Qiongqi changed its mind and flew towards Hundun.
It had decided to join Hundun in devouring Taotie.
“Everyone seems to be in high spirits, huh?” A clear, pleasant voice rang out.
All the ferocious beasts halted their movements and turned their gazes towards the distance, where a young woman in light cyan robes stood.
She approached, treading upon the snow, her figure bathed in moonlight, her aura pure and ethereal, like a peerless, unblemished cyan lotus.
With each step she took on the snow, it was as if a lotus bloomed beneath her feet. Her entire being appeared as translucent and clear as glazed crystal.
Even the ferocious beasts, usually indifferent to beauty, had to admit that this young woman possessed a beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms, a grace unmatched in the world.
She walked closer unhurriedly and stopped before the assembly of beasts.
A faint, lovely smile graced her lips, revealing adorable dimples. “Everyone, I advise you not to be so quick to throw stones at someone who’s already fallen…”
“Feng Qingran, what are you doing here?” Hundun demanded.
Feng Qingran was taken aback for a moment. How did they know her name?
“Feng Qingran, you dare show yourself!” Qiongqi gnashed its teeth, murderous intent blazing in its eyes.
Both Qiongqi and Hundun bared their fangs at Feng Qingran, advancing step by step.
Feng Qingran watched calmly and composedly as the two beasts approached.
Her almond-shaped eyes resembled ancient pools under the moonlight, shimmering and mysterious. She spoke in a crisp voice, “Would you like to have an endless supply of food in the future?”
“Would you like to be able to freely enter and leave the Ten Directions Domain in the future?”
“Would you like to be able to transform into human form in the future?”
With these three questions thrown out in quick succession, Feng Qingran caused Qiongqi and Hundun to halt their steps.
“Feng Qingran, stop painting such a grand picture! A mere ant like you, how could you possibly allow us to come and go from the Ten Directions Domain as we please?” Qiongqi’s expression was fierce, but a glimmer of anticipation was hidden deep in its eyes.
“I am an honest person by nature. I never speak falsely, and what I promise, I will certainly deliver,” Feng Qingran replied, her bright eyes gleaming.
Yingzhao asked seriously, “Little girl, can you really get us out of the Ten Directions Domain?”
Feng Qingran raised a finger and wagged it side to side. “Not just ‘get you out,’ but allow you to freely enter and leave.”
“You can go out, but you must not harm the innocent, nor can you recklessly devour anything outside. And you must return!”
Feng Qingran knew what Yingzhao meant was to leave this place and never come back.
But that was impossible!
Qiongqi panted heavily, “You’re lying after all! Just a moment ago you said we could leave as we please…”
A smile touched Feng Qingran’s brows, her gaze clear and transparent. “Don’t twist my words. I said you could freely enter and leave.”
“It’s not a one-way exit. If I really let all of you out, could this small world withstand your havoc?”
Even a single beast like Taotie could devour the entirety of the Nine Provinces.
“But you just said we could come and go freely?” Hundun’s eyes were icy as it stared at Feng Qingran.
Feng Qingran swept her gaze around the circle, noticing that all the beasts were focused on the issue of leaving; very few cared about the food or transformation.
With that attitude, did they expect her to let them all out?
Absolutely not!
Her expression turned solemn. “You can freely enter and leave the Ten Directions Domain. However, only one can go out at a time. And the previous one must return before the next can leave.”
The beasts looked at each other. If one could get out, who would ever come back?
It seemed they must compete to be the first beast out!
“Miss Feng, look at me. Could I be the first to go out?” Ant Emperor spoke up first.
“No! I must be first!” the Six-Headed Nether Wolf roared.
Qiongqi and Hundun, forgetting their hatred for the moment, also clamored to be the first.
Some beasts argued over being first, while others chose to wait and observe.
The Nine-Headed Bird, Yingzhao, and Taowu chose to continue observing.
A cunning light flickered in Feng Qingran’s almond-shaped eyes. She listened to the cacophony around her without speaking.
Why were they all so certain that once out, they wouldn’t have to return?
“Miss Feng, what guarantee do you have that you can take us out?” Yingzhao’s question quieted the surroundings.
Feng Qingran answered crisply, “Naturally, I have my methods. However, if you wish to leave, you must form a master-servant contract with me.”
Her willow-leaf eyebrows were elegantly arched, her almond eyes sparkled, and an aura of calm composure emanated from her.
“Impossible!” Yingzhao coldly rejected.
“Feng Qingran, a mere ant like you wants me as a servant? Wishful thinking!” Qiongqi glared furiously.
“Feng Qingran, have you been toying with us from the very beginning?” Hundun’s words ignited the anger of the other beasts.
The ferocious beasts all glared, their overwhelmingly powerful auras pressing down on Feng Qingran.
Feng Qingran’s beautiful eyes retained their shine, her expression remained unchanged, steady as a mountain. A glint of clever cunning shone in them, partly mischievous, partly playful.
Seeing this, the beasts were slightly stunned. “How is this possible? Why aren’t you afraid?”
“Feng Qingran, do you think a few tricks can save you?” Qiongqi snarled viciously, opening its maw wide as it charged at Feng Qingran.
Since its aura pressure was useless, it would simply eat Feng Qingran!
Feng Qingran remained calm and composed, softly counting, “One.”
Qiongqi flapped its wings, rising into the air.
Feng Qingran’s almond eyes sparkled with liveliness. “Two.”
Qiongqi flew directly in front of Feng Qingran, its bloody maw agape.
A slight curve touched Feng Qingran’s lips, her delicate figure poised gracefully in the wind. “Three.”
“Feng Qingran, die!” Qiongqi roared, then bit down at her.
Thud!
Snowflakes scattered.
Qiongqi fell to the ground, rigid as a board.
Seeing this, Hundun also charged at Feng Qingran.
Yet before Hundun could even get close, it too crashed to the ground.
The remaining beasts were shocked and horrified. Just how had Feng Qingran done that?
