SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

Chapter 196: Golden Phenix Statue

As Kent approached with a curious look, the pillar began to shift. Cracks formed rapidly, spider-webbing across the surface as the sound of breaking glass echoed through the chamber.

Large chunks of the fire-ice mixture started to fall away, each piece disintegrating before it could reach the ground, turning into steam and a fine ash that danced in the air.

From within the crumbling fire-ice pillar, the shadow of a majestic creature began to emerge.

Kent stood in awe, his heart pounding loudly in his chest as he watched the fire phoenix struggle to emerge from the fire-ice blocks.

Its vast wings unfurled slowly as it freed itself from its own prison. The phoenix's wings were a stunning ash-fire color, a blend of deep gray with flickers of bright, burning orange that seemed to light up the entire chamber.

Despite its grandeur, the creature appeared frail and weakened, its body turned an ash color and partially translucent, as if it was fading from existence.

Jabil circled in the corner, trying to avoid the phenix gaze. But Kavi stood in the distance from Kent with a curious look.

The phoenix's eyes were deep with sorrow, bearing the painful rebirth. The Nirvanic fire that burned along its body was both beautiful and tragic, consuming the phoenix in slow, eternal flames that symbolized its ongoing cycle of death and rebirth.

Controlling his fear and hesitation, Kent stood before the dying phenix with a calm face. He felt a mix of empathy and reverence as he held the feather that had once belonged to this magnificent being.

"Seems like it's time to repay my debt." The phenix chirped in a weak tone.

Kent hesitated whether to speak with the phenix. He clearly understood what Phenix said because of his beast tongue ability.

"Why are you not speaking even after understanding my words?" The phenix asked in a weak tone.

Kent felt perplexed, as he did not understand how the phenix knew of his ability. "H-how do you know that I can speak with you?" Kent asked while observing the dying phenix with a surprised look.

"Hmmm… Seems like humans really forget the abilities of my fire phenix race. See, kid, a fire phenix can read the thoughts of weak humans. You are still a master Magus, so you can't hide anything from me." The phenix chirped while plucking its last remaining half-burnt feathers from its body.

"Ohh… It seems I don't need to open my mouth to communicate with you." Kent said with a thoughtful look.

The phenix made a light snort before speaking. "I never thought the mighty Fire Kirin race would share the Beast tongue manual with a human. Anyway, I don't have any time to know about you. As you brought the feather, I'm obliged to help you." The phenix paused for a second before continuing in its weak tone.

"In this dying state, I only have two treasures with me, which could raise your strength by leaps and bounds. But how much strength you gain will depend on your fate." The phenix said while breathing heavily. Kent could feel the pain in her tone.

"Thank you for your aid." Kent bowed his head in respect.

"I'm just paying my debt. You don't need to thank me or feel grateful for it. Now come forward, step into this rebirth river." The phenix chirped as it lifted its head to take a good look at Kent.

Kent gaze moved onto the blood-red river that is flowing around the phenix and stood as a barrier between the two. As the phenix stared seriously, Kent slowly stepped inside the river while still holding the fruits and feathers in his palms.

"What you are going to experience will only happen once in your lifetime. Soon, you will wake up in the world of one of the 49 ancestors of the phenix race. You will have 30 days to live in that world while only one hour passes here. If you die there, you will wake up here in the next second. So, whatever you gain depends on your fate." The phenix explained briefly without moving from its place.

"Wait, what will happen if I get stuck there?" Kent asked with a questioning look.

Instead of answering his question, the Fire Phenix breathed loudly and released a nirvanic flame towards Kent.

Kent closed his eyes in horror. But the nirvanic flames hit the feather that stood in his palms in between the fruits from leafless trees. Soon, the feather in Kent's hand burned like an incense stick, and the fruits began melting away, releasing a strange odor.

Like a dazed baby, Kent's eyes closed automatically, and the river water began churning around him like a protective barrier. The two pets of Kent were staring at him with confused gazes.

"Darkness…"

"Hmmrrr… Hmmrrr…" [crying... heartbreaking cry...]

"Uh… uh… hhh…" [Painful mourning…]

In the eternal darkness, Kent heard the loud crying of a mob. A lady's voice is very clear as she is crying in heartbreaking pain.

"W-Who is crying?" Kent's words stuttered in a muffled tone. But there is no response. The loud mob's crying continued. Slowly, the noise became clear, and Kent began feeling sense.

"Where am I? Who is crying?" Kent uttered loudly while trying hard to open his eyes.

Suddenly, the crying stopped, and Kent heard hurried footsteps coming towards him. Feeling restless, Kent used all his strength to open his eyes.

"Tung…"

Two gold coins placed on Kent's eyes fell on the ground, and Kent opened his eyes to see the face of a large phenix statue, which is glowing in a bright golden color with crimson pupils. Kent is taken aback by the fearful appearance of the phenix statue.

"Ghost…!" Suddenly, a loud cry disturbed Kent's thoughts, and he hurriedly turned his gaze to see a middle-aged woman who is staring at his face in a shocked state.

"Your mother is a ghost…" Kent muttered as he felt irritated by the lady's expression.

"Hubby, are you alive?!!!" Suddenly, a beautiful lady fell on his chest and began touching his face in joy.

_

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