Phoenix Empress: Rise of the Fallen

The first ray of morning sunlight filtered through the window lattice as Ling Qianxue awoke from her meditation.

Instructor Lin Qingya's words from last night had left her deep in thought. Her mother's old friend, the mysterious jade slip, and that phrase "the moment of talent awakening often comes when least expected"—all of it troubled her like an unsolvable puzzle.

She looked at the jade pendant on her chest, still warm as ever, but she could feel the power within slowly awakening.

"Perhaps I really do have a chance to awaken," she murmured to herself.

Just then, violent knocking came from outside.

"Open up! Open up! I'm here to get my bride!"

Uncle Fu tremblingly opened the door to find a group of raggedly dressed rogues outside. Leading them was the notorious thug from the north side of the city—Liu the Scab.

Liu the Scab was in his thirties, with a face full of flesh and a knife scar that made him look fierce and evil. Behind him followed a dozen hooligans, each looking slovenly. Even worse, they were actually carrying a shabby bridal sedan chair.

"Old man, is Ling Qianxue home?" Liu the Scab swaggered into the courtyard. "Today I'm taking her home as my wife!"

"What do you want?" Ling Tianhua hurried out upon hearing the commotion.

"Oh, Duke Ling." Liu the Scab spoke mockingly. "I'm here to propose marriage, and to take her with me while I'm at it."

"Propose marriage?" Ling Tianhua was stunned.

"That's right, I've taken a fancy to your Qianxue and want to marry her." Liu the Scab licked his lips, lecherous light flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll pay the bride price—five taels of silver. Generous enough, right?"

He pulled out five taels of broken silver from his pocket and casually threw them on the ground. "This is the betrothal gift. Your Ling family better get ready and have that girl come out and get in the sedan!"

"Five taels of silver?" Ling Tianhua trembled with rage. "You're insulting our Ling family!"

"Insulting?" Liu the Scab laughed loudly. "That I would fancy your daughter is your good fortune! Look at what your Ling family has become—not even a single cultivator, and you still pretend to be noble?"

The hooligans behind him jeered:

"That's right! Brother Scab fancying that girl is a blessing from eight lifetimes of cultivation!"

"A daughter from a fallen household marrying our Brother Scab should be burning incense in gratitude!"

"I heard that girl is quite pretty. Brother Scab will have a good time tonight!"

"Hehe, wonder if she's still pure. If so, that would be valuable!"

The vulgar words were unbearable. Ling Tianhua's face turned iron blue with anger.

Just then, Ling Qianxue and Xiao Hanye came out of the house.

Seeing Ling Qianxue, Liu the Scab's eyes went straight. Even without makeup, Ling Qianxue's beauty was stunning. Her waterfall-like black hair, snow-white skin, and those glazed purple eyes—she was beautiful beyond mortal comparison.

"Tsk tsk, truly a beauty!" Liu the Scab rubbed his hands, almost drooling. "Little beauty, from today on, you're my woman!"

He actually walked forward directly, reaching out to touch Ling Qianxue's face. "Let me feel if this little face is really so tender."

"Liu the Scab, you think you're worthy?" Xiao Hanye slapped his hand away, standing in front of Ling Qianxue with angry eyes.

"Oh, little pup, what are you?" Liu the Scab said disdainfully. "A servant's son dares to interfere in my business?"

"Hanye is my family," Ling Qianxue said coldly. "Liu the Scab, please show some respect. Though the Ling family has fallen, it's not your place to run wild here."

"Respect?" Liu the Scab laughed wildly. "Little girl, do you think this is still your Ling family's glorious era? In Tiandu City, your Ling family is just lambs to the slaughter!"

He leered as he examined Ling Qianxue's body. "Tsk tsk, this figure, this appearance—if sold to a brothel, worth at least a thousand taels! But I can't bear to part with you. Better to enjoy you myself."

"What did you say!" Xiao Hanye was furious beyond measure.

"What did I say?" Liu the Scab sneered. "Truth be told, Wang Fugui came to me yesterday, saying if I could get this girl, he'd pay a hundred taels! But I thought about it—why should I let others benefit from such fine goods?"

He turned to Ling Qianxue, the desire in his eyes completely undisguised. "Little beauty, coming with me, though I can't give you silk and jade, at least I can keep you fed and warm. And..."

He smiled lewdly. "I'm quite skilled in bed. I guarantee you'll be in ecstasy, so comfortable you'll forget your own name!"

"Shameless!" Ling Tianhua finally couldn't hold back.

"Old thing, you'd better be sensible." Liu the Scab's face darkened. "If not for your daughter's sake, I would have crippled you already!"

He looked at Ling Qianxue again. "Little beauty, my patience is limited. Either you get in the sedan obediently, or I'll have my brothers tie you up. Don't blame us if our hands wander and we take some liberties."

"The brothers can't wait!" A pockmarked hooligan called out. "Boss, this girl's chest looks quite full. Wonder how it feels to touch!"

"Her legs are nice too, long and white. If I could cop a feel..." another said, drooling.

"Most tempting is that little mouth. If she could... hehe..."

The talk grew more vulgar, and Ling Qianxue's face grew colder.

"Enough!" she said icily. "Liu the Scab, you're all courting death."

"Courting death?" Liu the Scab laughed. "Little girl, who do you think you are? A waste without cultivation talent dares to be arrogant before me?"

He suddenly rushed forward with unexpected speed, grabbing Ling Qianxue's wrist. "Today I'll taste your flavor!"

