Divine Phoenix Empire, the Imperial Palace.
Deep within the Imperial Palace, inside a grand and luxurious chamber that exuded majesty and opulence, the walls were covered in layers of crimson silk embroidered with golden threads, while the corners were adorned with rare phoenix statues carved from red jade and black onyx. On the floor stretched luxurious carpets the color of flames, woven by the most skilled hands from the wool of high-level spiritual beasts, emitting a faint fragrance reminiscent of sacred ash.
From the high ceiling hung a massive chandelier of fire crystal, shimmering like stars trapped in a cage, casting a warm glow that reflected off the carefully decorated furniture, from the sofas with imperial motifs to the round table made of petrified dragon wood.
In the center of the room, Ximing had awakened and was listening to a report from a minister, one of his faction members, about what had happened that day in the throne hall and how Xichen had officially entered the competition for the throne.
The longer the minister spoke, the paler Ximing's face became, and his eyes blazed with anger and reluctance.
"That is everything that happened, Your Highness," the minister said, bowing respectfully to Ximing. "This old servant will now take his leave and allow Your Highness to rest."
Seeing Ximing's state, the minister wisely retreated and left him alone. And as expected, the moment he exited the room, he heard Ximing's enraged roar.
"Damn you, Xichen!!" Ximing bellowed as he began smashing the furniture, his violet eyes turning red and fierce, like the eyes of a beast that had lost every shred of its sanity.
Ximing was not obsessed with the position of Crown Prince, which was why he hadn't paid much attention to his other brothers. However, he had been keeping an eye on Xichen for a long time, because Xue'er loved him more than any of her other twenty siblings. For this reason, he had sent assassins to kill Xichen during his journey, but none of them had returned, while the target himself came back without a single injury, having grown even stronger and obtained the Phoenix Inheritance.
And now, Xichen even dared to declare that he would win Xue'er right in front of him—something Ximing could not tolerate.
Ximing continued smashing the furniture for a while, eventually collapsing to his knees amidst the wreckage, tears streaming from his eyes.
"I don't want honor, glory, or even my status as the Crown Prince..." Ximing muttered in a broken, sorrowful voice. "All I want is Xue'er, and I am willing to give up everything to have her. But why does everyone want to take her away from me? Why do they all desire her now?"
In the heart of the chamber, which had once overflowed with grandeur and spiritual warmth, Feng Ximing sat on the shattered floor amidst the remains of the sofas and statues that had, moments before, symbolized his authority and usual composure. The scattered fragments of the fire crystal cast a faint glow on his face, as if burning with him from within.
His veins were bulging, and his violet eyes were reddened with rage and humiliation. His fists were bloodied from repeatedly striking the wall, but the physical pain was nothing compared to what he felt inside.
"All I wanted… was for you to be mine alone…"
He whispered in a broken voice, punctuated by rapid, choked breaths, while the tone of his voice hinted at escalating madness.
For Ximing, his love for Xue'er was not merely a desire, but an obsession—an inner conviction that she was the only thing that could fill the void in his heart, the only thing that gave him meaning amidst a life filled with conspiracies and monsters in human guise.
But he saw everything slipping away from him, crumbling just like this luxurious chamber.
Xichen…
That name alone was enough to ignite an unquenchable fire within him. Xichen's emergence was not just a threat to his succession to the throne; it was a slap to his heart—a theft of what he considered his own, not a position or a crown, but Xue'er herself.
While Ximing mourned Xichen's desire to obtain what he himself dreamed of, the person in question was elsewhere, utterly unconcerned.
"Are you saying you wish to enter the Phoenix Perching Valley?" Hengkong stared at Xichen with a cold, dangerous look, clearly displeased with his thirteenth son's request.
"That is precisely correct, Royal Father," Xichen nodded calmly and continued. "It is the will of the Phoenix God, who bestowed his inheritance upon me, to deliver a message to the Phoenix God of the sect. Furthermore, I have brought a woman skilled in the art of ice, and I wish for her to accompany me so that Xue'er may see snow. That is not all; I also require the fifth and sixth stages of the World Ode of the Phoenix, as possessing them will accelerate the inheritance process far more than anticipated."
"..." Hengkong stared at Xichen with a cold expression, clearly dissatisfied with what Xichen intended to do. He had never intended to allow Xue'er to meet anyone but himself, but with the Phoenix God's name invoked, there was little he could do.
"I agree to allow you entry into the Phoenix Perching Valley," Hengkong said with a cold, threatening tone. "But you must stay at least three meters away from Xue'er. You are not permitted to speak to her or touch her," he added, his expression icy and menacing. "Or rest assured, I will personally dismember you. As for this woman, she is not permitted entry."
"I believe Your Majesty should reconsider his decision," Xichen said in a cold voice, staring at Hengkong with an expressionless face. "For I speak not as your thirteenth son, but as the noble heir of the Phoenix God."
This man was far too irritating in his overprotectiveness; he enjoyed bullying the weak while fearing the strong. In the original novel, he had handed Xue'er over to Yun Che out of fear of death and the empire's destruction.
"You!!..." Hengkong stared at Xichen in disbelief as crimson flames enveloped him, his fury evident. "How dare you speak to me like that!!"
"I believe it would be wise for Your Majesty to consider his next actions carefully," Xichen said coolly, surrounded by golden flames that suppressed Hengkong, who currently possessed the purest lineage after Xue'er. "For I do not believe you possess the power or the right to speak to me in such a manner."
"..." The cold stare-down continued between them for a while, various emotions flickering in Hengkong's eyes.
Suddenly, his body stiffened, and a look of fear and dread appeared on his face.
"Go. I will allow you entry to the Phoenix Perching Valley," Hengkong said with evident reluctance, then added, "But remember, if you cause Xue'er any sorrow or try to get too close to her, I will personally ensure your arms and legs are broken."
"..." Xichen smiled contemptuously and couldn't be bothered to acknowledge Hengkong's words, exiting his study. He had sensed that a fragment of the Phoenix Soul had communicated with Hengkong, which was what prompted his agreement.
As for showing respect, that was long overdue. The two had already cast aside their blood ties, and it was clear they would not have hesitated to tear each other apart moments ago. There was no point in showing respect after what had transpired.
...
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