```

Based on Lu Yang’s thinking, creating a record in the Ancient Realm and entering the fourth layer should have meant that many from the Demon Race would be waiting at the exit to press him for the rewards of the Ancient Realm.

In particular, the Jiuying Tribe, since he had targeted Qin Feng of the Jiuying Tribe in the Ancient Realm, wouldn’t they take a leading role in attacking him once outside?

First, Qin Feng challenged him to a one-on-one duel, claiming the strong ruled, then upon Qin Feng’s defeat, a Jiuying Clan Elder intervened, taking advantage of the weaker.

At that moment, the Phoenix Tribe stood by his side to fend off the Elder of the Jiuying Tribe.

Considering the Jiuying Tribe’s ability to instigate trouble, all members of the Demon Clan Alliance sided with them, with statements like, "You who lack virtue have no right to the treasure of the Ancient Realm," "Hand it over swiftly, and your life will be spared," "Dare to insult a member of our Demon Clan Alliance, and you shall surely die today," and so on.

Unable to withstand the Demon Clan Alliance, the Phoenix Tribe struggled, and Lu Yang found himself in peril.

It was then that Elder Jiang Lianyi made her entrance, backing him up with a stern look from her phoenix eyes, releasing the aura of a Semi-Immortal, and declaring, "Let’s see who dares to touch him!" She then went on a rampage, intimidating the world.

How exhilarating that would have been.

So why are only Old Meng and Third Senior Sister at the exit?

Seeing that the outside world didn’t match Lu Yang’s plan, Jiang Lianyi didn’t wait for his signal and took the initiative to walk out of the Ancient Realm.

She wore a dazzling red dress, tall and elegant, her demeanor detached, inspiring awe in those around her.

Meng Jingzhou was stunned – how did another person show up?

Why hadn’t he seen her inside the Secret Realm?

Even more shocked was Third Senior Sister, her voice trembling, "You... are you the Phoenix Ancestor?"

The Phoenix Tribe had portraits of their ancient ancestors, which Third Senior Sister had seen.

It was as if the person Junior Brother brought out was straight out of an ancient painting, the likeness was uncanny!

No, she was even more vivid than the images depicted.

Third Senior Sister had a keen interest in archaeology; the living embodiment of an ancient figure, let alone the widely renowned and legendary Phoenix Ancestor, was bound to excite her!

But then Third Senior Sister calmed down; no matter how lucky her Junior Brother was, it wasn’t possible for him to find the real Phoenix Ancestor – this must be some sort of a clone or embodiment left by the Phoenix Ancestor.

"I am Jiang Lianyi."

The residents of the third-layer city spoke a modern language, which Jiang Lianyi had learned by scanning with her Spiritual Sense.

Upon hearing Jiang Lianyi introduce herself, Third Senior Sister’s heart skipped a beat.

Was this truly the legendary Phoenix Ancestor?

Meng Jingzhou looked at Jiang Lianyi and Lu Yang as if he’d seen a ghost.

You, what’s the situation? How did the Phoenix Ancestor herself come out after your trip to the Ancient Realm?

Overwhelmed with excitement, Third Senior Sister asked, "The legend says you had passed away. Have you resurrected, returning anew?"

Jiang Lianyi: "..."

Had the tale of her resurrection already spread to this era?

Would saying she survived by using the Playing Dead Technique until now damage her image?

She spoke indifferently, "Let’s keep this matter quiet. Only the three of you know of my resurrection."

The three nodded repeatedly.

"Right, what about the other races of the Phoenix Tribe?"

Lu Yang thought to himself that having awakened the Phoenix Ancestor and with the tie to Fairy Eternity, it shouldn’t be a problem for him to become the second ancestral figure of the Phoenix Tribe, right?

Third Senior Sister gave a detailed account of what had transpired from the time Lu Yang entered the Ancient Realm until his departure.

```

Jiang Lianyi furrowed her brows slightly, feeling somewhat displeased, "Zhu Tian really has some nerve, attempting to control my Phoenix Tribe with a Dao Fruit Outline while I’m not around."

