Chapter 36
The Competition Begins
Wen Qiong turned to look at the little phoenix and saw a brown feather in her mouth. She pursed her lips. “Trash!”
She walked towards the little phoenix and snatched the brown feather. She raised it high in the air and said to Kong Rui, “Sister Ling, thank you for letting me win!”
Kong Rui didn’t seem to care about the outcome. She reached out and stroked the eagle beside her, as if to comfort it.
Seeing that Kong Rui was ignoring her, Wen Qiong couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Just as she was about to let the phoenix attack again, the Li Clan’s Patriarch suddenly said, “Princess, one move is enough. Please announce the start of the Spirit Beast Tournament!”
When the Li clan leader said that, although some of the people who were waiting to watch the commotion were unhappy, they could only accept the outcome.
The eagle feather in the phoenix’s mouth was enough to prove the result.
Those who were originally looking forward to seeing the phoenix display its might could only purse their lips resentfully and wait for the other spirit beasts to fight.
Kong Rui returned to her seat. The Li Clan’s Patriarch came over and comforted her. “Ling’er, it’s okay. That phoenix is not an ordinary thing. You don’t have to take it to heart.”
“If you could bring the griffin out today, perhaps…” As the Li clan leader spoke, he couldn’t help but sigh.
Kong Rui looked at the Patriarch and said, “Patriarch, I’ve already said that I’m not familiar with controlling a griffin.”
“I know!” The Li family’s patriarch hurriedly nodded. He felt a little helpless, but there was nothing he could do.
Kong Rui had explained this situation to him early in the morning. However, because her Thousand Gold Leopard was too weak, she had no choice but to bring the Blazing Flame Eagle, the spirit beast raised by the clan, out to participate in the competition.
The Patriarch was already worried about Kong Rui’s competition today. Since the princess caused trouble in the beginning, it was no wonder that the Patriarch wanted to go against the princess a few times.
Fortunately, the Blazing Flame Eagle didn’t seem to reject Kong Rui, so the Patriarch was relieved.
“Master, I asked the little phoenix just now. There is indeed a restriction on her body.” The Blazing Flame Eagle whispered into Kong Rui’s ear.
Kong Rui nodded. She had long expected that Wen Qiong wouldn’t be able to suppress the little phoenix with the phoenix essence she had transplanted.
“But Master, do I have to keep wearing this?” The Blazing Flame Eagle said aggrievedly, “The little phoenix almost didn’t recognize me just now!”
Kong Rui smiled. “It’s better than letting you spend your spiritual power to transform into an adult!”
“If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s easy for people to notice when you transform into a Thousand Gold Leopard, things wouldn’t have been so troublesome.” Kong Rui thought of the appearance of the Thousand Gold Leopard and couldn’t help but purse her lips.
Little Lion immediately snorted in grievance. “I’ve never seen that Thousand Gold Leopard before…”
“Alright! There’s still a competition later. Rest first!” Kong Rui interrupted Little Lion and continued to instruct, “Don’t embarrass me later!”
“Don’t worry, Master! Leave everything to me!” Little Lion puffed out its chest. The previous look of defeat vanished.
“The first round of the competition will be decided by drawing lots! The participants with the same token will go on stage in one group!” The protocol officer’s voice sounded again. “The first group, Qian!”
The two contestants in the first group were from small clans in the empire, so they didn’t attract much attention.
“How dare such nobodies participate in the competition?!” The Lei family elder snorted and looked at Lei Aotian.
“Aotian, you have to perform well later. Don’t let that little girl from the Li family steal the limelight!”
Lei Aotian revealed a disdainful expression. “With her immature little bird?”
Fu Jiao sat in her seat. When she heard Elder Lei’s words, she chuckled and said, “Elder Lei, aren’t you worrying too much?”
“Look at Li Ling’s eagle that shrinks its neck after losing. I’m afraid it won’t even be able to raise its head in the competition later!” Fu Jiao said and pouted in Kong Rui’s direction.
Elder Lei turned around and saw that the falcon was indeed burying its head in Kong Rui’s shoulder, as if it had suffered a great grievance.
Elder Lei snorted in disdain and said, “In short, you have to perform well in today’s competition!”
Lei Aotian waved his hand impatiently. “Got it!”
Nie Yin remained silent as he watched the competition. From time to time, he would glance in Kong Rui’s direction.
He had a feeling that Kong Rui was different from before. It was as if something about her had changed, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Hua Shang, on the other hand, sat leisurely in his seat. Occasionally, he would turn to look at Kong Rui, but he remained silent, as if he was thinking about something.