Chapter 660: Zi Yuans Compromise!
Chapter 660: Zi Yuan's Compromise!
"This is bad!"
The first person to notice that the Mystical Yellow Flame fire seed had been stolen was the mysterious woman in purple atop the platform, Zi Yuan.
When she saw Ling Feng's strange hand gesture, she had begun to suspect something, but she never expected that her worst fears would come true.
She had spent an immeasurable amount of effort helping the Eleventh Prince tame the Mystical Yellow Flame, only for it to be stolen just like that!
She couldn't comprehend how a mere junior could have the means to seize such a powerful abnormal fire seed!
Moments later, the Eleventh Prince also felt the overwhelming power inside him rapidly fading. His control over the Mystical Yellow Flame had been severed!
Boom!
The domineering flames in the air suddenly scattered like fireworks, releasing a magnificent display of light.
The Eleventh Prince stomped his left foot into the ground with a furious force, glaring coldly at Ling Feng and shouting, "You scoundrel, hand over the fire seed!"
"Heh, fire seed? What fire seed?"
Ling Feng shrugged nonchalantly. Now that it is in my hands, do you think I would just hand it over?
Not a chance!
This sudden turn of events left everyone in stunned silence.
Judging from the Eleventh Prince's words, it seemed that the terrifying abnormal fire, the Mystical Yellow Flame, had fallen into Ling Feng's hands!
"Haha, what an unexpected twist!"
From the high platform, Wen Tingguang couldn't help but laugh heartily and slapped the table. "This boy really knows how to work miracles! Hahaha! The Mystical Yellow Flame! How did he even manage to steal such an abnormal fire?"
By all logic, once an abnormal fire had been refined, it became part of the user's source of true qi. The fact that Ling Feng could instantly strip the fire seed from the Eleventh Prince was simply unimaginable.
This was the brilliance of the Art of Devouring Flame.
Unfortunately, this martial art required incredibly high talent and the ability to devour various abnormal fires in order to eventually form the legendary Devouring Flame.
Obtaining just one abnormal fire was already an impossible feat for most, let alone devouring several.
Therefore, since its creation, likely no one besides the original creator had ever successfully mastered it. In fact, even those who attempted it were extremely few. Eventually, the technique became lost to time until that despicable donkey stumbled upon a single copy while exploring a dangerous land.
In nearly a thousand years, Ling Feng was probably the first and only person the despicable donkey had ever managed to fool into practicing the Art of Devouring Flame.
"Haha, my lady, this is wonderful! So wonderful!"
Qiao Qiao was so excited she was practically about to leap into the air. She would have probably started dancing in joy if not for the fact that the emperor of Tianbai was nearby.
"Yes, it's wonderful!" Yue Yunlan finally let out a sigh of relief, the tension in her heart easing.
Ling Feng had once again worked a miracle!
"Who exactly is this young man?" The emperor of Tianbai narrowed his eyes, his heart filled with wonder.
When the Eleventh Prince had unleashed the Mystical Yellow Flame, the emperor had all but lost hope for the competition, already contemplating how to negotiate with the Tianyang Empire. He was even willing to give up a few extra cities if it meant not losing the three critical cities.
But now, the emperor of Tianbai saw hope once again.
With Ling Feng in control of the Mystical Yellow Flame, hadn't the entire situation turned in their favor?
On the stage.
The Eleventh Prince's face turned pale after losing the Mystical Yellow Flame. Glaring at Ling Feng, he gritted his teeth and said, "I'll say it one last time. Hand over the Mystical Yellow Flame!"
"What if I don't?"
Ling Feng lightly swung his sword, the blade's tip pointing at the ground. "The competition isn't over yet. If you admit defeat, I might consider giving you back one-third of the fire seed!"
"Impossible!" The Eleventh Prince refused to back down even an inch, gnashing his teeth. "Hand over the Mystical Yellow Flame!"
"Your Highness, agree to his terms!"
At that moment, Zi Yuan stood up from the high platform and shouted, "No matter the condition, you must agree!"
"I..." The Eleventh Prince looked up at Zi Yuan, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded. He turned back to Ling Feng and said in a deep voice, "I admit defeat. As for the marriage alliance, I won't mention it again."
"This can't be! Your Highness, this... How can this be allowed?"
Xiahou Lie was so frightened that his legs nearly gave out. Before the journey, Emperor Tianyang had given strict orders. Success was the only option, and failure was not allowed. At the very least, they had to seize one of the three key cities. But now, the prince had admitted defeat!
How dare he admit defeat!?
"What do you want to say?" Zi Yuan coldly glanced at Xiahou Lie. "Another word, and you will bear the consequences!"
"Uh..."
Xiahou Lie immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Clenching his fists, he finally backed down.
Zi Yuan's strength was at the emperor level!
Though she appeared to be the prince's bodyguard, it seemed that even the prince was bound by her authority.
In fact, Zi Yuan had been sent by a hidden expert to help the Eleventh Prince tame the Mystical Yellow Flame. This abnormal fire was far too important. If it were lost, the expert's wrath would be enough to end her life as well.
Thus, no matter the condition, as long as they could recover part of the Mystical Yellow Flame, it would suffice.
Otherwise, if Ling Feng were to refine the fire, even killing him wouldn't undo the damage.
Furthermore, Ling Feng seemed to have ties to the sacred land, which made Zi Yuan even more cautious. She couldn't afford to recklessly kill him.
"I've agreed to your terms. Now return one-third of the fire seed!"
The Eleventh Prince glared at Ling Feng, seething with resentment.
"Here you go!"
Ling Feng smirked. Zi Yuan feared the powers behind Ling Feng, and Ling Feng also held concerns about her.
Even Wei Wuyan from the sacred land had warned him not to provoke Zi Yuan, which showed how significant her background must be. Ling Feng knew better than to push too far.
Returning a portion of the Mystical Yellow Flame was a temporary compromise. After all, for the Art of Devouring Flame, there wasn't much difference between a partial seed and a complete one.
Flicking his fingers, Ling Feng casually tossed a small flame back to the Eleventh Prince. "Here, this is your fire seed."
"You!"
Seeing the tiny flame which was not even the size of a thumb, the Eleventh Prince almost coughed up blood.
This isn't even close to one-third! It is barely one-fifth!
"Oops, my hand slipped!" Ling Feng chuckled. "I'm sure the prince won't mind if it's a little more or less, right? Heh..."
The Eleventh Prince's mouth twitched violently. Inside, he cursed Ling Feng for being utterly shameless!
Won't mind? Are you kidding me? Why don't you just give me the larger share!?
"Your Highness, don't make an issue of it."
Zi Yuan's figure descended from the platform, grasping the Eleventh Prince's shoulder before soaring into the sky with him.
Her gemstone-like purple eyes locked onto Ling Feng. "Little rascal, I'll remember you! Mark my words, I'm Zi Yuan. I have a feeling we'll meet again someday!"
With that, she flew off with the Eleventh Prince, disappearing into the horizon.
This was the power of a true expert, one so strong that even emperors could be ignored.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Xiahou Lie was on the verge of tears. The Eleventh Prince had made his grand exit, leaving him to clean up this mess. How was he supposed to manage?