“Yes, even if he knew Ling Xiao would not accept it, he should still have asked. To directly confer the title on someone else like this, is he not taking Ling Xiao seriously at all?”
“Exactly. No wonder he got angry. The Emperor really handled this matter foolishly.”
“I have heard long ago that the Emperor and Ling Xiao are like water and fire. This is clearly settling a personal grudge. An emperor like this probably will not last long.”
In the crowd, discussions rose again, all triggered by just one sentence from Ling Xiao.
Then, Ji Luoyu suddenly stood up and said, “Your Majesty, I cannot accept this Falling Rain Phoenix Child title either. I am not as good as Shangguan Hong, and even less so than Ling Xiao. If I take this title, people will only laugh at me.”
Feng Ming Wuliang’s expression was extremely colourful.
Anger, displeasure, frustration.
He had not expected Ji Luoyu to refuse him face in public.
Because he did not know that back in Sin City, during the alchemy conference, Ji Luoyu had already greatly admired Ling Xiao.
Now, seeing Ling Xiao being wronged, how could she stay silent?
“Good. Miss Luoyu truly lives up to being the disciple of Medicine King Sun Ran. Such magnanimity is truly rare. Since that is the case, let us confer the tenth Phoenix Child position on Ling Xiao. What title should we give him?”
Feng Ming Wuliang smiled. Although the smile looked somewhat awkward, he was after all a great figure. That tiny bit of embarrassment quickly vanished.
“Forget it. I have always disliked food handed out in pity. Do you really think I would care for something others toss to me as charity?”
Ling Xiao glanced disdainfully at Feng Ming Wuliang and said, “The ten Phoenix Children of the Shenhuang Empire? Heh, Feng Ming Wuliang, listen well. Today I will throw these words right here. Your so-called ten Phoenix Children, I will defeat every single one of them. I will let you know that a person’s strength does not come from some title they receive, but from being truly powerful.
Just like how you refused to send any reinforcements to General Ji Ning, yet he was still able to hold Northern Desert City.
Do not think too highly of yourself. To put it plainly, you are nothing more than a temporary representative chosen by the people of the Shenhuang Empire.
Do you want to be emperor forever?
Do not end up ruining your reputation in your later years!”
Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, the entire crowd fell deathly silent.
This fellow Ling Xiao was far too bold. He actually dared to lecture Feng Ming Wuliang in front of so many people?
He even dared to disregard the ten Phoenix Children of the Shenhuang Empire?
“If Senior Brother Ling does not want the Phoenix Child position, then I, Shangguan Hong, do not care for it either!”
Shangguan Hong declared loudly.
Medicine King Sun Ran narrowed his eyes and gave a slight smile. He could see it clearly now. Feng Ming Wuliang truly had no way to deal with Ling Xiao.
Otherwise, with Feng Ming Wuliang’s temper, he would never have waited until now without acting.
It seemed he needed to adjust his strategy and avoid direct conflict with this young man Ling Xiao.
“Insolent! Is the Phoenix Child position something you can take or refuse as you please?”
Standing beside Feng Ming Wuliang was a burly man. Compared to the bodyguard who had once appeared at Ji Mingxing’s residence, this one’s strength was far greater.
A third Cave Heaven Realm martial artist!
It appeared that Feng Ming Wuliang had also sensed how powerful his enemies were, so the bodyguards he brought out now were stronger.
After all, he could not personally take action every time he met someone.
“Is there a rule that says the Phoenix Child position must be accepted?”
Shangguan Hong asked coldly.
Here, apart from a few absolute powerhouses and Ling Xiao, he feared no one, including this third Cave Heaven Realm martial artist.
“Insolent! I see that Ling Xiao has messed with your mind. You no longer know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth!”
The martial artist beside Feng Ming Wuliang said with a grim face.
“You can try and see who exactly is the one who does not know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth!”
Shangguan Hong sneered, “You have never fought Ling Xiao, so you will never understand how terrifying he is. Your mouth is quite fierce, but if you have the ability, then make a move.”
“Seeking death!”
A sharp sound of breaking air erupted. The third Cave Heaven Realm guard held a sharp short blade and turned it into a brilliant blade beam, stabbing towards Shangguan Hong.
“Bang!”
A fierce collision exploded in the sky.
A contemptuous smile appeared on Shangguan Hong’s face, “Compared to Ling Xiao, you are simply trash. You have cultivation but do not know how to use it. Within ten moves, I will surely defeat you!”
The battle between the two barely touched the ground. It unfolded almost entirely in the sky.
Two moves!
Three moves!
…
Seven moves!
Eight moves!
Shangguan Hong grew stronger as he fought, while the guard became more and more shocked.
Shangguan Hong was right. He had thought Shangguan Hong was no match for him at all, since Shangguan Hong had lost to Ling Xiao, who was at the same realm.
Yet after eight moves of exchange, he found he could not break through Shangguan Hong’s strange and unpredictable defence at all.
Forget injuring the opponent. He did not even have a chance to touch him.
Just how had Ling Xiao managed it?
The guard’s heart was filled with confusion.
However, he did not have much time left.
A cold, sharp smile appeared on Shangguan Hong’s face, “Next move, I will defeat you.”
Seven-Coloured Divine Arrow!
The same technique, though its power had increased somewhat. The key difference lay in the way it was executed.
Previously, Shangguan Hong had aimed the Seven-Coloured Divine Arrow at the enemy’s vital points.
Vital points were usually the places martial artists protected the most, so it was not easy to succeed.
Now, he targeted the enemy’s flaws instead.
He did not have Ling Xiao’s Mountain and River Martial Soul or Ling Xiao’s Tai Chi Eyes, but he had the Rainbow Martial Soul!
Every ray of rainbow light helped him capture the opponent’s moves and analyse the flaws within them.
The reason he waited until the ninth move was because now he could confirm exactly what the opponent’s flaw was.
The sharp arrow shot out and in an instant broke through the guard’s defence, heading straight for his throat.
However, at that moment, a hand reached out and caught the arrow.
“Shangguan Hong is indeed exceptionally talented, but he really does not take the royal family seriously at all.”
The one who intervened was actually one of the ten Phoenix Children, Feng Ming Wushan.
He grabbed the divine arrow, then suddenly struck a palm towards Shangguan Hong in mid-air. The speed and angle were both perfect.
Shangguan Hong felt there was no way to dodge. This Feng Ming Wushan truly deserved his mid-to-upper ranking among the ten Phoenix Children. He was indeed powerful.
His little life was finished.
At this moment, he did not regret his decision. He only felt that Feng Ming Wushan was truly shameless.
He would fight with everything he had. Even if he died, he would not back down!
However, right at that instant, a cold and mocking voice rang out.
“Interfering in someone else’s fight so casually, is this the style of the royal family? Heh, I have truly learned something. So this style is what you call shamelessness.”
Bang!
Another collision sounded.
The one who blocked Feng Ming Wushan was none other than Ling Xiao.
Both retreated five or six steps. Surprise filled their eyes.
Feng Ming Wushan was shocked that Ling Xiao’s strength could actually block his palm.
Ling Xiao was shocked that even Feng Ming Wushan was this powerful, and he was only ranked seventh among the Golden Phoenix Children.
Just how strong were those monsters ranked above him?
