Not long before Issei leaves the valley, Xue'er received a voice transmission from her father saying that it's almost time for the tournament to begin.

So Xue'er excuses herself from Xiaotao since she needed to attend the tournament as an observer to show some respect to the participants. But it's mostly because there's someone from the sacred grounds will be coming as a guest...

At least that's what her royal father said. Personally, Xue'er doesn't really mind coming to the tournament even if the sacred grounds are not visiting as a guest.

After Xue'er left the valley, Xiaotao decided to wait for her Master's return along with Zin. They know that he must've headed towards the Primordial Profound Ark.

He's been investigating the Ark for the past week after all.

No one will be able to detect their presence inside the valley and since the only who allowed entering here is only Xue'er and her father, it will be even more unlikely for them to be discovered.

Even if they do get discovered later, there's nothing the Divine Phoenix Empire could do to them anyway. First, Xiaotao herself is the Phoenix they ought to worship and secondly, both Zin and Xiaotao are at the peak of the Sovereign realm.

Both of them together is more than enough to destroy the whole Divine Phoenix Empire.

...

-At the tournament location-

When the sect members of the Divine Phoenix Empire is checking the participants, they heard a loud clattering sound coming from the main seat position.

Their complexion flickered, and their gaze turned towards the center of the main seats. Their voice stirred excitedly: "Sect Master, Young Sect Master, and the Great Elders have arrived… Ah…"

Their breathing suddenly became hurried and brief. His eyes stared forward rigidly, and his voice began trembling: "Ah… ah-ah-ah-ah… that's… could it be… Princess Snow!?"

The incomparably enormous arena was capable of holding almost three million people.

Just the sound of everyone's breathing amounted to rumbling thunder. But at this moment, the enormous arena instantly became incomparably silent, such that even a pin drop could have been heard, and it seemed like everything had frozen in motion. Everyone's gazes were directed upward, attentively watching the phoenix flame that had been lit in the sky.

The flame in the air assumed the shape of a flying phoenix. Atop the phoenix flame, several silhouettes descended slowly. Among the Divine Phoenix Sect's seats, all of the participants from the Divine Phoenix Sect were already seated, even the princes, elders, hall masters, pavilion masters, and city masters were already there. But the foremost fifteen seats of the Divine Phoenix Clan were still vacant. And the position of these fifteen seats was evidently higher than that of princes and elders!

Today, the owners of these fifteen center seats finally arrived.

The silhouettes in the air slowly descended as they stepped on the Phoenix flame. Included among these people were the Divine Phoenix Sect's Feng Hengkong and Great Elder Feng Feiyan. Young Sect Master and Crown Prince, Feng Ximing, was also lined up grandly.

The other ten people were all elder and city master-level existences that were at the peak of strength and prestige in Divine Phoenix Sect. Without the least exaggeration, any individual among these people was a super existence capable of showing disdain in the Profound Sky.

They stood together, their enormous imposing manner enveloping the entire arena, making all three million people in the arena have a heavy suffocating feeling.

However, including the Divine Phoenix Sect Master Feng Hengkong, not one person became the focal point of everyone's gaze. Everyone's gazes, as if locked by some irresistible force, fell onto the delicate and tender figure of the young girl standing beside Feng Hengkong.

She was dressed in luxurious phoenix clothing and wore a Phoenix Jade Crown. The Phoenix Jade glass that hung down from her crown completely shrouded her visage, rendering one incapable of even getting the slightest glimpse of her skin and grace.

But when people looked at such a girl, whose complexion couldn't even be seen, their souls would still suddenly surge intensely. They were unable to describe such a feeling, as if they had fallen into an illusory dreamland all of a sudden, watching a girl that had walked out of a dream… Although they couldn't see her face, every person's heart was filled with the incomparably firm belief that she must have the world's most perfect appearance, no less than that of a heavenly fairy.

This seemed like some kind of magic, and also seemed like a dreamy temperament that shouldn't belong to a young girl from the mortal world.

At this time, the Feng Hengkong and Feng Feiyan-level existences beside this young girl completely became decorative props, the many stars around the arched moon. In fact, while Feng Hengkong and the young girl stood in the middle, and the others stood evenly spread around them, the center of the region they encircled wasn't Feng Hengkong… but that young girl.

"Princess Snow… it's the fabled Princess Snow!" Within the arena, a man yelled with incomparable excitement.

"Besides Princess Snow, who can stand on equal footing with the Phoenix Sect Master… Besides Princess Snow, who can possess such celestial character… Heavens! I'm actually seeing the fabled Princess Snow…"

"Having spent a tenth of the family property in order to get ahold of this entrance ticket, I felt a little conned originally… But to be able to catch a glimpse of Princess Snow, even if I lost the entire family fortune, it would be completely worth it!"

