The Moon Lord initially held a favorable impression of human forces, particularly the Phoenix Organization.
This was because when Yin Yueluxi was severely injured years ago, she was unaware of it. If not for the Phoenix Organization's aid, the child would likely have perished.
However, at this moment, the Moon Lord only wished to curse the Phoenix mentor who had "kidnapped" her child. But upon consideration, she decided to maintain her elegance in front of Yin Yueluxi and suppressed her inner fury.
"This is normal, entirely normal."
"After all, Yin Yueluxi is human. She is accustomed to human life and has placed her emotional reliance on human society, but..."
Still, she felt incredibly annoyed!
She mused that this also had something to do with Yin Yueluxi's overly optimistic attitude.
She declared, "You have no idea how terrifying the Evil Gods truly are."
Coming from someone of her stature, her words naturally carried weight, yet they weren't entirely sufficient. It was difficult for her to adequately describe such profound terror. The horror of the ineffable Evil Gods was something she could barely comprehend without having faced them directly.
She changed her approach.
"As long as you are willing, you can bring a few close humans with you. You can allow them to reside within Palace-type Artifacts. As for the Phoenix Organization, if any of their high-ranking cultivators wish to join, I can grant them this qualification."
At this point, she finally displayed a hint of her majestic bearing as the Moon Lord, looking down upon the world.
As one of the greatest and most ancient existences among the ancient gods, the Moon Lord had the right to be arrogant.
To leave the cosmic expanse and venture into the 'Void' beyond required a materialized Authority to serve as a vessel for swift passage, enabling the restoration of consumed power in an environment devoid of anything.
Possessing Authority, complete Authority, offered them a sliver of hope—the chance to finally find a habitable region after an arduous, lengthy drift through the eons.
The minimum requirement to board their vessel was indeed the High Realm.
Anything lower would be a burden.
But this still felt insufficient. The Moon Lord continued, "Furthermore, do not assume that danger only stems from the calamity of the Evil Gods. Your human race... especially the Phoenix Organization's situation, is no longer as secure as you might think."
"Many old fellows are eyeing the Sacred Court's ultimate treasure and the artifacts held by your Phoenix Organization with covetous intent."
"What, you don't believe me? Is it because no such-and-such deity has ever troubled you, so you think such things can't happen? The times have changed, child. In the past, humans and ancient gods were, to some extent, allies, like grasshoppers on the same rope, desperately fighting against the Evil Gods. But now..."
"Humans and ancient gods are no longer allies. Everyone is seeking an escape route, and the treasures your Phoenix Organization holds are a hot potato."
The Sacred Court's treasure was something she herself had some designs on.
However, their intention was to use Authority as a vessel for rapid passage outside the 'Void' of the universe, making the Sacred Court's treasure rather redundant for them.
But other ancient gods might not think the same way.
In fact, years ago, some ancient gods were already coveting the Phoenix Organization. The organization's rapid cultivation of powerful individuals and possession of certain precious artifacts were no great secrets. These envious gazes were what the Moon Lord had deflected.
But that was in the past. At that time, those who coveted the Phoenix Organization's treasures were merely minor deities of the second or third tier.
Her single word was enough to deter those minor deities from their presumptuous intentions.
Now, it was different. It was possible that top-tier ancient gods, no less powerful than herself, were already targeting the Phoenix Organization. She would not engage in a full-blown conflict with other ancient gods for the sake of a mere Phoenix Organization.
Moreover, she had been severely injured in the confrontation with the Twisted Black River, with considerable defilement lingering within her, from which she had not yet recovered.
Her deterrent power had significantly waned. Not to mention ancient gods of her own caliber, even minor deities a tier or two below her might not show her much respect anymore.
This was precisely why, as soon as she suppressed her injuries and emerged from seclusion, she had rushed to find Yin Yueluxi.
"Your Phoenix Organization is already caught in a vortex of crisis, and you cannot break free."
Yin Yueluxi's mouth opened slightly in surprise.
Why, when disaster was imminent, could people not cooperate? Why would conflicts arise?
She couldn't understand.
However, having now risen to a high-ranking position within the Phoenix Organization, she possessed a considerable amount of information. She knew very well that her sister Moon Lord's words were likely not alarmist.
She wanted to pry more details from the Moon Lord, but there were none.
Perhaps the Moon Lord was unaware, or perhaps she was unwilling to speak.
