Chapter 451: Snow Child's Heart

Feng Xue'er's profound energy aura was gentle and peaceful, devoid of any aggression or oppressive feeling. Yet, everyone present felt a mild, utterly irresistible sense of suffocation.

Yun Che, being closest to Feng Xue'er, felt it most acutely. He gazed at her, his heart filled with profound shock, disbelief, and an indescribable sense of unreality.

When Xia Yuanba had arrived earlier, Yun Che had clearly and startlingly felt his Overlord's aura. However, while Feng Xue'er's aura lacked Xia Yuanba's formidable dominance, it felt infinitely more vast and ethereal to Yun Che—far surpassing Xia Yuanba's.

It was like the difference between a tranquil ocean and towering, surging waves.

Xia Yuanba's sudden, terrifying increase in strength surprised Yun Che and was hard to believe, but it didn't shock him to the point of losing composure. He was confident that given enough time, he too could reach that level. But Feng Xue'er's aura... it felt like an immense power that simply did not belong to this world! It was a realm currently beyond his reach, utterly impossible to touch or pursue from his current level.

The Xue'er who had saved him, taught him the World Ode of the Phoenix... beautiful as an angel, flawless as an elf, who loved pure snow, had the most pristine smile and ethereal voice, called him "Brother Yun," linked pinky fingers with him, nestled close, and danced for him in the snow...

She actually... existed in such a mythical, dream-like realm that he couldn't even aspire to.

He was certain these feelings were not an illusion, for his gaze was fixed on the seats of the Four Sacred Grounds. He clearly saw the intense changes in expression on the faces of the Sacred Grounds' members... changes far more drastic than when the eighteen-year-old Overlord Xia Yuanba had appeared.

He finally began to understand why Princess Snow's status within the Divine Phoenix Sect was so revered and unique... She sat beside Feng Hengkong as an equal, with even the Crown Prince relegated to a secondary seat. He also understood why Feng Hengkong's protection of Feng Xue'er had reached such an extreme level.

"Master, her strength... what level is it exactly?"

Xia Yuanba also felt an indescribable sense of suppression emanating from Feng Xue'er. With his current profound strength, even after Feng Xue'er released her aura, he still couldn't ascertain her level. Seeing True Master Ancient Blue's astonished expression, Xia Yuanba couldn't help but ask.

True Master Ancient Blue composed himself, exhaling a long breath before calming his mind. "She is Princess Snow of the Divine Phoenix Empire, Feng Xue'er, whom I mentioned to you on our way here. She is only sixteen years old, and her profound strength... is actually... Half-Step... Sovereign Profound!"

"!!!!" Xia Yuanba froze instantly, unable to utter a word for a long time. He was no longer the Xia Yuanba of old who had a vague understanding of profound realms; he knew perfectly well what a terrifying concept a sixteen-year-old Half-Step Sovereign Profound was!

"It seems that rumor is true..." True Master Ancient Blue murmured in a very low voice, a remark Xia Yuanba did not comprehend.

"It seems that rumor is true." Almost simultaneously, Ling Kun glanced sideways at Ye Xinghan, speaking the exact same words.

"Of course it's true!" Ye Xinghan was trembling with excitement, his gaze emitting an unprecedented intensity. "This information was given to me by 'that person,' so how could it be false? And 'that person' will immediately help me obtain this most perfect woman... this most perfect cauldron! If I can acquire both her and the 'Nine Profound Exquisite Body' mentioned by Elder Ling, I would throw away all other women without hesitation!!"

Ye Xinghan's excitement bordered on madness. As he spoke of "that person," his gaze momentarily swept across a crimson figure in the arena.

"Hehehehe, my judgment, Ling Kun's judgment, is never wrong. I believe it won't be long before the Young Palace Master becomes the strongest expert in the Profound Sky Continent, an unparalleled supreme emperor... Congratulations to the Young Palace Master in advance," Ling Kun said, his eyes narrowed in a smile.

Aside from True Master Ancient Blue, who was a sovereign, the three Sacred Ground members who frequently interacted with sovereigns, and those within the Divine Phoenix Sect aware of Feng Xue'er's secret, no one else in the entire audience could ascertain Feng Xue'er's profound strength level. Yet, they could all sense how terrifying it was, like a heavenly realm. In contrast, Yun Che, directly opposite her, his aura was so weak it was practically non-existent.

