Soaring Phoenix

In a Minister's mansion in Dayu country, a maid awakes in the early hours of the morning to do her duties. She yawns loudly as she recalls her life as a maid. Her name is Linda, everyone sees her as a jinx because anything bad or unlucky would be connected to her. She has only her mother and little brother as family members, her father died years ago with her grandfather.

When everyone else has woken up at the break of day, Linda accidentally hit a maid carrying a bowl of water for cleaning thereby spilling the contents on the floor. The maid vented her frustration and anger on Linda "are you trying to get me in trouble? What a jinx!" Shouted the maid. Linda just looked sorry as she seems to have accepted her fate. In a moment the house keeper came and everyone concentrated on their duties. But Linda also believes there's a chance to change her fate which would make her live a better life with her mother and brother.

Right in the Minister's mansion, the daughters of minister Robert were intently busy trying different outfit for an upcoming invent and test that will determine their future. That is the measuring of immortal bones.

In a room full of maids carrying different clothes, Cynthia the second daughter of minister Robert was putting on and taking of clothes but still couldn't get herself comfortable in any. In frustration, she stamped her feet on the ground and just then her sister Emerald the first and most beloved daughter of minister Robert came in and immediately Cynthia's face was filled with a smile. Sister it's good you are here please check out this clothes for me and tell me which one suits me best, she said and showcased different clothes to Emerald but just then something caught her eyes. Sister I thought we are going for the measuring of immortal bones? why are you dressed so casually? Emerald immediately smiled and replied "it's an event that determines our future there's no need dressing so beautiful when there will be sons and daughters from more wealthy families there, which means we may not even be selected to join the Immortal Cultivation Academy". Cynthia not being impressed but who is more qualified than you? You are the most beautiful and intelligent lady in the whole of Dayu! Shut up, remember u can only say that at home, be careful of what you say outside to avoid bringing trouble to our father Emerald said. If people think our father is abusing his power, it will ruin his reputation and that will be bad for us. Cynthia nodded and replied okay sister.

Outside in the yard of the mansion, Linda met the housekeeper and asked happily, "are we ready to set off?" The housekeeper asked to where? Measuring of immortal bones replied Linda. The housekeeper laughed at her mockingly, even you wants to measure your immortal bones? Hahaha. Get ready to go home, your mother is here to pick you up. She gave Cynthia a mocking smile and immediately left her confused and annoyed.

Linda went to meet her mother and asked her what is wrong? Her mother said, I changed the date of your birth so don't spill the beans later. Linda became increasingly confused and asked why? I have arranged a marriage for you answered her mother. It's a rich family, the bride is just in bad health and a little limp. I'm not getting married and I want to go and measure my immortal bones! Shouted Linda. Shut up, with your fate if I don't change it even a cripple wouldn't want you, her mother said. Cynthia not being convinced, said I want to enter the Immortal Cultivation Academy. If I am selected I will be able to change the fate of our family. Her mother immediately spat an said "our family's situation was caused by you, stop dreaming and go back with me! Linda refused and said I'm different from others, I can make changes once I enter the academy. I have accepted the betrothal gifts to pay for your brother's schooling so if you have a conscience go back with me, her mother said angrily but Linda refused and fled back into the mansion while her mother went after her.

The daughters of minister Robert just finished having a little conversation on the event they partaking in, and minister Robert asked his eldest daughter Emerald to take care of Cynthia and don'tet her say things that will put the family in trouble.

While leaving, they bumped into Linda and her mother. Linda immediately knelt down and asked Emerald to save her. She told her what transpired between she and her mother, and begged her to let her join them in measuring of immortal bones. Emerald agreed unfailingly which made Linda happy. Her mother had to go home without her.

On reaching the location of the immortal appealing mirror used in measuring of immortal bones, there were many noble masters and ladies from different powerful families. They were told to join groups so they can come before the immortal appealing mirror. In the group which Linda belonged to, she saw her childhood friend which she was engaged with in the past when her family was powerful but they pretended to avoid exposing Linda's real identity.

When it was Linda's group turn to come before the immortal appealing mirror, the mirror shone with a very bright light that filled the entire room and then a phoenix came out of the mirror, flew outside and let out a strong spiritual energy that even those in the heavenly realm felt it heavily and had to protect themselves and it suddenly disappeared into thin air. It turns out that is a heralding sign that the reborn phoenix has been found.

All the people in Linda's group including the daughters of minister Robert and her childhood friend were all admitted into the Immortal Cultivation Academy to cultivate their powers and find out who is the true phoenix.

After the great and divine sign of the reborn phoenix, a flower called purple rose which looks withered in the demon realm started to bloom again. The supreme lord of the demon realm smiled to himself and said the Phoenix reappears in the mortal world again. And immediately he called for his assistant and arranged spies to go and find out who is the phoenix.

