A Little Token

Hearing the voice of the Cao family elder, Tang Qin threw the card with Cao Xinrui's name on the altar of the Cao family. The card then turned into a flame with the surname "Cao" burning on the altar.

"Is she really from the Cao family?"

"When did the Cao family gain such a genius? Did you see the reaction of those spirit beasts just now? Her spirit beast compatibility has to be super high!"

The pegasus raised its head and landed on the ground steadily.

Tang Qin got down from the pegasus and stood right in front of Shi Xunmei. She was dressed differently compared to Shi Xunmei, looking more elegant and simple.

"Cousin Xinrui is really outstanding today!" Shi Xunmei smiled gently, but the fingertips in her sleeves dug deep into the flesh on her palm.

"I can't be compared to Cousin Xunmei." 

Tang Qin smiled and sat down in the Cao family's area.

The Cao family leaders all looked at her kindly.

Tang Qin also smiled, but her heart was cold. For the past 18 years, most of her torture had been at the hands of the members of the Cao family. Why was she being treated like that? It was all because of that weak and incompetent father who dared to do the deed but did not dare to recognize her as his daughter. Thanks to pressure from the Cao family, this useless father completely ignored the mother and daughter pair.

Her mother had died a tragic death. As for her, the Cao family leaders naturally wished for her death too. However, they did not kill her. They simply tortured her to display their loyalty to Cao Zhihong!

Thinking of the past, Tang Qin's smile became even gentler. "My dear family leaders, I'm sorry I'm late. The pegasi were acting up..."

The Cao family members looked at each other and felt that she was being too modest! The family leaders' eyes were filled with pride. "Hurry up and take a seat. Your spirit beast compatibility level hasn't been re-tested yet, right?"

Tang Qin lowered her eyes. "Aunt... did not bother with me. Sister Xunmei was not too happy to see me either, so I didn't bring it up…"

Upon hearing this, the Cao family leaders' faces darkened. "Even though you already displayed such amazing talent, Cao Zhihong was still not interested in you?"

Although Cao Zhihong was still the family head of the Cao family in name, she was indeed becoming more and more unconcerned about the Cao family. Did she feel that the Cao family's declining power and influence was no longer useful to her?

Tang Qin sneered inwardly when she saw the darkened facial expressions of the family leaders. If she wanted to take revenge on Cao Zhihong, she had to remove the Cao family's backing. In fact, it was very difficult to eradicate such a large family all at once, but the creation of a gap in their relationship would prove to be fatal!

Cao Zhihong was also furious!

Shi Xunmei was also making a fuss. "Mother! What is the Cao family trying to do! Are they crazy? This is the first time I've appeared in front of these great powers since I obtained the phoenix bone! My reputation was supposed to resound throughout the Divine Realm, but Cao Xinrui stole my limelight!"

Cao Zhihong's expression was extremely ugly. She stared at "Cao Xinrui" from backstage. Suddenly, she seemed to have thought of something and her expression turned calm. 

"The Cao family and the Canglan royal family must try their best to cultivate only one person, and that is you, my daughter! As for the other obstacles, Mother will help you remove them one by one!"

"But now... " Shi Xunmei was still unwilling to give up.

Cao Zhihong interrupted her and smiled, "Look at the sky..."

Shi Xunmei raised her head and saw a huge ball of fire flying out from the depths of the palace.

Tang Qin instantly felt her heart ache. She was shocked. "That's..."

Everyone heard a loud phoenix cry.

"The phoenix is out!" Yin Xiyan also stood up abruptly and looked at the sky.

Even though it was still young, its overbearing aura made the hearts of all the forces present stir.

No matter if it was a spirit beast or a human, there was a difference in their talent and aptitude levels. Phoenixes and dragons were the top existences among spirit beasts. Hardly anyone could summon one as their life spirit beast! If their cultivation of the spirit beast was successful, the spirit beast's cultivation would be comparable to a major god realm cultivator.

Xiaoyao, who was lying lazily at Tang Qin's feet, suddenly narrowed his eyes sharply. He was different from others. No one could see the exact form of the phoenix, but he could! He straightened his body and his eyes were filled with killing intent.

"Xiaoyao, what's wrong?" Tang Qin was about to reach out when she heard the crowd exclaim.

"What's that?"

"Red..."

Moments later, blood-red beads fell from the sky and landed in everyone's hands. They were full of spiritual power.

One fell into Tang Qin's hand as well, and her heart ached. This was phoenix blood! There was so much blood... 

Tang Qin's eyes turned red as she watched the crowd grab the blood-red beads excitedly.

"Everyone, you've come from afar. This phoenix blood is a little token from our Canglan Kingdom." Cao Zhihong appeared with a smile on her face. Then, she announced the start of the beast battle competition!