"Let her go!" Xiao Hanye roared, throwing a punch at Liu the Scab.

Liu the Scab easily caught it with his other hand and backhanded him. "You don't know death from life!"

Xiao Hanye staggered back several steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Hanye!" Ling Qianxue tried to break free but found Liu the Scab's strength surprisingly great.

"Stop struggling, little beauty." Liu the Scab pulled her toward him. "Let me love you properly."

His other hand actually moved to tear Ling Qianxue's clothes. "Such a fine figure—how can I not let the brothers feast their eyes?"

"Stop!" Ling Tianhua rushed forward but was blocked by other hooligans.

"Old thing, how does it feel watching your daughter being played with?" a hooligan mocked.

At this critical moment, the jade pendant on Ling Qianxue's chest suddenly emitted scorching heat. She felt power surging within her body—though not yet strong enough, it was sufficient to calm her down.

"Liu the Scab," she suddenly stopped struggling and instead showed an eerie smile. "Do you know what happened to the Black Tiger Gang when they came to cause trouble two days ago?"

"What?" Liu the Scab paused.

"They wanted to sell me to Drunken Spring House, but were driven away by Instructor Lin from Tiandu Academy." Ling Qianxue said calmly. "And Instructor Lin said I have the potential to awaken."

"Stop trying to scare me!" Liu the Scab didn't believe it, but his movements stopped.

Ling Qianxue took the opportunity to break free and retreat to Xiao Hanye's side. "Liu the Scab, I'll give you one chance. Leave now, and I can pretend nothing happened."

"Hahaha!" Liu the Scab laughed. "Little girl, you think making up lies can scare me? If you really have ability, show me!"

"You're sure you want to see?" Ling Qianxue's eyes turned cold.

She slowly raised her right hand, seeming to have flames dancing in her palm. Though this was just an illusion created using the jade pendant's residual warmth, it looked remarkably real in the sunlight.

"This is..." Liu the Scab's face changed slightly.

"I just awakened recently and can't fully control my power yet." Ling Qianxue deliberately showed a troubled expression. "Last time I practiced, I accidentally burned a wild dog to death. The screams, the burnt smell..."

She paused, looking at Liu the Scab. "Want to try?"

Sweat began beading on Liu the Scab's forehead. The gap between cultivators and ordinary people was too great. Even just Awakening Stage One Star was beyond what they could handle.

"Boss, what if it's real..." a hooligan said timidly.

"Yeah, I heard people who awaken fire element have terrible tempers, killing at the slightest provocation..."

Fear began spreading among the hooligans.

Liu the Scab was caught in a dilemma. Honestly, he didn't quite believe Ling Qianxue had really awakened, but what if? What if it was true? They would all die here.

"Hmph, you win!" He finally backed down. "But don't think this is over. So what if you've awakened? Without family support, without resources, how far can you go?"

He glared viciously at Ling Qianxue. "Moreover, you can protect yourself, but can you protect everyone? This little pup, and your sickly father—can you protect them all?"

"There won't be a next time, or I won't be so polite," Ling Qianxue said coldly.

Liu the Scab gave her a deep look, resentment flashing in his eyes. "Brothers, let's go!"

Before leaving, he turned back viciously. "Ling Qianxue, you wait! Sooner or later, I'll have you beneath me, begging for life and death! When that time comes, I'll savor you thoroughly in front of your little lover!"

"Get lost!" Xiao Hanye roared.

After they left, Ling Qianxue finally relaxed, her palms full of cold sweat. That was really too dangerous. If she hadn't thought quickly, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Xiao Hanye could no longer support himself and collapsed.

"Hanye! Hanye!" Ling Qianxue hurriedly supported him, seeing his face bruised black and blue, blood still flowing from his mouth.

"I'm fine..." Xiao Hanye said weakly. "Sister Qianxue, did you really awaken?"

Ling Qianxue smiled bitterly and shook her head. "I was bluffing them."

"I see..." Xiao Hanye relaxed. "But Sister Qianxue is so clever, actually scaring them away."

"Let's not talk about that now. Let me help you to your room."

Ling Qianxue and Uncle Fu together helped Xiao Hanye back to his room.

"Uncle Fu, please prepare some medicine for injuries," Ling Qianxue instructed.

"Yes, Young Miss." Uncle Fu hurried away.

Looking at Xiao Hanye's wounds, Ling Qianxue felt her heart being cut by knives. It was all because of her that Hanye kept getting hurt.

"I'm sorry, Hanye..." she choked up. "It's because I look like this that I attract so much trouble."

"Why is Sister Qianxue apologizing?" Xiao Hanye smiled weakly. "Being able to protect you is my greatest joy. Moreover..."

Determination flashed in his eyes. "Sister Qianxue being so beautiful is heaven's gift. Those filthy people don't deserve to taint you in the slightest."

Ling Qianxue could no longer hold back her tears, which dripped onto Xiao Hanye's hand.

"Fool..." she said softly. "I will definitely become strong, strong enough to protect you, to protect everyone. Never again will anyone look at me with those disgusting eyes."

Today's experience made Ling Qianxue even more determined to become strong. Without strength, beauty was a sin. She didn't want to see those around her get hurt for her anymore.

Late at night, Ling Qianxue sat by Xiao Hanye's bedside, watching his brows furrowed in pain, and silently vowed in her heart.

One day, she would make all those who had bullied them pay! Especially scum like Liu the Scab—she would personally send them to hell!