"Since that is the case, I can only be impolite," Feng Xian stated, each word distinct.
The Third Elder scoffed, "From the moment you set foot on this land of the Fengyin tribe, you proved you have betrayed us. What is there left to argue about now?"
"I betrayed the Fengyin tribe? Third Elder, I am leading our people out of this desolate land."
"Don't speak so prettily. The Fengyin tribe has always upheld its promises and needs no leading from you. If we were to follow you, wouldn't we become traitors just like you? The Fengyin tribe's century-old agreement with the royal family would be ruined, and that would be the true disaster that leads to the annihilation of our tribe," the Third Elder said coldly.
Feng Xian chuckled softly, "It seems the Third Elder prefers to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
"So what if it is?" The Third Elder drew his long sword and pointed it directly at Feng Xian.
"Since that's the case, Feng Xian must then take a turn challenging the Third Elder."
With that, Feng Xian made the first move. The Third Elder retreated a few steps, and the Fourth Elder caught him. "How is she so strong?"
The Third Elder shook his head. Feng Xian was indeed the most gifted of their generation, but even with her high comprehension, her skills shouldn't be this formidable.
Unless...
The Third Elder and the Fourth Elder exchanged a look. Unless Feng Xian had ascended to another level.
Suddenly, the Third Elder and the Fourth Elder attacked together. Feng Xian was forced to retreat repeatedly. In her desperation, she was compelled to use the cultivation technique of absorbing the Great Elder.
For the elders who had spent decades with her, Feng Xian's use of the Great Elder's technique was immediately familiar to the Third Elder and the Fourth Elder.
The Third Elder leaped back, enraged, "You are using the Great Elder's technique! Where is he? What have you done to him?"
Feng Xian had not intended to use the Great Elder's technique so soon. She knew that once she used it, the Third Elder and the other elders would inevitably realize she was the one who killed the Great Elder.
She hadn't wanted to become enemies with the elders so quickly, but the situation had forced her hand.
"I had intended to give you a few more days of life, but since you refuse the clear path, I can only send you to join the Great Elder today."
Upon hearing this, the Third Elder roared, "Feng Xian, you have actually committed patricide?"
"The wise know when to submit to circumstances. Third Elder, I believe you understand this."
"Even so, you cannot..." the Third Elder asked, gritting his teeth, word by word.
"Third Elder, as long as you agree to assist the King of Beijiang, I guarantee that he will lead the Fengyin tribe out of the desert. Do you wish to see our people live forever in this unknown place?"
The Third Elder sneered, "Trust you? Trust you to kill the Great Elder? Or trust you to lead the tribe out of the desert?"
"Third Elder, I advise you not to refuse a toast and instead choose to drink a forfeit," the King of Beijiang had lost his patience. Several hours had passed, and these old fogeys showed no signs of relenting. He couldn't wait any longer.
"Feng Xian, do you know that bringing an outsider into the Fengyin tribe is already a grave offense? Now you wish to lead the tribe to abandon the century-old agreement with the royal family. You are truly beyond redemption. Today, the Fourth Elder and I will cleanse the Fengyin tribe of a traitor."
"Traitor? You call me a traitor? I am clearly trying to lead you out of this desert. Third Elder, what crime have I committed? I killed the Great Elder because he was stubborn and wanted you to remain in the desert forever. What wrong have I done? Everything I've done is for the Fengyin tribe."
"For the Fengyin tribe? I think it's for your own selfish desires. Have you perhaps fallen in love with this King of Beijiang?" the Third Elder questioned coldly.
Feng Xian trembled, her eyes darting away. The Third Elder said with pain, "Feng Xian, you have disappointed your master. Have you forgotten the tragic experience of the Fifth Elder?"
"That was the Fifth Elder. I will not be like her," Feng Xian shook her head.
The Third Elder sneered, "Is that so? Believe it or not, I can test whether your so-called love, your so-called affection, is true or false."
"I don't believe it..." Feng Xian shook her head.
The Third Elder looked at Feng Xian with a cold smile, then turned his gaze to the King of Beijiang and said, "I can negotiate with you, but I have one condition, which you must agree to immediately..."
The King of Beijiang was delighted. "Third Elder, please state your terms."
"I only want this traitor, Feng Xian," the Third Elder said, pointing at Feng Xian, word by word.
"Third Elder, you dream. His Highness will never abandon me," Feng Xian said, looking at the King of Beijiang for confirmation.
The King of Beijiang reached out and put his arm around Feng Xian. "Indeed. Moreover, Xian'er is carrying my child. How could I abandon her?"
The Third Elder sneered, "Since that is the case, there is nothing more to discuss."
The King of Beijiang's gaze turned sharp. "Third Elder, you have no sincerity at all."
"Sincerity? If you had sincerity, you wouldn't have come with people to flatten my Fengyin tribe. However, the thing you sought to threaten us with no longer exists."
"What do you mean?" the King of Beijiang asked, frowning.
The Third Elder sneered, "While we were talking, the Second Elder has already led our people away from beneath the desert."
"How is that possible? Didn't you say that the tribesmen are not allowed to leave the desert without the royal family's permission?" Feng Xian asked in disbelief.
"It was not allowed before, but now we have a special decree from the Empress. She has granted us permission to leave the desert in times of crisis," the Third Elder stated, word by word.
The King of Beijiang was shocked. He quickly ordered, "Find those people for me immediately!"
The guards hurried to pursue them. At that moment, the Third Elder waved his hand, and the guards who had gone out were beaten back.
"Third Elder, your calculations are precise," Feng Xian, enraged, leaped forward and engaged the Third Elder in combat.
The King of Beijiang whispered to the person beside him, "Go find everyone for me."
"Yes, Your Highness," the person replied, lowering their head and leaving.
The King of Beijiang looked at Feng Xian and the Third Elder, and the Fourth Elder, fighting fiercely. He then turned and walked towards a certain location.
This was a place he had been going to in his dreams, the reason for his obsession.
Upon entering, he heard the rhythmic sound of wooden fish being struck. His heart found a moment of peace there.
The sound of the wooden fish suddenly ceased. He walked towards the curtain, and a figure appeared behind it, flickering in and out of sight.
"Who?" a voice filled with ancient sorrow slowly emerged.
He trembled. This voice was all too familiar, as it appeared in his dreams every night.
He quickly walked forward and tore down the curtain. Upon seeing the face, he was struck as if by lightning, rendered speechless.
The wooden fish fell to the ground. The woman, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, slowly stood up. "You... you are..."