While Lin Feng was being forced into hard labor in the Demon Realm, far away in the Southern Domain, the barrier to the Divine Phoenix Ancient Ruins at the Phoenix Perching Mountain ancestral land once again opened, instantly drawing the covetous gazes of powerful figures from all directions.
Outside the Divine Phoenix Ancient Ruins, the crowd was already immense, stretching as far as the eye could see.
During the wait, many couples, eager to pass the time, openly flaunted their affection, creating quite a spectacle.
The participants in this grand event were all cultivators with the Phoenix Bloodline and their guardians who had a karmic connection to it.
When Liang Hao, Linghu Ming, and Su Yunying arrived with Luo Fengjiao, they found themselves unable to secure a front-row position, forced to stand at the very back and watch helplessly.
Liang Hao expressed his dissatisfaction, "There are so many people? Is this still the Fire Phoenix Clan's territory? Can't we use a back door to get us to the front?"
Luo Fengjiao replied helplessly, "As you've seen these past few days, our Fire Phoenix Clan's influence has waned. Although the Divine Phoenix Ancient Ruins are within our territory, we lack direct control. The three major families—the Nether Phoenix, Ice Phoenix, and Spirit Phoenix—are currently presiding over this grand event."
Linghu Ming couldn't help but scoff, "Your Fire Phoenix Clan is truly pathetic. With such a heaven-defying mineral deposit at your fingertips, you don't even have the power to claim a foothold. It's truly pathetic."
Liang Hao immediately chimed in, "So it's understandable that Little Sister doesn't acknowledge your Fire Phoenix Clan as her bloodline. After all, who would respect a failure who can't even guard their own ancestral tombs?"
Luo Fengjiao was left speechless, her face burning with embarrassment.
Since the Immortal Martial Grand Tournament, Su Yunying had returned to Phoenix Perching Mountain as promised, giving the Fire Phoenix Clan a glimmer of hope for revival.
However, she also brought these two insufferable pests with her, plunging the clan into chaos. Even Clan Leader Feng Xiuhua was powerless to stop them.
After all, she couldn't afford to offend them, so she could only turn a blind eye and let them run amok.
Especially Liang Hao—his arrogant attitude and ostentatious behavior were completely at odds with the Fire Phoenix Clan's etiquette. He often stood on high ground, pontificating about the Public Arbitration Council's "precise poverty alleviation" efforts, throwing Phoenix Perching Mountain into turmoil.
Yet, despite their powerlessness, they couldn't match his strength, leaving them with no choice but to endure his unchecked behavior.
"Wait a minute," Liang Hao said, pointing at the Ji Family members nearby. "Didn't they say only families with the Phoenix Bloodline are eligible to enter the Divine Phoenix Ancient Ruins? How did these random ants manage to sneak in?"
Luo Fengjiao explained, "Anyone connected by fate or karmic ties to the Phoenix Bloodline is also eligible."
"What connection does the Ji Family have to the Phoenix Clan?"
"The Ji Family was previously engaged to my daughter, Yin Jiao'e. Su Xuejiao and Ji Bochang, the second son of the Ji Family, were supposed to marry next month. That's why the Ji Family is eligible."
"But Su Xuejiao is an adopted daughter of the Su Family. Where did she get the Phoenix Bloodline? And you said 'previously.' My daughter Yin Jiao'e and Su Xuejiao are still missing. The Su Family has fallen into such disrepair that they're living in the slums. Does that marriage still count?"
"Even so, the Ji Family sent us generous gifts. We can't break our word."
Liang Hao and Linghu Ming exchanged incredulous glances.
Linghu Ming: "This connection is so convoluted, and they're stretching it so thin? And they're getting off with just a few coins?"
Liang Hao: "How about I fire a Cloud-Piercing Arrow? We could summon Ding Bu'er, Fahai, and the Public Arbitration Council—all those connected to Little Sister—to add some excitement?"
Su Yunying remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Big Brother, Fellow Daoist Linghu, let's not cause any more trouble. Since they have their own rules, we should respect them. We came here to obtain the opportunities entrusted to us by Oldest Brother, not to compete for their favor. We should focus on how to secure that opportunity."
"Since Little Sister says so, I, as her Big Brother, will naturally give it my all. Rest assured, the Divine Phoenix Ancient Ruins' legacy will be yours. Anyone who dares to snatch it from you, I'll do as I said: I'll first cancel their household registration and make their entire family disappear without a trace."
"He's right. Since Brother Shen asked for my help, I won't let him down. Miss Su, you can rest easy. With Liang Hao and me by your side, we'll ensure you successfully obtain the Divine Phoenix Legacy."
Their sincere words deeply moved Su Yunying. In the past, she wouldn't have dared to imagine two cultivators of such high status and background acting as her protectors. Even now, it felt like a dream.
And all of this was thanks to Shen Zhao.
Thinking of Shen Zhao, Su Yunying's pretty face flushed slightly.
"I wonder how Oldest Brother is doing. I hope he's safe and sound."
Just then, Liang Hao suddenly exclaimed, "Look who that is!"