"I couldn't be dreaming, right? Princess Snow only appeared that one time when she was thirteen… Today, I'm actually witnessing her charm and grace with my own eyes…"

"It's a pity, we can't see Princess Snow's face. The thirteen-year-old Princess Snow already possessed the beauty of a heavenly being, the sixteen-year-old Princess Snow right now… who knows to what extent her beauty has developed."

"Know satisfaction already, you! Being able to witness Princess Snow's figure with your own eyes, is already a fortune gained by your former incarnation! How could Princess Snow's heavenly appearance be something that common folks like us are qualified to appreciate!"

The enormous arena once again became clamorous. The impassioned mood that had filled the entire arena, had all turned into the excitement and exclamation towards Princess Snow, making the people almost forget why they came here today. They felt that even if they were to leave the arena right now without being able to see the ranking tournament, being able to have a glance at Princess Snow's beauty was already more than tens of millions of times worth it.

In this entire world, to be able to instigate such a great shock with an entrance, moreover with covered features, Princess Snow would be the only one!

Feng Hengkong's gaze was tranquil yet dignified. His eyes swept through the entire audience and not even slightly surprised at this abrupt commotion. His gaze turned, and when it fell onto the Feng Xue'er beside him, the dignified gaze instantly became incomparably gentle, so gentle as though he was afraid his gaze would bring her harm.

This number one hegemon of the Profound Sky Seven Nations, a supreme being like the Emperor of Heaven's Palace, would also only reveal such an expression in his eyes when facing this sole daughter of his.

But when he saw her a while ago, Feng Hengkong felt something change about her. She becoming more beautiful is normal since she's still growing but there's something else that and he couldn't quite grasp just what it is...

Feng Hengkong then sit down on his seat, took a glance at the time, swept his gaze across the distinguished seats reserved for those from the , and said: "Have the honored guests from the Sacred Grounds arrived yet?

"They are always conceited with their status, and would never arrive until the last moment, there is no need for Sect Master to mind. Their intentions are set on the Primordial Profound Ark, they will certainly come." Feng Feiyan said expressionlessly. He was the directly related older brother of Feng Hengkong and was only seven years older than him, yet he looked to be twenty or thirty years older. With his cultivation, at two hundred years old, he could totally look no different than twenty or thirty, but it was very clear that he did not choose to deliberately control the characteristics of age with profound strength.

"Mn." Feng Hengkong slowly nodded: "Since they are honored guests, we'll wait for fifteen minutes longer."

"Hahahaha, no need for fifteen minutes. An honored invitation of the phoenix, how could I, this Ling, not come."

An ear-splitting hearty laugh sounded from above and instantly resounded through the entire arena as if a gale, jolting to the point of causing everyone's eardrums to severely quiver. Right after, the enormous pressure belonging to an Overlord enveloped down, as a green-colored figure quickly flashed through the air, then fell upon the seat like a ghost.

It is none other than Ling Kun who was the honored guest on the previous tournament at the heavenly sword villa.

Who would've thought the person representing the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region at this Seven Nation Ranking Tournament would also be him?

"Haha." Feng Hengkong stood up, and cupped his hands at Ling Kun: "Elder Ling, it has been twenty-five years. I trust you have been well."

Ling Kun also gave Feng Hengkong a wave: "I naturally have been well. Rather than that, Sect Master Feng's aura has become even thicker and more profound, this Ling is already far, far behind."

"Haha, Elder Ling is being modest." Feng Hengkong laughed faintly, then his tone changed: "Elder Ling, would the one who has arrived together with you, be Young Hall Master Ye?"

Once Feng Hengkong's question ended, the complexions of the Phoenix Elders behind immediately changed slightly as they raised their heads upwards in succession.

"Hahahaha!"

Another hearty laugh came from a distance overhead. This laughter was not as vast and powerful as Ling Kun's but it was willful and flamboyant, and there were only a few in the Profound Sky Continent who would dare to laugh this unrestrainedly in Divine Phoenix Sect's territory.

Amidst the wild laughter, an illustrious white radiance akin to the blazing sun suddenly projected in the sky above. On the other side, an equally dazzling floating crescent moon appeared as well. This sun and moon instantly snatched away all the brilliance in this space.

A young man slowly walked out from within the radiance of the circular sun and crescent moon. Dressed in white, his brows were as sharp as swords and his eyes glistened like stars. His face was like white jade, the slanted and slender brows penetrated deeply into his hairline, as an aloof yet nefarious smile hung on his face… To be more precise, that was an obscene smile. While he himself didn't have any intention of hiding this "Obsceneness".