Princess Snow was renowned throughout the world not only as the sole princess of the Divine Phoenix Sect but also for her peerless beauty, hailed as the "Number One Beauty of the Profound Sky Continent." No one had imagined her profound strength to be this terrifying. Even witnessing and feeling it firsthand, they remained stunned for a long time, unable to recover or believe what they experienced.

At this moment, the phoenix flames on Feng Xue'er's body suddenly extinguished, and the golden wisp between her eyebrows also vanished.

Yun Che stared at her blankly... He yearned to look into her eyes, to know if her gaze towards him would still be so gentle, trusting, and intimate... or if it was now filled with anger, resentment, disappointment, and sorrow...

At that moment, Feng Xue'er suddenly turned gracefully and addressed Feng Hengkong, "Father Emperor, Xue'er has a sudden doubt; may I ask you to answer it?"

Feng Hengkong was momentarily taken aback, then slowly nodded, "Xue'er, speak."

Feng Xue'er nodded, speaking softly, "Father Emperor once mentioned the rules of the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament to Xue'er. If Xue'er remembers correctly, during the tournament, each nation should field a maximum of ten participants. All ten of our Divine Phoenix Nation's participants... Imperial Brother Fourteen, and Senior Brother Feibai and the others, have already been defeated by Yun... Che. This means our Divine Phoenix Nation has lost to the Blue Wind Nation. So, why isn't the Blue Wind Nation's victory being announced immediately, and why did Father Emperor still ask Xue'er to come here?"

The entire arena fell silent. Everyone understood Feng Hengkong's intention behind this action. It was no longer about the ranking tournament itself. By having Feng Xue'er enter, he aimed to restore the Divine Phoenix Sect's strength, reputation, and bloodline dignity after their devastating defeat in both bloodline and the tournament, by showcasing Feng Xue'er's astonishing power.

Otherwise, after today, the entire Profound Sky Continent would know that the Divine Phoenix Sect's phoenix bloodline had been utterly defeated by another phoenix bloodline that had appeared out of nowhere. At that point, not only the six nations, but even the citizens of the Divine Phoenix Empire, would gradually develop deeper and deeper doubts.

And Feng Xue'er had succeeded. Her brief display of profound energy moments ago had completely astonished even the Sacred Ground members, let alone those from the Seven Nations.

Thus, Feng Xue'er seemed to ask a very naive question, yet it was one that was difficult to answer. At its core, it was simply the Divine Phoenix Sect's unwillingness to accept their crushing defeat, using Princess Snow to desperately salvage their reputation... even at the cost of, or rather, having no choice but to expose their trump card, which they had protected and hidden for years, to the world.

Feng Hengkong remained silent for a moment. Feng Ximing quickly stood up and spoke, "Xue'er, the reason is actually very simple. All you need to do now is gently raise your hand and strike down Yun Che. As for the reason, Father Emperor will tell you later. Although the ranking tournament has concluded, and by result, we were indeed defeated by Yun Che, we must prove to the world that while we lost, it was only because we didn't send our strongest participant. Whether in terms of strength or bloodline, our Divine Phoenix Sect is unsurpassed."

Feng Xue'er slowly shook her head, then softly said, "If... that is the case... Xue'er is willing to concede directly."

Feng Xue'er's words moved Yun Che and left everyone in the Divine Phoenix Sect utterly astonished. Feng Feiyan immediately said, "Xue'er, this matter is not as simple as you think. It concerns the honor and dignity of our entire Divine Phoenix Empire."

Feng Xue'er's voice was gentle as she said, "In Xue'er's world, I completely fail to understand why such a matter would be related to the Divine Phoenix Nation's honor and dignity. Must honor always be the victory in defeat? Must dignity always be the strength among the strong?"

"Why is it that Yun Che clearly defeated Imperial Brother Fourteen in a fair one-on-one battle, yet the nine senior brothers who had agreed not to fight again then joined forces, launching potentially fatal attacks from the start...? And why, when Yun Che clearly defeated Senior Brother Feibai and the others, do you refuse to declare his victory, and instead ask me... someone who clearly should not be participating in the ranking tournament... to enter the arena?"

"His phoenix bloodline clearly does not originate from our lineage, so why do you so stubbornly insist on denying it?"

No one had expected the usually gentle and docile Feng Xue'er to suddenly utter such words... words that sounded like questions, confusion, and even an interrogation.

