"..." Issei doesn't say anything after hearing the phoenix words.

The phoenix thought that he's waiting for her to continue so she continues her speech: "Of course, I won't ask you to do it for free and maybe the things I can give you are not useful for you but it can benefit normal cultivator out there."

The golden eyes flashed again and two spots of light descended from the skies. What fell in front of Issei was a white-colored jade bottle and a broken piece of white jade.

"Inside the white-colored jade bottle is the . It can increase a cultivator's control of fire energy by a substantial amount. But at the same time, it can also greatly increase a cultivator's profound strength... With regard to normal cultivator strength, it can let their profound strength advance by at least five ranks regardless of their cultivation realm as long as they're below the !"

"Meanwhile, the fragment of the is inscribed on this jade stone. Together, the , the , and the were known as the Three Great World Scorching Heavenly Books. Each possessed tremendous power capable of burning the heavens. That year, the Phoenix left behind the first six stages of the . Only…"

She paused for a moment wanting to see any kind of reaction from Issei but to her disappointment, he doesn't seem to be interested in the least with the things she offered... Not that she hasn't anticipated this since he must clearly possess stronger skill than the .

But she doesn't lose hope and continues to say her offer towards him. But she needed to mention the incomplete art first.

The phoenix spirit's voice held a deep sigh: "Originally, this had recorded everything from the first to the sixth stage, but before the first challenger arrived, an unexpected accident happened..."

"That year, the Phoenix left two trial grounds in this continent. One was here and the other was at the enormous a long-distance away. The trial ground at the was quickly discovered and the was created. That trial ground also became a restricted area that belonged solely to the .

Afterward, the became the number one sect of that empire. The empire was renamed as the and even the empire's capital was established near the . Thus, the area where the trial ground was located became the empire's most prosperous region. Humanity's avarice, deceit, barbarous acts, and war… Constantly existed and tainted the aura within that region. It thereby infected the Phoenix's spirit in that trial ground and gave it a consciousness it should not have had... Which led it to betray the will of the Phoenix."

"As a part of the Phoenix spirit with a different body, I knew of its existence then, and similarly, it knew of mine. After it had developed the consciousness it shouldn't have, it actually had the idea of destroying me and this trial ground, wanting to have the entire continent to itself. Thus, it transferred its energy to a common firebird and came here. It fiercely battled against me and completely destroyed my copy of the jade that recorded the ."

"During the intense fight, I destroyed a portion of its copy of the , leaving it with only the first four stages. Afterward, I was no match for it and had no other option but to create a false illusion of dissipating into flames. Only until then did it leave… But it didn't know that I had removed the fifth and sixth stages of the instead of destroying them, which is the piece that you are holding right now. After that, I completely severed my soul connection to it. It never felt my existence again and has always believed that I had died but I have continued to carry out the will of the phoenix. While guarding this trial ground, I have welcomed and monitored all the challengers."

Issei only silently listened to her explanation and to be honest, he's not really feeling interested in the Phoenix history whatsoever...

"...So I'm guessing the help you wanted from me was to assist you to destroy or kill the other Phoenix spirit?" Issei finally said something.

"...No, what I need your help with is to help me find the other phoenix spirit bloodline inheritor. But I want the inheritor to have a pure heart and if he/she not worthy of the rest of my inheritance then no need to give it to them... And when the time comes you can do whatever you want with my inheritance because that can only mean the Phoenix legacy will have no more complete inheritor..." The Phoenix said softly.

As for asking Issei to give it to his wife, that thought never cross her mind since Paniverna clearly has higher divinity than she is.

"Oh? You don't want me to destroy the other phoenix spirit?" Issei asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No... I'm but a spirit remnant from the original Phoenix. So I don't feel any hatred nor anger towards the other phoenix spirit. My task is only to find a worthy successor for the Phoenix inheritance, no more no less." The Phoenix said.

"Of course, you can give the inheritance to someone you think worthy enough if you want. I'm sure someone like you who have a massive amount of good karma will know how to judge people wisely." The phoenix added.

"I need to correct your words on your previous statement... I'm not a good person. I'm a very selfish person that will do anything just to make my loved ones safe and happy. Even if I have to destroy this whole universe and killed trillions of innocent lives in the process, I won't hesitate even for a second... So don't assume that you know of me just based on external factors." Issei said in a cold voice.

"Perhaps... But the fact that you're willing to tell me about this is proof in and of itself that you are clearly has a noble heart... Also, the reason for your selfishness is out of someone you hold dear, not for some personal gains and that is good enough for me... If you would sacrifice everything just for the sake of gaining strength then no matter how many karmas you accumulated afterward, I would've deemed you unworthy." The Phoenix gently said.

"..." Issei went silent after hearing her words.

"And for my last offer for your help... I can sense that your soul is quite injured to a certain extent... I don't know what kind of being is capable of injuring someone like you but..." The phoenix said in astonished voice thinking just what kind of being is capable of injuring a Godly being like Issei...

If that being is still alive and decided to take a visit to this