Chapter 448: The Phoenix God Sect's Trump Card
As soon as this voice sounded, Xia Yuanba's hair, which had just bristled up, instantly softened. He turned his gaze toward Ji Qianrou, his eyes filled with terror.
Ji Qianrou half-lowered his eyelids, his two fingers playing with each other. A pair of peach blossom eyes rippled with water-like, gentle waves, almost enough to melt a person's bones. The words he spoke were even softer and more gentle, like a young girl's dreamy confession, but the content of his words was filled with extremely deep mockery and contempt, the degree of which was in no way inferior to Xia Yuanba's outburst.
Pfft...
Half of the people in the arena were dumbfounded, their entire bodies trembling, while the other half sprayed a mouthful of saliva on the spot.
Yun Che looked at Ji Qianrou with a surprised expression. He wasn't surprised that Gu Cang Zhenren would speak for him. But he never expected that this strangely demonic, soft-eyed man from the Supreme Sea Palace who looked down on everyone, would actually take the initiative to speak for him... No! This was not just speaking for him; it was practically following Xia Yuanba's lead, cheerfully and unceremoniously dumping another pile of filth on Feng Ximing's head, without the slightest concern about thoroughly offending this Crown Prince of the Shenhuang Empire, or even the entire Phoenix God Sect.
Ye Xinghan, the Young Palace Master of the Sun Moon Divine Palace, was arrogant and rude in front of Feng Hengkong, but in front of Ji Qianrou, he showed a face full of restraint... With such a figure, how could he care about a mere Phoenix God Crown Prince? Or perhaps... there was no one in the entire Tian Xuan Continent that he could care about.
Feng Hengkong and Feng Feiyan's expressions changed again. Feng Ximing's face was especially contorted, his complexion purple-green like he had just swallowed a hot pile of shit, so stifled he almost wanted to vomit blood. However, even if he had the guts to refute Gu Cang Zhenren, he absolutely did not dare to oppose Ji Qianrou... the only person in this world who could make Feng Hengkong's expression change at the mere mention of him, someone he would avoid at all costs. People only saw his demonic strangeness, but they had heard from Feng Hengkong more than once about his terror and cruelty.
Ling Jie and Hua Minghai felt an immense sense of relief, almost wanting to laugh out loud. This was not an insult from an ordinary person, but from someone of the Four Sacred Grounds. They suddenly began to feel that this demonic man, who seemed so terrifying, had become somewhat endearing. All around them, there were even more suppressed laughs.
Feng Ximing's words were indeed ridiculous, full of holes. Those two flame techniques that had shocked the entire arena were clearly burning with Phoenix Flame, and the Phoenix pressure they released was far above the Phoenix Ode Scripture. How could they be compared to any other flame profound technique! Even if we set aside a thousand steps, even if there truly existed a flame profound technique in this world that could surpass the Phoenix Ode Scripture, the Phoenix shadow that had enveloped Yun Che just now was clearly and distinctly visible, releasing a soul-shaking pressure that made people's hearts tremble. Anyone who wasn't blind could see it clearly!
Thus, although Feng Hengkong and Feng Feiyan were extremely unwilling to admit it, they did not speak out, because in the face of ironclad evidence, if they denied it, they would only become a laughingstock for looking down on others... Feng Ximing had no choice but to grit his teeth and act as the cannon fodder. But the result was clearly miserable... Xia Yuanba and Ji Qianrou had each dumped a pile of dog shit on his face.
Feng Ximing couldn't utter a single word more. For a time, no one in the entire Phoenix God Sect spoke, and the atmosphere fell into an incredibly suffocating stalemate. After Gu Cang and Ji Qianrou had stated their positions, this stalemate was destined to be irreversible. Thus, today, and in the future, they would no longer be able to openly pursue and control Yun Che. Their invincible myth was completely shattered. Their genius disciples had all been thoroughly defeated by a single person, and the entire Phoenix God Sect had been slapped in the face. Even the Phoenix bloodline that their sect had prided itself on for five thousand years was no longer unique!
At this point, let alone making further moves on Yun Che, even cleaning up the current situation and defending the Phoenix God Sect's last shred of dignity and face had become extremely difficult.
In the frozen atmosphere, Feng Hengkong, after a drastic change in his expression, finally spoke, using an extremely calm voice: "Yun Che, do you truly believe... that among the younger generation of my Phoenix God Sect, there is no one who can defeat you? In this generation of our Phoenix God Sect's younger disciples, there is one person whose talent, strength, and bloodline power all surpass you by a thousandfold!"
Feng Hengkong's words stunned everyone present. Ling Kun, deep in thought, gave a faint smile and said: "Oh? There actually exists such a genius within the Phoenix God Sect? Could it be that the Phoenix Sect Master disdained to have such a genius participate in this mere Seven Nation Ranking Battle? Or perhaps these ten participants are nothing more than ordinary disciples in the Phoenix God Sect?"
Of course, the truth was not as Ling Kun suggested. Feng Xiluo's talent and strength were indeed among the very top of the Phoenix God Sect's younger generation. But above Feng Xiluo, there was an even greater trump card that far surpassed him. However, this trump card was too important to the Phoenix God Sect. Before today, Feng Hengkong had never thought of revealing it.
As soon as Feng Hengkong's words came out, several core figures of the Phoenix God Sect showed slight changes in expression. They all knew very well who he was talking about, but after their expressions fluctuated, not one of them voiced any objection.
Because what happened today seemed only to be about Yun Che's bloodline, but behind it lay the Phoenix God Sect's face, reputation, and dignity. It could even affect, or even threaten, the sect's future... At this point, it was no exaggeration to say that this was the greatest crisis the Phoenix God Sect had faced in five thousand years...