(AN: Here it is again, folks! The infamous "like white jade" line on a Chinese novel strikes yet again! And it won't be the last! Like a particular someone used to say... "I'll be back!").

He opened his arms, and at once, two women bewitching in every way walked out from the radiance, swinging their water snake-like waist, and threw themselves into his embrace from both sides.

The man burst into loud laughter, and under the light of the sun's and moon's brilliance, the sleeves of his robe fluttered as he slowly descended while holding two women. Moreover, he continuously moved his hands up and down on the two women's bodies, as if this were a place with no people. Under his caressing and stroking, the two bewitching women moaned again and again with their waists wringing about.

"As expected of Phoenix Sect Master; these little gimmicks of mine, really are inadequate in front of Phoenix Sect Master." As the young man landed, the brilliance of the sun and moon finally vanished as well. Yet he didn't land on his seat, and instead landed in front of Divine Phoenix Sect's seating area, less than a mere ten steps away from Feng Xue'er's seat.

He let go of the two women, took a step forward, as he slightly raised his hand, his eyes narrowed halfway: "Sun Moon Divine Hall's Ye Xinghan, greets Phoenix Sect Master. I have already heard Phoenix Sect Master's prestige for a long time, to be able to meet today is the blessing of my three lifetimes."

"What? Ye Xinghan!?"

Hearing this youth reveal his name, the audience instantly cried out in surprise. Because this was the name of Sun Moon Divine Hall's Young Hall Master! The person from the this time was actually the Young Hall Master!

Though Feng Hengkong had already learned that Ye Xinghan was unbridled with women, he didn't expect him to be so debauched. He let out a faint smile and said: "Young Hall Master's words are too strong. Rather, Young Hall Master's name is like a clap of thunder that pierces the ear. Meeting you today, your excellence is superior to your reputation… Young Hall Master's seat is to the right side of Elder Ling. Three honored guests, please enter your seats."

"No need to hurry." Yet Ye Xinghan leisurely rebuffed. His gaze shifted and fell upon Feng Xue'er's body. A pair of long and narrow eyes instantly squinted, as they radiated an extremely scorching light...

Up until now, it could be said that Ye Xinghan has had his way with countless women. And the women who he took a fancy to, their looks, physique were all one chosen from a thousand. It could be said that his immunity toward women's looks and disposition was extremely high, yet at the moment he saw Feng Xue'er, he felt all of the blood in his entire body start to boil, as every single cell in his body throbbed madly.

For the first time in his life, Ye Xinghan had a feeling of not daring to believe that she actually exists, while she was clearly before his eyes. It was even to the point where he couldn't imagine just what kind of celestial beauty was underneath this sort of air that transcended worldliness.

The desire to possess crazily sprouted and grew within his chest cavity and soul… At the same time, her physique was more so unparalleled under heaven...

She was simply the most flawless woman, the most flawless incubator!

While he's aiming at Feng Xue'er, he doesn't know that someone else is also aiming at him... albeit with an entirely different purpose. If he's aiming for Feng Xue'er body, then this "someone" is aiming for his life! He's already been marked by the Death God himself and his life has long been forfeited but he just doesn't realize it yet...

And even without that "someone" come into action, there's no way for Ye Xinghan to be able to capture Feng Xue'er since their cultivation is far apart.

Ye Xinghan's cultivation realm is only at the 8th level Tyrant Profound Realm while Feng Xue'er is already at the early stage of the Sovereign profound realm and this is not even her full potential. More than half of her strength is currently sealed by Xiaotao.

If the seal is released, then Feng Xue'er will undoubtedly become the strongest in this ! Of course, that's not including Issei's group into the fray...

Nobody knows about her sudden increase in cultivation since it's hidden from the entire world.

They can only see that her cultivation realm is at the half-step sovereign realm... Nobody will be able to tell her true cultivation realm unless they're a Godly being such as Xiaotao.

What's even more laughable is that this Ye Xinghan's age is already at the hundreds while Feng Xue'er is only sixteen years of age this year... Truly an ugly toad dreams of eating swan meat.

(AN: An ugly toad dreams of eating swan meat = an impossible and unrealistic dream or someone who doesn't know their place).

Perhaps if Xue'er is still at her previous cultivation realm, Ye Xinghan will still have a chance to come out victorious with his combat experience along with some things he prepared beforehand, and he can take advantage of her naivety as well.

But now... now that Feng Xue'er is already at the Monarch level, and her naivety has been toned down under Xiaotao and Issei's guidance, Ye Xinghan won't have that luxury anymore...

