118: Chapter 118 Young Master Xu, Let's Make a Deal

Shame, shock, and struggle finally transformed into a cold, haughty sneer befitting a queen.

"Xu Chen, don't you think you're overestimating yourself?"

She spun around abruptly, her crimson phoenix robe cutting a sharp arc through the air.

She walked back to the flaming throne that symbolized supreme power, but instead of sitting, she looked down at Xu Chen from above, attempting to reclaim the lost initiative this way.

"I admit, your constitution has a fatal attraction for me. You are indeed the Divine Phoenix Clan's only lifeline right now."

"However, that doesn't mean you can trample on my dignity at will."

Feng Jiuyou took a deep breath, her perfect curves heaving with her respiration. She forcibly suppressed the primal urge deep within her to throw herself at Xu Chen regardless of the consequences, regaining her persona as the shrewd and cold Phoenix Clan Leader.

"We are equals."

"Since you need the 'Rebirth Divine Fire' and I need 'Divine Phoenix progeny,' then this is a fair trade."

Saying this, she extended a finger, her tone carrying a hint of condescending pride:

"I can enter into a marriage alliance with you."

"I can even announce to the entire Demon Realm that I am marrying you to be the... Prince Consort of my Undying Divine Phoenix Clan."

"When the time comes, you will share the vast resources of this Undying Fire Mountain with me, and the entire Divine Phoenix Clan will be at your command. In return, you only need to fulfill your duties as a husband and continue my bloodline."

"This is already the greatest sincerity I can offer."

Having finished, Feng Jiuyou tilted her chin up slightly, waiting for Xu Chen to express his gratitude.

In her eyes, this was indeed a monumental favor.

Throughout the Demon Realm, even Demon Kings with the bloodlines of divine beasts would likely wake up laughing from their dreams if they heard they could become Feng Jiuyou's 'Prince Consort.'

However...

The air remained silent for three seconds.

"Pfft—"

A highly inappropriate sneer broke the solemnity.

The person laughing was none other than Long Aoxue, who was standing aside watching the show.

She laughed as if she had heard the world's biggest joke, her body trembling so much that she had to lean on Xu Chen's shoulder to stay upright.

"Prince Consort? Marrying him?"

Long Aoxue wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes and pointed at Feng Jiuyou, mocking her mercilessly:

"Feng Jiuyou, have you been single for so long that your brain has been fried by the fire?"

"Why don't you go and find out who is standing in front of you? This is the Young Master of the Ancient Imperial Clan's Xu Family! The future head of the Xu Family!"

"You want him to be your Prince Consort? To marry into your nearly bankrupt Divine Phoenix Clan?"

"Are you still asleep, or are you just daydreaming?"

"You!"

Feng Jiuyou's face stiffened, choked into silence by Long Aoxue's words.

Having been in seclusion for many years, she was indeed insensitive to the distribution of power in the outside world. Although she knew the Xu Family was strong, in her subconscious, she still felt the Divine Phoenix Clan was the overlord of the Demon Realm, more than a match for a human.

"Aoxue is right."

Xu Chen gently patted the back of Long Aoxue's hand, signaling her to stay calm.

Then, he looked up at Feng Jiuyou on the high platform, the smile on his face gradually fading, replaced by an inscrutable indifference.

"Phoenix Clan Leader, I think you've misunderstood something."

Xu Chen stepped forward, ascending the nine steps one by one.

With every step, his aura grew stronger. It wasn't a suppression of cultivation, but an absolute confidence stemming from his bloodline and background.

"At this negotiating table, we are not equals."

"While the Rebirth Divine Fire is precious, it is not irreplaceable. In my Xu Family treasury, there are at least three types of Emperor-rank Divine Fire that can temper the body. I only came here because Aoxue recommended it and I wanted to see the sights."

Reaching the throne, Xu Chen stopped and stood face-to-face with Feng Jiuyou.

They were so close that they could hear each other's breathing.

"But I am different."

Xu Chen reached out and pointed to his own chest.

"I am the only person in this world who can save you and the Divine Phoenix Clan."

"This is a monopoly, Phoenix Clan Leader."

"Only I can give you the cure, and you have no right to bargain."

Feng Jiuyou looked at the man inches away, a flash of panic appearing in her originally sharp phoenix eyes. She subconsciously wanted to step back, only to find the cold back of the throne behind her, leaving her no room to retreat.

