Dance of the Phoenix Episode 16 Recap
> Dance of the Phoenix Recap
Junwu Academy, renowned as the Capital's foremost cultivation institution, naturally served as the top choice for cultivators aiming to advance their skills. The academy held its entrance examination only once every three years, with extremely stringent admission requirements. All spiritual practitioners, from junior to senior ranks, were obliged to participate in the entrance exam. Even individuals from prestigious families, such as Feng Xun and Xuan Yi, were no exception to this rule.
Only cultivators who had already achieved the rank of Spiritual Venerable were granted exemption from the exam. For the current intake, only Jun Linyuan, Yu Mingye, and Zuo Qingluan had qualified for this exemption. Zhao Ge, with her relatively shallow cultivation, initially lacked confidence in her ability to pass the Junwu Academy exam. However, because Feng Wu was determined to take it, Zhao Ge decided to apply as well.
During the registration process, the two encountered members of the Celestial Palace. Mu Yao, who already harbored strong resentment towards Feng Wu, immediately began to taunt her. Her insults also extended to Zhao Ge, who, despite being the Celestial Palace Leader's daughter, received no respect from anyone within the palace and was even denied assistance during her period of poisoning. Consequently, Zhao Ge had long since become utterly disillusioned with the Celestial Palace.
Feng Wu, unable to tolerate Mu Yao's arrogant and bullying demeanor, proposed a wager. If Feng Wu successfully gained admission to Junwu Academy, Mu Yao would have to address her as "dad" whenever they met within the academy. Conversely, if Feng Wu failed, she would never again set foot in the Capital. Mu Yao, unable to resist the provocation, accepted the bet, confident that Feng Wu would fail and eager to witness her defeat.
The day of the exam arrived as scheduled. The morning's written test proved manageable, with both Feng Wu and Zhao Ge performing admirably. However, the true challenge lay in the afternoon's martial arts competition, which drew together spiritual practitioners from all corners, making it a gathering of formidable experts. Opponents for the martial arts segment were assigned randomly.
Before entering the arena, each participant was given a bell to tie around their waist; victory was declared when a contestant successfully removed their opponent's bell or caused it to drop to the ground. Zhao Ge was the first to enter the arena, facing Huang Li from the Celestial Palace. Not proficient with a sword, Zhao Ge opted for her most familiar weapon: a slingshot, using candied fruit as projectiles.
Though this choice initially seemed to mock her opponent, Zhao Ge's aim with the slingshot was remarkably precise. Combined with her spiritual energy, the candied fruit transformed into a weapon with considerable destructive power. Ultimately, she distracted Huang Li with a self-made pollen bomb, seizing the opportunity to claim her opponent's bell and secure her victory. Despite their exemption from the entrance exam, Jun Linyuan, Yu Mingye, and Zuo Qingluan were all present at the examination venue.
Yu Mingye even deliberately entered a match, engaging in a fight. Jun Linyuan, of course, was there for Feng Wu. Zuo Qingluan, however, came to observe both Mu Yao and Feng Wu. Having learned that Mu Yao was drawn as Feng Wu's opponent, Zuo Qingluan secretly instructed Mu Yao that the Celestial Palace Leader had commanded her to win this match at all costs.
Mu Yao, not one to fight fairly, immediately tried to deceive Feng Wu upon entering the arena, suggesting they only compete with spiritual energy and refrain from using weapons to maintain amicable relations. Feng Wu, believing her, sheathed her Phoenix Sword. To Feng Wu's surprise, Mu Yao's ice blades struck her mercilessly, leaving her heavily wounded. Below the stage, Jun Linyuan grew increasingly anxious, while Feng Xun, Xuan Yi, and Zhao Ge watched with deep concern.
Yu Mingye even directly urged Master Zhao, the exam invigilator, to intervene. However, Master Zhao explained that according to the rules, he could not interfere as long as Feng Wu did not admit defeat. It was only when Feng Wu collapsed unconscious on the ground that Jun Linyuan finally could no longer bear it and rushed onto the stage to protect her.
Just as the invigilator was preparing to declare Mu Yao the winner, Feng Wu suddenly sprang into the air, the Phoenix Blood from Mu Jiuzhou manifesting on her forehead. Before the astonished crowd, Feng Wu unleashed her full power, attacking Mu Yao with volleys of fireballs that seemed intent on ending her life. Fortunately, Wu Youdao intervened promptly, blocking the fiery assault. Otherwise, Feng Wu would have become the first candidate to kill an opponent in the examination arena.
Subsequently, Feng Wu collapsed once more due to exhaustion. When she finally regained consciousness, it was three days later, precisely the day the examination results were to be posted. Feng Wu rushed to check the list. To her great relief, both she and Zhao Ge had passed. It was rumored that Wu Youdao himself had personally added Feng Wu's name to the list.
This news reached Holy Queen Gao, who immediately ordered Gao Wei to investigate Feng Wu and the Feng family's background. She needed to ascertain if someone was secretly assisting Feng Wu in rapidly enhancing her spiritual power. If Feng Wu indeed possessed such extraordinary talent, it was even more imperative to prevent her from becoming Jun Linyuan's spiritual consort. Meanwhile, Feng Xun observed Xuan Yi's unusual interest in low-rank cultivation texts, knowing Xuan Yi typically read advanced spiritual literature.
Xuan Yi explained he was looking for books for "her" because "she" lacked a strong foundation and needed to review the basics. Feng Xun deduced he was referring to Zhao Ge and playfully teased Xuan Yi for his devoted attention to Miss Zhao Ge. Zhao Ge then approached Xuan Yi, reminding him of his promise to grant her a request if she passed the exam. She shyly asked if she could call him "Yi." Xuan Yi, though surprised, agreed.
Zhao Ge, in turn, made him promise not to let any other girls call him by that name, emphasizing it was a special reward she had earned. Xuan Yi accepted her unique request. As a final formality, the new cultivators gathered for the Junwu Academy admission ceremony.
A Master welcomed the students, emphasizing diligence, mutual assistance, and the mission of eliminating demons, urging them to remember the academy's 134 rules, including prohibitions against collusion with evil, bullying the weak, and misusing spiritual energy. After the rules were read, the students performed a solemn salute to their masters. During the ceremony, Feng Wu saw Jun Linyuan and playfully reminded him about her "reward" for passing the exam, to which he acknowledged his promise. The Master concluded by encouraging the new students to embrace their mission and dedicate themselves to cultivation.