If they do fight, Feng Xue'er will be able to slap Ye Xinghan to death in one move and he won't even have the chance to fight back at all...

"Could this Phoenix goddess be, the Princess Snow known as the number one beauty of Profound Sky?" Staring at Feng Xue'er, Ye Xinghan spoke with his eyes pursed up.

Everyone in the world knew the name of Princess Snow, and everyone in the world also knew to what extent Divine Phoenix Sect protected Princess Snow. Therefore, even if one had millions of intentions toward Princess Snow, they definitely shouldn't, and also wouldn't dare to reveal such intentions in front of Feng Hengkong and Divine Phoenix Sect's crowd.

Yet this Ye Xinghan had the gaze of a wolf, his wrists rolling, not concealing his desire that was as scorching as a fiery inferno in the slightest… No one knew if it was because his desire had gotten to his self-control, or… he simply wasn't afraid of Divine Phoenix Sect's fury at all.

The various elders and disciples of Divine Phoenix Sect all revealed the expression of anger. A few core disciples were already on the verge of exploding into a flight of rage, their fists clenched tightly, as they wished they could immediately rush up and fight Ye Xinghan to the death.

Princess Snow was their jewel of the Divine Phoenix Empire, the sacred goddess in everyone's hearts. They definitely would not allow anyone to taint or lay a finger on her… even if it were laying a finger in terms of gaze and words!

"This bastard… He's courting death!" Feng Ximing's hands clenched tightly, his finger joints making "pop pop" sounds. Who would've thought that Feng Ximing's words are true... Ye Xinghan is indeed "courting" death and he has succeeded! Death will come to him soon enough...

The other princes were also gnashing their teeth in anger… However, the identity of caused them to not dare to act rashly at all, even though they were extremely furious… That was the Young Hall Master of a Sacred Ground! The future ruler of a Sacred Ground!

If they shed all pretenses of cordiality with this Ye Xinghan, that would undoubtedly be having a fallout with the entire Sun Moon Divine Hall! Even though Divine Phoenix Sect was the number one great sect of Profound Sky, they still didn't have the courage to shed all pretenses with a Sacred Ground yet… Unless they are forced till their last straw.

Contrary to one's expectations, Feng Hengkong instead had a calm expression. He said to Feng Xue'er: "Xue'er, this one is Sun Moon Divine Hall's Young Hall Master Ye Xinghan. Even though he is lustful by nature and unbridled with women, he can still be considered a seldom outstanding youth. Say hello to him."

Feng Hengkong's words made it hard for people to make out the negative connotation, but this tone of extreme dullness, was already faintly revealing the fury hidden behind his endurance.

But even after waiting for a while, they don't hear nor see any movement from her. It's like she's in a daze in her seat and doesn't realize everyone's eyes are on her at all.

She kept looking at the clouds in the sky... She looks quite silly right now but Ye Xinghan's mouth started twitching a little since he thought that he's being ignored...

"Xue'er?" Feng Hengkong called her once again and thankfully it manages to snap her out of her daze.

"A-Ah? Yes, royal father?" She let out a slight stutter and hastily pay attention to her royal father.

Then Feng Hengkong repeated his previous words albeit feeling a little awkward.

Only then Feng Xue'er stood up, and lightly bowed: "Xue'er greets Young Hall Master Ye."

Feng Xue'er's voice was gentle like water, and misty as the cloud, making Ye Xinghan's heart and soul surge from listening to it.

He stared at Feng Xue'er and said with a grinning face: "Young Sis Xue'er is being too unfamiliar. The address of Young Hall Master Ye is both vapid and foreign, just call me Big Brother Ye. Young Sis Xue'er's voice is like the voice of a goddess, more beautiful than anything I can imagine. Being known as the number one beauty of the Profound Sky, your visage must be more so incomparably gorgeous. I wonder if I can have the honor, to witness Young Sis Xue'er's otherworldly charming looks."

"Crack!"

A deep crack instantly appeared on the chair under Feng Ximing. He clenched his teeth tightly, and was just about to stand, but was pulled back by a huge hand right away. Feng Feiyan pressed him down and said with a low voice: "Do not fly into a rage. How could Sect Master allow him to lay his finger on Xue'er in the slightest."

Feng Ximing's chest moved up and down, his eyes bloodshot, but he still suppressed his anger with great effort, enduring with effort and didn't act up again.

Feng Xue'er replied with a gentle and calm voice: "Please forgive Xue'er for refusing. Xue'er's looks are crude, and difficult to enter by Young Hall Master's eyes."

Ye Xinghan burst into loud laughter: "If this number one beauty of the world could also be called 'crude', then there wouldn't be any woman that could be viewed