119. Chapter 119: The Black Swallowtail Butterfly Has Appeared!

The golden feathers covering the little phoenix’s head flushed red, much like a chameleon changing its hue. After lifting its head, the little phoenix reached out with its tiny beak and kissed Baili Tianchang in return.

However, this time, it pressed its beak against the side of her cheek where the black swallowtail butterfly birthmark was imprinted.

Baili Tianchang felt a surge of warmth wash over that side of her face, as if hot blood were coursing through her veins. She did not think too much of it, assuming she was simply blushing. After all, this was her first time receiving a kiss from a phoenix—and a divine one that shimmered with golden light at that.

Yet, Baili Tianchang was unaware that the moment the little phoenix touched that specific cheek, something extraordinary occurred. The little phoenix let out a sharp, resonant cry. To the ears of the great phoenix and Nalan Diji, that sound translated into a startled gasp.

In the next instant, the golden-shimmering little phoenix vanished into thin air from Baili Tianchang’s embrace. A black swallowtail butterfly suddenly appeared from nowhere, fluttering gracefully around her.

After the butterfly circled her twice, the expression in the great phoenix’s eyes shifted repeatedly, eventually settling into a look of complexity too profound to describe in words.

"Qiang, qiang, qiang."

The great phoenix began to cry out. At first, Nalan Diji was puzzled by these calls directed at the butterfly. Why had the little phoenix suddenly disappeared? And why was the great phoenix calling out to it with such urgency? But when the black swallowtail butterfly, which had appeared out of thin air, responded to the great phoenix’s calls and flew toward her, Nalan Diji seemed to grasp a glimmer of the truth.

Once the black swallowtail butterfly reached the great phoenix, the two began to whisper to one another. Even though Nalan Diji understood the language of beasts, he could not decipher the content of their conversation.

Baili Tianchang watched them, bewildered, and instinctively reached up to touch her face. For a fleeting moment, she was dazed, wondering if the butterfly mark on her skin had come to life. Her heart settled only when her fingers confirmed that the mark was still there. She had long since decided that she was not yet ready to reveal her true face to the world—not even to Nalan Diji.

"Nalan Diji, where did the little phoenix go?"

Finding that the butterfly was still on her cheek, Baili Tianchang began to search for the little phoenix, but after a fruitless scan of the area, she asked Nalan Diji with growing anxiety.

"The little phoenix has returned to its mother’s side. Do not worry, little fairy." Nalan Diji offered a gentle smile to soothe her.

"That is good, then."

Hearing that the little phoenix was back with its mother, Baili Tianchang felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. But some things could not be forced. The little phoenix was still so young; it was only natural for it to be with its mother. She lifted her gaze, staring blankly at the great phoenix, searching beneath its talons in hopes of catching a glimpse of the little one, but it was nowhere to be seen—perhaps, she mused, it was simply hiding very well.