SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

As Kent staggered out of the pond, he stood there for a long time in a stupefied state. He had never seen himself like this; his entire body shimmered with a glossy glow that made him feel as if he were someone else entirely. Just as he touched his arm in disbelief, the old patriarch emerged from the narrow path entrance, his face set in a grim expression.

The patriarch's eyes scanned Kent from head to toe. After a moment that felt like an eternity to Kent, the corners of the old man's lips twitched upwards in a rare, satisfied smile.

With a fluid motion, he raised his ancient trident, a relic adorned with mystical carvings, and whispered an incantation that seemed to make the air around them crackle. A gust of wind blasted from the trident's prongs, enveloping Kent in a warm breeze that dried his drenched skin instantly.

"Don't worry, your skin will return to normal in a few days. It seems there are very few impurities in your body. That's good." The patriarch spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "Now, collect the fruits from these trees. Quick." He turned, gesturing towards a grove of leafless trees standing solemnly in the dim light.

Kent, still in awe and slightly bewildered by his transformation, bowed his head in respect and hurried towards the trees. The fruits hanging from the barren branches were smoky black, tender to the touch, and emitted a sweet, enticing aroma.

As he plucked each fruit carefully, he felt a warm surge within him, his fire dao began to circulate spontaneously, as if the fruits themselves were feeding it.

The old patriarch watched, his eyes never leaving Kent, as the young man's hands slowly filled with the dark fruits. Finally, he spoke. "Enough, come here."

Kent approached, his arms laden with fruits. The patriarch reached into his spirit ring and produced a small, hand-length rectangular box from his storage ring. The box, seemingly ordinary at first glance, was actually an ancient container for powerful wands, bound by a golden, thorny rope.

While muttering a few spells, the old man untied the rope. He whispered a secret word, and the box opened slowly, revealing its contents.

Carefully, the patriarch reached inside and withdrew a long, burning crimson feather with a striking blue vein running through its middle. The sight of it made Kent's heart beat faster, sensing the immense firepower it held.

The patriarch closed his eyes, his lips moving in a silent prayer. With a solemn grace, he placed the feather vertically among the black fruits in Kent's hands. Kent looked down at the feather, feeling its warmth radiate through his palms, intertwining with the coolness of the fruits.

"Kent, listen carefully, what I'm going to say must stay with you. You must not reveal it to anyone. Only me, two peak masters of the Eternal Sun Sect, and now you know this secret." The patriarch began, his voice low and urgent.

He paused, ensuring Kent understood the seriousness of the situation. "This feather belongs to the last true fire phoenix of the blue planet. The fire phoenix is undergoing nirvana under these volcanic mountains.

Once upon a time, this phoenix promised to bless a single disciple of my sect. The feather in your hands is the witness to that promise. You must cherish this opportunity and gain the recognition of that fire phoenix. Now, promise that you won't reveal this secret to anyone." He waited, holding his hand over the one Kent held.

Kent's mind raced with the gravity of the revelation. If this news leaks, the big shots in the nine realms will be after the Eternal Sun Sect to tame the divine rank beast.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him, Kent steadied his gaze, focusing on the unwavering eyes of the patriarch. With a deep, resolute breath, he promised on his heart dao that he would keep this secret, his voice firm and unwavering.

"I promise."

Satisfied, the old patriarch nodded solemnly and turned, signaling Kent to follow. Kent and his two pets trailed silently behind the patriarch through a lush volcanic garden. The garden is a mix of fiery red and deep blue plants, each leaf and petal seeming to move with life.

They arrived at a short golden gate, not taller than Kent's waist, intertwined with several forbidden inscription plates that hummed with potent energy.

The patriarch closed his eyes, chanting under his breath, his hands weaving intricate signs that danced through the air. One by one, the inscriptions on the gate glowed softly, acknowledging the patriarch's authority without triggering their lethal protections.

Bending down, Kent entered the underground passage revealed by the opened gate. The patriarch allowed Kent's pets to get in after him, but he did not follow. Instead, he remained at the entrance, standing guard.

The cave was dark, lit only by the bioluminescent glow emanating from Kent's pets. Their light cast long shadows against the rough walls. Holding the fruits and the precious feather, Kent moved cautiously.

After a few steps, the narrow cave path widened, creating a large room that is the size of a half-arena. Kent's eyes were wide open as he saw a small river flowing like a fountain around the central cylindrical rock pillar.

After careful observation, he found that the central pillar is not a rock. It's solidified fire ice. The fountain of the red river is feeding the pillar with regular fire-ice. Only a narrow edge is left all around the river. Controlling his racing heart, Kent slowly walked along the edge, one step at a time, to see what lay on the other side.

But even after making several circles around the cylindrical fire ice, Kent's didn't notice any fire phenix or other form of life. There is no other exit path from this river. Kent didn't understand where that river was coming from and going out.

But just then, the cylindrical fire ice in the center began turning transparent. Soon, a bird form began taking shape like a shadow inside the fire ice. Kent began hearing the muffled muttering noise of a bird. Due to his beast tongue ability, he slightly understood the meaning of those bird whispers.