What a bold move. This is getting interesting.
The Ice Phoenix Clan’s ambitions are gradually coming to light. With their special authority over the imperial throne, they’ve not only seized control of the court but have now fully taken over Phoenix Academy.
Is there any hope left for the Fire Phoenix Clan?
What will become of the Phoenix Empire in the future?
These questions sparked endless speculation among the warriors present.
Seeing the bewildered expressions below, a smug smirk flickered across Sikong Zun’s lips.
An alliance?
Would the True Demon Empire really ally with a mere Phoenix Empire?
This was merely a stalling tactic.
Using the internal conflicts within the Phoenix Empire to destroy it might be easier than a direct invasion.
With this thought, Sikong Zun felt the pain of his injuries ease, as if they hurt less.
“Outrageous!”
Suddenly, a thunderous shout rang out.
From the distance, dust billowed as a group of warriors clad in battle armour, riding twin-winged celestial wolves, charged forward in a grand procession.
The shout came from the leader, a formidable general.
Though it was just a roar, it felt as if it plunged everyone into a brutal battlefield, surrounded by flashing blades and soaring eagles.
All eyes turned to the approaching group.
The leader’s voice boomed again.
“A mere Phoenix Academy dares to speak for the empire? Are you plotting rebellion?”
With that, the leader leapt from his twin-winged celestial wolf, wielding a halberd that swept through the air, its ferocious aura targeting Sikong Zun.
The crowd gasped.
Someone dared to challenge Phoenix Academy and attack its new vice-dean, Sikong Zun, directly? What was their intent?
Sikong Zun’s smile vanished. His hands crackled with lightning, and a longsword formed entirely of electric light appeared in his grasp.
His eyes gleamed with coldness and killing intent.
“Phoenix Academy represents the will of the Phoenix Empire. How dare you speak of rebellion? Step down and explain yourself!”
With a thrust, terrifying sword energy pierced the air.
Boom!
The two forces collided in midair and shattered!
The airborne figure landed back on his celestial wolf, giving Sikong Zun a surprised glance. “Well, well. I should’ve killed you back then. Then today’s events would never have happened!”
“Ji Ning!”
“That’s Protector General Ji Ning!”
“Hmph, Ji Ning! You hunted me down back then, forcing me to flee to the Tianlong Continent. And now you dare make the same mistake again? I’m the vice-dean of Phoenix Academy now. To oppose me is to oppose the empire!” Sikong Zun snorted, glaring at Ji Ning as if facing his greatest enemy.
Back then, he had awakened in Phoenix Academy and quickly recovered, with no one noticing anything amiss.
But one person saw through his identity as the Lightning Demon King and tried to kill him to prevent future trouble.
That person was Ji Ning!
Gravely injured, he escaped to the Tianlong Continent only with the help of Phoenix Academy’s dean, the current national teacher.
He never expected that, upon his return, Ji Ning would still pursue him.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his nerves.
Things were different now. His cultivation was no weaker than Ji Ning’s, and his status was just as high.
If Ji Ning wanted to kill him, he’d have to prove he had the ability and the nerve!
The crowd in the plaza was thrown into confusion by this sudden turn of events. Ji Ning, the Protector General, had been appointed by the previous emperor.
The former emperor, from the Fire Phoenix Clan, mysteriously disappeared after abdicating, his whereabouts still unknown.
The current emperor hadn’t revoked Ji Ning’s title but had exiled him to the empire’s frontier.
By rights, Ji Ning wasn’t allowed in the capital without the emperor’s permission.
Yet here he was, not only present but attacking Phoenix Academy’s vice-dean.
What was his purpose?
“Phoenix Academy represents the empire’s will? Hahaha, your rebellious ambitions are fully exposed!” Ji Ning sneered. “Do you think I’ve been idle all these years? Your national teacher, the esteemed dean of Phoenix Academy, isn’t even from the Phoenix Empire. Like you, he’s one of the True Demon Empire’s Nine Demon Kings! You’re the Lightning Demon King, and he’s the Yin-Yang Demon King!”
“Ridiculous! Me, the Lightning Demon King? Where’s your proof?” Sikong Zun scoffed. “You can insult me, but to slander the national teacher? Do you think the empire won’t punish you?”
“Punish me? That’s rich. Your True Demon Empire has already destroyed the Holy Dynasty, and the Phoenix Empire is next. Only a few here know your secrets. Some collude with you, like them!” Ji Ning pointed coldly at Mo Wushang and others on the platform, then continued, “Others are too scared to expose you. You think punishing me will keep your secret safe forever?”
His gaze locked onto Sikong Zun, cold and sharp. “Back then, when the Phoenix Continent was in chaos and the people suffered, my master Ji Fuling and mistress Yu Xuanyue quelled the turmoil, bringing decades of peace. When my master left, he tasked me with aiding the emperor to protect this nation! If not for that promise, I wouldn’t bother with this mess. But today, I won’t stand by and watch you True Demon Empire scum destroy my master and mistress’s legacy!”
The crowd sighed in awe.
Ji Fuling and Yu Xuanyue were household names on the Phoenix Continent, revered as saviours.
Without them, that war would have left the continent in ruins, with countless deaths.
“You’ve done great deeds, no doubt. But if you think past merits let you slander and frame court officials, you’re gravely mistaken!” Sikong Zun said coldly. “Disobeying orders and entering the capital without permission is a capital offence! Your master and mistress set rules forbidding you from meddling in the rivalry between the Ice Phoenix and Fire Phoenix Clans, yet you’ve been in close contact with the Fire Phoenix Clan. That’s your second capital offence! The emperor spared you out of sentiment. Don’t stand on your merits and act recklessly!”
Sikong Zun was a skilled speaker. With no one else daring to confirm he was the Lightning Demon King, Ji Ning’s accusations amounted to baseless slander.
He didn’t care and could even turn the tables, accusing Ji Ning of treason.
The crowd was divided, some believing Ji Ning, others siding with Sikong Zun, sparking heated arguments.
Feng Yanran was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan. She fully believed Ji Ning but knew his actions today were unwise.
Rushing in so recklessly might achieve nothing and cost lives.
Was such a futile sacrifice worth it?