Therefore, even if today's situation was destined to be impossible to completely reverse, even if they had to reveal their trump card, they had to regain some ground!! At the very least, they had to let the whole world know that even if another Phoenix inheritance appeared in the world, it could never surpass the Phoenix God Sect! This was the last bottom line of the five-thousand-year-old Phoenix God Sect, which could not be trampled on so easily!!
Feng Hengkong furrowed his brows, turned his head, and looked at Feng Xue'er beside him. Staring at his only daughter, his usually low gaze unconsciously became soft, and even his state of mind calmed somewhat. He sighed inwardly and said softly: "Xue'er, your Imperial Father knows that what you dislike most is competing with others. But the outcome of today's matter is too important to our sect. It concerns the honor and dignity of our Phoenix God Sect for five thousand years. So... please help your Imperial Father with this, alright?"
Feng Hengkong's voice was somewhat strained, filled more with reluctance and guilt. Perhaps, in this world, only Feng Xue'er could make him like this.
Not only because Feng Xue'er was his most beloved daughter, but also because she was the soul of the entire Phoenix God Sect and even the entire Shenhuang Empire.
"..." Feng Xue'er did not speak. After a brief silence, she gently stood up. And just this simple action instantly attracted all gaze and attention in the arena. People stared blankly at her figure... As their eyes lingered on her, everyone's gaze, from surprise, uncontrollably turned to infatuation, as if their very souls were being drawn into her, swaying and trembling with every subtle movement.
"Yes, Imperial Father." Feng Xue'er replied softly, every word between her lips as pleasant and ethereal as a celestial sound from beyond the heavens.
Gu Cang Zhenren, Ling Kun, and Ji Qianrou all showed expressions of surprise. Ye Xinghan's eyes were fixed firmly on Feng Xue'er, releasing a glare like a hungry wolf. People opened their eyes wide, staring foolishly as Feng Xue'er gently, quietly stepped out of her seat, like a fairy, lightly and gracefully moving her snow-white lotus feet, stepping on a dreamlike, illusory cloud.
That person Feng Hengkong spoke of... the one who was even above Feng Xiluo... could it be... her... the Snow Princess!?
This... how is this possible? How could the beautiful, fairy-like, dreamlike Feng Xue'er be associated with the word "powerful"? Although Feng Xiluo was utterly defeated by Yun Che, his strength was clear for all to see, enough to make these top profound practitioners of the five nations feel completely inferior. The gentle, fairy-soft, snow-white Snow Princess, how could she possibly surpass Feng Xiluo in strength...
She is a girl, and only sixteen years old this year!
There was not a trace of profound energy emanating from Feng Xue'er's body. Among the entire arena, from the weakest observers of the six nations to the strongest Gu Cang Zhenren, no one could sense the slightest bit of profound energy from her. She was completely like a fragile, delicate young girl.
Amidst the astonishment and confusion of the crowd, Feng Xue'er was already standing in front of Yun Che, facing him directly. However, she could see Yun Che's face, but Yun Che could not see her fairy-like countenance that could make heaven and earth lose their color.
Yun Che never thought that he would meet Feng Xue'er again under such circumstances. He stared at her in a daze, his lips twitching for a long time before he finally managed to force out a difficult, low whisper: "Xue'er..."
Facing the immensely powerful Phoenix God Sect, he could remain fearless and confront them strongly. But facing Feng Xue'er, all his momentum completely vanished. His expression, his gaze, and his heart were filled with deep guilt, and also a trace of fear... a fear that Xue'er would be saddened, or even cry, because of his deception.
She had saved his life, given him the safest place to recover, bestowed upon him the purest and most flawless trust, and taught him the Phoenix Ode Scripture... But what he had given her was one deception after another. A false identity, a false name, a false purpose... He used the life she had saved and the Phoenix Ode Scripture she had taught him to oppose her Imperial Father and the Phoenix God Sect where she grew up.
Yun Che silently exhaled, looking at the graceful figure before him, and said in an even softer voice: "Xue'er... I'm sorry..."
Feng Xue'er still did not answer. Instead, she suddenly extended her small, jade-white hand, her palm facing Yun Che's chest.
Yun Che did not move... Even if Feng Xue'er suddenly launched a fatal attack at him, he might resist, but he would certainly not strike back.
Whoosh!!
A gentle breeze blew softly. Crimson-red Phoenix Flame slowly ignited on her body. The flame was not violent, nor was it scorching, but it was extremely profound. Far more profound than any Phoenix Flame Yun Che had ever seen.
The Phoenix Flame slowly rose, gradually spreading over Feng Xue'er's entire body. At this moment, a glimmer of golden light shone from the center of her brow. Strands of golden light penetrated through the Phoenix Jade Colored Glaze and shone into Yun Che's eyes, causing his spirit to jolt violently. At the same time, Feng Xue'er's completely concealed aura was also released.
In that instant, everyone from the Four Sacred Grounds was utterly horrified.
"Wh... what?!" Ling Kun stood up abruptly.
"Oh?" Ji Qianrou's willow-leaf-like brows instantly slanted into two sword-like eyebrows.
"This..." Even Gu Cang Zhenren's face was clearly filled with shock.
Ye Xinghan's eyes bulged, growing wider and wider. The light in his gaze blazed wildly like flames. He gripped the armrests of his seat tightly and let out an uncontrollable low growl: "This divine bloodline... this perfect body!! This is the most perfect furnace cauldron in the world!!"
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