The greatest heroes serve their nation and people.

　　Great Chieftain Gong Dian had received a carrier pigeon message from the Eagle God King in the capital. The Eagle King commanded Gong Dian to depart immediately for the capital to mediate issues regarding human sacrifices and forced labor.

　　Through messenger pigeons, Gong Dian coordinated with Lian Kui. The two agreed upon an auspicious date to journey together to the capital.

　　As the Great Chieftain, Gong Dian informed the other tribal chieftains of the Gongyou Clan of his impending departure for the capital mediation before setting out.

　　When Gong Kong learned of his father's planned journey, he hurried to the Great Chieftain's residence seeking an audience.

　　"Father, you must not go to the capital."

　　"Gong Kong, why do you say this?"

　　Since awakening the power of Pre-cognition and witnessing the cataclysmic changes that would shake heaven and earth, Gong Kong had been jolted awake by nightmares each midnight. The visions of the Mu Continent's impending devastation haunted him, leaving him deeply troubled and unable to find peace.

　　"Father, during my time with the Divine Blessed Clan, I met Grand Mage Tianyouzi. She helped awaken my Third Eye, and we both foresaw that the era of peace on the Mu Continent is ending. A storm of blood and violence approaches."

　　"Is that so? Must our Gongyou Clan endure the flames of war once more?"

　　"Father, it will happen. As the Great Chieftain of our clan, you should remain in Windwood Citadel to steer us through the coming disaster—not journey north and place yourself in danger."

　　Gong Kong was the second person to dissuade Gong Dian from going to the capital, after Ge Xiong had voiced similar concerns. Yet Gong Dian remained unwavering: " Confront death to be reborn—only through peril comes renewal. No matter the danger, even at the cost of my life, I must go personally. Do you know why, Gong Kong?"

　　"This son does not understand."

　　"After our defeat in the Great War of the Gods, our Gongyou Clan was forced to sign a treaty under duress. One of its clauses required us to offer annual human sacrifices and forced labor. I underestimated the Green Clan’s greed, which led to today’s suffering. Since I recklessly signed that agreement, the mistake is mine to rectify—mine to bear!"

　　Seeing his father’s resolve, Gong Kong knew further protest was futile. "Father, if you must go, then take me with you as your guard."

　　"No. Your identity must not be revealed to the Green Clan."

　　Disheartened by his failure to persuade Gong Dian, Gong Kong left the residence with his head lowered, lost in thought. Suddenly, he collided squarely with someone rushing in the opposite direction.

　　The man staggered, nearly falling, and glared up at Gong Kong. "Gong Kong! Why don’t you watch where you’re going? What are you so distracted about?"

　　It was Gong Wei, General of the Guard. Having heard rumors of Gong Kong’s frequent visits to the sacrificial platform, Gong Wei eyed his dazed expression and teased, "What, did you quarrel with that female human deity? You’re as troublesome as Gong Kang—now he’s gone missing, and you…"

　　"Damn it, General! You can eat all you want, but don’t speak recklessly! Don’t tarnish my reputation. Every woman under heaven falls for me—just ask any brothel outside the city which courtesan isn’t fighting over me…"

　　"You, Gong Kong, care about your reputation? Give me a break! Those courtesans outside the city are indeed fighting over you. I heard they've been moping around lately, saying the Third Young Master hasn't visited in ages—must have found a new flame."

　　"Oh? So the General is a regular patron too?"

　　"You... you brat! Don't spread rumors! If my wife hears this, she'll..."

　　Gong Kong burst out laughing when he saw the flustered General Gong Wei mimicking his own speech pattern. "General, everyone knows you're henpecked. Even if you had the guts, you wouldn't dare! So, what's your hurry today?"

　　"Ah, Gong Kong, you won't believe this strange affair. That phoenix egg we brought back from hunting—the one with a crack—has hatched! A fledgling phoenix emerged and pecked our cook! I'm reporting to the Great Chieftain about how to handle it."

　　Gong Kong's interest was immediately piqued. "Such a thing happened? The Great Chieftain is busy with state affairs. Why trouble him with this minor matter, General? Let me handle it for you."

　　"Do you have a solution? How will you handle this?"

　　"I have my methods." Without another word, Gong Kong pulled Gong Wei along as they headed to the inner city's kitchen—a treehouse with its own courtyard.

　　Upon entering the yard, they saw a brightly colored large bird flapping wildly, smashing pots and pans to pieces. Fragments of eggshell remained scattered in one corner of the courtyard.

　　Several chefs stood nearby, clutching kitchen knives with terrified expressions, encircling the bird but not daring to approach.

　　The kitchen steward, Ji Mazi, hurried over with an ingratiating smile when he saw Gong Kong and Gong Wei. "Third Young Master, General! Thank goodness you're here. I'll slaughter this bird today and make soup for the Great Chieftain and you."

　　Gong Kong immediately waved his hands in protest. "Soup? Absolutely not! This is a phoenix—a divine omen! How can we kill it? Step aside and let me handle it."

　　He approached the large bird, quietly pushing up the yellow headband covering his forehead to reveal his Third Eye. To avoid exposure, he used the heart-calming art learned from the Divine Blessed Clan to cloud the perception of the onlookers, preventing them from seeing his Third Eye. Then, calmly fixing his gaze on the bird, he watched as the ferocity in its eyes gradually faded.

　　Gong Kong stepped forward, stroked the young phoenix's head, and coaxed it to crouch obediently on the ground. Then he mounted it and began circling the courtyard.

　　Gong Wei, amazed by Gong Kong's beast-taming skill, thrust out his thumb and teased, "Damn it, you rascal really know how to get things done!"

