Ryu remained unmoving. Even without the Origin Flame, Ryu was certain that he would have remembered every single aspect of her final moments. He knew well that she had greatly shortened her time remaining by granting him such a display, it was all too valuable to put into words.
When Ryu opened his eyes once more, he had greatly calmed.
With a step, he sunk into the lake of gold, his body being washed with some of the purest energy he had ever felt.
Soon, he sank all the way to the bottom, finding himself strolling amongst a host of treasures, each seemingly more fantastical than the last. Breathing didn't even seem to be a problem in this ethereal sort of water that sometimes acted far more like air than it did liquid.
The main choice in weapon for the Phoenixes were often whips and chains, mostly because being able to control fire into such forms was often considered to be the pinnacle of control and was often the marker that many young ones with Phoenix blood aspired toward.
However, Ryu wasn't well versed in these weapons and he had also recently received his Great Swordstaffs so he had no intention of taking them for use. Instead, much like everything else, he simply stored them away for future use before his gaze finally landed on exactly what it was that he wanted.
The treasure couldn't have looked simpler from the outside. It was a simple gold ring with a diameter of what seemed to be about ten inches. There were no patterns or runes on its body and its finish was absolutely smooth. In fact, in the midst of all of these golden waters, it almost had no presence whatsoever. Someone with lesser eyes could have easily missed it.
But, the instant Ryu picked it up, red lines began to race across its body, intricate patterns and runes springing to life.
With smooth motions, Ryu slid it onto his head, allowing it to snap into place on his forehead. In that moment, he felt alive and refreshed, his body pulsing with life and vitality.
This simple adornment was known as the Rebirth Crown and was the most powerful Origin Grade treasure of the Fire Phoenix Clan.
The Rebirth Crown was an existence near and dear to the hearts of Fire Phoenix Clan and during much of their reign, they were unfortunately not allowed to use it. This was because the Rebirth Crown was a treasure primarily designed for the soul, and with Ryu's Indestructible Soul, it was akin to pairing a tiger with wings.
The base function of the Rebirth Crown would allow Ryu's soul to display strength a stage beyond its current level, transcending the Soul Birth Realm and entering the Soul Refinement Realm.
When faced with the kind of enemies Ryu would soon be battling, this didn't sound like a huge deal. However, when it was considered that Ryu was already capable of displaying strength dwarfing that of the Soul Birth Realm with his current soul, this would give him all the more strength.
If Ryu was in the Soul Ascension Realm, then maybe it would be difficult for this treasure to give him such a boost. But since he was only at the Soul Birth Realm, his room to maneuver was much greater. This would also allow him to use the Zu Ancestor's Visualization with much more ease. However, this was just the tip of the iceberg with it came to this crown.
The true strength of the Rebirth Crown was found when paired with the Rebirth Flame.
Its first ability was extending Elemental invulnerability from just the Fire Element to all Elements.
It had to be remembered that the main ability of Ryu's Rebirth Flame was its Emperorship over all flames. All flames at and below it in level would be rendered absolutely useless in the face of it.
Ryu's flames were currently at the Dominion Realm. This meant that all Ancestral Grade Flames at the Dominion level and below were rendered useless before him. This also meant that all Sovereign Grade Flames at a step above the Dominion Realm were also no more than a spring breeze to him. And, likewise, all Heaven Grade Flames at a step above that, the absolute highest Deity level, were rendered meaningless.
This meant that there was no flame beneath the Sovereign Grade that could harm Ryu and only a Sovereign Grade Flame wielded to the level of a Sky God could even begin to cause damage to him.
The Rebirth Crown now extended this to all Elements, making Fire reign supreme as it should.
The second ability of the Rebirth Crown was designed to unlock a Talent of the Emperor Phoenix. By swallowing flames, one could heal themselves just as if they had awakened the Emperor Flame Talent. Although it wasn't as potent as the true Emperor Flame Talent which could absorb all Elements to heal oneself, it still allowed one to do so with flames alone.
For Ryu, who had yet to awaken the Emperor Flame Talent, this was perfect. Matching this with his Southern Heavenly Flame would give him both endless stamina, and a healing factor that was nigh unmatchable. Of course, that didn't even mention his use of <Faith Reversal> as well. With these three, he would practically be untouchable.
The third ability of the Rebirth Crown was Elemental Conversion, yet another talent of the Emperor Phoenix. This allowed Ryu to convert any Element into the Fire Elemental. However, this ability would only work so long as his soul continued to support the fourth ability.
The fourth ability, Rebirth Domain, was the equivalent of a Minor Godhood and allowed a great many things. One was the conversion of all Elements into the Fire Element. The second was a deft control overe all fire qi, even ones not cast by you. The third was an enormous amplification of Heavenly Patterns and their application.
The fifth and final ability of the Rebirth Crown was most definitely its most powerful. Upon destruction of the body, it can preserve the soul and reform one's physical form, thus allowing a rebirth from the ashes, just like the Phoenixes of legend.
The Nine Lives Talent of the Phoenixes was the most sought after and also the rarest. It was incredibly rare and even Emperor Phoenixes weren't guaranteed a progression tree toward it. It was a Talent that transcended Blessed or Sinful, sitting above in a category all to its own.
This made sense, after all. This was because the Nine Lives Talent wasn't just a chance to cheat death, every rebirth increased both one's strength and talent exponentially.
The Rebirth Crown gave none of these benefits. In fact, the reconstructed body of the Rebirth Crown would only be able to sustain a certain power output for a small time before fatigue took over. In addition, this Rebirth could only be used once as well, unlike the Nine Lives Talent which gave you a minimum of three.
Ryu didn't usually like to rely on external treasures, even ignoring much of the treasures he still had from the Tatsuya family and the Ice Phoenix Clan. But now, he had no problem going all out.
After putting everything away, Ryu rose out of the golden lake.
He looked around the Shrine, still feeling a strong tug pulling at him. However, he could only shake his head.
The claiming of a Shrine came with it a large phenomenon that couldn't be hidden. If Ryu claimed this Rebirth Shrine now, the result of that would not only be him being found out, but it would ruin his chances at preparing what he had left in store for these Martial Gods.
Beyond this, the power of a Shrine could only be used in its territory as far as Ryu knew. And, to gain benefits that extended outside of its territory, Ryu would need more time than he currently had on hand. Simply put, claiming this Shrine now might be great for his ego, but in every other conceivable metric, it would be a folly.
Ryu's Grandma Kunan's words about the Death Shrine and the final chance it had given them intrigued him. It made Ryu feel a pull toward this Shrine that he seemed to have so much Faith with.
If this trip ultimately amounted to nothing, that much was fine, he was already ready. But, in the small chance that it could elevate his odds further, he didn't mind taking it.
The reason Ryu had come here first wasn't just because of the Rebirth Crown, but it was also because the Life Shrine, the Rebirth Shrine and Death Shrine were in generally close proximity to one another. Ryu didn't have a teleportation pass to the Death Shrine like he did the Rebirth Shrine, he would have to make it to this one on foot.
Luckily, he was confident in his ability to find it.
As Ryu began his trek, stepping outside of the Rebirth Shrine and into the cold winds of the Shrine Plane, Sacrum's upheaval and news of the coming battle seemed to spread like wildfire all while the young man it all circled about took steady steps forward, oblivious to it all.