Chapter 824: Hell Netherworld Vine (Part 2)

The hour had arrived, and the hall was full of guests. The main and side halls of the Fenghuang God Sect were packed with distinguished visitors from all corners of the Tian Xuan Continent. Any single person present was someone with a mighty reputation across the land. The seats laid out outside the halls occupied nearly half of Phoenix City. Although many were only able to sit outside, even those granted entry to Phoenix City were all supreme overlords of their domains in the Profound Way, or nobles of royal blood.

This engagement banquet, the grandest in the history of the Tian Xuan Continent, was personally hosted by Feng Hengkong. Even Feng Zu Kui, who had long since withdrawn from the mortal world, was unexpectedly present. Feng Tianwei, along with several Supreme Elders who usually secluded themselves in forbidden grounds and rarely showed their faces, were all seated without exception... They had come to witness the most glorious moment in the history of the Fenghuang God Sect.

Standing at the center of the main hall, Feng Hengkong, who had been emperor for a hundred years, found it difficult to quell the surging excitement in his chest. The heroes of the world had gathered, all four Sacred Grounds had arrived... the four Sacred Lords had all come in person, bearing generous gifts. They had also brought the most elite of their sects. His words were quite moving and cleverly chosen. He turned slightly and said with a faint smile, "Xue'er, Che'er, why don't you quickly come out to greet the guests."

Yun Che and Feng Xue'er walked hand in hand to the center of the hall, standing beside Feng Hengkong. Yun Che was dressed casually, while Feng Xue'er wore the same phoenix attire she had on when Yun Che first met her. The moment they appeared, it was as if a brilliant, dazzling light suddenly fell upon the world, making it almost impossible for everyone to keep their eyes open.

Because Feng Xue'er today was not wearing her snow veil. Her complete face was revealed to everyone's sight, causing all the world's radiance to suddenly pale in comparison.

Many had heard of Feng Xue'er's name, but very few had ever seen her true face. They stared blankly at the legendary number one beauty of the Tian Xuan Continent, their minds shackled, unable to pull away... The girl in their sight possessed a beauty beyond what mortal language could describe. Even the finest painter in the world could not capture half her charm. Even in dreams, one could not imagine such an extraordinary visage.

Gasps, stunned silence, envy, breathlessness... Anyone who saw Feng Xue'er's true face would never again question her title as the number one beauty of Tian Xuan. But when they thought of Yun Che beside her, any illicit fantasies or jealousy were instantly and fiercely extinguished. Many who barely managed to come to their senses hurriedly lowered their heads, not daring to look again, afraid of losing their composure.

As Feng Xue'er's elder brother, even Feng Ximing rarely saw her true face beneath the veil. His eyes widened, staring intently at Feng Xue'er, greedily drinking in her sight. But his hands were clenched tightly together, and his heart convulsed in agony. Before the Demonic Sword Conference, he would have gone mad with desire, but faced with the Yun Che of today, his remaining rationality kept him nailed to a torture rack, filled with pain and jealousy, unable to move.

After Yun Che and Feng Xue'er appeared, a series of tedious ceremonies and rituals followed. Although Yun Che inwardly resisted, he cooperated fully—he did not want to bring any regret to Feng Xue'er.

"Che'er, Xue'er's mother passed away early. This tassel clasp was placed in my hands by her before she departed, asking me to personally give it to the one who would pledge his life to Xue'er. Over the years, I have carried it with me always, never letting it leave my side."

Feng Hengkong gently held the gold-threaded tassel clasp in his hand. After a long moment, he reluctantly handed it to Yun Che. "Since Xue'er was thirteen, I have imagined her lifelong matters countless times. In every scenario, the most basic requirement was that her husband must marry into the Fenghuang God Sect; she could never marry out. Now, I formally entrust this tassel clasp and Xue'er to you. But... I will not demand that you marry into my sect, nor will I require you to do anything for the Fenghuang God Sect. I only ask that you treat Xue'er well and never let my most precious daughter suffer any grievance—that is enough. Xue'er's mother, if her spirit is in heaven, will surely find comfort."

Feng Hengkong had orchestrated this engagement banquet, which shook all of Tian Xuan, to indeed leverage Yun Che's influence to establish the Fenghuang God Sect's authority while also resolving the persistent great crisis. But Yun Che could hear that these words from Feng Hengkong came from the depths of his heart—at this moment, he was merely Feng Xue'er's father.

"Rest assured, even if I have to risk my life, I will not let Xue'er suffer any grievance." Yun Che solemnly grasped the tassel clasp in his hand.

Feng Hengkong nodded slightly. Yun Che's words were enough for him.

