Chapter 368: Swords Drawn and Bows Bent
The moment Feng Xichen spoke, the atmosphere in the hall instantly turned tense, and countless anxious gazes converged on Yun Che.
That Feng Xichen would suddenly target Yun Che actually surprised no one. After all, as early as two years ago during the Cang Feng Ranking Battle, Yun Che had already revealed the Phoenix Flame. And the only ones capable of using the Phoenix Flame were those who belonged to the Fenghuang God Sect and possessed the Phoenix bloodline!
The Phoenix bloodline was the very soul of the Fenghuang God Sect, something the entire sect would protect at any cost. They would never allow this soul bloodline to flow outside their ranks. Therefore, unless Yun Che was a genuine disciple of the Fenghuang God Sect, once news of his possessing the Phoenix bloodline spread, the Fenghuang God Sect would surely come knocking one day.
And that day had finally arrived.
Moreover, the person who came was none other than a prince of the Shenhuang Empire and a figure on the level of the Fenghuang God Sect's Young Sect Master! When he faced Yun Che, his words were incisive, directly targeting the word "bloodline."
Xia Qingyue's snow-like face tightened, Chu Yueli's crescent brows sank heavily, and Cang Wanhe's expression shifted repeatedly... But concerning the bloodline of the Fenghuang God Sect, even as the emperor of Cang Feng, he had absolutely no right to speak. He could only gaze at Yun Che with deep worry... At this moment, all he could hope was that Yun Che's "Phoenix bloodline" was merely a misunderstanding. After all, although outsiders claimed the flame Yun Che used was the Phoenix Flame, Yun Che had never admitted it, or perhaps it was just similar in appearance.
Yun Che's expression, however, remained perfectly calm. In a flat tone, he said, "Oh? Something related to a major matter concerning your sect's bloodline? I'm afraid I don't understand. I, Yun Che, was born and raised in the land of Cang Feng. My bloodline comes from my parents. I have never left Cang Feng in my entire life, let alone set foot in the Shenhuang Empire. So how could I possibly have any connection to your Fenghuang God Sect's bloodline?"
"Junior, stop playing dumb here!" The old man in black behind Feng Xichen stepped forward and said harshly, "Our Fenghuang God Sect's bloodline is extremely precious. Since our sect's founding, protecting the Phoenix bloodline has always been our top priority. We absolutely will not allow even a single thread of this bloodline to flow outside. Even if a sect member marries an outsider, their offspring must remain in the Fenghuang God Sect forever. When it comes to matters of bloodline, there can never be any compromise."
"And you... during your Cang Feng Ranking Battle two years ago, everyone present witnessed you using the Phoenix Flame! And only those who possess the Phoenix bloodline can ignite the Phoenix Flame! Your body clearly carries the Phoenix bloodline. It seems you must be the bastard child left behind by some audacious sect disciple who dared to have relations outside!"
"That's right." The old man in red nodded slowly, his gaze like a hook: "If it weren't for possessing our Fenghuang God Sect's bloodline, how could a mere Xuan practitioner like you, raised in Cang Feng with no sect background, have such astonishing talent that surpasses all the young elites of Cang Feng and made a stunning name for yourself in the Ranking Battle? Hmph! Your achievements today are best explained by carrying the Phoenix bloodline!! Before the heaven-granted power of the true Phoenix God, what are so-called sect foundations and century-old geniuses? Nothing but dog shit! For you to take first place in this Cang Feng Kingdom's Ranking Battle is only too normal!"
Although their words were blurted out, they clearly projected an arrogant disdain and contempt for the Xuan practitioners of Cang Feng. Many Xuan practitioners present felt anger rising in their hearts, but they dared not speak out. Setting aside face, what the two said was essentially the truth. Before the formidable strength of the Fenghuang God Sect, the entire Xuan realm of Cang Feng was nothing. In fact, many present had always wondered if Yun Che's astonishing talent was related to the Phoenix bloodline of the Fenghuang God Sect.
Feng Xichen cast a faint glance, gently swaying his jade fan, and said leisurely, "Alright, there's no need to be so hasty. Today is the day the Cang Feng emperor marries off his daughter. If we disturb the guests, that would be our fault. Yun Che, I think you understand perfectly well what we are saying. Whether or not you carry the Phoenix bloodline is extremely important to our Fenghuang God Sect. Therefore, this prince needs a little of your blood. Once your blood is in my hands, it will be immediately clear whether you possess the Phoenix bloodline. So, are you going to draw the blood yourself, or do you need this prince to help you bleed?"
The atmosphere in the hall grew even more oppressive. Cang Wanhe stepped forward, opened his mouth, but couldn't make a sound. In matters concerning the bloodline of the Fenghuang God Sect, he had no right to speak.
Yun Che's lips twitched slightly as he gave a faint smile. "My body, hair, and skin are all received from my parents. The only ones with the right to take my blood are my relatives. I have no relation to you, not even familiarity... What right do you have to demand that I take my own blood for you!"
These words shocked everyone present. After the annihilation of the Fen Tian Gate, Yun Che's domineering and forceful conduct had become deeply ingrained in people's minds. But no one expected that even when facing a prince of the Fenghuang God Sect, Yun Che's words would be so tough—not only did he refuse to yield, but he showed not the slightest politeness.
"How dare you! Insolent little brat, how dare you act arrogantly before His Highness!" The old man in black was instantly enraged. "Your Highness, given your noble status, there is no need to waste words on such a lowly bastard. Let me capture him directly and bleed him... If Your Highness finds it troublesome, hmph, just kill this bastard and be done with it! No need to even test him!"
