# Chapter 449: Xue'er's Heart
Feng Xue'er's profound aura was gentle and peaceful, without any aggression or oppressive feeling, yet everyone present sensed a mild but utterly irresistible suffocation.
Yun Che was closest to Feng Xue'er and felt it most acutely. He looked at her, his heart filled with deep shock and disbelief, along with an indescribable sense of unreality.
Earlier, when Xia Yuanba arrived, the Overlord Emperor aura on him had been extremely clear and stunning to Yun Che. But although Feng Xue'er's aura completely lacked Xia Yuanba's ferocious dominance, the feeling it gave Yun Che was far more vast and ethereal—too much more...
Like the difference between a calm ocean and towering waves!
Xia Yuanba's suddenly terrifying strength had surprised and astounded Yun Che, but hadn't made him lose his composure. He was certain that given enough time, he could reach that realm too. But Feng Xue'er's aura... gave Yun Che the feeling of a power that simply... didn't belong to this world! A realm that his current level couldn't even touch or pursue.
The one who saved him, taught him the Phoenix Ode Scripture... as beautiful as an angel, as flawless as a spirit, who loved pure snow, had the purest smile, the most ethereal voice, called him "Brother Yun," intertwined pinkies with him, snuggled close, and danced in the snow for him—Xue'er...
She was actually... in a realm he couldn't even look up to... like a myth, a dream...
He was certain that these feelings were not an illusion, because his gaze was directed at the seats of the Four Sacred Grounds... He saw with extreme clarity the violent expression changes on the faces of the Four Sacred Grounds' people... far more intense than when Xia Yuanba, an eighteen-year-old Overlord Emperor, had appeared.
He finally began to understand why the Snow Princess held such a revered and special position in the Fenghuang God Sect... sitting at the same level as Feng Hengkong on the seats, even the Crown Prince in a secondary seat. He also understood why Feng Hengkong's protection of Feng Xue'er was taken to such an extreme...
"Master... what level is her strength?"
From Feng Xue'er, Xia Yuanba also felt an indescribable sense of oppression. With his current profound realm, even after Feng Xue'er released her profound aura, he still couldn't discern her level. Looking at Gucang Zhenren's shocked expression, Xia Yuanba couldn't help but ask.
Gucang Zhenren composed himself, let out a long breath, and calmed his mind before saying, "She is the one I mentioned to you on the way here—the Snow Princess of the Shenhuang Empire... Feng Xue'er. She is only sixteen years old this year, and her profound strength is... actually... half-step... King Xuan!"
"!!!!" Xia Yuanba instantly froze, unable to speak for a long time. Now he was no longer the Xia Yuanba of the past who had a vague understanding of levels. He knew very well what a terrifying concept a sixteen-year-old half-step King Xuan was!!
"It seems that rumor is true..." Gucang Zhenren muttered to himself in a very low voice, a phrase Xia Yuanba didn't catch.
"It seems that rumor is true." Almost at the same time, Ling Kun glanced sideways at Ye Xinghan and said exactly the same thing.
"Of course it's true!" Ye Xinghan was already trembling with excitement and elation, his eyes emitting unprecedented fervor: "This news was told to me by 'that person.' How could it be false? And 'that person' will soon help me obtain this most perfect woman... the most perfect cauldron! If I can get both her and the 'Nine-Xuan Exquisite Body' that Elder Ling mentioned, I would unhesitatingly throw away all my other women!!"
Ye Xinghan's appearance was almost frenzied with excitement. When he said "that person," his gaze briefly swept over a scarlet figure in the arena.
"Hehehehe, my Ling Kun's judgment has never been wrong. I believe it won't be long before the Young Palace Master can become the number one expert of Tian Xuan, an unparalleled Emperor Lord... I congratulate the Young Palace Master in advance." Ling Kun said with narrowed, smiling eyes.
Apart from Gucang, who was an Emperor Lord, the three sacred ground personnel who frequently contacted Emperor Lords, and those in the Fenghuang God Sect who knew Feng Xue'er's secret, no one in the entire audience could detect Feng Xue'er's profound level. But they could all feel just how terrifying, almost celestial, that level was. In contrast, Yun Che, standing opposite her, had an aura so weak it was practically non-existent.
