Everyone simultaneously raised their heads to look, and in an instant, they all widened their eyes in disbelief.
“This…”
“How is this possible?!”
When they had arrived, it was still early morning, the sky just beginning to brighten.
But at this moment, the heavens above were as red as raging flames, like a sunset.
Even the white clouds in the sky had transformed into magnificent fiery clouds.
A nimble figure first appeared in the distance, then instantly materialized above their heads.
It was a phoenix, a hundred zhang in length, its body ablaze with roaring flames, each feather a cluster of burning fire.
The phoenix’s face was majestic, its eyes exuding the unique, overbearing aura of a king, looking down upon all living beings.
With each flap of its sky-obscuring wings, it would unleash waves of scorching heat, causing some students with low cultivation to faint directly from the shock.
“Asc… Ascension Realm aura…”
Fu Zhaoxing was so terrified his face turned deathly pale, his words stumbling.
Qin Ru was even more dumbfounded, his horrified expression flushed crimson under the fiery light, muttering, “F… Fire Phoenix King?!”
“Why would the Great Qi Dynasty’s Nation-Protecting Divine Phoenix appear… here?!”
Seeing Qin Ru clutching Xiao Bai’s neck, a trace of cold, sharp killing intent flashed in the Fire Phoenix King’s eyes.
The next second, his massive form vanished instantly, transforming into a middle-aged man who descended from the sky and teleported into the academy hall.
Even in human form, the terrifying aura emanating from the Fire Phoenix King did not diminish in the slightest.
He wore an extravagant red robe, with twelve flames floating around him—his Phoenix Guardian Flames.
His distinctive red hair billowed without wind, wild and unrestrained, radiating domineering power.
Staring at Qin Ru before him, the Fire Phoenix King curled his lips into a cold, sinister smile.
“Pedantic scholar, your reach has exceeded its grasp.”
Before his words faded, one of the Phoenix Guardian Flames beside the Fire Phoenix King instantly transformed into a fiery spear, piercing through Qin Ru’s arm that was clutching Xiao Bai.
In the next moment, Qin Ru’s entire arm was instantly incinerated to ashes.
“Ah!”
Qin Ru fell to his knees with a thud, letting out a series of beast-like, piercing roars.
Hearing his agonized screams, everyone snapped out of their daze.
The Fire Phoenix King…
The Great Qi Dynasty’s Nation-Protecting Divine Phoenix had truly come to White Deer Academy, appearing right before them.
Chen Hai, Fu Zhaoxing, and the others couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.
There was nothing in their White Deer Academy that could possibly interest the Fire Phoenix King.
Thus, there was only one possibility.
The Fire Phoenix King had come today for Ye Ling’er.
To put it more bluntly…
He had come to stand with the Ye family…
Enduring the excruciating pain, Qin Ru struggled to his feet, his face pale as paper from the agony, and rasped, “This humble official, Qin Ru, pays his respects to the Fire Phoenix King…”
“But may I ask why the Fire Phoenix King has attacked a junior without cause?”
The Fire Phoenix King’s temperament was as domineering as his appearance. He stood with arms crossed, laughing coldly, “Does this king need a reason to harm you?”
Upon hearing this, everyone around was momentarily speechless.
This Fire Phoenix King was indeed as overbearing as the legends said.
But it was hardly surprising.
He was one of only four Ascension Realm cultivators in the entire Great Qi Dynasty.
And quite possibly the strongest among them.
The Fire Phoenix King, with his own might, has guarded the skies of the Great Qi Dynasty for centuries, keeping it free from the invasion of demon beasts.
So what if he acts a bit arrogantly or domineeringly?
“The Fire Phoenix King injuring me certainly requires no reason.”
Qin Ru suppressed his anger, gritting his teeth as he said, “But no matter what, I am at least the prime minister of the Great Qi Dynasty.”
“Senior, you severed my arm without cause—isn’t this a blatant disregard for Her Majesty’s authority?”
The Fire Phoenix King couldn’t help but laugh coldly, “You pedantic scholar, don’t try to use Qu Qingyan to pressure me.”
“Even if that little one were standing before me, she would have to bow respectfully and behave properly.”
“Moreover, who said I injured you without reason?”
“You attempted to kill my offspring. Severing just one of your arms is already a great mercy.”
“Off… offspring?”
Upon hearing this, Qin Ru and everyone present were stunned.
They watched as Xiao Bai fluttered his wings, flew to the Fire Phoenix King’s shoulder, and chirped with a pitiful, aggrieved expression.
Instantly, everyone’s expressions turned complicated, and they were utterly speechless.
This ugly bird was actually the Fire Phoenix King’s offspring?
Father and son—there wasn’t the slightest resemblance between them.
If not for the Fire Phoenix King’s unparalleled strength in the Great Qi Dynasty, towering above all,
one couldn’t help but suspect he might have been cuckolded.
Qin Ru’s mouth twitched slightly, and he felt completely numb.
Damn it.
Why didn’t you say so earlier?
Who could have imagined this ugly bird had such a deep connection with the Fire Phoenix King?
Losing his arm like this was truly an injustice of the highest order.
“Xiao Bai, don’t worry, your father will stand up for you.”
The Fire Phoenix King rubbed Xiao Bai’s head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he said calmly, “Who just called my son ugly? Step forward.”
The entire hall fell into a deathly silence, like a funeral parlor, with no one daring to breathe heavily.
Under the Fire Phoenix King’s oppressive aura, no one dared to step forward and be the first to speak up.
“What? You dare to say it but not own up to it?”
The Fire Phoenix King’s expression darkened as he laughed coldly, “In that case, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
With that, the Fire Phoenix King’s eyes sharpened, and the twelve Phoenix Guardian Flames around him shot out.
Over twenty people in the crowd were instantly and precisely incinerated to ashes, without even time to let out a scream.
Among them was the disciplinary teacher Fu Zhaoxing, who had been hiding under the podium.
“I just gave you the chance to admit your mistake voluntarily.”
The Fire Phoenix King said calmly, “Since you didn’t cherish it, you’ll have to face death.”
Witnessing the Fire Phoenix King’s domineering methods, everyone couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
Especially the surrounding students, looking at the ashes beside them—despite the room’s high temperature, a chill ran down their spines.
One moment, classmates were whispering and discussing with them; the next, they were reduced to piles of bloody ash.
At this moment, they couldn’t help but feel secretly relieved.
Fortunately, they hadn’t been foolish enough to speak carelessly earlier—otherwise, they might have met the same fate.
After a moment of silence, Qin Ru spoke up, “I was unaware that this handsome bird was Your Majesty the Fire Phoenix King’s son. I offended earlier and sincerely beg for forgiveness.”
“The punishment of losing an arm—I accept it wholeheartedly and bear no resentment.”
“But—”
Qin Ru’s tone shifted as he fixed his gaze on Ye Ling’er and said gravely, “Ye Ling’er has harmed her fellow disciples, betrayed her master, and defied her ancestors. Her Majesty the Empress has ordered that she must be apprehended.”
“And the Xuanyuan Sword in his hand must also return to the royal family. I ask you, senior, to show mercy and not interfere in the affairs of the Great Qi!”
“Oh?”
The Fire Phoenix King raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What if I insist on protecting her?”
Qin Ru took a deep breath, his face resolute as he declared, “Then—do not blame me for offending you!”