Feng Ximing opened his mouth, then said somewhat reluctantly, "Xue'er, Imperial Brother knows you are the kindest-hearted, and you might feel we've gone too far. But... some matters are truly not as simple as you think... Moreover, his bloodline cannot be definitively proven not to originate from our Divine Phoenix Sect; there's only a slight possibility..."

"No, Imperial Brother is mistaken," Feng Xue'er gently shook her head. "Xue'er can prove that his bloodline does not, in fact, come from our sect."

A wave of startled murmurs immediately swept through the audience. Feng Xue'er had already turned, extending her hand with her palm facing Yun Che's forehead. As a flicker of flame appeared in her palm, a golden dot instantly glowed on Yun Che's brow, then quickly formed into a yellowish flame shape.

Yun Che: "..."

"G-golden Phoenix Seal!" Feng Hengkong and the others exclaimed, rising in shock and staring at the golden phoenix imprint on Yun Che's brow.

"Xue'er possesses phoenix blood and power directly bestowed by the Phoenix God. Therefore, Xue'er can immediately discern whether his phoenix bloodline originates from the Phoenix God lineage," Feng Xue'er stated slowly. "The Phoenix God also said that the golden phoenix imprint only appears on those who inherit the purest phoenix blood. His phoenix imprint is golden, proving that the phoenix bloodline within him is a direct bestowal of phoenix blood, not a bloodline inheritance."

Feng Ximing stared at the golden imprint on Yun Che's forehead, stunned for a good while. "Xue'er, this... this..."

Feng Xue'er faced the Divine Phoenix Sect's seats, her voice like a distant cloud. "Xue'er knows that I have gone against your wishes and must have disappointed and angered you, but there are many things Xue'er truly doesn't understand... Our Divine Phoenix Nation was defeated, and another person with a phoenix inheritance appeared in Profound Sky. Father Emperor, Imperial Brothers... shouldn't this be a cause for joy? Why do you so desperately want to deny these facts? You clearly want to protect the honor and dignity of the Divine Phoenix Nation, yet why do you strive so hard to destroy them?"

Feng Hengkong's lips parted, but no words came out for a moment. This was the first time in his life that Feng Xue'er had spoken so much, and spoken such words... He, a father who believed he understood his daughter best, was utterly dumbfounded at this moment.

"Xue'er loves everything she possesses and is proud to have been born and raised in the Divine Phoenix Nation. Since I was very young, Xue'er knew that the Divine Phoenix Nation was the largest and most powerful nation on the Profound Sky Continent... But why, today, does Xue'er suddenly feel her homeland is so insignificant... truly so insignificant...?"

"The Seven Nations Ranking Tournament has been held for many years, and every time before, it was the Divine Phoenix Nation that won. This time, our Divine Phoenix Nation was defeated by the Blue Wind Nation; the Blue Wind Nation defeated Divine Phoenix with its own strength... Although Divine Phoenix lost, it doesn't mean Divine Phoenix has become weaker. Instead, it means that among the six nations, someone finally appeared who could defeat Divine Phoenix. Isn't this not only a breakthrough for the Blue Wind Nation but also a breakthrough for all seven of our profound realms? Shouldn't this be a cause for joy for all profound practitioners? Honestly admitting defeat and proclaiming the victor to the world—shouldn't that be the most proper and normal action for a dignified great nation?"

"When Senior Brother Feibai and the nine others attacked Yun Che, they immediately launched potentially fatal strikes. When Yun Che defeated them, he could have easily killed them, but he didn't. Yet, not a single person from our Divine Phoenix Nation expressed gratitude; instead, you continued to make things difficult... In terms of demeanor and magnanimity, Divine Phoenix has completely lost to Blue Wind. Even its dignity has been utterly cast aside by its own actions."

The members of the Divine Phoenix Sect stood with mouths agape, none able to utter a word. Yun Che stared blankly at Feng Xue'er, likewise speechless for a long time.

"The power of our Divine Phoenix Sect comes from the phoenix inheritance. Without the phoenix's bestowal, there would be no Divine Phoenix Sect today. Every phoenix disciple should hold the most devout gratitude... Yun Che's bloodline also comes from the phoenix; he is the most direct inheritor of the Phoenix God. But why, instead of treating him as a relative by blood, supporting and helping each other to jointly continue and spread the Phoenix God's bloodline and power, do you think of denying him by any means necessary, even wishing to erase him through cruel methods...? This selfishness, Xue'er sees no glory or dignity in it; it only makes Xue'er feel alienated and afraid..."