In the hall, Zi Ji sincerely exclaimed, "Princess Snow and Palace Master Yun are the two most outstanding of the younger generation today. In terms of appearance, talent, and cultivation, no one can match them. Truly a match made in heaven."

As Zi Ji spoke, voices of agreement rose one after another.

"In this world, the one worthy of Palace Master Yun is none other than Princess Snow. Conversely, the one worthy of Princess Snow's phoenix grace and peerless beauty is none other than Palace Master Yun."

"Truly enviable and admirable."

"Fenghuang Sect Master, why not set the wedding date today? That way, we can prepare early and look forward to the joyous day together." The master of a top-tier sect within the Shenhuang Kingdom shouted.

It was only natural and proper to set the wedding date during the engagement banquet, but it touched upon Feng Hengkong's awkward point. Since he would not force Yun Che to marry into the Fenghuang God Sect, the wedding date naturally had to be decided by the groom's side. Yet Yun Che's parents were not present, and they were a taboo subject that could not be brought up...

Feng Hengkong let out a loud laugh, forcefully skipping over the topic. He raised his hand and called out, "Everyone present today is a distinguished guest of the Fenghuang God Sect. I invite you all to drink to your hearts' content without restraint!"

Kreeee...

Low and high-pitched phoenix cries rang out above Phoenix City. Looking up, people saw thousands of Fenghuang disciples, their bodies enveloped in blazing phoenix flames that completely engulfed them, soaring into the sky. They converged into ninety-nine phoenix flame shadows dancing in the air, scattering scorching firelight and the divine majesty of the phoenix over Phoenix City.

"Hahahaha!" Feng Hengkong laughed heartily. "The Phoenix Shadow Dance has begun! I invite everyone to enjoy the spectacle, drink freely, and not leave until drunk!"

Both inside and outside the hall, the response was unanimous. The atmosphere instantly became lively, with laughter and the clinking of cups rising like waves.

Watching the completely boisterous hall, Feng Hengkong's surging emotions still could not calm. Although he could not fully let go of Yun Che's killing of his son, at the same time, he believed that it was precisely Yun Che's protective nature that would ensure he would never treat Xue'er poorly.

His daughter, whom he cherished as his own life, had found the best possible destination—one she deeply adored. Moreover, because of this, the Fenghuang God Sect had risen to prominence overnight, becoming untouchable even by the Four Sacred Grounds... and even the Tian Wei Sword Domain sought to curry favor.

Perhaps it was the blessing of the ancient Phoenix God, guiding them from a perilous state of constant worry to an unprecedented peak.

After several rounds of toasts, the grand banquet grew even more fervent. The Phoenix Shadow Dance performance had reached its climax, the sky filled with blazing flames and phoenix cries, as if the entire heavens were ablaze. Feng Hengkong approached Yun Che and Feng Xue'er and said, "Che'er, Xue'er, it's about time. Come with me to offer toasts. As for your wedding date... Che'er, this matter still requires your parents' input, so there is no need to rush today. We can..."

BOOM!!!!

An abnormal rumbling sound suddenly came from above, accompanied by violent spatial tremors. The lively banquet atmosphere instantly froze, and a series of screams followed. The Fenghuang disciples who had been dancing in the air all fell from the sky, their flames broken and scattered.

"Who goes there! How dare you trespass into Phoenix City!" The roar of dozens of Fenghuang disciples shook the heavens.

"What happened?" Feng Xue'er asked urgently.

"I'll go take a look."

Just as Feng Hengkong was about to move and rush outside the hall, the surrounding light suddenly brightened severalfold. A wave of scorching wind surged from above. Everyone in the hall instinctively looked up, and then they all froze in place.

When they raised their heads, what they saw was the sky above filled with fragmented, dying flames... The roof of the Phoenix Grand Hall had completely vanished!!

Feng Hengkong's steps halted. Yun Che and Feng Xue'er also looked on in astonishment... The ones present in the Phoenix Grand Hall were all figures of the highest status. The four Sacred Lords, the twelve True Persons of the Sacred Domain, the seven Venerables of the Sea Palace, and the five Divine Envoys of the Sun Moon Divine Palace were all in attendance. Yet not a single person had noticed how the massive roof had disappeared.

It was as if it had been silently absorbed into the void in an instant.

"What is... going on? What happened!" The atmosphere in Phoenix City suddenly shifted. An extremely unsettling aura descended from nowhere, shrouding everyone's heart. The Fenghuang disciples in charge of defense all mobilized, every single one on high alert, staring at the sky.

A gentle breeze swept by, so soft its whisper was nearly inaudible. But in an instant, the scattered phoenix flames all over the sky, as if caught in a gale, disappeared without a trace.

As the lingering flames dissipated, the figure of a woman appeared high above Phoenix City, accompanied by a faint, peculiar, otherworldly fragrance.