Yin Yueluxi frowned. Regardless of evidence, she decided to inform her mentor of the situation.
After a moment, her tightly furrowed brow eased slightly.
The Moon Lord, however, was somewhat surprised.
She could guess that Yin Yueluxi had been communicating, but she didn't mind.
Even if the human force known as the Phoenix Organization harbored ill intentions towards her, she remained unfazed. She was the great Moon Lord, in the High Realm. Ordinary tenth-level cultivators were beneath her notice.
Even though she was severely injured, it was still the case.
At the very least, she didn't need to be overly cautious when dealing with the Phoenix Organization.
However, the Moon Lord also knew that unless she intended to forcibly abduct Yin Yueluxi, the possibility of conflict with the human Phoenix Organization was extremely slim.
While injured, she did not wish to engage in any overly intense battles.
"What? Hearing about such a crisis, your mentor isn't worried?"
"Of course!" Yin Yueluxi tilted her snow-white neck. "My mentor said he anticipated this situation long ago. While we in the Phoenix Organization do not wish to expend our internal strength at this time, if certain ancient beings approach with malicious intent, our Phoenix Organization will show no mercy."
"Show no mercy?"
The Moon Lord snorted disdainfully. What an audacious claim.
She really wanted to ask if they understood the might wielded by a tenth-level realm controller.
However, her reason told her that the Phoenix mentor was by no means a fool. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to develop his organization to become the foremost human power in such a short time.
Yes, she, the Moon Lord, could tell at a glance that the Phoenix Organization was very young.
Unlike previous powers such as the Sacred Court and the Ancient Moon Dynasty, the entire Phoenix Organization exuded a vigorous vitality. They were not an ancient force; their existence might have been shorter than many imagined.
Perhaps the Phoenix Organization was only founded a few thousand years ago?
And because the leader of the Phoenix Organization was in a state of rapid progress, their mindset was youthful and full of confidence.
It was understandable.
But to underestimate the might of a tenth-level root existence was indeed too much.
Ancient beings posed a threat.
Evil Gods loomed in the distance.
The Phoenix Organization's situation was quite perilous.
However, the Moon Lord could see that Yin Yueluxi was stubborn, and most humans were stubborn. Until the crisis rolled in and crushed them, they wouldn't seem to yield.
She frowned, then relaxed.
"Let's wait. A little longer. When Yin Yueluxi understands the precarious situation of the Phoenix Organization, she will change her mind."
But at this moment, Yin Yueluxi did not harbor much worry. She merely hesitated, her lips parting.
Several minutes later,
Still within the same courtyard, Yin Yueluxi walked away with a worried expression, casting backward glances as she left, giving the space to the two remaining inside.
Er, one person and one ancient god.
She was a little worried that her mentor would be at a disadvantage, after all, that was the Moon Lord!
She also didn't want her sister Moon Lord to come into conflict with their Phoenix Organization.
She gazed at the unfathomable inner hall, scratching her head in distress.
...
In the living room,
After Yin Yueluxi's departure, the atmosphere gradually became subtle.
The Moon Lord no longer resembled a gentle elder sister. Even without radiating any divine aura, she remained a great goddess who looked down upon the world and all beings.
Her mere presence caused the laws of heaven and earth to bow in submission.
Her eyes shimmered with a faint moonlight, immeasurably deep, reflecting the nights of countless worlds.
"I intend to take Yin Yueluxi. State your conditions."
She spoke calmly, and the space froze, leaving only the moonlight filtering in from the window.
Yet, it was clearly daytime.
"Yin Yueluxi is not an object; she is a person with her own thoughts and rights. Your Excellency should not ask me, but her. However, I suspect you have already asked."
Under the stagnant space, Mentor Fang picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
Unperturbed and at ease.
He was still astonished, truly worthy of being among the top-tier existences: the goddess of empty moon, the controller of moonlight, the ruler of the night, Your Excellency the Moon Lord.
The frozen space and the flowing time were merely realities slightly altered by the Moon Lord's influence.
The truly terrifying aspect lay in her eyes.
From those bright eyes, Fang You saw a sea, an ocean-like power of Authority.
Very strong, this Moon Lord.
However, the Moon Lord's strength was within his expectations.
Three years ago, at the Ancient Alliance Assembly, he sat in a middle position, like an ant. At that time, the Moon Lord was the bright moon in the sky, visible but impossibly out of reach. He couldn't discern her depth.
