Just as Hexia was recalling the images she saw yesterday at the hotel, on the other side, Feng Jianxue was using expensive long-distance communication equipment to talk to someone in the Flying Feather Star Domain.
"Little White Swan, I met a really beautiful girl yesterday, you know, that feeling, like an unexplored black crystal, tranquil and translucent..." Feng Jianxue went on and on, but due to the transmission delay between star domains, it would be about several minutes before the other side could see.
Sure enough, not long after, the communication device projected the figure on the other side.
"So annoying, and who allowed you to give me nicknames, always trying to irritate me on purpose, right?" The girl with silver-white hair on the other side of the projection answered irritably, seemingly fed up with Feng Jianxue's way of speaking for a long time, but unable to get away from it.
"Did you go bothering people again, I've told you so many times, do not mention my name in public, it's so embarrassing, wandering around all day..." Saying that, the beautiful girl on the other side crossed her arms and began scolding mode, going on a tirade.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm, my little sister is still so cute, even when she scolds someone, she's so charming~" Unfortunately, Feng Jianxue didn't listen at all, which frustrated the girl on the other side immensely.
"Ah, ah, ah, you're going to drive me crazy sooner or later; okay, let's not talk about this anymore, who did you meet yesterday?" She rubbed her hair vigorously, and her originally cute and beautiful image suddenly became a bit disheveled, but it also became much more approachable.
"Ah, right, right, right, I met a cute girl named Hexia, mhm, really cute, she must be the daughter of Qing Luan's direct descendant, Gu Yongrong."
"Wait, who is Gu Yongrong? Oh, I remember now, I saw the image in the Sword Palace before, but wasn't there a rumor that she died more than 20 years ago, which even led to a split inside Jielou City, and afterward the 'Godly Generals' dominated alone?"
"I thought so at first too; coming to Jielou City this time was just to confirm whether that sword was still there, and to figure out a way to steal it, since the 'Godly Generals' didn't get their hands on the legacy secret technique anyway."
"Forget about the 'Godly Generals'; according to later investigations by the Sword Palace, it's possible that Gu Yongrong herself didn't receive the inheritance, she only learned a bit of the basics. The branches of Jielou City lost the inheritance hundreds of years ago, otherwise the Sword Guardians wouldn't have declined so much that they are nameless."
"In the Fifth Epoch, with the chaos of war, the heirs of the various Upper Gates took the classics and secret techniques to every corner of the star sea to avoid disaster, many of which vanished without a trace, and now the ones that can still be contacted are few and far between."
"There used to be some organizations and powers interested in these classics and secret techniques, but as time developed, it seems that a lot of things have become outdated now, so not many people care anymore." The girl with snow-white hair on the other side shook her head in reflection. Although she herself came from such a lineage family, it's now hard to take pride in it, more of a commemorative significance, perhaps.
"Under the battleship cannon, all are equal, sigh~" She made a helpless gesture.
"No, Little Mandarin Duck." Feng Jianxue became serious at this point.
"It's true that under the axe of the great ships, individual impact has diminished, but behind this industrial system there always lies an individual. If we can re-explore the past secret techniques and find ways to improve the success rate of advancement, we can greatly increase the national power of a country. Be it in scientific research, life, or production, it will usher in great innovation — a powerful force that we cannot simply give up." He shook his head.
"Uh, fine, if you say so, big brother, I can't argue." After that, the girl leaned on the table, looking sideways at Feng Jianxue in the projection.
"But, you're usually so frivolous, you don't seem like the type to worry about the country and the people."
"That's just the appearance I use to deceive others, while my sincere heart is only shared with a select few." Saying this, Feng Jianxue began to fan himself with the folding fan once more, appearing as if he were the only sober person in a world full of drunks.
"I only know about the legend of the Phoenix of the Five Virtues. I'm not familiar with the rest."
"Knowing about the Phoenix of the Five Virtues is quite enough. In Ancient Times, the era of enlightenment and prosperity was ushered in by five phoenixes, and their influence has continued unbroken to this very day. Jielou City is also a successor of one of those lineages," he continued to explain.
"Just as there are now many giant corporations renowned throughout Galaxy Universe, back then, Eastern cultivators also had their organizations and factions. Among the most powerful were the Thirty-Six Upper Sects and Seventy-Two Factions."
"After entering the age of the stars, these Upper Gates gradually moved into Galaxy Universe to pioneer, establishing sects and organizations in various Star Domains, once influencing every corner."
"However, during the wars and calamities of the Fifth Epoch, many factions were destroyed. Only a few had members who fled with scriptures and lineages, and many such refugees were absorbed by the Rose Federation."
"You mention all this..." The girl had some guesses.
"That's right, Hexia, your mother was indeed a direct descendant of one such lineage, and she was one who kept the past spirit alive."
"No, my mother didn't inherit those things." Hexia knew clearly; while her mother practiced the Transcendent Sequence, the methods were not unique, and she would not keep secrets from her.
"Ahem, well, perhaps the lineage had been broken, after all. With hundreds, thousands of years passed, such things are often beyond help."
"Actually, based on my investigation, it's possible your mother had some conflict with your uncle. Your mother inherited the 'Sword Guardian' lineage, while your uncle took up the 'Godly General' lineage."
"Originally, in the past, it was a primary-secondary configuration, where the Sword was the main and the Godly Generals were the auxiliary. But later on, the 'Sword Guardian' lineage was lost, resulting in its decline, and now the 'Godly General' lineage reigns supreme."
"Does that mean, my uncle is still alive?" the girl asked curiously.
"He is alive, and it's very possible that he's the hidden ruler behind Jielou City. But, well... he may not be that easy to get along with. I don't know the specifics of what happened back then, but your mother definitely had a fight with him before she left Jielou City," he said with a certain conviction.
"If you really want to understand the past, you could indeed seek him out. But what happens afterwards might not be so easy," Feng Jianxue shook his head.
"Would he kill me?" Hexia was puzzled.
"Probably not. Although there's a great conflict with your aunt, he probably wouldn't go as far as to kill you, since you're also his relative. But, well, you might end up having to stay in Jielou City and not leave again."
"He might, in order to appease the elders of Jielou City and to retain certain things, place you in your mother's former position. And I expect in a few years, he might even arrange a marriage for you," Feng Jianxue shook his head, indicating that this would not be good.
"Ah, I see." Hexia had been somewhat happy to learn she still had living relatives, but her mood soon fell.
"Let's not talk about that now. Tomorrow we'll go and see the sword dance. I don't know how they've arranged it this year, but no matter what, ever since your mother left, Jielou City's sword dance has been declining year after year."
That afternoon, after a long conversation, they parted ways - Hexia went to Jielou City's library or places that sold old books and old film Memory Cards to search for more information about the past. Meanwhile, Feng Jianxue started on some of his plans and actions.