"So you're saying you came here with the express intention of causing trouble?"
"Or is it that you yourself wanted to steal this spirit beast?"
Zhao Yuzhuo's gaze turned cold as he looked at the spirit beast in Chu Feng's hand.
"I don't want to waste words with you. Release her, and I'll give you this spirit beast," Chu Feng said.
"You release the spirit beast first, and we'll release her," Zhao Yuzhuo said.
"Don't negotiate with me."
"Release the person first, then you get the spirit beast," Chu Feng said.
And as soon as those words left his mouth, he tightened his grip. The spirit beast's screams grew even more wretched.
"You bastard!"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Dare to threaten us?"
"I think you've got a death wish!!!"
Zhao Batian finally couldn't hold back any longer, pointing at Chu Feng and roaring in fury at the sight of such arrogance.
But who could have expected that Chu Feng didn't even spare Zhao Batian a glance, his face devoid of any fear — the only thing that changed was the spirit beast in his hand, whose wailing grew even more miserable.
"Brother, let the girl go."
Seeing this, Zhao Yuzhuo's brow furrowed deeply. In the end, he relented.
Zhao Yuzhuo's concession took everyone by surprise.
Those who knew him understood that Zhao Yuzhuo was an equally overbearing and unreasonable existence. All along, it had been him who threatened others — when had he ever been threatened by someone else?
And he had even conceded?
But only Zhao Yuzhuo himself understood. The reason he wanted to capture this spirit beast so desperately was because it was a creature that the princess of the Nine Souls Sacred Clan favored. As long as he could win the princess's favor, he was willing to suffer even a small humiliation.
"Get lost, brat."
With Zhao Yuzhuo having spoken, Zhao Batian reluctantly released Long Xiaoxiao from his grip.
Once free, Long Xiaoxiao did not seek retribution against Zhao Batian. Instead, she obediently made her way to Chu Feng's side.
"Little benefactor, I'm sorry, I..."
Long Xiaoxiao glanced at Chu Feng, then lowered her head, not daring to lift it again.
She was deeply apologetic, because she knew exactly why she had been caught.
Just as Chu Feng had guessed — she had been careless, and she hadn't listened to his words. If she had obeyed him and left immediately, she would never have encountered Zhao Batian, and she would never have been captured.
"Stop apologizing."
"Are you okay?"
"Are you hurt?"
Chu Feng looked at Long Xiaoxiao, his eyes full of concern, with not a trace of blame.
Feeling his gentle, caring gaze, Long Xiaoxiao couldn't hold back any longer. Tears began to fall from her eyes, drop by drop.
She didn't speak, because she didn't dare. If she opened her mouth now, she would start sobbing, and she didn't want Chu Feng to know she had been crying.
So she simply shook her head, signaling that she was fine.
"That's good."
"I'll handle what comes next."
Chu Feng reached out and gently patted Long Xiaoxiao on the head, the gesture full of doting warmth.
"So she's your little sweetheart. No wonder you dared to come rescue her," Zhao Batian sneered.
"You should honor your promise now," Zhao Yuzhuo said, his eyes fixed on the spirit beast in Chu Feng's hand as he urged him on.
"Here."
Chu Feng flicked his arm, and the spirit beast flew toward Zhao Yuzhuo.
Though it had seemed moments ago that Chu Feng was gripping the spirit beast's vital point and threatening its life — that was all an illusion, a fabrication created through the power of his formation. The spirit beast was now perfectly lively and uninjured, without so much as a scratch.
Seeing the spirit beast unharmed, Zhao Yuzhuo nodded with satisfaction. And then, at last, a look of fury surfaced on his face.
"Brother."
Zhao Yuzhuo turned to Zhao Batian.
Boom—
In the next instant, a formidable wave of pressure sealed off the sky above that area.
And at the same time, it sealed off Chu Feng's only path of retreat.