"Miaomiao, what did you just say?" One of the guardians asked in astonishment.
At that moment, nearly every Ancient Elf present was staring at Xian Miaomiao with shock on their faces. Xianyu Yin and his father, in particular, wore expressions that were nothing short of spectacular.
"I said I have no intention of going to the Blood-Eating Killing Formation with Xianyu Yin," Xian Miaomiao said.
"Are you planning to go by yourself?" the guardian asked again.
"No. I want Chu Feng to go with me," Xian Miaomiao replied.
"What?"
Those words stunned not only the Ancient Elves but even the Boundless Immortal and the Treasure-Loving Immortal. As for Xianyu Yin and his father, they were practically petrified—Xianyu Yin most of all, who could scarcely believe what he was hearing.
"Miaomiao, what kind of joke is this? Chu Feng is a human—how can he accompany you to the Blood-Eating Killing Formation?" Xianyu Yin bellowed. He was seething with fury, feeling that his dignity had been trampled upon.
"Heh, who I choose to accompany me is my business. What's it to you?" Xian Miaomiao rolled her eyes at Xianyu Yin, not sparing him so much as a shred of regard.
"Miaomiao, this matter is of grave importance. How could you ask a human like Chu Feng?" Xianyu Yin's father spoke up as well.
"I said it—this is my own affair, and none of you have any right to interfere." Faced with Xianyu Yin's father, Xian Miaomiao remained every bit as domineering.
"Your Majesty, you see… this…" Left with no other recourse, Xianyu Yin turned his gaze toward the Elven King, hoping the king would rein in his own daughter.
"Miaomiao, why would you want Chu Feng to go with you?" the Elven King asked.
"Father, compared to Xianyu Yin, I trust Chu Feng more," Xian Miaomiao answered.
"You—!" Hearing this, Xianyu Yin nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood from sheer rage. His head was spinning; he felt as though he might actually die of anger.
Humiliation—this was absolute humiliation. It would have been one thing to say something like that in private, but Xian Miaomiao had said it right here, in front of so many elders, without the slightest hesitation. How was Xianyu Yin supposed to face anyone now? This was practically forcing him into an inescapable corner.
"Miaomiao, you're going too far." At this point, Xianyu Yin's father wore a face full of indignation. His own son being humiliated like this naturally filled him with anger as well.
"Miaomiao, Xianyu Yin is still your brother, after all. How can you say such a thing? Besides, this expedition to the Blood-Eating Killing Formation is no trivial matter. If you insist on bringing a human along, we simply cannot rest easy." One of the four elders—a very thin one—spoke up.
"Elder, Your Majesty, it is not that I, Xian Miaomiao, am being willful. Finding the Ancient Immortal Bloom has always been my own undertaking."
"I truly cannot fathom why my own affairs must be decided by the lot of you. In any case… either Chu Feng goes with me, or I simply won't go. You decide." Xian Miaomiao's expression had turned thoroughly dark.
"This is—!!"
At that moment, even the faces of the four elders began to sour, because Xian Miaomiao was showing them far too little respect. Her behavior was, frankly, highly improper.
Yet Xian Miaomiao was the future hope of the Elven Kingdom. No matter how imposing and authoritative they might be on ordinary days, before her they simply could not wield any of that authority.
"Your Majesty, Elders, Guardians—Miaomiao's words may have been somewhat harsh, but I believe her decision is the right one."
It was Princess Lingyue who suddenly spoke up.
"Lingyue, what do you mean?" the Elven King asked.
"Father, Chu Feng is human, yes, but he excels in every regard."
"His combat strength speaks for itself. Though he is only a ninth-grade Half Emperor, he was able to slay the Clan Chief of the Ximen Emperor Clan. Surely even Brother Yinyin might not be capable of such a feat?" At this point, Princess Lingyue cast a glance toward Xianyu Yin.