96.2

.....

A warm, sunny day in the capital. Princess Shunde walked out of the hall with her face covered by a red veil. Zhu Ling followed closely behind her. She sighed.

"These newly captured demon masters have much weaker spiritual power compared to the ones before." Red lips behind the veil pursed. There were still scars from the fire across her cheeks.

"It's a pity that I can't touch the people of the Grand Master's house..."

Suddenly, a green flash of light above the sky flew over the capital and crashed into the protection shield that surrounded the city. The shield was set in place by the Grand Master in preparation for moments like this.

The sound of the attack was so loud that it alarmed everyone in the capital. Princess Shunde lifted her head and narrowed her eyes.

"Jade phoenix?" Zhu Ling's face grew fierce.

"The north is attacking?" Princess Shunde waved her hand.

"The jade phoenix settled in the southern Demon Valley a while ago. Her attack right now may not have anything to do with the people of the north."

"She came alone?" The shield across the sky ruptured under the green light and people's exclamations echoed throughout the city. The call of a phoenix sounded and the bird changed into human form, flying directly for the Grand Master's house.

Princess Shunde whispered, "Master..." She took a step forward, but then stopped.

"Zhu Ling." As she spoke, a loud boom came from the direction of the Grand Master's house. The clash of power generated a huge storm that swept across the entire capital, shaving away all the leaves on the trees in the princess's courtyard. The servants wailed, but Princess Shunde stood calmly in the chaotic wind. She did not care when the red veil was blown off her face, and just slowly turned around and walked back into the palace.

"Close the door for me."

Zhu Ling followed her in. The wind raged on outside, shaking up the entire palace from time to time. People screamed all around. Princess Shunde walked step by step to the high seat of her main hall and sat down.

She looked at the door rattling under the turbulence, but her expression was extremely cold.

"We will reap the benefits after they wound each other." Zhu Ling bent down and saluted,"Yes."

Princess Shunde raised a palm glowing red. This was the forbidden art she had learned from the Grand Master's secret book -- taking other people's spiritual power for herself.

"If I can get the master's power..."

She looked at her hand and smiled. "When that time comes, he will have to listen to me." She clenched her hand into a fist, and her sharp nails pierced her skin. Her smile grew more and more demented.

.....

Lin Haoqing's hand holding the pen froze. \n\n

"The jade phoenix broke into the Grand Master's house alone?"

"Yes," Siyu replied. "...

The capital was in turmoil and the Grand Master's house was destroyed. But she was defeated and is now being held captive inside the imperial palace."

Lin Haoqing dropped his pen and said, "Siyu, get ready. It's time for us to return to the capital."