Phoenix Palace.

Zhong Daolong looked at Phoenix sitting in front of him with loving eyes as she busied herself trimming his cigar and said with a hint of reproach, "You've just got back, and why did you invite them over again? You should be resting properly at this time. Socializing is the most tiresome thing."

Phoenix lit the trimmed cigar and handed it to Zhong Daolong with an elegant gesture, her voice soft, "They meant well, and it would be quite inappropriate to refuse them outright."

There was another reason Phoenix did not voice: the Royal Family had intentions of concealing the true nature of her abduction. If she turned everyone away, wouldn't that just confirm those people's suspicions…

By openly inviting them in, they could minimize the impact of this event on the Royal Family's reputation.

The abduction of an Empire Princess was hardly something to be proud of.

"Hmm," Zhong Daolong nodded, saying with immense satisfaction, "You have always been a child who brings peace of mind. That such a thing happened to you is my dereliction."

"Dad promises you, that from now on, such a thing will never happen again."

"Whoever dares to harm my daughter, I will flay their skin and pull out their tendons, exterminating their entire family."

"Dad, it's okay, it's all in the past," said Phoenix, moved, and comforting him softly.

Invited by her father late at night, Phoenix wore only a simple and clean white casual outfit, accompanied by a pair of white canvas shoes.

Yet, the fresh and beautiful aura was palpable.

That was the scent of youth.

"Yes, it has passed. Don't dwell on it any longer. Continue to live your life as you should," Zhong Daolong said cheerfully, "Leave the rest to Dad to handle."

"The rest?" asked Phoenix, puzzled.

Zhong Daolong exhaled a puff of cigar smoke, his eyes becoming deep and profound, "How can we pretend that nothing has happened when my precious daughter has been hurt?"

"Dad, I really am fine…"

Phoenix's heart suddenly tightened.

"Okay, okay," Zhong Daolong waved his hand, smiling, "Let us adults take care of the adult matters. You're still a child in your dad's eyes. Study hard, enjoy life..."

"Haven't you always wanted to be a General? When you graduate next year, Dad will let you train in the Fengwu Army… Instantly being a General isn't good, it's too easy for others to gossip. How about starting as a Captain?"

"Dad, there's no need to arrange things so deliberately... Even if I join the military to train, I should start from a soldier, how can I become a Captain just like that? That will still lead to gossip."

"That won't do... How can my daughter start from being a soldier? It's both tiring and dangerous…"

"I had thought of arranging for you to be a Colonel, but at the very least, you should be a Captain…"

"Dad, let me handle this. Let me decide for myself," Phoenix pleaded.

Zhong Daolong pondered for a moment, saw Phoenix's determination, smiled, and nodded, "Alright, let's do it your way. After all, you're my only precious daughter."

"Thank you, Dad."

"Hmm." Zhong Daolong looked at Phoenix, as if suddenly remembering something, and asked, "By the way, the people below reported that Bai Wuxin went alone to Ninth Purple and had a car waiting outside…"

"This was a premeditated abduction, indicating that they knew your whereabouts like the back of their hand... You didn't tell anyone else that you were going to Ninth Purple to buy clothes, did you?"

"No," Phoenix shook her head, "Could it be that they had been tailing me and then discovered my itinerary?"

"There's that possibility," Zhong Daolong picked up his whisky glass, "You'll need to be more cautious in the future... Your identity is special, and there are many who would exploit it to do things against morality and the law."

"Mhm," Phoenix nodded solemnly, "I understand."

"Alright, now go and rest," Zhong Daolong waved his hand, still smiling, "You've been busy all day, and I called you over here because I hadn't had a chance to talk to you... Now that I see you're fine, I can rest assured."

Phoenix stood up, "I'm going back, Dad. You should rest early too."

"I'm heading to bed too," Zhong Daolong raised the cigar in his hand, "I'll sleep after finishing this stick."

"This is the last one, no more after this."

"I promise."

After Phoenix left, Chen Fenglei came out from the side room.

"King."

"Is it time to reel in the net?"

"Yes," Chen Fenglei replied respectfully, not daring to meet Zhong Daolong's gaze, "Catching turtles in a jar, everything is under control."

"Then all the efforts have been worthwhile."

"Yes," responded Chen Fenglei, bowing his head.

------

White Dragon Port.

Lu Yu's mood was even more somber than his name implied.

Ye Shenyi said he had no idea that the person they were looking for was him, revealing two fatal pieces of information:

First, the Royal Family had always been aware of their group's existence.

How much do they know?

Besides the thread of Sunshine Orphanage... what about the others?

Second, this was a trap they had laid in advance.

Since when had it started?

Was the siege on the Lu Family also a part of their plan?

Or did it start even earlier?

The old man looked at Ye Shenyi standing on the gunwale and asked, "So you're saying, you've been following this thread for a long time?"

