The fatal strike the Dragon King launched at the Flower King was no feint at all, leaving neither him nor the Beast King any opening to rescue her!
Having deciphered Jinlin’s move, Feng Zihuang was utterly shocked, his earlier composure completely shattered.
Cangyan had already unleashed a ruthless magical attack toward Jinlin. But Feng Zihuang was certain—Jinlin had more than enough time to kill the Flower King and evade Cangyan’s strike!
“Dragon King!”
“Bastard!”
Feng Zihuang and Cangyan roared simultaneously. Regardless of whether it was too late to mend the situation, they joined forces and launched another magical assault at Jinlin right after Cangyan’s first attack.
It seemed Jinlin was about to kill Yun Qingxue, and Cangyan and Feng Zihuang were utterly powerless to save her!!!
At that critical moment, a faint purple light shot out from Yun Qingxue’s wrist like lightning.
Jinlin’s movement faltered, and he swiftly retreated, dodging both the purple light from Yun Qingxue’s wrist and the combined magical attacks from Cangyan and Feng Zihuang.
The purple light, missing its target, swiftly curved midair and returned to Yun Qingxue’s wrist.
“Qingxue!” Cangyan landed before her, his handsome face drained of color. “Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m fine,” Yun Qingxue shook her head weakly.
Cangyan scrutinized her from head to toe, confirming she was unharmed. Only then did he exhale in relief before turning to glare furiously at Jinlin.
“What is the meaning of this, Dragon King?” he demanded angrily.
Jinlin merely smirked, unfazed. “Nothing much. I simply wished to spar with the Flower King, that’s all. No need for the Beast King to overreact.”
Cangyan’s expression turned icy. Narrowing his eyes, he retorted, “Spar? You nearly took Qingxue’s life—is that how you ‘spar’ with others?!”
“I didn’t expect the Flower King to be so weak,” Jinlin shrugged innocently.
*Qingxue, I’m only acting—please don’t misunderstand or take this to heart. I mean no disrespect toward you at all!*
“As they say, ignorance is no sin. The Dragon King surely didn’t intend to harm the Flower King,” Feng Zihuang interjected smoothly, playing the mediator.
Though the scene had been perilous, now that the danger had passed, he realized it had all been an act—one so convincing it had even fooled him!
*The Flower King and the Dragon King’s coordination is seamless. Their chemistry is almost enviable.*
Cangyan flicked his sleeve, making no effort to hide his displeasure. “Whether sincere or not, Qingxue has suffered a shock and needs rest. You two may do as you please.”
He reached out to support Yun Qingxue, his words an unmistakable dismissal.
With that, he seemed unwilling to spare Feng Zihuang and Jinlin another glance, turning away with Yun Qingxue in tow.
“Hold it!” Jinlin’s voice darkened as he barked the command.
Cangyan halted abruptly and turned, his gaze as cold as frozen lake water. “Does the Dragon King wish to apologize to Qingxue?”
Jinlin paused, then burst into laughter as if hearing a joke. “How amusing, Beast King! I’ve done nothing wrong—why should I apologize?
“Moreover, as the Dragon King, who would dare accept an apology from me?”
*Qingxue, once I rescue you, I’ll kneel on a washboard if you want. Forgive my arrogance now!*
Cangyan clenched his fists beneath his sleeves. Jinlin’s every action was a blatant disregard for him, fueling his fury.
Were it not for his ingrained composure, he would have lunged at Jinlin long ago.
*To act so arrogantly in my domain—this Dragon King truly has no respect for anyone!*
“Then why stop us, Dragon King? Or do you believe my Beast Palace is a place where anyone can run wild?”
Cangyan’s voice was frigid, the air around them thickening with tension. A fight was imminent.
Jinlin, however, turned his gaze to Yun Qingxue. “If the Flower King is shaken and wishes to rest, I’m not unreasonable. But before you leave, return what belongs to my Water Clan.”
At his words, Cangyan felt Yun Qingxue stiffen slightly in his grasp. Her already pale face grew even whiter. Her delicate beauty, now tinged with vulnerability, only intensified the urge to protect her.
“Dragon King, don’t push too far!” Cangyan shielded Yun Qingxue subtly, his regal aura flaring with a domineering, murderous edge.
Jinlin scoffed, unleashing his own oppressive might. “Demanding what belongs to my clan is only natural. How is that ‘pushing too far’?”
“Dragon King,” Yun Qingxue spoke softly, her luminous eyes fixed on Jinlin, her delicate brows furrowed. “A-Dai willingly formed a master-servant contract with me.”
“Flower King!” Jinlin’s voice sharpened. “When you sought refuge in my Water Clan, I took you in out of kindness. Yet you deceived our sacred serpent, A-Dai, into leaving with you. Is this how you repay generosity?”
“Mind your words, Dragon King!” Cangyan cut in coldly before smirking. “If something has caught Qingxue’s eye, it’s its fortune and destiny!”
“To hear such bandit logic from a king—I’ve truly learned something new today,” Jinlin replied with a mocking smile, his eyes icy.
“Dragon King.”
Amid the escalating tension, Feng Zihuang stepped forward with a placating smile. “Since your sacred serpent has taken a liking to the Flower King, why not be magnanimous?”
Jinlin turned to him with a cold laugh. “Easy for you to say, Phoenix King! If someone stole your Phoenix King’s Token out of fondness, would you be ‘magnanimous’?”
“That’s an extreme comparison,” Feng Zihuang replied, his smile unwavering.
Jinlin flicked his sleeve dismissively, his gaze frosty as it returned to Yun Qingxue. “Since the Beast King and Phoenix King both favor you, Flower King, I won’t be petty.”
“Brother Jin is indeed magnanimous,” Feng Zihuang chimed in, dutifully playing the peacemaker.
“Spare me the flattery, Phoenix King!”
Jinlin ignored the praise, staring straight at Yun Qingxue. “If the Flower King refuses to return my sacred serpent, then face me in a duel—to the death! If you win, I’ll never mention the serpent again. How about that?”
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