The Snow Princess was famous throughout the world because she was the only princess of the Fenghuang God Sect, and even more so because of her peerless beauty as the "Number One Beauty of Tian Xuan." No one had expected her profound strength to be so terrifying. And even witnessing it firsthand and feeling it personally, they remained stunned for a long time, unable to snap out of it or believe it.
At that moment, the phoenix flame on Feng Xue'er's body suddenly extinguished, and the golden wisp between her brows vanished as well.
Yun Che stared blankly at her... He wanted so badly to meet her eyes, to know if her gaze toward him was still willing to be so gentle, trusting, and close... or filled with anger, disappointment, and sadness...
Feng Xue'er suddenly turned gracefully and said to Feng Hengkong: "Imperial Father, Xue'er suddenly has a doubt. May Imperial Father resolve it for me?"
Feng Hengkong was startled, then slowly nodded: "Xue'er, speak."
Feng Xue'er bowed her head and said softly: "Imperial Father once mentioned to Xue'er the rules of the Seven Nation Ranking Battle. If Xue'er's memory is correct, each nation can send at most ten participants in the Ranking Battle. The ten participants of our Shenhuang Empire—Fourteenth Imperial Brother, and Senior Brother Feibai and the others—have already been defeated by Yun... Che. That means our Shenhuang Empire has already lost to the Cang Feng Empire. So why not immediately declare Cang Feng's victory? And why did Imperial Father still have Xue'er come here?"
The entire arena was silent. Everyone knew full well the purpose of Feng Hengkong's actions. This was no longer about the Ranking Battle. He wanted Feng Xue'er to take the stage, to use her astonishing strength—after a humiliating defeat in bloodline and the Ranking Battle—to salvage the dignity of the Fenghuang God Sect's strength, face, and bloodline.
Otherwise, after today, the entire Tian Xuan Continent would know that the Fenghuang God Sect's phoenix bloodline had been utterly defeated by another phoenix bloodline that had emerged from nowhere. By then, not only the six nations, but even the people of the Shenhuang Empire themselves would gradually develop deeper and deeper doubts.
And Feng Xue'er had accomplished that. The brief display of her profound aura just now had stunned even the people of the sacred grounds, let alone those of the seven nations.
So, Feng Xue'er had seemingly asked a very naive question. But this question was actually somewhat difficult to answer. Because at its root, it was merely the Fenghuang God Sect, after a crushing defeat, using the Snow Princess's unwillingness to salvage some face... even at the cost of, or rather being forced to, expose their long-protected and hidden trump card to the world.
Feng Hengkong didn't speak for a moment. Feng Ximing quickly stood up and said: "Xue'er, the reason is actually very simple. What you need to do now is just lightly raise your hand and knock Yun Che down. As for the reason, Imperial Father will tell you later. Although the Ranking Battle is over, and the result is indeed that we lost to Yun Che, we must prove to the world that although we lost, it was only because we didn't send our strongest. Both in strength and bloodline, our Fenghuang God Sect is unparalleled."
Feng Xue'er slowly shook her head, then said softly: "If... that's the case... Xue'er is willing to directly concede."
Feng Xue'er's words moved Yun Che and stunned everyone in the Fenghuang God Sect. Feng Feiyan immediately said: "Xue'er, this matter is not as simple as you think. It concerns the honor and dignity of our entire Shenhuang Empire."
Feng Xue'er said in a soft voice: "In Xue'er's world, Xue'er completely cannot understand why such a matter would be related to the honor and dignity of the Shenhuang Empire? Is honor necessarily victory in victory and defeat? Is dignity necessarily strength in strength and weakness?"
"Why, since Yun Che clearly defeated Fourteenth Imperial Brother in a fair one-on-one battle, and Fourteenth Imperial Brother lost, why did the nine Senior Brothers, who had agreed not to fight again, take the stage together, and immediately launch lethal attacks... And since Yun Che clearly defeated Senior Brother Feibai and the others, why wouldn't you declare his victory, but instead want me... someone who clearly shouldn't participate in the Ranking Battle... to take the stage?"
"His phoenix bloodline clearly did not come from our lineage, so why insist so stubbornly on denying it?"
No one had expected that Feng Xue'er, who was usually as gentle as water, would suddenly say such things... like questions, like confusion, like accusations.
Feng Ximing opened his mouth and said somewhat reluctantly: "Xue'er, your Imperial Brother knows you have the kindest heart and might think we've gone too far. But, but... some things really aren't as simple as you think... Besides, his bloodline cannot be completely confirmed as not originating from our Fenghuang God Sect; there's just a slight possibility..."
