“That is nonsense. Feng Minglian has human blood, so she is discriminated against by Feng Mingxiao. This time, if not for wanting to win over the Great Sun Realm Lord and Ji Mingxing, she would never have thought of using her for a political marriage.”
In front of a stall run by a merchant from the Heavenly Dynasty Empire, several warriors were discussing a major event in the imperial capital.
This matter caught Ling Xiao’s attention.
They said Ji Mingxing was the top genius of the Heavenly Dragon Continent. Ling Xiao did not care about that, but they mentioned that Feng Mingxiao had a daughter named Feng Minglian.
This he could not ignore.
After all, she was the daughter of his senior brother Wu Xiang. If the girl truly wished to marry Ji Mingxing, he would have nothing to say, but if it was forced, he absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen.
Feng Mingxiao might not care about her own daughter, but Ling Xiao could not stand by and watch this girl be pushed into a pit of fire.
“Is what you said true?”
Ling Xiao asked.
As soon as he spoke, many gazes immediately turned towards him.
However, those gazes quickly shifted from him to his sides.
Because standing to his left and right were two women as beautiful as flawless jade.
One appeared otherworldly, like an immortal, dreamlike and illusory, giving a sense of unreality, as if she were a fairy descended from the heavenly palace.
This was probably related to Yue Nü’s cultivation. Ordinary people could not clearly see her features, but her aura alone was enough to captivate countless hearts.
The other woman had icy cold eyes, like frost, clearly keeping people at a thousand miles’ distance.
Yet it was precisely this cold demeanour that held a fatal attraction.
Moreover, her figure was so voluptuous, brimming with youthful allure.
It caused countless people to swallow saliva involuntarily.
In their hearts, they all secretly cursed. Where did this young fellow come from? How could he have such fortune? They wished they could immediately swap places with him and enjoy that blessing of having both beauties.
“Lad, bringing two such delicate beauties to the imperial capital, aren’t you afraid of encountering danger?”
No one answered Ling Xiao’s question. Instead, they seemed to show strong interest in the two women beside him.
“Anyone who coveted them is already dead.”
Ling Xiao said indifferently.
“Tsk tsk, look at this young fellow. What a big tone. Does he think he is a great figure like Ji Mingxing or the Sword Demon?”
Mocking laughter rang out from the crowd.
“Well said. That Sword Demon was originally a noble of the Underworld Phoenix Clan and received guidance from a famous master. His strength is outstanding. Though a bit arrogant, he has the capital to be so.
As for Ji Mingxing, though his cultivation is not as high as the Sword Demon’s, his talent is exceptional, and he is young with limitless potential.
As soon as he arrived in the capital, he defeated the so-called Sage Dynasty Holy Son Ji Mingkong, severed Ji Mingkong’s hand and foot tendons, and crippled his entire cultivation, claiming it was revenge.
When Ji Mingkong’s friends sought him for vengeance, they were all defeated one after another. From then on, this person became unstoppable and was hailed as a genius rarely seen in a century on the Heavenly Dragon Continent.
Emperor Feng Ming Wuliang took the opportunity to bring him under his wing, arranged for him to enter the Divine Phoenix Academy, and now has granted him marriage. Truly, his glory is boundless.”
“Rubbish!”
Suddenly, a voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.
The speaker was none other than the stall owner from the Heavenly Dynasty Empire.
“A genius rarely seen in a century? Don’t make me laugh. With our Heavenly Dynasty’s Heavenly Emperor Ling Xiao around, what does he count as a genius? Ji Mingkong is a friend of Our Majesty the Heavenly Emperor. That Ji Mingxing crippled her, so Our Majesty the Heavenly Emperor will never let him off.”
In the eyes of these ordinary people from the Heavenly Dynasty Empire,
Ling Xiao was a god-like existence.
Even though common folk in the Heavenly Dynasty might never have seen Ling Xiao’s true appearance,
his mighty reputation continued to spread among the people.
Especially feats like destroying the True Demon Empire and founding the Heavenly Dynasty Empire. Such great achievements were something no ordinary warrior could accomplish.
In the Heavenly Dynasty Empire, countless young people took Ling Xiao as their role model.
Even in the Divine Phoenix Empire, some young people were shocked by the story of Ling Xiao single-handedly pursuing Jiumo Zhiyan, ultimately killing Tiemu Mutu and capturing Jiumo Zhiyan alive.
That was the hero in their hearts.
As for the Ten Great Phoenix Prodigies, though their titles sounded impressive, when it came to great deeds and accomplishments, not one could compare to Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao might be inferior in strength, but he absolutely could not be insulted.
“You old fool, what nonsense are you spouting?”
One warrior directly kicked over the merchant’s stall and cursed, “Ji Mingxing is a descendant of the Sage Dynasty and a disciple of the Divine Phoenix Academy. What glory that is. At just seventeen years of age, he has already reached the peak of the Tenth Celestial Realm, and even when fighting half-step Cave Heaven realm warriors, he does not fall behind at all.
Ling Xiao is impressive, but is he qualified to compare with Ji Mingxing? Moreover, I heard he went to Sin City and probably died in that massacre.”
The Sin City massacre had long spread far and wide, so naturally many people knew about it.
Many also knew that Ling Xiao had gone to Sin City.
But whether Ling Xiao was dead or alive remained unknown.
In any case, nearly half a year had passed, and Ling Xiao had not appeared publicly. Though there were rumours he had returned to the divine capital and visited the relatives of some deceased citizens,
who could say if it was true? Emperors and nobles all had body doubles.
“You are talking utter nonsense. How could Our Majesty the Heavenly Emperor possibly die!”
Though his stall had been kicked over, the old merchant refused to compromise and continued to speak with unyielding dignity.
“What a fool. What benefits has Ling Xiao given you to protect him like this?”
A warrior in luxurious clothing rushed forward, grabbed the old man by the throat, and said coldly, “Now, old thing, if you are willing to say ‘Ling Xiao go die’, I will spare you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude.”
“Senior brother, perhaps we should not take it too far. If that Ling Xiao is not dead, we will be in trouble. He is known to be one who bears grudges.”
Perhaps seeing the situation becoming serious, voices of dissuasion rose from the crowd.
These words might have been better left unsaid, for they only enraged the lavishly dressed warrior further.
“So what if he knows? I have not met Ling Xiao yet. If I do, Ling Xiao will certainly die!”
“Heh, give up. Even if this old man dies, I will not slander His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor. If I die, His Majesty will surely treat my family well. I am not afraid. If you have the guts, kill me. His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor will certainly avenge me.”
The old man’s face flushed red from being choked, yet he showed no sign of yielding.
His three sons had been sold as slaves to the Divine Phoenix Continent, and his two daughters had been captured and abused by the Sea Clan.
It was Ling Xiao who saved them and allowed his family to live a stable life.
Though not wealthy, they had hope.
To him, Ling Xiao was their family’s benefactor, so no matter what, he would never speak ill of Ling Xiao against his conscience.
Leng Mei’s sword was already unsheathed. She glanced at Ling Xiao beside her and said, “Master, shall I take action?”