"Then... what do you want?"

Her voice finally softened, no longer as forceful as before.

"I don't want anything in particular."

Xu Chen suddenly smiled, looking somewhat lazy.

He actually turned around and sat right down on Feng Jiuyou's throne, the symbol of the clan leader's majesty.

He didn't take up the whole seat but sat sideways, one hand resting on the armrest while the other patted the empty space beside him.

"In this world, if you ask someone for a favor, you must have the attitude of someone asking for a favor."

Xu Chen looked up at the queen standing before him, who appeared somewhat flustered, and said playfully:

"Put away your pride."

"I don't like looking up to talk to people."

"Sit down."

Two simple words, yet they carried an overbearing authority that brooked no defiance.

Feng Jiuyou was stunned.

She looked at the man who had usurped her seat and taken charge, a strong sense of shame welling up in her heart.

That was her throne!

The supreme symbol of the Divine Phoenix Clan!

He just sat there like that? And even told her to sit down as if calling a pet?

"Xu Chen, don't go too far..."

Feng Jiuyou gritted her teeth, her fists clenched. The Rebirth Fire about to spiral out of control flickered around her, showing the intense struggle in her heart.

"Is it too much?"

Xu Chen shrugged nonchalantly, his fingertips even leisurely twirling a tassel hanging from the throne's armrest.

"I think that compared to the extinction of your clan, this little grievance is nothing at all."

"And..."

Xu Chen tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over Feng Jiuyou's perfect jade-like legs, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

"The thing I enjoy most is pulling high-and-mighty goddesses down into the mortal realm."

"The more arrogant you are, the more I want to see you bow your head to me."

"You..."

Feng Jiuyou's chest heaved with anger, and her cold, elegant face was flushed, both from rage and the embarrassment of having her inner thoughts exposed.

She stared intently at Xu Chen, seemingly engaged in a final internal struggle.

The hall was dead silent.

Nangong Waner gripped the hem of her clothes nervously, fearing the two would fail their negotiation and start fighting.

Meanwhile, Long Aoxue stood with her arms crossed, a look of enjoying the show on her face, even winking at Xu Chen!

Finally.

"Whew..."

Feng Jiuyou let out a long, heavy sigh.

The fire in her eyes gradually died down, replaced by a sense of powerlessness after compromising.

For the sake of her clan.

For the sake of survival.

Was it not just bowing her head?

She, Feng Jiuyou, accepted it!

"Fine."

Feng Jiuyou bit her lip, her voice so low it was almost inaudible.

She slowly withdrew her aura, and the icy coldness that kept people at a distance vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented weakness with a hint of pitifulness.

She walked to the throne, but instead of sitting where Xu Chen had patted, she slightly bent her knees and sat on a step lower than him.

Though she still wore her magnificent queen's phoenix robe, her posture was completely humbled.

From a high-and-mighty queen, she had become a... petitioner sitting at a man's feet.

"Young Master Xu."

Feng Jiuyou looked up, her beautiful eyes, now devoid of aggression, shimmering with an almost imperceptible plea.

"This attitude... are you satisfied now?"

Seeing this, the smile in Xu Chen's eyes deepened.

It had to be said, seeing a normally peerless queen forced to shed her disguise and sit meekly by his side for survival—the sense of conquest from such a contrast was overwhelming.

"It's alright, barely passing."

Xu Chen reached out and gently touched the slightly crooked Purple-Gold Phoenix Crown on her head, his movement tender yet carrying a sense of total control.

"Since your attitude is correct, we can properly discuss the specific details of our 'cooperation'."

"For example... the 'operational procedures' for reviving the Divine Phoenix bloodline."

At the touch of Xu Chen's large hand, Feng Jiuyou's delicate body trembled slightly, but this time she did not dodge, instead submissively lowering her eyes.

"I leave everything... to Young Master Xu's discretion."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Below the steps, Long Aoxue watched this scene and couldn't help but smack her lips sourly.

"I really can't bear to watch."

"She was like a proud peacock just now, so how did she turn into a submissive little chick?"

"However..."

Long Aoxue looked at Feng Jiuyou's downcast yet still exquisite profile, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes.

"Once this woman drops her act, how can her charm be even greater than mine?"

"No way, it seems the competitive pressure at home is going to increase again."}],