Zhu Tian was the name dating back to the Ancient Di Jiang era; the Di Jiang Clan had their entire bodies flushed red, using "Zhu" as the surname.

As the possessor of the Survival Of The Fittest Dao Fruit Outline, Jiang Lianyi understood what it meant for an imprint to be placed by a Dao Fruit Outline—absolute control from the strong over the weak, where even life and death hung by a thread.

In the ancient times she had never done such a thing, and now, in a world without Immortals emerging, Zhu Tian, on the contrary, had grown bold—desiring not only to unify the Demon Race but also to control the Phoenix Tribe.

Had the foundations of the Phoenix Tribe been shallower, they might have already come under control.

"Where is Zhu Tian? I will go find him!"

With her naturally fiery temperament, was he about to trample over the Phoenix Tribe, thinking she was dead?!

Lu Yang was shocked and secretly asked in the Spiritual Space:

"Didn’t you say, Fairy, that when someone awakens from a deep sleep, their strength is greatly diminished and requires a long time to recover? Can Elder Jiang, having just awakened, really defeat Ancient Di Jiang?"

"Are you kidding me, don’t lump my Playing Dead Technique with those random tricks. By using the Playing Dead Technique, the vitality is completely locked within the body; Lianyi’s strength is the same as it was in Ancient Times, at her peak!"

Fairy Eternity placed her hands on her hips, especially proud of her own Playing Dead Technique.

Upon confirming that Jiang Lianyi’s strength hadn’t diminished, Lu Yang became even more respectful and quickly advised, "Elder, please don’t harm yourself over this matter. Zhu Tian is hard to track down, but the national founding ceremony is about to be held soon, and as the nation’s ruler, Zhu Tian definitely will attend. We can go there and look for him."

"That’s a good idea."

Lu Yang kindly suggested, "There’s also another matter. The garment you are wearing is too conspicuous. I’m afraid you might be recognized before the ceremony even starts, and if Zhu Tian learns of your arrival, he might hide himself. Would you consider concealing your identity a bit?"

Without even mentioning Jiang Lianyi’s identity, just her beauty alone, ranked among the top three in Ancient Times, would draw countless eyes wherever she appeared, always being the center of attention.

Moreover, with portraits of Jiang Lianyi inside the Phoenix Tribe itself, it’d be odd if no issues arose.

Jiang Lianyi thought it over and realized he was right. She took a black cloak from her Storage Ring and draped it over herself with practiced ease, as if she had done it countless times before.

"Huh? Why did I unconsciously do that?"

Jiang Lianyi paused, somewhat puzzled. With her personality, she never hid her actions; it didn’t make sense for her to frequently wear a cloak.

It didn’t add up.

Fairy Eternity wasn’t surprised at all and explained through a telepathic message, "I used to often take you and Xiao Ling to auctions to play cat-and-mouse. We all wore cloaks back then."

Third Senior Sister took out a beast skin, inviting Jiang Lianyi to sit on it as they set out toward the Di Jiang Clan.

The four of them departed.

Aboard the beast skin, Fairy Eternity, feeling bored, suddenly remembered something.

"Isn’t the way you and Lianyi address each other a bit incorrect?"

"Lianyi calls me sister, Lu Yang, you call her elder, and Lianyi calls you by your name."

"What’s wrong with that?" Lu Yang didn’t see a problem. Otherwise, what should he call her, Sister Lianyi?

"No, no, the order is a mess. Even though I didn’t formally accept Lianyi as a disciple, there’s the substance of a mentor-disciple relationship. Lu Yang, as the Immortal Lineage Second Boss and my disciple, by the rules of our lineage, your status should be higher than Lianyi’s."

"So?"

"So you are Lianyi’s Eldest Senior Brother!"

Jiang Lianyi nodded, "I’ll listen to Immortal Sister."

Lu Yang: "..."

Fairy, don’t talk nonsense; I’m afraid the Qilin Immortal might suddenly appear behind me.

And Elder Lianyi, don’t mess around; my destiny can’t bear such a title.