"No, Imperial Brother is wrong," Feng Xue'er gently shook her head. "Xue'er can prove that his bloodline indeed does not come from our sect."
The entire audience was instantly filled with exclamations of shock. Feng Xue'er had already turned around, extended her hand, palm facing Yun Che's forehead. With a flicker of flame in her palm, a golden light suddenly blazed at the center of Yun Che's brow, quickly forming a yellow flame-shaped mark.
Yun Che: "..."
"Yellow... Golden Phoenix Mark!" Feng Hengkong and the others exclaimed in shock, staring with amazement at the golden phoenix mark on Yun Che's brow.
"Xue'er's body carries the phoenix blood and power directly bestowed by the Phoenix God. Therefore, whether his phoenix bloodline comes from the Phoenix God's lineage can be distinguished by Xue'er instantly," Feng Xue'er said slowly. "The Phoenix God also said that the golden phoenix mark only appears on those who inherit the purest phoenix blood. His phoenix mark is golden, proving that the phoenix bloodline within him is a direct bestowal of phoenix blood, not a bloodline inheritance."
Feng Ximing stared at the golden mark on Yun Che's forehead, stunned for a moment: "Xue'er, this... this..."
Feng Xue'er faced the Fenghuang God Sect's seating area, her voice like a drifting cloud: "Xue'er knows that Xue'er has gone against your wishes and must have disappointed and angered you. But there are many things Xue'er truly does not understand... Our Shenhuang Empire was defeated, and another person with a phoenix inheritance has appeared in Tian Xuan. Imperial Father, Imperial Brother... shouldn't this be a very joyful thing? Why do you insist on denying it all? You clearly want to protect the glory and dignity of the Shenhuang Empire, yet why do you work so hard to destroy them?"
Feng Hengkong's lips parted, but for a moment he couldn't say a word. Because in his entire life, this was the first time Feng Xue'er had spoken so many words at once, and said such things... He, who thought he knew his daughter best, was completely stunned at this moment.
"Xue'er loves everything she has, and is proud to be born and raised in the Shenhuang Empire. When she was very young, Xue'er knew that the Shenhuang Empire was the largest country on the Tian Xuan Continent and the most powerful... But why, today, Xue'er suddenly feels that her home is so small... truly so small..."
"The Seven Nation Ranking Battle has been going on for many years. Every time before, it was the Shenhuang Empire. This time, our Shenhuang Empire was defeated by the Cang Feng Empire. Cang Feng used its own strength to defeat Shenhuang... Although Shenhuang lost, it doesn't mean Shenhuang has become weak. Rather, among the six nations, someone has finally emerged who can defeat Shenhuang. This is not only a breakthrough for Cang Feng, but also a breakthrough for the profound circles of all seven nations. Shouldn't this be a joyful thing for all profound practitioners? To frankly admit defeat and declare the victor to the world—isn't this the most proper and normal behavior for a dignified great nation?"
"When Senior Brother Feibai and the other nine ganged up on Yun Che, they immediately launched lethal strikes. When Yun Che defeated them, he could have easily killed them, but he didn't. Yet our Shenhuang didn't have a single person thank him; instead, they kept making things difficult... In bearing and magnanimity, Shenhuang has completely lost to Cang Feng. Even dignity has been entirely thrown away by ourselves."
The people of the Fenghuang God Sect gaped, unable to speak a single word. Yun Che stared blankly at Feng Xue'er, also long silent.
"Our Fenghuang God Sect's power comes from the phoenix inheritance. Without the phoenix's bestowal, there would be no Fenghuang God Sect today. Every fenghuang disciple should have the most devout gratitude... Yun Che's bloodline also comes from the phoenix, and he is the most direct inheritor of the phoenix deity's power. But why, instead of seeing him as a kindred bloodline to support and help each other, to jointly continue and promote the bloodline and power of the phoenix deity, do you instead think of denying him by any means, even using brutal methods to erase him... This selfishness—Xue'er cannot see glory or dignity; it only makes Xue'er feel unfamiliar and afraid..."
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[When I was in university, I always had a dream: that one day in the future, I would wear sunglasses and drive a Lamborghini on the street, just like a celebrity on TV. I worked hard until I was nearly thirty, and this dream has finally been half realized... Well, this afternoon, I bought myself a really cool pair of sunglasses.]