"Senior Brother, what do you mean by that? Shen Zhao and I merely have some misunderstandings. Once they're resolved, we'll surely marry."
Yu Xiyan couldn't help but furrow her brow at Ling Yuxuan's ambiguous attitude.
"Junior Sister, as the ruler of a nation, you must be burdened by state affairs. Wouldn't it be easier if someone could assist you? But Shen Zhao is just a commoner—how could he possibly understand such matters?"
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I have this matter handled. There's no need for you to worry about it."
"Junior Sister, Shen Zhao truly isn't worthy of you. You're only marrying him because of your father's and mother's decision. I know your heart yearns for a life of freedom, not to be constrained by these rigid protocols. Therefore, Junior Sister, your own happiness must be fought for by your own hands!"
Yu Xiyan already understood the meaning behind Ling Yuxuan's words.
In truth, Ling Yuxuan had harbored strong feelings for her since she first became a disciple of the Profound Venerable of the Nine Paths. In a past life, he had even pursued her relentlessly, refusing to give up even after learning she was married. He had declared: "As the ruler of a nation, what harm is there in having a three palaces and six courts?"
It was only when the Profound Venerable of the Nine Paths intervened that Ling Yuxuan's frenzied emotions were finally restrained.
Yu Xiyan had already guessed what he was about to say. After all, she hadn't yet married Shen Zhao, and Ling Yuxuan had just uttered such ambiguous words.
However, she had never liked Ling Yuxuan; her feelings for him were purely those of a fellow disciple.
Moreover, in this life, she had sworn to marry only Shen Zhao. Even after he had made his stance clear at the Azure Cloud Immortal Palace, Yu Xiyan had no intention of letting go.
No matter what, she would win back Shen Zhao, keep him by her side, and atone for the wrongs she had committed against him in their previous life.
Indeed, it was only after leaving Shen Zhao that she realized she couldn't replicate his success on her own. Even using the same methods yielded disappointing results.
More importantly, after court each day, there was no longer that familiar figure by her side to inquire about her well-being.
No longer would someone bring her a steaming bowl of Exquisite Jade Broth late at night when she was exhausted from handling state affairs.
Only after being reborn did she realize how utterly dependent she was on Shen Zhao. Without him, she had been suppressing her emotions to the point of madness.
In this life, she would never allow another man into her heart.
She would bear Shen Zhao's children and spend the rest of her life healing his heart, which she had broken.
"Senior Brother, I will never marry anyone but him in this lifetime. Please stop trying to persuade me."
"Why, Junior Sister?"
"You wouldn't understand. Shen Zhao is the love of my life. Please, don't mention it again."
Ling Yuxuan fell silent for a long time.
Then, he smiled faintly. "Since that is your wish, I wish you happiness and fulfillment. The Divine Phoenix Ruins are about to open, and as your Senior Brother, I will certainly help you obtain the Divine Phoenix Legacy."
*She grows more beautiful and captivating with each passing day,* he thought. *Only I am worthy of her peerless beauty, and only I am qualified to become the Great Yin Empire's Imperial Consort.*
*In terms of devotion, this man absolutely crushes all those pathetic, simpering, and pathetic simps.*
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Yu Xiyan replied, her tone neither warm nor cold. "I believe I will be happy."
Unaware of Ling Yuxuan's thoughts, she maintained her detached demeanor.
Her purpose in coming here was, naturally, to obtain the Divine Phoenix Legacy.
Without Shen Zhao's assistance, she would have to handle many things herself.
Suddenly, a brilliant light descended from the sky, transforming into countless golden stars that scattered across the Divine Phoenix Ruins.
Four deep vortexes materialized at the cardinal directions before the ruins—the entrances to the barrier.
"The Divine Phoenix Ruins are now open. Each individual with the Phoenix Bloodline may bring two companions inside. May you all find your fortune and revitalize our Phoenix lineage."
As the elder's words echoed from above, eleven thousand cultivators surged toward the barrier entrances.
"Junior Sister, stay close to me."
"Mm-hmm."
Ling Yuxuan and Yu Xiyan entered the ruins through the eastern barrier.
Meanwhile, Su Yunying and her companions remained motionless, facing the surging crowd.
"This is insane! At this rate, we won't even reach the barrier entrance in three days," Linghu Ming exclaimed.
Su Yunying shook her head. "There's nothing we can do. Too many people are getting in through connections, severely slowing down the process."
Liang Hao immediately spoke up, "In that case, let me clear a path for everyone. Just follow me."
Linghu Ming was startled. "What are you planning?"
"Why don't I put on a little show to liven things up? You can watch my performance from here."
With that, Liang Hao soared into the air and let out a thunderous roar.
"Haa~!"
"I raise my hand to prop up the sea and support the heavens, looking down on all beings as ants! The myriad ages of the cosmos shall retreat before me! When chaos first broke, the sun and moon shone bright!"
"Listen up, you ants below! Get lost if you don't want to kick the bucket. I'm about to unleash my ultimate technique!"
As the words left his lips, he raised his hand and condensed a vast amount of True Essence.
Instantly, a frosty power permeated his surroundings.