Lowly bastard? Yun Che's brows sank sharply, and a murderous intent as cold as the extreme of ice flashed deep within his pupils. Those four words insulted not only him but also his parents and loved ones.
"Hahahaha!" Feng Xichen wasn't angry at all; instead, he threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Yun Che, from the very day this prince set foot in the lands of Cang Feng, I heard that you were arrogantly lawless. Now that I see you in person, it's not the least bit false. But this prince just happens to like people like you, because arrogant fools like you who don't know the immensity of heaven and earth always bring me plenty of amusement. If there were fewer fools like you in this world, this prince's life would lose too much fun."
"Both of you, step back. Today, this prince will personally bleed him for fun!!"
Crack!!
The jade fan in Feng Xichen's hand instantly snapped open. Such a casual motion actually brought about a sound wave as if the void were being torn apart. Several nearby wedding tables were shattered by the terrifying profound force, scattering all sorts of glazed cups and jade plates across the floor.
This was the Cang Feng Imperial Palace, and moreover, it was the site of a princess's wedding. Within Cang Feng, no matter how great the enmity, no one would dare to cause trouble on such an occasion. Yet Feng Xichen made his move without hesitation, showing that he had never regarded this imperial palace in the least. And the moment he made his move, all the guests were stricken with terror. Even those powerful master-level figures turned pale and hastily retreated...
Because the formidable pressure emanating from Feng Xichen was unmistakably the power of a King Xuan!
A King Xuan was the absolute pinnacle in Cang Feng. The total number of King Xuan in the entire Cang Feng Kingdom was less than ten. And this prince, barely in his twenties and ranked only thirteenth among the Shenhuang royal princes, actually possessed King Xuan power! The auras of the two old men he brought were no weaker than his—clearly genuine King Xuan as well!
Cang Wanhe had never imagined that Feng Xichen would actually make a move at the royal wedding ceremony. In alarm, he said, "Thirteenth Prince, please listen to me..."
Before Cang Wanhe's voice faded, Feng Xiche paid him no attention. His jade fan suddenly flew out of his hand, spinning at extreme speed like a deadly flying wheel, hurtling straight toward Yun Che. Behind the flying wheel trailed a long black line—that was clearly the torn void. And the trajectory aimed directly at Yun Che's throat—he clearly intended to make him bleed right there in the wedding hall.
"Be careful!" Ling Yun, Ling Jie, Dongfang Xiu, and others exclaimed in alarm.
Faced with the jade fan carrying a deadly aura, Yun Che's brows tightened. Instead of blocking, he twisted his body, leaped into the air, and with a thunderous "boom," crashed through the hall's ceiling, fleeing rapidly southward.
"Oh? Trying to escape?" Feng Xiche smirked coldly, waving his arm. The jade fan returned to his palm. A fiery shadow flickered around him, and as if teleporting, he burst through the door and gave chase in the direction Yun Che had fled.
No one had anticipated such a sudden upheaval at this grand wedding that had captured the nation's attention. The various experts of Cang Feng exchanged glances, their faces pale, yet not one dared to stop Feng Xichen—even though this was Cang Feng's territory. Ridiculous! Even if they had to offend Yun Che, they would never choose to offend the Fenghuang God Sect. Though they and their sects were renowned in Cang Feng, before the Fenghuang God Sect, they couldn't offer the slightest resistance. Unless their brains were squeezed by a door, they would never be so bold as to meddle in the Fenghuang God Sect's affairs.
Inside the Moon Embracing Palace, Cang Yue, already fully adorned, sat nervously before her dressing mirror. Beneath the gently swaying tassels of glass, her peerlessly beautiful face was faintly visible. By her side, Xiao Lingxi kept her company, talking to her from time to time to calm her nervousness.
In just a moment, Yun Che would come to take her hand, and they would bow to heaven and earth, becoming husband and wife.
Just then, a startling noise came from outside. Following the loud crash came a cacophony of chaotic sounds. The original drumming and gongs suddenly ceased, leaving only disorder. Although the Moon Embracing Palace was far from the wedding hall, the sounds were clear enough to be heard distinctly.
"What was that sound?" Cang Yue asked nervously. "What's happening outside?"
"I'll go check." Xiao Lingxi tensed up as well and rushed out quickly.
After several leaps, Yun Che quickly distanced himself from the wedding hall. When he landed in an open area of the palace, he suddenly stopped. Feng Xichen followed almost immediately, landing behind him with truly ghostly speed. Seeing Yun Che stop, he sneered mockingly, "Run, why aren't you running? This prince hasn't played the game of cat and mouse for a long time. You should at least let me have some fun."
"Run?" Yun Che revealed a cold smile. "You think I'm afraid of you? Today is my wedding day. I simply didn't want your blood to stain my wedding hall."
Feng Xichen's expression remained unchanged, but a shadow of gloom flickered in his eyes. Yun Che's arrogance far exceeded his expectations. In all his life, this was the first time he had encountered someone who dared speak to him like this. The corner of his mouth slowly curled into an even more dangerous smile. "My blood? Hahahaha! You really are arrogantly foolish to the point of being adorable. Just you? You're worthy of seeing my blood? But it seems there's no need to test the bloodline anymore. You are sincerely seeking death before this prince!! It's good to find an open space. That so-called wedding hall can stay, so later it can be conveniently turned into a mourning hall."
"A mourning hall? For yourself?" Yun Che said with half-closed eyes.
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