Feng Xian heard this and chuckled softly, "When have you ever held even a shred of hope for me? If you had, why would you have disregarded my feelings and given the tribal chief position to..."
The Great Elder's expression darkened at her words, "Feng Xian, one wrong step leads to another..."
"I made no mistake..." Feng Xian shook her head.
The Great Elder sighed, "Feng Xian, you are utterly misguided..."
"Great Elder, further words are futile. The matter is settled and irreversible. If you step aside, the Prince will not harm you; he might even show leniency and forgive your transgressions."
The Great Elder let out a cold laugh, "This old man needs no leniency from him..."
"Great Elder, you cannot be so obstinate."
"Obstinate?" The Great Elder sneered, "Then call me ungrateful! Make your move and let this old man see if you've made any progress these past few years."
Feng Xian faltered, biting her lip subconsciously, "Great Elder, although I wish to spar with you, now is not the time."
"How is it not the time?" the Great Elder inquired.
"I... I am pregnant..." Feng Xian said slowly.
The Prince of Northern Territory, standing nearby, was stunned and overjoyed, "Xian'er, is it true? You carry my and your offspring?"
Feng Xian nodded, "It is true, Your Highness. Forgive me for not telling you sooner; I merely wished to give you a surprise."
The Prince of Northern Territory rejoiced, "This is the best news! Xian'er, thank you, thank you for deigning to carry my child."
Seeing the Prince of Northern Territory's elation, Feng Xian also felt a surge of happiness, "I thought Your Highness might not be pleased."
"Nonsense, how could this King not be pleased? It carries the bloodline of you and me."
The Great Elder was filled with sorrow, "Feng Xian, the Feng Yin tribe forbids marriage and even childbirth with outsiders. You have violated tribal laws, and I must enforce them today."
Feng Xian took a step back, protecting her belly, "Great Elder, you cannot do this. This is a small life, after all."
"It should not exist in this world," the Great Elder said with a sigh.
Feng Xian retreated several steps, "No, no one is allowed to touch my child."
The Prince of Northern Territory stepped forward, shielding her, "This King will absolutely not allow anyone to harm you and the child."
Feng Xian looked up at the Prince of Northern Territory, leaning into his embrace, "I know Your Highness will not abandon us, mother and child."
The Great Elder shook his head in disappointment, "Feng Xian, you have truly disappointed this old man. Since you are so unyielding, do not blame this old man for being impolite."
With that, the Great Elder moved towards Feng Xian.
The Prince of Northern Territory pulled Feng Xian back hastily and said coldly, "Protect this King."
The guards behind them stepped forward to shield the Prince of Northern Territory and Feng Xian.
However, the Great Elder was, after all, a member of the Feng Yin tribe and far more skilled than the Feng guards. Soon, all the guards were defeated by the Great Elder.
The Prince of Northern Territory had not anticipated the Great Elder's formidable prowess.
As the last two guards fell, the Prince of Northern Territory continued to protect Feng Xian. Feng Xian was deeply touched. She tugged at the Prince of Northern Territory's sleeve and said, "Your Highness, to have you protect me like this is already more than enough for me."
"Xian'er..."
Feng Xian smiled, then pushed the Prince of Northern Territory aside and attacked the Great Elder. The two engaged in battle, and Feng Xian was quickly at a disadvantage. Suddenly, the Great Elder landed a palm strike on her shoulder, causing Feng Xian to stagger back several steps.
The Prince of Northern Territory stepped forward to shield her, "Great Elder, let us discuss this further. If this continues, both Feng Xian and you will be injured."
The Great Elder snorted, "It is because of you that Feng Xian has become this way."
The Prince of Northern Territory was taken aback, "Great Elder..."
"You are the one who should die the most..." Before he could finish speaking, the Great Elder launched an attack towards the Prince of Northern Territory.
The Prince of Northern Territory recoiled in fear, but his speed was no match for the Great Elder's.
Seeing the Great Elder's hand about to strike the Prince of Northern Territory, "Your Highness..." Feng Xian, witnessing the Great Elder's mercilessness, desperately unleashed a desperate move, one that harmed the enemy at the cost of her own strength.
The Great Elder spat out a mouthful of blood. Feng Xian looked at him with guilt. The Great Elder was heartbroken, "Feng Xian, you have utterly disappointed this old man. From now on, you walk your own path, and I will go mine."
Feng Xian was stunned, "Great Elder..."
"More words are useless," the Great Elder waved his hand.
Feng Xian lowered her gaze, knowing that after this, she would likely never be able to return to the Feng Yin tribe, nor would anyone believe her.
"What about this place..." the Prince of Northern Territory pointed to the entrance and asked.
Feng Xian looked at the Great Elder and said, "Great Elder, you can no longer use your internal energy. Come up!"
The Great Elder leaned on his sword for support and said coldly, "As long as I am here, outsiders will not enter."
"What if you die?"
Feng Xian was startled. She saw the Prince of Northern Territory thrusting his long sword forward and was greatly shocked, "No..."
But it was too late. The sword in the Prince of Northern Territory's hand pierced the Great Elder's heart, and blood gushed out.
"Great Elder, Great Elder..." Feng Xian, ignoring everything, rushed forward, attempting to catch the Great Elder's falling body.
The Great Elder waved his hand, pushing Feng Xian away. He said coldly, "Prince of Northern Territory, even if you have reached the Feng Yin tribe, what of it? The Feng Yin tribe has already lost its former glory."
"What this King wants to do, you do not understand," the Prince of Northern Territory replied coldly.
The Great Elder spat out blood and knelt on the ground. He looked up at Feng Xian and uttered each word slowly, "From now on, you are no longer a member of the Feng Yin tribe. You... you are expelled from the tribe."
Feng Xian trembled, unable to believe it as she looked at the Great Elder, "Great Elder, you... you are expelling me from the tribe? Do you know what you are saying?"
"Feng Xian, your presence in the tribe will only lead the Feng Yin tribe to ruin. In the past, this old man did not understand the intention of the soul lamp choosing you, the Feng Ling, as the tribal chief. Now, this old man understands. You never possessed the kind and bright heart of a Feng Ling. Your heart is filled with darkness. Such a person cannot lead the Feng Yin tribe out of the desert."
Feng Xian shook her head.
The Prince of Northern Territory put his arm around her and said slowly, "Xian'er, do not be sad. No one cares for you, but this King cares for you..."
"Your Highness, I will help you ascend to that supreme position. My pledge of loyalty is the Feng Yin tribe," Feng Xian gritted her teeth and said each word.
"Feng Xian, you..." the Great Elder choked with rage.
"Great Elder, just watch. Even the Feng Ling cannot stop me," Feng Xian said coldly.
"Feng Xian, you... you are a traitor to the Feng Yin tribe..." the Great Elder roared with his last ounce of strength.
"So what if I am a traitor?" Feng Xian said slowly.
She walked towards the Great Elder and placed her hand on his head, drawing out vital energy from the top of his head.