　　"General, I'll take this bird."

　　"Gong Kong, be careful—it's still a phoenix."

　　"Don't worry. Can't you see it's as docile under me as the courtesans outside the city walls?"

　　Riding the young phoenix, Gong Kong arrived at the pyramid sacrificial platform.

　　It was just noon.

　　Su Ziqi and the others had adapted to life among the Gongyou Clan. No longer lamenting their fate, they adopted an attitude of making the best of their circumstances and settled peacefully into the tree hollow at the sacrificial platform.

　　When Gong Kong arrived, the three young women were roasting meat and steaming corn on the open-air platform. The aroma of sizzling meat blended with the fresh scent of corn wafted through the air.

　　Gong Kong’s mouth watered. “Perfect timing beats an early arrival—looks like I’m in for a treat today!”

　　Su Ziqi stared in astonishment at the large bird Gong Kong was riding. “Gong Kong, what is that you’re riding?”

　　“Take a guess.”

　　Zheng Ya studied the bird carefully. “Ziqi, I think it looks like a giant red rooster.”

　　“Ya, I see it more as a cross between an ostrich and a peacock—only larger than an ostrich and far more colorful than a peacock.”

　　Just then, Professor Dong Yifeng emerged from the tree hollow. At the sight of the large bird, he stood stunned, speechless for a long moment before finally collecting himself. Excited, he approached the bird and reached out to touch it. The bird let out a sharp cry and tried to peck him, but Gong Kong quickly restrained it.

　　Professor Dong snatched back his hand in fright, then pointed at the bird excitedly. "This is a phoenix! The legendary phoenix!"

　　Su Ziqi and the others were astonished to hear this—they never expected to see the mythical bird in person. They gathered around to examine it closely.

　　The bird had a rooster’s comb and a beak identical to a rooster’s, yet it stood as tall as a small horse. Its feathers were brilliantly colored, and it looked full of vigor.

　　"Exactly. This is a young phoenix that hatched recently. It grew rapidly in the wind and reached this size right after birth."

　　Su Ziqi asked, "Gong Kong, can it fly?"

　　"Sister Ziqi, of course it can. Would you like to ride it and soar through the sky?"

　　Gong Kong pressed lightly on the young phoenix’s head, coaxing it to kneel obediently. He then extended a hand to Su Ziqi, inviting her to mount the bird before seating himself behind her.

　　Once again, Gong Kong placed his hand on the phoenix’s head, silently channeling spiritual power into it. Soon, the bird raised its head and let out a long cry. After a few steps of a running start, it spread its wings and took flight.

　　The young phoenix flew higher and higher, first circling above the giant sequoia at the pyramid’s summit, then turning southward.

　　Su Ziqi clung to the phoenix’s neck and looked down. The Southern Gorge Forest stretched out lush and green below, a vast expanse of vibrant greenery filling her view.

　　It was the transition between spring and summer. As the phoenix flew over a mountain ridge, she saw vast stretches of extraordinary blossoms covering the slopes—a dazzling sea of colors adorning the mountains in brilliant splendor.

　　The phoenix let out a cry, and hundreds of birds in the mountain answered in chorus, as if paying homage to the king of birds. They began flying alongside the phoenix.

　　Birds of all sizes and colors swirled around the phoenix’s tail like a flying rainbow.

　　"This is what they call ‘All Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’!" Su Ziqi exclaimed.

　　In the distance, clouds veiled the sky. Ancient trees towered in the forest valleys, layered peaks stretched endlessly, and deep ravines intertwined with open valleys. Animals roamed freely under the lush canopy—everything brimming with vitality and peace. Was this magical planet a fairyland?

　　"Your forest is so beautiful!"

　　"Yes, but beautiful things are always fleeting." Gong Kong’s mind drifted back to the visions of future disaster he had seen.

　　"What do you mean?"

　　"Oh, it’s nothing. I just wish I could fly forever with you, Sister Ziqi, on this phoenix—free and unburdened, far from the troubles of the world."

　　Su Ziqi blushed. She was six years older than Gong Kong. During her time at Harvard, she had had a boyfriend, but they parted ways when she returned to China for work. Never could she have imagined she would time-travel to ten thousand years ago, on an alien planet, being courted by someone younger from another world.

　　Lost in affection, their love rose into the sky with the seven-colored phoenix and drifted toward the horizon.

　　And in Gong Kong’s ears, Su Ziqi’s soft singing began to linger.

　　I Am a Grain of Gleaming Dust

　　I am a grain of gleaming dust,

　　Trodden by feet, washed by the sea.

　　The north wind blows through me,

　　Cleansing my soul.

　　I drift into the cosmos,

　　Wrapped in the clarity of vacuum,

　　Breathing in loneliness like suffocation.

　　Leaving this muddy world behind,

　　I carry no regrets.

　　I am a kite with a severed string,

　　Free from bonds,

　　Yet filled with the melancholy of wandering.

　　I drift and drift—

　　Toward space untouched by human cares,

　　Toward the nothingness of void.

　　I gaze upon the Milky Way,

　　Amidst the sea of stars,

　　There you are, waiting—

　　You who wears the stars and moon.

　　A distant light guides my path,

　　I travel trillions of light-years,

　　To meet you here.

　　The wind brought me to this place,

　　Yet erased the traces of my journey.

　　The future is elusive,

　　But you and I are fated to be bound.

　　My heart belongs to you, my earth.

　　I am like a dancing snowflake,

　　Whirling toward the ground,

　　I land softly,

　　And melt into a drop of water.

　　Do not laugh at another’s folly,

　　If you have not tasted life’s bitterness.

　　Though the world is full of twists and toil,

　　It is still worth the journey.