Ye Shenyi laughed heartily, "What, trying to get information out of me?"

"At this point, what use is there in knowing these things?"

"That's true," Ye Shenyi said unapologetically, "This is New Star, the Phoenix Empire… Resisting is meaningless."

"If I were you, I wouldn't have come back... The Old Land might be full of deficiencies, but at least you can preserve your life."

"At this point, we fear neither life nor can we seek death..."

"This tone..." The old man scoffed, his voice dripping with mockery, "Even acting like a dog has become something to be proud of."

"A dog? Under the vast sky, is not all land the king's? If we are dogs, what about you? And your Lu Family?"

"Lu Yu, you once were the genius of your generation, a pity that you chose the wrong path... If that's the case, then accept your fate."

"I, Lu Yu, never accept fate." The old man stood tall, his spine erect as he declared, "If I were willing to compromise, why would I have the right to talk back to you?"

"What defiance." Ye Shenyi dove from above, aiming a palm strike at the old man's head, "I do love to force the issue."

A palm strike thundered out, lightning-fast.

A formidable earthy yellow Sword Energy rushed toward the old man, its horrifying power pressing down on him, an oppressive fear permeating the air.

The danger loomed over the old man like a doom from which there was no return, stifling his breath and binding his body with the tremendous atmospheric pressure.

It was as if a small boat in the vast ocean could at any moment be overturned and crushed by the giant waves.

"Is this the Grandmaster Realm?"

The old man wondered inwardly.

He stood his ground, not moving an inch, without even the slightest attempt to evade.

His eyes shone like the bright moon as he tilted his face upwards, looking at Ye Shenyi descending from the sky.

He threw a punch.

Boom...

Dragon Elephant Demon Suppressing Skill!

Four dragons and four elephants surged forth, with a force capable of pulling up trees and trampling everything in their path, they charged at Ye Shenyi.

An irresistible force, never yielding in a hundred battles.

The Dragon Elephant Demon Suppressing Skill was known for its fierce and overwhelming power, renowned throughout the world.

Since Ye Shenyi wanted a head-on confrontation, the old man had no reason to flee.

Boom!

The four dragons and four elephants collided with the earthy yellow Qi wall high above, with the leading dragon and elephant bursting on impact.

Then the second dragon, the second elephant...

Boom!

The earthy yellow Qi wall couldn't withstand the pressure any longer and crumbled.

The powerful currents scattered in all directions, and vast amounts of Yin Yang Qi counterattacked towards Ye Shenyi's body.

The currents flew like arrows.

Ye Shenyi's body, stalled in midair, could not dodge in time. With a wave of his sleeve, those Qi arrows disappeared without a trace like the wind.

"Dragon Elephant Demon Suppression..." Ye Shenyi looked at the old man and said deeply, "This cultivation technique seems familiar..."

The old man's gaze sharpened.

He knew that Ye Shenyi had thought of Tang Fei through the Dragon Elephant Demon Suppressing Skill.

Because Tang Fei had also used this technique in battle.

This man cannot be allowed to live.

Otherwise, Tang Fei's identity would be in danger.

"Others have learned it, so have I," the old man said gravely.

"Never thought anyone would still be interested in learning such a technique..." Ye Shenyi said with a chuckle, "Easy to learn, but hard to master. Reaching the fourth level already makes one a prodigious talent..."

He paused, then added, "The Grandmaster Disciple, Tang Fei, known as a young genius in Martial Arts, had only reached the third level..."

"Oh, right, he also bears the surname Tang... Are you perhaps acquainted?"

"To wear that black dog skin and still dare to share the surname Tang?" The old man's words were as sharp as a blade, cursing out loud.

"Hahaha, don't underestimate that black dog skin... Your Lu Family has been driven to such a state, and that young lad has exerted quite some effort..."

"His head will be taken, sooner or later."

"Pity, you will not get the chance," Ye Shenyi shook his head, "Tonight, I will capture you."

With that, Ye Shenyi transformed his hand into a blade and lunged at the old man once again.

The old man leaped up, joining Ye Shenyi in midair for battle.

Like thunder between mountains and oceans, like the dimming of sun, moon, and stars.

Mighty and ferocious, the entire White Dragon Port was shaken by their clash.

When brave warriors meet on a narrow path, the braver wins.

The loser dies.

------

Shattered Star Beach.

Bai Wuxin, light as a swallow, hastened toward White Dragon Port.

Suddenly, an overpowering Sword Energy sliced down from the heavens.

Without a second thought, Bai Wuxin swiftly retreated.

Crack!

The spot where he was about to land was cleaved, leaving a huge crater.

A tall and imposing figure fell from the sky, wielding a thick and heavy broadsword.

"Young man, I hear you're skilled with the sword..." Zhao Wuji looked over Bai Wuxin with a hearty chuckle, his voice deep and clear, "Let's see which is sharper, your sword or my blade..."

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