A cold gust of wind blew, filling the area below the city wall with killing intent.
"That's right!"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes were full of hostility as he stared coldly at Qian Renxue. He made no effort to hide his intent.
"If I let you go, you'll surely become an enemy of Heaven Dou Empire and Seven Treasures Glazed Sect once you return to the Spirit Hall. For the sake of the Empire and the Sect, I must eliminate you now."
"Haha, you truly live up to being the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect—shrewd and cunning."
Qian Renxue's eyes were cold, her expression grim. Her divine power hadn't recovered, and she stood no chance against the world's top auxiliary spirit master.
Buzz ——
Ning Fengzhi raised his right hand, summoning the dazzling Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Seven-colored light shot out, forming a waterfall that slammed into Qian Renxue.
"Pfft..."
Qian Renxue's face turned pale as she groaned and was sent flying, crashing into the city wall. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her aura weakened.
It felt as though she'd been struck by a mountain. Her bones were shattered, her organs shook, and she was so weak that she couldn't lift her arms. Despair filled her heart as she watched Ning Fengzhi approach with killing intent.
"Is this the end...?"
Her expression darkened.
"Goodbye forever..."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed coldly as he raised his right hand. Pure blue spirit power gathered in his palm, cutting through the air and aiming directly for Qian Renxue's head.
Boom!
Just then, a terrifying force descended from the sky, sweeping in all directions like a storm. It sent Ning Fengzhi flying.
A blood-stained figure appeared, with sharp eyes and black hair matted with blood. His back was straight like a javelin, and his entire being radiated a terrifying killing intent that made those around him tremble.
Seeing this fearsome figure, even Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but shake.
"Fang Xuan! Why are you here?!"
"If I hadn't come, my servant would be dead by now!" Fang Xuan's voice was cold as he glanced at the wounded Qian Renxue. He frowned, turning to Ning Fengzhi.
"Sect Master Ning, what is going on here? Explain yourself!"
"My servant..."
Hearing these words, Qian Renxue froze, her ears turning red. She looked at the tall figure before her, and warmth spread through her cold heart.
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. Faced with Fang Xuan's questioning, his expression soured. He hadn't expected Fang Xuan to arrive and ruin his plan.
"Fang Xuan, you must believe I'm helping you..." Ning Fengzhi said seriously.
"Helping me? You attacked my servant behind my back and still dare to claim that?" Fang Xuan sneered.
"You know she isn't just any servant. She's a spy for the Spirit Hall and has been impersonating Xue Qinghe for over ten years. Even the death of Emperor Xue Ye is connected to her. Keeping someone like her is not a blessing but a curse!" Ning Fengzhi argued.
"So you decided to get rid of her behind my back?" Fang Xuan raised his eyebrows.
"Fang Xuan, you are now the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. You could have any woman in the world. Don't let yourself be fooled by this witch from the Spirit Hall!"
"Thank you for the warning, Sect Master Ning, but I know exactly what I'm doing." Fang Xuan replied coolly.
Fang Xuan had already understood Ning Fengzhi's true intentions. The reason Ning Fengzhi attacked Qian Renxue was because she was a spy for the Spirit Hall.
He feared that her presence would threaten the interests of both the Empire and the sect, so he wanted to eliminate her.
However, there was another hidden reason.
Ning Fengzhi had always wanted to marry his daughter, Ning Rongrong, to Fang Xuan to secure a marriage alliance with the empire. This would strengthen the ties between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.
But Qian Renxue was not only of noble status but also extremely beautiful. Ning Fengzhi worried that her presence would prevent this alliance from happening. Therefore, he sought to remove her as an obstacle to the marriage.
"Fang Xuan—no, Your Majesty—you've just taken the throne and still lack an Empress. My Rongrong is just as beautiful and well-born as this witch from the Spirit Hall. I think..."
After a long silence, Ning Fengzhi finally revealed his thoughts, proposing the marriage between Fang Xuan and Ning Rongrong.
Fang Xuan was aware of Ning Fengzhi's intentions, but the past was the past. He and Ning Rongrong had an accidental engagement, which was also canceled by accident. They weren't meant to be together.
At best, he viewed Ning Rongrong as a younger sister and never had romantic feelings for her.
"Sect Master Ning, I appreciate your offer, but I'm sorry—I have no plans to marry at the moment. Besides, I despise using children as bargaining chips," Fang Xuan said bluntly.
Ning Fengzhi was stunned. He hadn't expected Fang Xuan to reject what he thought was a good offer. A marriage alliance between their families would benefit both sides, and political marriages have existed since ancient times.
Thinking Fang Xuan might be too young to understand, Ning Fengzhi pressed again, "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Fang Xuan looked calmly at him and said, "I don't want Rongrong to be used as a bargaining chip. If possible, I want her to be free to find her own happiness."
Ning Fengzhi's body trembled, and his expression became conflicted. He had always thought about benefits and never asked Ning Rongrong what she wanted. Hearing Fang Xuan's words made him feel guilty.
He had never been a good father, always focusing on using his daughter for the sect's advantage.
He was a qualified Sect Master but not a good father.
"Heal!"
Fang Xuan didn't say more. He stepped in front of Qian Renxue and activated his Immortal Begonia Martial Spirit. A soft, white light flowed from his palm, healing her injuries.
"Oh ~!"
Qian Renxue's eyelashes fluttered, and she let out a soft sound, feeling as though she was soaking in a hot spring. Her injuries healed instantly.
Noticing Fang Xuan's teasing gaze, she remembered her earlier reaction. Her pale cheeks flushed red as she glared at him, embarrassed.
"Sect Master Ning, thank you for sending troops to help me, but no one touches her without my permission!"
Fang Xuan smiled, lifted Qian Renxue by the waist, and gave Ning Fengzhi a serious look.
That look made Ning Fengzhi tremble. It was as if he had been stared down by an ancient beast—a fear that lasted only a moment before disappearing.
Ning Fengzhi understood—it was a warning from Fang Xuan.
Fang Xuan then carried Qian Renxue, stepped onto the Kun Peng, and flew away with the wind, leaving a cold, emotionless voice behind.
"I hope this is the first and last time."
Ning Fengzhi stood frozen, silently reflecting for a long time.