Chapter 774: Take Care of Him for Me

"What if it wasn't ordered by this Emperor?"

"What if it was ordered by this Emperor?"

The Phoenix Emperor drew a deep breath, and his aura erupted violently.

He did not believe this human woman, whom he had never seen before, truly dared to oppose the Phoenix Clan.

For a fleeting moment, the Phoenix Emperor even suspected this woman was the lone immortal of the human race.

After all, the method she had just used to slay a Mahayana Emperor was utterly terrifying.

But upon closer thought, it was not.

The Phoenix Emperor had never seen the human immortal, but he had seen her portrait.

Moreover, if she were an immortal, her actions would not have been so reckless.

Crucially, someone had seen through Qiao Hui Zhu's cultivation base—merely Mahayana Emperor Level Twelve, with no breakthrough to the immortal realm.

If she is not an immortal, how dare she challenge our Phoenix Clan?

This was the source of the Phoenix Emperor's confidence when he spoke those words.

Qiao Hui Zhu stared at the Phoenix Emperor for two breaths, then spoke calmly: "If you did not order it, I naturally have no grievance with you. But if you did, today you will die without doubt!"

The Phoenix Emperor felt awkward.

Should he admit it?

If he admitted it, he would have to break ties with this human Mahayana Emperor Level Twelve.

Remember, human combat power grows stronger the higher the cultivation level.

He certainly could not defeat her.

But if he denied it, he would be admitting defeat before so many witnesses.

Crucially, it was not just him, the Phoenix Emperor, admitting defeat—it was the entire Phoenix Clan doing so.

Zhao Xiangdu was a servant of the Phoenix Clan.

If he admitted defeat, it meant losing a great emperor for nothing, and failing to avenge Zhao Xiangdu.

Thinking of this, the Phoenix Emperor drew a deep breath and said: "Zhao Xiangdu is my Phoenix Clan's servant; his every word and action represents the will of the Phoenix Clan!"

"Zhao Xiangdu is one of my Phoenix Clan's people—therefore, his fiancée Zhou Qingmei is also my Phoenix Clan's servant!"

"He Pingsheng dared to seize my Phoenix Clan's servant—so our killing him was entirely justified!"

Qiao Hui Zhu said: "So, ordering Zhao Xiangdu to kill He Pingsheng was your idea?"

The Phoenix Emperor said: "You could say that… so what? Do you dare oppose my Phoenix Clan?"

"Think carefully—attacking me may not harm me, but from now on, you will be locked in mortal enmity with the Phoenix Clan!"

But Qiao Hui Zhu paid him no heed; she merely parted her crimson lips and whispered a single word: "Break…"

Pfft…

Inside the Phoenix Emperor, a blood-red ice spike suddenly pierced out from his chest.

Then… pfft pfft pfft pfft…

Countless red ice spikes burst through his skin from within his body.

In an instant, the Phoenix Emperor looked like a hedgehog, pierced through and through by ice spikes.

And these ice spikes—originated from within him, formed from his own blood.

The Phoenix Emperor, dead!

Of course, only his physical body died—he had not truly perished.

After some time, once his avatar cultivated further, he could once again become his main body.

But this sight left everyone stunned.

Strong!

Extremely strong!

The Kongkong Demon Emperor trembled violently with fear.

He, too, had a grudge against He Pingsheng.

Crucially, his combat power was roughly equal to the recently slain Phoenix Emperor—though he might be slightly stronger, not by much.

What if this woman found out about my feud with He Pingsheng? Would I not be dead?

What luck!

Qiao Hui Zhu turned her jade face, and her gaze indeed fell upon the Kongkong Demon Emperor: "You… seem very afraid?"

"What?"

"Did you also take part in plotting against my younger brother?"

"I did!" Wang Dun raised his hand and said: "Sister-in-law, I can testify—this dog has been issuing warrants across the land for He Brother, even declaring he will chop He Brother into a thousand pieces!"

"I didn't!" The Kongkong Demon Emperor shuddered in terror: "Esteemed friend, this is all a misunderstanding!"

"I have no deep grudge against He Pingsheng!"

"He Pingsheng once severed one of my son's arms—that's not a mortal feud. But Wang Dun killed my son's physical body—of all grudges, I am locked in a life-or-death feud with Wang Dun!"

"Don't listen to this brat Wang Dun's lies!"

Qiao Hui Zhu nodded, and did not press further.

Her gaze swept over the assembled Emperors, then she flicked her jade hand—the Cunlan Divine Sword unfolded once more.

The Emperors were startled.

But Qiao Hui Zhu did not attack; instead, she looked at the assembled Emperors and said: "I acted today because these people sought to kill my husband, He Pingsheng… in truth, we were merely defending ourselves!"

"I ask you, all Demon Emperors—will my killing of two Emperors today hinder He Pingsheng's participation in the upcoming trials?"

Qiao Hui Zhu's expression was icy; her sword, colder still.

Who among them dared to say no to such a woman?

After all, she had slain a Phoenix Clan Emperor.

The Jin Gang Demon Emperor drew a breath and said: "This will not, and should not, hinder He Pingsheng's participation in the trials."

"As long as He Pingsheng meets the trial's rules, he may continue."

Qiao Hui Zhu turned her gaze to the others.

The remaining Emperors nodded: "Correct… he may participate!"

"He Pingsheng has no issue!"

"He Pingsheng broke no rules—Zhao Xiangdu struck first!"

"We support He Pingsheng continuing!"

Everyone voiced their agreement.

Crucially, He Pingsheng's participation would not cause them significant loss.

"Good!" Qiao Hui Zhu nodded and said: "Then I hope you keep your word."

Then she turned her gaze to He Pingsheng: "He Brother, I am the reincarnation of a celestial Empress. By chance, I became your wife. Now I must return to the Immortal Realm—if one day you ascend there, seek me out. I shall renew our marital bond."

"If you never achieve ascension in this life, we shall never meet again."

Shhh…

The Cunlan Divine Sword in Qiao Hui Zhu's hand suddenly flashed through the void and landed before a woman far away.

Su Zhen was startled by the sudden appearance of the sword.

She fell to her knees: "It was all my scheme—I manipulated him… it has nothing to do with him. If you blame anyone, kill me directly!"

Su Zhen thought Qiao Hui Zhu meant to slay her.

But Qiao Hui Zhu spoke calmly: "I give you this sword. Take good care of him for me."

"I'm leaving."

With that, Qiao Hui Zhu instantly transformed into a streak of light and vanished.

"Sister…" Below, He Pingsheng cried out in anguish—he had too many words he wished to say to Qiao Hui Zhu.

Qiao Hui Zhu, already soaring into the void, suddenly halted. She turned her head and flicked her hand—green divine light descended and sank directly into He Pingsheng's body.

This thread of creation-light fully repaired all his injuries.

Boom…

The next instant, the cultivation barrier within He Pingsheng shattered another layer.

From Void Refinement Level Nine, he ascended to Level Ten.

"This…" He Pingsheng was too stunned to speak.

But Qiao Hui Zhu spoke calmly: "I have said all I needed to say—no need for more words… Also… I have already slain my own avatar."

"You need not seek her out."

"I'm leaving."

A streak of light flashed and vanished.

Qiao Hui Zhu, gone.