Zi Lingling, unwilling to be outdone, raised her aura to match Dongfang Xiongqi. She then coldly sneered, "Speak nicely? Heh!" The sarcasm in her voice was unconcealed.
As their auras escalated, the entire imperial study was filled with their combined might. Books and memorials flew everywhere, and the dragon desk creaked ominously.
Dongfang Feihong, merely in the early stage of the Hua Yuan realm, could not withstand the pressure. He was forced to retreat, stumbling and crashing into a pillar of the imperial study.
"Puff!"
The impact sent a mouthful of blood spewing from Dongfang Feihong's lips. He looked at Zi Lingling with terror in his eyes. His father, Dongfang Xiongqi, was a peak Saint King realm expert! Yet, in this clash of auras, Zi Lingling was his equal, demonstrating a cultivation level of unfathomable depth!
Twelve years old!
To possess such terrifying power at the age of twelve was beyond description, even for a prodigy. Dongfang Xiongqi and Zi Lingling's auras surged again, making the entire imperial study tremble. Had the study not been reinforced by formations, it would have been reduced to ruins.
At this moment, it wasn't just Dongfang Feihong who was shocked, but also Dongfang Xiongqi, who was in the midst of this "spar." His aura had been pushed to its absolute limit, a genuine peak Saint King realm pressure. Yet, Zi Lingling on the opposite side not only matched him but seemed to do so with ease.
If Zi Lingling were a Saint King realm cultivator, it would be understandable. But she displayed a cultivation of only peak Hua Yuan realm! That was the most terrifying aspect! A peak Hua Yuan realm cultivator at twelve years old was already monstrous, let alone one who could contend with a peak Saint King realm expert. Furthermore, according to external rumors, she was also a master-level alchemist! That was a level above Si Tu Jing Lei, the foremost alchemist! Heavens! This was too terrifying! Even cultivating from the womb could not achieve such a heaven-defying feat.
Enough, enough! Such a heaven-defying genius should not be provoked. Dongfang Xiongqi suppressed his shock and smiled warmly, "Patriarch Zi, you are indeed extraordinary. Shall we end our spar here?"
Zi Lingling inwardly cursed, "Spar? Spar my foot! As expected of an old fox, still able to spew nonsense even at this point." However, she had no intention of completely breaking ties with the Dongfang royal family. Otherwise, she could have leveled Dongfang City with ease. There was no doubt about the outcome. With Zi Lingling's capabilities, she could absolutely achieve it.
The reason she didn't was twofold. Firstly, she did not wish to cause unnecessary bloodshed. Once the Dongfang royal family was annihilated, it would inevitably lead to war, and the ultimate victims of war were always the common people. Zi Lingling considered herself no saint, but she had her principles.
Secondly, she had more important matters to attend to and no time to waste on this. Her nominal father was still missing in the dark abyss, and her nominal mother was likely suffering somewhere unknown. She had yet to refine the antidote for the Lunar Glaze within Ye Lingyuan's body, and the secret of the Tianqi Zi family's Sumeru space remained unsolved. The Ancestral Demon in the Exile Land had not been thoroughly eliminated, and she had not yet revisited her past life's world. In short, Zi Lingling had a mountain of things to do and no time to spare.
Therefore, she smiled faintly and said, "Alright!" As her voice fell, both Zi Lingling and Dongfang Xiongqi withdrew their auras. Zi Lingling was unaffected, as this was only sixty percent of her strength. Dongfang Xiongqi, however, was not so fortunate. He had withdrawn all his aura at once, suffering a backlash. A mouthful of blood surged to his throat, but he forcefully swallowed it back down. He was an emperor, and he possessed an emperor's pride. He was also a peak Saint King realm expert, with a warrior's pride. Neither his imperial nor his warrior's pride allowed him to spit out that mouthful of blood.
As their auras receded, the imperial study was filled with a cacophony of sounds. Books, memorials, and various other items crashed to the floor. The imperial study was in utter disarray.
Dongfang Feihong deactivated his protective defenses. His body was already drenched in sweat. He gasped for air, a trace of red blood still at the corner of his lips.
Zi Lingling casually sat on a chair and said with a smile, "Does Your Majesty have any other matters? If not, I shall take my leave."
Dongfang Xiongqi narrowed his eyes and asked, "Patriarch Zi is so busy?"
Zi Lingling nodded and replied, "Busy! Very busy! Unlike Your Majesty, who seems to have so much leisure time!"
Dongfang Xiongqi: "..."
Leisure time? Damn it! When was he ever not swamped with work? But he maintained a poker face and said, "Patriarch Zi, I invited you here not only for a spar but also because there are some important matters I need to discuss with you."
Zi Lingling inwardly cursed, "Old fox, you clearly want to cooperate with me, but you're afraid I'm not strong enough, so you tested me. And you still have the nerve to keep calling it a 'spar'?" She said with a half-smile, "Oh? What does Your Majesty wish to discuss? Let's be clear from the start, if it's something unreliable, please refrain from mentioning it, lest we both be embarrassed!"
Unreliable matters naturally referred to Dongfang Xiongqi's previous attempt at matchmaking.
Dongfang Xiongqi smiled faintly, then turned to Dongfang Feihong and said sternly, "You may leave now!"
Dongfang Feihong blinked in surprise, then respectfully bowed and said, "Yes, Father Emperor!" Although curious, he knew that curiosity could kill a cat, so he left without any hesitation.
Once Dongfang Feihong was gone, Dongfang Xiongqi waved his hand and cast a barrier outside the imperial study. He then said, "Patriarch Zi is truly a person who never suffers a loss!"
Zi Lingling chuckled, "Your Majesty understands me quite well on this point. I'll eat anything, but I won't be taken advantage of!"
Dongfang Xiongqi: "I can see that! However, the matter we are about to discuss will surely interest Patriarch Zi!"
"Oh, really? Then I shall lend you my ears!" Zi Lingling said, leaning back languidly in her chair, awaiting Dongfang Xiongqi's next words.
A flicker of admiration crossed Dongfang Xiongqi's eyes. Indeed, Zi Lingling, in her relaxed posture, possessed a unique charm. "What are Patriarch Zi's thoughts on the Imperial Zi family?"
A trace of killing intent flashed in Zi Lingling's eyes. She replied, "I don't have any particular thoughts. I simply find them displeasing!"
Dongfang Xiongqi's heart surged with joy, but he remained outwardly calm. "Oh? What heinous deeds have they committed to displease Patriarch Zi so?"
Zi Lingling narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "If you have something to say, say it. Don't try to pry information out of me!"