiously.
"Wherever the spiritual energy is densest, that's where I'll go. Or, tell me which place around here is best," Yang Han said.
"If you're looking for a place to cultivate, the Immortal-Fate Grotto is a good choice," Mu Yun said.
"Immortal-Fate Grotto?" Yang Han asked, not understanding what kind of place that was.
Lin Yue was shocked. "That's a place only Gods can enter!"
"If Yang Han gives it his all, maybe he can go in," Mu Yun said.
"A place with such harsh entry requirements? Now I'm really interested in seeing it," Yang Han said with a smile.
"Then I want to go too! I want to cultivate and grow up faster!" Yang Huo said, her eyes shining.
"I want to see it too. I'm sure you'll find a way to get us in," Lin Yue said with a smile.
"I've almost finished absorbing my power. With my current strength, I'm half a step into the God realm. I want to see if I can break through to God," Mu Yun said.
"If that's the case, then let's all go together," Yang Han said with a smile.
The Immortal-Fate Grotto—a place only Gods can set foot in. There's actually a legend: the reason this world has more powerful cultivators and more Gods than other places is all thanks to the Immortal-Fate Grotto.
Along the way, Yang Han listened to Mu Yun and Lin Yue talk about the Immortal-Fate Grotto, and he grew increasingly curious about what kind of place it was.
Everyone kept flying until they finally reached a vast sea. After several more days flying over the ocean, they often encountered powerful sea beasts, but Yang Han dealt with them easily. Eventually, they arrived at an island called Immortal-Fate Island.
"This is Immortal-Fate Island. Many people live here, but the grotto itself is unique—it's not a place just anyone can enter," Mu Yun explained.
"Let's first find a place to stay and then quietly figure out how to get in," Yang Han said.
Mu Yun and the others nodded, so they found a village. In the village, they saw many outsiders, and a designated host greeted newcomers. Yang Han and his group chose a room there.
Inside the room, Yang Han said, "We've reached our destination. Next, we'll investigate how to get into the Immortal-Fate Grotto. But everyone, be careful not to reveal yourselves."
"Alright," Lin Yue replied. Mu Yun and Yang Huo nodded as well.
"There's one more thing—the Wood clan's God. I wonder if they're inside the Immortal-Fate Grotto. The Wood clan's God hasn't been seen in the clan for some time, so their whereabouts are unknown," Yang Han said.
"I've been worried about that too," Mu Yun said.
"No worries. If they show up, we'll just fight them. Besides, you've got that ridiculously powerful artifact," Lin Yue said with a grin.
"Precocious little devils," Yang Han sighed.
"I'm not little—she is," Lin Yue said, pointing at Yang Huo.
"You're the little one!" Yang Huo retorted stubbornly.
"Alright, that's enough. Let's go downstairs. Just act like ordinary people," Yang Han said.
Lin Yue and the others nodded, then headed downstairs. Downstairs, they saw many people—some were local hunters who caught sea beasts, others weren't hunters and seemed to be there for unknown reasons.
Yang Han and his group ordered some dishes and began listening to the conversations around them.
People were discussing which sea beast was strongest. Some had seen Gods appear, and even witnessed Gods battling certain sea beasts.
Everyone talked with great enthusiasm.
Yang Han listened closely to every word, hearing most about Gods appearing in certain places to hunt a particular sea beast.
Yang Han grew curious—why were those Gods so determined to hunt that sea beast? He listened carefully and learned that the sea beast had apparently stolen something, so several Gods were chasing it.
For a sea beast to be hunted by several Gods yet still survive, Yang Han realized how terrifying it must be.
Just then, the sound of roaring waves came from outside, followed by someone shouting, "Bad news! The sea beast is coming this way!"
"What? Oh no, everyone run!" shouted some timid people. The innkeeper quickly closed up shop and told everyone to hide underground.
It turned out there were underground tunnels here. Yang Han followed the crowd below and waited for news from above.