Meanwhile in the heavenly realm, the heavenly emperor asked his first son Stanley, the red sun god which was born to him by his late wife. He assigned him the mission of looking for the true phoenix and bringing it under the control of the immortal realm so the demon realm won't have it in their control. He asked his younger son Alfred, the leader of the imperial guards of the heavenly realm to assist him in the mission. But Stanley isn't happy about it for a reason, but won't say it even when asked by his brother Alfred. Just then his other brother Frank, the rain god and his cousin sister Alice, came to bid him farewell on his mission. And they said goodbyes.

The next day Linda went to visit her mother and little brother at home to say goodbye before leaving for the academy but it wasn't pleasant. Mom! Mom! I got an admission into the Immortal Cultivation Academy, our fate can be changed. Immortal Cultivation Academy? Asked her mother. Don't go! Why? Linda asked. And her mother replied her saying "what kind of place do you think immortal Cultivation Academy is? What if your identity is exposed?" Don't worry mom I won't get exposed, said Linda. Okay since you want to get me and your brother killed let me kill you now instead! Her mother immediately drew a long sweeping broom and started to hit Linda. Then her little brother interfered and stopped their mother. Why did you stop me? She asked. Don't you know she caused the death of your father and grandfather before you were even born? I only know sister is good to me, he said. Later on after promising to come back to visit them again after sometime she would have spent in the academy, Linda sneakily left the house. Promising her mother in her heart to do very well in the academy and apologizing to her mother for leaving without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the academy, they introduced their selves to one another and the immortal Alfred who is the red sun god Stanley, was introduced as their teacher.

The red sun god looked so handsome that he caught the eye of Emerald but it seemed like Linda caught his attention the most which made Emerald unhappy but anyways there is a long way ahead and she will try her best in cultivating and win the teacher over.

Stanley gave them a few beginner lessons and asked them to submit their existence measuring stone so he can measure them to know who is most likely an immortal.

At the academy, Linda was still used as a maid. So when she wanted to bring her master's clothes to him she knocked on the door but her master doesn't respond until she just pushed the door open. Her master was utterly surprised because he knows clearly that he cast a spell on the door which will make it impossible for anyone to come in, so he immediately hid the stones. Teacher I brought your clothes Linda told him. After she kept the clothes and was about to leave, he asked her how she got in and she replied saying "I knocked and walked in". Then he immediately caught her unawares by holding her hand, turned her around and checked her bones but only found she is a mere mortal. Linda made a face at him, stomped her feet and walked away angrily.

From that day onward, Stanley always paid close attention to Linda. This made Emerald angry and jealous but she tries to hide it always. She started seeing Linda as a hindrance to her success.

All the students in immortal Cultivation Academy where doing well especially Emerald and everyone was guessing she was the phoenix. It all started when their teacher Alfred taught them how to make out something from nothing using their spiritual powers. While others made different things, Emerald made a phoenix feather. This only made everyone believe that Emerald is the true phoenix.

The supreme lord of the demon realm still had some doubt about Emerald being the true phoenix so he immediately possessed Linda and used her as a weapon. Linda rushed towards Emerald with full force and speed, emitting a strong devilish energy and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing her neck so badly that it could kill her. The other students rushed to save Emerald but the strong devilish energy emitting from Linda was to powerful for them to handle. They held her tightly and pulled but she just waved her hand and boom all of them fell to the ground in full force.

Stanley wanted to make a move but there was something about Linda that kept disturbing him and making him dizzy, like it was a past they shared together but forgotten in the depths of his memories. He only managed to make a move and knocked Linda out.

Her childhood friend Robb, whom she had an engagement with in the past was shocked! He took Emerald to go and take a rest, meanwhile Stanley took Linda to his chambers so he can cast out the spell of the demon on her. His spiritual strength got weak doing that so he fainted.

When Linda got up, she saw him lying on the ground where he fainted and rushed to him, shaking him with all her but he didn't wake up. But just as she was about to give him a mouth to mouth resuscitation he opened his eyes. Both of them where shocked and looked at each other awkwardly. How are you feeling? Stanley asked. I'm fine teacher, thank you teacher for saving me, Linda said gratefully. What about you? Why did you faint? Don't worry am fine, Stanley said.

At the door Emerald saw all this and became very angry she couldn't believe this! Linda you forced me. She told herself and walked away.

Linda hasn't been doing well in cultivating, she had the weakest cultivation among all the students. Her teacher has used many ways to try and make her learn but she wasn't progressing. But anyways the time of basic learning was soon over and their annual exams had begun, their parents were invited to attend. Linda went home to invite her mother but she refused to attend. So she went back to be alone in the exams. Her mother knew she could protect herself if anything happened so she didn't come along to avoid dragging her daughter down.

After the demonic incident, Stanley took Emerald to a special house he sealed with a spell that will never let a single demon to penetrate but ordinary mortals can enter.