But now, he could confidently say he had perceived a sliver of the Moon Lord's depth.
He was certain that he was inferior.
"As expected, my cultivation journey is too short. Compared to the top ancient beings of the dimensional realm, there is still a significant gap... purely in terms of laws and Authority."
But these ancient beings had existed for a long time, naturally accumulating various means. Fang You would not be overly confident.
He pondered and compared.
It was still a pity. If he could measure the Moon Lord's true strength, he could replicate her in the Combat Tower and spar with her to gauge his own deficiencies.
Currently, apart from Chi Yan, no one could engage him in combat.
But there was no opportunity.
Unbeknownst to him, the Moon Lord was also astonished, astonished that this human before her was 'staring' directly at her.
This was certainly not human desire.
She, the Moon Lord, was an ancient god and didn't have much of that. Humans below the High Realm were like dust to her.
What surprised her was: not everyone was qualified to gaze directly at a great existence. Moreover, this Phoenix mentor seemed rather relaxed.
"Tenth Realm?"
"He is likely more than just an ordinary tenth-level cultivator."
"His level of Authority mastery might not be low. What Authority could it be?"
The Moon Lord, initially somewhat indignant, forgot her anger.
The Phoenix mentor was far stronger than she had imagined. She had observed him from afar at the Ancient Alliance Assembly three years ago, so why hadn't she noticed then?
Was it because the attendees at the assembly were not their true selves?
Or did this mentor deliberately conceal his strength back then?
She admitted she had underestimated him.
But even so,
"Your Phoenix Organization is currently caught in a vortex. You possess considerable strength, but how much of an oasis can you protect? Making plans early is the wise course of action."
"Thank you for your concern, Moon Lord, but I, we, have never intended to abandon anyone. As for the ancient beings harboring malicious intent..."
He looked out the window, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"At that time, I will act."
"Our Phoenix Organization is not only me who can act."
"Humans are united. Humans... are not weak."
"Perhaps we were not born strong, but we can rely on our own strength to climb to the summit step by step. This is humanity."
"Nothing is impossible. Nothing is insurmountable. This is our belief."
His voice was not loud, not booming, but it contained a vast power, a power that existed in the magnificent galaxy and roamed the boundless firmament.
Ubiquitous!
'You know nothing of the firmament of belief.'
This mentor seemed to be declaring to her.
She also seemed to see a person, a group of people, standing on the peak of a high mountain, facing the vast darkness.
Drawing their swords, piercing the sky! Ushering in the dawn!
This was their belief!
The Moon Lord opened her mouth, but she could not utter a single sarcastic, disdainful, or admonitory word.
She was still not optimistic and did not think highly of the Phoenix Organization.
But she gained a tiny bit of patience.
She was willing to wait a little longer, to see if the radiance of dawn would appear, even though she knew it was impossible.
"Humans are indeed a race full of miracles."
"Tens of thousands of years ago, the Kandra Empire created some miracles. Tens of thousands of years later, the Phoenix Organization also attempts to create miracles."
"A human life is as fleeting as summer flowers, but human civilization is as eternal as the river of stars."
She vaguely recalled someone saying this to her long, long ago.
But she couldn't quite remember the events of that time.
The Moon Lord left, yet did not completely leave.
She secluded herself within the City of Burning Flames. She wanted to observe with her own eyes, to see if the human world, up close, differed from her detached observation.
What could Fang You do? Of course, he welcomed her.
If a being like the Moon Lord wished to infiltrate, it would be difficult for him to detect. Could he monitor her constantly? After all, the City of Burning Flames was an open and inclusive city, welcoming all visitors who abided by the rules.
Within the city, there were humans, foreigners, divine offspring, and... ancient gods who had hidden their identities.
That's right, the Moon Lord was not the only ancient god residing here in seclusion.
As long as the Moon Lord remained here, eventually, he would be able to glean more details from this Moon Lord, who might be a woman hundreds of thousands of years old.
If he couldn't get them, wouldn't Yin Yueluxi be there?
At least today, he had obtained considerable secrets from this Moon Lord.
The sky had darkened. The firmament outside the oasis was dim, without a trace of faint light.
Fang You stood on the mountain peak, gazing silently.
A beam of light struggled to pierce the darkness and fell upon the earth.
That was the dawn.