A young man stepped out from the crowd.
This person had stood among the crowd, concealing all his aura, appearing just like an ordinary spectator.
But at this moment, as he released his aura, it surprisingly carried a sense of vast包容, encompassing all with composure.
Ling Xiao did not recognise this person, but from appearances, he should be from the Fire Phoenix Clan, otherwise he would not target Feng Ming Wan Chong.
“Crown Prince Highness!”
Seeing this person, Feng Ming Wan Chong was startled, only then realising his slip of the tongue.
Although the secret rivalry between the Ice Phoenix Clan and Fire Phoenix Clan was an open secret, no one ever dared to bring such strife to the surface, for doing so would make one a sinner of the entire Divine Phoenix Clan, the instigator of internal strife, turning them into a public enemy.
In the early days of the Divine Phoenix founding, a rule had been set: internal strife absolutely forbidden.
Though this rule was now largely nominal.
Rules were rules.
Disregarded in secret, but observed on the surface.
The former Nether Phoenix Clan had broken such a rule, resulting in exclusion from the emperor selection, and now they fared poorly.
Crown Prince?
Could this be Feng Yin Shan?
Ling Xiao naturally associated him with the Fire Phoenix Clan’s Feng Yin Shan, for the Ice Phoenix Clan’s Feng Ming Qi Shan could not possibly help him like this.
“Crown Prince Highness, earlier I spoke out of momentary anger, please forgive me.”
Feng Ming Wan Chong added.
“You are from the Ice Phoenix Clan, I dare not do anything to you, lest Qi Shan come find me for a fight. Sit down. Regardless, our Fire Phoenix Clan and Ice Phoenix Clan must unite, or enemies will exploit the gap, which would be bad.”
Feng Yin Shan smiled faintly, his words mild yet irrefutable to Feng Ming Wan Chong.
Pretending what unity, if truly united, why not merge your Fire Phoenix Clan into our Ice Phoenix Clan?
Feng Ming Wan Chong dared not say it aloud, but inwardly felt disdain.
“Yin Shan, when did you arrive?”
Feng Qing Yan interjected at this point.
“Uncle Qing Yan, I have been here a while. Everyone sit, the duel is not over. We cannot steal the show.”
Feng Yin Shan glanced at Feng Qing Yan and others, smiled, then took the seat reserved for him first.
“Peacock Phoenix Child Kong He pays respects to Crown Prince Highness!”
“Heavenly Peng Phoenix Child Peng Yue pays respects to Crown Prince Highness!”
In terms of fame, the Ten Phoenix Children were theoretically equal, yet as one of them, Feng Yin Shan had greater renown due to being the Fire Phoenix Clan Crown Prince.
Moreover, he ranked second among the Ten Phoenix Children, only behind the first-ranked Feng Ming Qi Shan, far above Peacock Phoenix Child and Heavenly Peng Phoenix Child.
Their deference was thus natural.
“No need for formality, sirs. We can spar when time allows. For now, watch the match.”
Feng Yin Shan’s attitude was very amiable. Apart from the initial domineering deterrence towards Feng Ming Wan Chong, he otherwise appeared calm and composed, inspiring goodwill.
“Another royal figure?”
Ling Xiao chuckled inwardly. Indeed, in the imperial city, one often encountered remarkable individuals.
He had heard the name Feng Yin Shan before, but never seen the man.
Seeing him today surprised him greatly.
The strength gap among the Divine Phoenix Empire’s Ten Phoenix Children seemed considerable.
If he guessed right, Feng Yin Shan could dispatch Peacock Phoenix Child and Heavenly Peng Phoenix Child with half a move.
“Hold on!”
Ling Xiao suddenly raised his hand. “Crown Prince Highness, I am naturally delighted you came to watch my duel with Blood Skeleton, but can that pile of dung beside you roll away!”
He referred, of course, to Feng Ming Wan Chong.
“Boy, what did you say?”
Feng Ming Wan Chong raged.
“I said you are a pile of dung, and a despicable shameless one at that! What of it?”
Ling Xiao said coldly. “Roll away. Today, if you do not leave, the duel cannot proceed.”
Feng Yin Shan frowned. He had heard of Ling Xiao’s arrogance, but did not expect it to this extent, daring to tell Feng Ming Wan Chong to roll.
At this moment, Feng Ming Wan Chong had become the target of all eyes, gazes fixed on him.
If he stayed, the fight could not begin.
But leaving meant admitting fear of Ling Xiao.
“Boy, you wait for me!”
In the end, Feng Ming Wan Chong could not endure the awkwardness of countless stares, more importantly, he needed to hurry back to heal.
In his spirit sea, terrifying soul force still tormented him, causing great discomfort.
“Good riddance!”
Seeing Feng Ming Wan Chong leave, Ling Xiao sneered coldly. An inconspicuous butterfly flew from his sleeve, then left the plaza, pursuing Feng Ming Wan Chong.
Did he truly think暗算ing him allowed safe return to Divine Phoenix Academy to heal?
Ling Xiao was not so easygoing!
“Blood Skeleton, how long do you plan to lie there? Earlier, outsiders affected our duel. Next, let us fight fair and square!”
He knew Blood Skeleton was not truly injured.
After all, earlier the Human King power mostly targeted Feng Ming Wan Chong; what hit Blood Skeleton was merely scattered energy aftershocks.
Blood Skeleton returned to the arena, looked coldly at Ling Xiao, suddenly asked, “Was that power just now yours?”
“No!”
“Then you are doomed!”
Blood Skeleton sneered. If that energy belonged to Ling Xiao, he would have little confidence in today’s fight.
But since not, what fear? Ling Xiao was beneath notice before him.
He would make Ling Xiao understand provoking him, killing his brother-in-law, how foolish.
Of course, he also bore restoring Divine Phoenix Academy’s face, so could not lose.
Blood-red death aura erupted again, Blood Skeleton’s eyes turned blood red.
Ling Xiao sensed the opposite Blood Skeleton’s body seemed changed, stronger than before.
“I must thank you. Without that strike, my cultivation might not have broken through so quickly!”
Blood Skeleton showed a mocking smile; his cultivation had now reached Five Elements Heaven peak.
This bottleneck, unbreakable before, shattered from being flung off the arena by Ling Xiao.
His confidence swelled further.
“Is that so? Then perhaps I will enjoy it more!”
A calm smile appeared on Ling Xiao’s face. Under Shadow Mystery, cold sword intent released again.
Though mouth unconcerned, Ling Xiao would not underestimate.
As lion fights rabbit with full force, he would not capsize in gutter.
Others capsizing had help; if he did, likely never rise again.