She felt lofty for being seen as the phoenix and the most intelligent student of the cultivation academy. Just as she was thinking to herself on how successful she had become, she heard a knock on the door. Knock knock knock..., came the sound from the door. Come in, she replied but was surprised to see her father. Dad! What are you doing here? I've come to take you home, this madness is enough! He stated. Why? She asked. Didn't you see how you almost got killed? What am I going to do if my daughter dies? Robert asked her. Dad I can't go back now, I am the Phoenix, everyone has confirmed it. I will make our family proud, she stated, standing her ground. Since I was little you've always cared mostly for Cynthia, why caring so much bout me now? Whaap! Came a loud slap on Emerald's face. Her dad hit her across the face . It seems you are delusional, he said angrily and stormed out of the room.

A while later, Cynthia came around and felt sorry for her sister. She consoled her asking, did you and dad have a misunderstanding? Emerald replied saying "it's alright Cynthia everything will be good". She nodded and helped her sister wipe her tears. Emerald soliloquized saying, dad I will be the phoenix and change the way you see me and make you proud.

Later in the evening, Robb and Linda took permissions separately and went out of the academy but planned to meet at the same place. They didn't want to be seen by anyone who knows them. As they sat down, Robb tried to pry into Linda's life in the past 10 years. I never knew you would have survived that disaster, he said. What about your mom? Linda replied and said me too, I never knew I was going to survive it. My mom is fine, Linda replied. I have a little brother that was born that was born a few months after that incident. But please promise me to keep me and my family's whereabouts secret okay? Robb nodded, then remembered something. Where is the hair band I gave you back then? Are you still with it? He was hoping Linda still valued their engagement 10 years ago.Hmmm... No I already pawned it a long time ago, Linda said. Robb nodded feeling disappointed. Uh I have to go now, I can't stay for too long. Linda stood up about to leave. Okay, be careful on the way, he said. Ok, Linda replied and left. A while later Robb stood up also and left as they both went back to the academy separately.

On her way back to the academy, Linda recalled when she and Robb where playing in the courtyard of her family's mansion. Her and Robb's father were taking a walk around the courtyard discussing. You have done a good job in bringing up your son, he is such a good kid, Linda's father said. Hahaha, he laughed. You flatter me. Does the engagement between our children still count? Robb's father asked. We are very good friends of course we should become a family, our children should join in marriage, Linda's group father confirmed. Hahahaha the both men laughed.

On the other side of the courtyard, Robb brought out a hair band and said, my mom said I should take very good care of you in the future. Linda smiled and Robb came forward to put it on for her. Thank you, she thanked him after he put it on her hair.

Tears fell from her eyes as she recalled when she was tied to a stake with chains and the crowds were chanting and shouting "Witch! Witch! Witch! Burn her! Burn her! Burn her! When her grandfather and father went up to save her, they were shot and killed by arrows.

She also recalled the time when she still held the hair band in her hand in front of the mirror, caressing it and tried to put it on her hair. Just then her mother came, snatched it from her, cut it to pieces and threw it away. You should stop thinking about him or anything concerning him, it's all in the past now, her mother said. Linda cried for sometime and just let it go. Coming back to reality, she knew she could only lie to Robb about it. It is never possible again between them.

Back in the academy, Stanley's brother came visiting. After talking about some brotherhood things, Stanley told him about something that has been bothering him. He said "Alfred, do you know anything about my past that I seem to have forgotten?". Alfred stuttered before answering " I don't know but do you remember anything?". I seem to always see something like a fight I couldn't fully recall and that was the fight that gave me the injury on chest, he said. And anytime the wound hurts is the exact time I start feeling dizzy and having some faint flashbacks. But Alfred denied knowing anything at all.

Immediately after their conversation, Alfred went straight to the immortal realm and reported to the heavenly emperor what he observed. This was his real mission, not exactly helping Stanley but reporting all his actions to their father the heavenly emperor.

Stanley could only think about the unclear but real images he saw. He saw himself fighting with someone who looked familiar but he just couldn't remember. In the fight, they both pierced themselves with their swords. The other person died while him, although he didn't die, the injury never healed. The scar it left was too big to ignore but he has never been able to know how he got the scar until he came to the Immortal Cultivation Academy as a teacher.

Regardless, the annual exams where kicking off the next day. Students have prepared their minds for the exams. Except Linda who knew she hadn't even made any progress. She had just decided to accept it the way it is. However, she tried hard but couldn't so her teacher decided to help her. He gave her a thousand years of cultivating out of his own 3 thousand years. As an immortal, he has lived for over 3 thousand years.

As the teacher of the students at the Immortal Cultivation Academy, Stanley had set the exams and kept it awaiting it's start. He set a good mental examination where the students could use some of the cultivation they have acquired and spells they learnt but he didn't include a fighting duel.

The heavenly emperor who is so desperate in finding out the true phoenix didn't get satisfied by the exam tests, so he gave his son Alfred a test to add to it. Alfred took it and added it to the test Stanley had set without letting him know. It was a fighting duel test.