"This is my ultimate technique, one I've been perfecting lately. Today, I'll test it out on you ants first. Behold—Frost Dragon's Breath!"
In that instant, a colossal ice dragon descended from the heavens, its maw opening to spew a narrow, freezing beam of frost energy that shot through the crowded masses below.
"Damn it! What kind of bastard dares to ambush me?"
"May your mother's cunt rot! You'd better pray I don't survive this, or I'll be the one fucking you in the ass."
"You old bastard! Prepare for annihilation!"
"If my father knew what happened to me, he'd avenge me himself—he'd personally pluck your little balls!"
"You've really sealed your fate, kid. The Heavenly Dao will strike you down!"
In a single moment, over a thousand cultivators who couldn't dodge in time were frozen into ice statues, creating a path of ice through the crowd that left the entire battlefield stunned.
Liang Hao stood in the void, hands behind his back, his cold eyes devoid of emotion, exuding an unparalleled aura of dominance.
"An unknown Sage once said, 'There are no roads in this world—
But if enough people cut them, roads will naturally form.'
Today, I've truly understood that wisdom. That Sage spoke the truth."
Liang Hao was extremely satisfied with the visual spectacle of his ultimate technique.
This was the culmination of his recent efforts, combining the characteristics of the Heavenly Frost Fist with the Dragon Transformation True Scripture. While the technique's raw power was yet to be fully tested, its area-of-effect was undeniably exceptional.
"Damn, that's even more flashy than I am. I'm genuinely annoyed."
Linghu Ming, witnessing this, deeply regretted not making his entrance earlier and giving this old schemer too much room to show off.
"Little Sister, Brother Linghu, what are you waiting for? Let's move out quickly!"
"Let's claim the Divine Phoenix Legacy with a bang, then ascend to the peak and gaze down upon the vast expanse of the Nine Realms together."
Su Yunying sighed, glanced at Luo Fengjiao, whose legs were already trembling, and followed Liang Hao's pace with Linghu Ming.
Meanwhile, at the Peak of the Nine Heavens...
The System's anthropomorphic avatar seemed to sense something and looked towards the Southern Domain.
"Ice Phoenix, Mystic Phoenix—the two Phoenix Bloodlines have converged. The Divine Phoenix Ruins have opened.
Excellent. Since I'm bored, I'll play this little Ice-Fire Game with you all.
Host, consider this a gesture of goodwill from the System. I hope you won't be ungrateful and will rebind with me soon, so you can ascend to become the ruler of the Great Dao."
In the next moment, a wisp of the System's consciousness transformed into a beam of spiritual light and shot toward the Divine Phoenix Ruins at breakneck speed.
***
Inside the Divine Phoenix Ruins, Su Yunying and her companions sat atop the Kunpeng Feather given to them by Shen Zhao, soaring swiftly toward the central ruins.
"Halt!"
Suddenly, a gruff shout brought them to a stop.
A group of cultivators stood blocking their path, swords and blades held horizontally, blocking their way.
"Hand over your storage pouches obediently. The men will die by their own hand, and the women will remain as cauldrons. Otherwise, you'll never pass."
Liang Hao glanced at them and roared, "What ants dare to risk their lives and rob me? Open your dog eyes and see clearly—this is the Public Arbitration Council's carriage! You have three breaths to kneel and commit suicide, or I'll catch you, and it won't be as simple as just outputting output."
"Insolent brat! How dare you act so arrogantly? We are disciples of the Li Mountain Sect! We advise you to be sensible and quickly surrender your storage pouches and that flying spirit artifact, or else..."
"Annoying."
Liang Hao rose and unleashed a Heavenly Frost Fist, instantly turning the blocking group of scum into ice sculptures.
The remaining small fry, who had been lurking, intending to join the plunder, trembled in fear. Some even lost control of their bowels and bladder, frozen in place like statues.
"These ants have no self-awareness. They can't even stand after being beaten, yet they still try to rob? What a joke."
"You all lost your lives through your own stupidity. Cherish this life and don't do such brainless shit again in the next."
With another punch, he instantly sent the remaining small fry to their graves.
Linghu Ming, standing behind him, grumbled, "You've hogged all the glory. I feel so insignificant. Give me a chance next time."
Liang Hao turned and replied, "No way. You just stay here and watch my performance. The sacred and great art of showing off is destined to have its next chapter written only by me, Liang Hao."
Suddenly, a sharp spiritual light streaked across the distance, aimed directly at Liang Hao.
"Big Brother, be careful!" Su Yunying warned urgently.
Liang Hao immediately raised his hand to block. The Emperor-grade ring on his finger erupted with majestic spiritual energy, shattering the incoming light in an instant.
"What kind of rat dares to ambush me? Get out here and kneel so I can kill you."
"Not bad, brat. You actually blocked seventy percent of my full-power attack. You do have some right to be arrogant."
An old man in a Daoist robe approached on his sword.
Liang Hao scoffed, "Arrogant? You think this is arrogant?
Let me show you what true arrogance looks like, you old bastard!"
Liang Hao rose and unleashed the Heavenly Frost Fist, smashing the old man into a stone wall, pinning him in place.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)