Chapter 2130 — Ten Royal Phoenix Clans' Gathering(5)

"So, you want me to prove my identity as the Immortal Monarch by forcing you to kneel, is that it?" Yuan asked.

“That's right. Do you have any issues with my request?" The Primordial Phoenix said. "Honestly, that's far too boring, as it would take no effort at all. Besides, I've no desire to humiliate the Celestial Emperor's lapdog and give him yet another reason to hate me." The Primordial Phoenix trembled after hearing Yuan's words, and he muttered, "What did you just call me? A lapdog? I am nobody's lapdog, you bastard!"

“Oh? If you're not the Celestial Emperor's lapdog, what are you? His slave?"

Flames erupted from the Primordial Phoenix's body, weaving around him as they formed an armor of pure fire.

“You know what? I don't care if you're the Immortal Monarch or not. You're not going to leave this place until I teach you how to respect a superior being."

"So quick to resort to violence? Your temper is quite short-even by phoenix standards,” Yuan said with a light chuckle.

“I will not be mocked by a mere human!" the Primordial Phoenix roared, thrusting his right hand-wreathed in True Primordial Fire-toward Yuan's neck.

Young Master!" Feng Yuxiang cried, instinctively seizing the Primordial Phoenix's arm. Her eyes burned with killing intent as she snapped, "How dare you lay a hand on my Young Master! Do you have a death wish?!"

The Primordial Phoenix sneered at her. "This doesn't concern you."

"Of course, it concerns me! You're attacking my—"

“It's okay." Yuan interrupted. "His flames are too weak to harm me, anyway."

“Not only did you insult me, but you dare to look down on my fire?" The Primordial Phoenix trembled in anger.

In the very next moment, his entire body erupted with invisible flames, so intense they warped the surrounding space.

The True Primordial Fire instantly engulfed the chamber's center and swallowed both Yuan and Feng Yuxiang within its blaze.

Just as dragons possess reverse scales that drive them into madness when touched, phoenixes, 100, have their own reverse scales—their flames, which are their identity and pride. For many phoenixes, their flames are more precious than life itself. To have them insulted is an offense most people cannot fathom.

“Senior Feng Danyu, please calm yourself! We're still at the Undying Fiery Summit, which, regardless of your bloodline, forbids violence! This is a sacred rule passed down by our ancestors!" The other phoenixes quickly warned him.

Though Feng Danyu, the Primordial Phoenix, was seething with rage, he had not lost all reason. Regaining control, he swiftly withdrew his True Primordial Fire. Yet the damage was already done, and the phoenixes could only pray for Yuan—for no human could possibly withstand the True Primordial Fire.

“What?! He's completely unscathed!"

When the phoenixes looked closer, their shock deepened, as Yuan bore no wounds at all, not even the faintest trace of a burn.

"How is that possible...? Could he have achieved Fire Harmony? No... even that wouldn't grant complete protection against True Primordial Fire since it bypasses all fire resistance!"

Yuan ignored the shocked phoenixes and focused solely on Feng Daoyu.

“Since you attacked me first, I finally have a reason to mess with you."

“What are you—"

Feng Daoyu opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter more than a few words, Yuan cut him off. "Shut up."

2m

In that instant, Feng Daoyu's mouth closed. When he tried to open it again, he found he had completely lost control. He tried forcefully opening his mouth with his hands, but such efforts were also futile, almost as if his lips had been glued shut.

The Ten Royal Phoenix Clans swallowed nervously upon seeing this, but they continued to watch in silence.

Yet Feng Daoyu refused to relent. In his struggle, he suddenly unleashed his cultivation base, revealing himself to be at the 7th level of the God Ascension realm.

The moment he unleashed his cultivation, Feng Daoyu broke free from Yuan's command.

“That doesn't prove anything!" he shouted.

“Then how about this?"

Yuan narrowed his eyes and commanded in a stern tone, his voice amplified by Immortal Qi.

“Lie on the ground and crawl around like a worm," he commanded.

“What are you—"

Feng Daoyu was cut off once more as his body suddenly crumpled to the ground, thrashing and writhing like a worm dragged from the soil.

Of course, Feng Daoyu managed to break free within seconds, but by then, the damage had already been done.

“Is that still not enough to prove my identity? If not, then I know only one other way—and that is to forcibly extract your blood essence,’ Yuan said in a somewhat threatening tone.

“You wouldn't dare!” Feng Daoyu exclaimed as he subconsciously backed away from Yuan.

Yuan shrugged, "You're right. Even if you are the Celestial Emperor's pet, I am not cruel enough to use such a vicious technique on you."

“For the last time, I am not the Celestial Emperor's lapdog, slave, or pet! Just like the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans, I merely agreed to assist him!"

"Oh? In exchange for what? I doubt you'd be willing to work for free."

“T-That is none of your business!"

“If you don't want to tell me, I won't pry," Yuan said.

“Then, do you believe that I am the Immortal Monarch?"

Feng Daoyu clenched his fists tightly and growled, "I believe you—but so what? Even if you are the Immortal Monarch, don't think that alone will make me respect or revere yout"

Yuan smiled behind his mask and said, "I couldn't care less about how you treat me. I am only trying to prove my identity so the Ten Royal Phoenix Clan won't have to worry about me being a fraud."

"Why?" one of the clan leaders suddenly asked. "Why are you trying to make us choose you over the Celestial Emperor? Can we not work with both sides?"

"Because the Celestial Emperor and I are enemies, and we'll likely clash with each other in the future,” Yuan revealed calmly, dumbfounding everyone in the room.