Among the crowd, a fair-faced young woman with a slightly round, adorable complexion stepped forward.
"Ling Xiao, could it be that..."
"Something happened to Lord Nian Qing?"
This was Ling Sheng'er.
She was the granddaughter of the master of the Ling Clan, the head of the Seven Realms Holy Palace.
Not only did she hold an extraordinary status within the Seven Realms Holy Palace, but her talent was also remarkable.
Due to her young age, she was hailed as someone who might one day surpass Ling Xiao.
Ling Sheng'er had first met Chu Feng back at the Divine Heritage Ground, and the two had become friends.
Previously, she had stayed at the Divine Heritage Ground alongside Chu Feng's grandmother.
At present, standing behind Ling Sheng'er was her elder sister, Ling Mo'er.
Also present was Shuang Yu, the younger sister of Shuang Xue — one of Chu Feng's grandmother's most trusted aides.
Along with Jie Yu and the others whom Chu Feng had come to know at the Divine Heritage Ground.
The moment those words left Ling Sheng'er's lips, the expressions of everyone around tightened.
After all, they all knew that Ling Sheng'er had been by Chu Feng's grandmother's side the entire time.
She might know something that they did not.
"Lord Nian Qing and Lord Shuang Xue are dead..."
Ling Xiao said.
"What?"
Those words struck like a bolt from the blue.
Everyone's face contorted with disbelief.
"How dare you, Ling Xiao!"
"To joke about the life and death of Lord Nian Qing?"
Those who refused to believe it erupted in fury.
"Ling Xiao, you absolutely cannot joke about something like this."
Others hurried to smooth things over, hoping it was just a jest they could cling to for comfort.
But Ling Sheng'er and the others who had returned from the Divine Heritage Ground with Chu Feng's grandmother wore expressions of deep grief.
Shuang Yu, in particular, clenched her fists and ground her teeth, her tear-filled eyes blazing with fury and killing intent.
Not only because Shuang Xue was her sister.
She also knew what Chu Feng's grandmother had gone back to the Seven Realms Holy Palace to do.
That was why she had not followed Chu Feng's grandmother back to the Seven Realms Holy Palace, and had come here instead.
It was not that she hadn't wanted to follow — Chu Feng's grandmother had forbidden it.
Because going back meant risking one's life.
And so, both she and Ling Sheng'er understood.
What Ling Xiao had said was the truth.
Chu Feng's grandmother had failed, and had paid the price.
Before long, the others too sensed that something was wrong.
Because when Ling Xiao spoke those words, not a single person who had returned from the Seven Realms Holy Palace rebuked him.
Even Ling Xiao's grandfather and the others of relatively high standing and seniority remained silent, their faces heavy with sorrow.
"What exactly happened?"
Someone demanded urgently.
"It was Jie Tianran who killed Lord Nian Qing."
Ling Xiao's grandfather said.
He then recounted everything that had transpired in the plaza to everyone.
"I'll kill them all!"
Upon learning the truth, many were consumed by overwhelming killing intent and moved to head back to the Seven Realms Holy Palace.
"What are you going back for?"
"To throw your lives away?"
"Ask yourselves — if Lord Nian Qing were still here, would she want you to make such a pointless sacrifice?"
Ling Xiao's grandfather countered.
The crowd fell silent.
Even Chu Feng's grandmother had perished.
What could any of them accomplish?
"If we truly wish to avenge Lord Nian Qing, we must go on living."
"Only by staying alive can we truly do something for her."
Ling Xiao's grandfather said.
"Then what... should we do?"
"What can we do?"
Everyone turned to Ling Xiao's grandfather. Beyond their anger, what they felt even more was helplessness.
"If only we could get in touch with Chu Feng..."
Ling Xiao suddenly sighed with regret.
"What did you say?"
"Are you suggesting we pledge ourselves to Chu Feng?"