Following his gaze, Linghu Ming and Su Yunying turned their eyes toward the distant podium.
Gradually, a woman in luxurious robes came into view, seated in the front row of the VIP section. Beside her, a handsome man was gentlemanly pouring her a cup of spirit tea.
"The Great Yin Empress?"
"Yu Xiyan?"
"Is that Miss Shen?"
The three spoke in unison as the woman's true identity became clear.
Su Yunying, who had only met Miss Shen once before, now realized this was the Great Yin Empress. She was quite surprised.
"Why is she here?"
"I don't know. But who's the man beside her?"
"They seem to have a special relationship."
"We should find a chance to ask about it."
Linghu Ming and Liang Hao's gossip-loving souls burned fiercely. They both knew about Yu Xiyan's connection to Shen Zhao.
One had learned about it through his travels, while the other remembered it more vividly due to his past life memories.
Just then, Luo Fengjiao spoke up. "The man beside the Empress is named Ling Yuxuan. He's thirty-one years old..."
"The Nether Phoenix Clan's bloodline awakened one, a cultivator at the third rank of the Selfless Realm. The Great Yin Empress was once his junior sister in the sect, and they both studied under the Nine Paths Profound Venerable."
After hearing this bombshell, Liang Hao and Linghu Ming exchanged silent glances.
After a long pause, Linghu Ming grumbled, "So, the Great Yin Empress has moved on to greener pastures?"
Liang Hao scoffed. "I never thought she'd really move on from Big Brother. I used to think he was the heartless one, but now I see I was wrong. Look at the kind of trash she's found—acting so high and mighty, yet she can't even compare to a single finger of Big Brother. How could she be so desperate?"
"Exactly! She's nice to everyone except Brother Shen, treating him like an enemy. It's like he owes her money from a past life. She guarded against him like a wolf every day, tormenting his mind until he died a miserable death."
"That venomous, scheming woman is truly disgusting. Now I understand why Big Brother wanted nothing to do with her. With her character, if he stayed with her, he'd end up cuckolded. That would be worse than eating a hundred flies."
"No, we have to find a way to handle this. We can't let that pair of dogs have it easy."
"Once we're inside the Divine Phoenix Ancient Ruins dungeon, we'll have plenty of opportunities to take out that brain-dead idiot."
The two spoke in one voice, immediately labeling Yu Xiyan's actions.
Finally, they turned to Su Yunying in unison.
Su Yunying's scalp tingled under their gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Liang Hao spoke first, "Little Sister, tell us honestly—what are your true feelings for Big Brother?"
Linghu Ming pressed on, "Indeed, Miss Su, we've heard about all the effort Brother Shen has been putting in for you lately. Now we want to know what's really in your heart."
Su Yunying never expected such an embarrassing question to be asked in public. She was caught off guard.
*What feelings?* Shen Zhao was handsome, strong, intelligent, and witty.
More importantly, he was truly reliable.
*What woman wouldn't be tempted?*
"I... I'm not sure. I just want to stay by Oldest Brother's side for the rest of my life, and that would be enough for me."
The two men's eyes shone with admiration at her words.
"See? My little sister is the one who truly loves Big Brother, far more than that Great Yin Empress could ever hope to."
"No need to say more, Miss Su. Let me know when you and Oldest Brother have settled things, and I'll send a generous gift."
Hearing this, Su Yunying's cheeks flushed crimson. She whispered in protest, "Don't talk nonsense. Oldest Brother doesn't have that kind of intention."
Linghu Ming countered, "Miss Su, you've been by Brother Shen's side for so long. Don't you know his nature? If he didn't care about you, would he go to such lengths to help you? Do you realize the effort it takes to elevate someone to the position of Great Emperor? He wouldn't invest so much without genuine feelings. But ask yourself, has Brother Shen ever asked for anything in return?"
Liang Hao added, "So, Little Sister, don't let Big Brother's sincerity go unappreciated. I believe he has a place for you in his heart. Why not find an opportunity to tell him directly?"
Su Yunying was momentarily at a loss for words. She could only lightly bite her lower lip, her hands nervously smoothing the hem of her skirt to ease her awkwardness.
At the same time, a strange sense of anticipation welled up in her heart. If it were truly possible, she would be the happiest woman in the world.
But would such a day ever come?
At the head of the table, Ling Yuxuan spoke warmly to Yu Xiyan, "Xiyan, it's been five years since we last met. I never imagined you'd grow to be so beautiful and captivating. My little Junior Sister from back then is now a sovereign ruler, and everything you do benefits the nation and its people. As your Senior Brother, I'm immensely proud of your accomplishments. It's a pity Master hasn't arrived yet. He would have been so pleased to see your success."
Yu Xiyan smiled faintly. "Senior Brother, you flatter me. It's been many years since we last met, and I'm relieved to see you've lost none of your former charm."
Hearing this, Ling Yuxuan's tone softened. He murmured, "Junior Sister, you still haven't married Shen Zhao, have you?"
At the mention of "Shen Zhao," Yu Xiyan's elegant eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her jade-like hand unconsciously pressed against the flowing sash at her waist, near an extremely discreet pouch.
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