Shady bows at the dao beast before turning and exiting the cave, all while staring daggers at Edward, still feeling the regret from their bout. Uncaring Edward is still inspecting the lion, trying to ascertain the age of the dao beast but is unable to even guess.
The lion allows the panther to clear the cave before polymorphing into the biology of a human woman. Naked and only covered by her long blue hair that covers all of her body, only skin showing is her face and throat. Under the cloak of her hair the lioness opens
[What is your name child?]
[She can definitely sense my aspect, even though shes probably never met a phoenix, she knows] "This one, is Edward Al-"
[I meant your true name, ghost]
The demand in Edwards mind causes extreme fear to consume him. The words indicating that not only are there beings that know his secret, but entities that are capable of slaying him even if he uses his art. Physically shaking under the interrogation, Edward remembers how he was not even this pressured by a god, if only he was still at his peak he thought.
[Lost soul do not worry. Your being here was karma] Disappearing from Edwards sight and appearing behind him before Edward could react, the dao beast places her left index finger on the back of his skull
[This is easier than explaining] Floding Edwards mind with what she had saw and heard through her divine sense
The scenes inside of Edwards mind are from the day that court was held, conversation between Patriarch Kayce and Master Hao.
"My Lord, your father had duty to tell you of my history."
"On his death bed he had told me, your immortality and dedication to my clan, since before it became land rulers."
"I fought with your founding ancestor and Lady Azlan, against the corrupted dragon with the other two clans, against Ragnar Lodbrok and his sea of vikings. Everywhere this clan and all three kingdoms hit a turning point I had a hand in matters. Serving under different identities I have lived in this clan but not for it."
"Grand Sage, you have given yourself to my clan, but you say you don't live for it. Why?"
Taking off his robe to reveal his white light "This is why. The cause of my immortality, and reminder of my mission."
"What is your mission, Grand Sage?" Patriarch Kayce growing hostile
"My mission is given directly by what you know as the heavenly dao. I know it by the universal will."
"The heavenly dao has communicated and given you purpose directly... Who are you?"
"Let me explain the story of Earth first My Lord. The star we walk was created fresh for the purpose of nurturing a deity. My mission is to guide, and council said deity. The universal will does not tolerate cultivation, it is unnatural and against its design for its people, that is why it smites down cultivators at every opportunity. Its unwillingness isnt cruel if you think like a god, it is a defensive mechanism to prevent a "god" from being born. Yes I understand the contradictory statements I have made, but it needs a god to aide it in the dismemberment of usurpers. There are thousands of gods around Earth, and millions throughout the infinite universe. These usurpers that claim themselves true gods, manipulate the rules and reality that the universal will created. What you call the heavenly dao is merely false gods interfering with the cosmos that was made. These false gods are actually the cruel ones, they descend into realms of man risking its collapse to slay anyone that comes close to breaking through and understanding divinity. They prevent what they have done to the universal will from happening to them in a hands on manner. They leech and take from what the only true god created and use what they once were as sources of entertainment. With millions of gods taking and fighting it the universal will cant properly defend itself, or the realms these gods take nest in to spread their religion. Unable to fight back alone, it created the Earth, a singular star that it shields from the direct influence of the false gods, albeit they still are known here. When it created the Earth, the universal will created me and gave me my mission. It littered the Earth in artifacts that it seized throughout the years, taken from the usurpers, tools for the Earthen Deity. Billions of years have come and went by, but not a single Earthen Deity has been born on Earth since the first one fell to the false gods. So the universal will started to allow strong souls of fallen cultivators to enter Earth in search of their new body, it even sent out paths blind to them to follow, even then still no luck in my mission. That is why I tell you this story now, because the strongest and purest soul has descended recently."
Patriarch Kayce pale like a hermit takes a long pause before asking "Why are you telling me something so far beyond me? What good does this information serve me other than to fill me with dread?"
"It concerns you greatly, because your son-"
The visions in Edwards mind dissipates leaving him nauseas and falling to his hands and knees
HUUURGGEHH
Throwing up and dizzy Edward finds it hard to believe the scene witnessed. What is getting at him the most is the collapse of his ego, having thought himself lucky for having found such a fortuitous realm. The shock that powers greater than him manipulated his fall onto Earth, after being slayed by a different great power. Losing his sense of self, falling into an abyss of his mentality breaking Lady Azlan places her hand on his back and forces his Chi to rapidly circulate threatening his life. The feeling of his Chi running rampant knocks him aware and back to his sanity.
Sitting up straight and taking control of his Chi flow, Edward begins to think of the matter rationally
[While my fall and arrival on Earth was a manipulation of the highest sort, it doesn't mean that I am any less fortunate. After all I did die, being able to continue on is great fortune. Besides this realm is under no control of my enemies, infact it has things that can enable my revenge. But "the universal will" if you think I will be your subordinate, you are greatly mistaken]
Opening his eyes Edward falls back as Lady Azlan was directly in his face
[It seems you have calmed down, you even seem better than before. Now tell me your true name]
"My name is Edward Li Qiang, prince of the phoenix race, and monarch off all demonic humans."
[How can you be prince when you are a halfling. I sense your soul does not function like a phoenix]
"What do you know of phoenixes?" Edward who is getting angry
[Child, I heard how you disciplined Xuan, all that talk of bowing and fleeing. Should I hold you to your own ideals?]
"I apologize"
[Your mother was very smart, mingling with humans who have the highest potential among all sentient creatures. She must really want phoenixes to rule over all dao beasts]
"My mother certainly didn't love my father" nodding his head in agreement "What is your name, anomaly?"
[The ancestor of your body, gave me the name Azlan]
[This guy is real creative] "A fitting name" Edward holding in laughter "How did you meet him, and how did you become a dao beast?"
[I found that ring on your finger when I was young. Inside of the ring in deep sleep my body absorbed the aura from it. It was quite my fortune I bet it was only the dragon and I that got to absorb an artifacts aura before it naturally wore off from them. Eventually a man found the ring and freed me, that bodies ancestor.]
"Why do you stay hid here? These mortals would worship you if you were so vain"
[I stay to protect my friends burial ground.... I am over your questions. I will grant you favors in reason to support your journey. Ask me whatever you wish, and I will judge it]
"Well for starters I want some of that spirit water. I want that panther, and I want some of your blood."
[Two of the three are doable. This spirit water is meant for the head of your clan but you are an exception. Shady is rowdy but you could easily make him submit. But my blood, we both have aspect I am not foolish enough to give you means to control me]
"I meant no malice in my asking. Its just your aspect is similar to the Qilins, such raw physical strength. I planned to consume it for cultivation, not a blood ritual."
[Fine I agree, you will consume it in my presence. If you try a scheme, I will behead you and consume your soul for my advancement]
"I like how you work Azlan" Edward feeling like he is making a friend is enjoying the moment in the cave, a total turn around compared to him before