Miao Ziqiong recalled how Xiao Fei had spent her life locked away with her in the Canghuang Realm Miao Clan's prison cell since her birth. After much hardship, her son had finally rescued them, and the family had enjoyed a brief period of happiness together. Yet now, having returned to the Vermilion Bird Realm, they had fallen into such misfortune again.
It could be said that most of Xiao Fei's life up to this point had been spent in misery.
This filled Miao Ziqiong with deep guilt, feeling she was incapable of protecting her daughter.
"Miao Ziqiong, the time for today's blood offering has arrived!"
At that moment, an elder draped in a large fiery-red robe walked in, his expression cold and emotionless as he spoke.
This elder was precisely the old Wizard of the Vermilion Bird Realm!
"Old Wizard, when will Xiao Fei finally wake up? I beg of you, let her awaken sooner. I will agree to any condition you have.
We can both leave the Vermilion Bird Realm immediately, never to return, and never participate in any Miao Clan family affairs again.
As long as Xiao Fei is safe and sound, that's all I ask!"
The moment she saw the old Wizard, Miao Ziqiong immediately rose and pleaded in a beseeching tone.
"Miss Miao, what are you implying?
Could it be you think Xiao Fei's condition has anything to do with me?
This is slander!
If you say such things again, I will wash my hands of this matter! You can find someone else to treat Xiao Fei!
I warn you, I am the only one in this world who can cure Xiao Fei's poison."
The old Wizard's expression darkened, his words sharp and reproachful.
After finishing, he turned to leave the room.
"Old Wizard, please don't be angry! I misspoke. I beg you, please continue treating Xiao Fei!"
Seeing the old Wizard about to leave, Miao Ziqiong grew anxious and hurriedly apologized.
"Hmph!
It is only out of respect for the Vermilion Bird King that I agreed to help treat Xiao Fei. If you continue spouting nonsense, I won't want to be involved anymore!
Just see if you can find anyone else capable of curing Xiao Fei's poison!"
The old Wizard stopped in his tracks, speaking coldly.
"Enough. Present three bowls of your Origin Essence Blood."
With a wave of his hand, a large red porcelain bowl appeared before Miao Ziqiong.
Helpless, Miao Ziqiong had no choice but to swipe her finger across her wrist. A great surge of Origin Essence Blood gushed out, continuously filling the red bowl.
As her Origin Essence Blood continued to flow, Miao Ziqiong's complexion gradually turned deathly pale.
Origin Essence Blood was one of the most precious essential energies of a living being. Losing large quantities would damage one's very foundation and could even harm the Soul Body.
After a while, the red bowl was full.
The old Wizard took out a tripod vessel carved with strange symbols, poured the bowl of Origin Essence Blood into it, then brought the red bowl back before Miao Ziqiong.
Miao Ziqiong presented a full three bowls of Origin Essence Blood before the process finally ended.
At this moment, her body was swaying unsteadily, on the verge of collapse.
"Take this Restoration Pill."
The old Wizard took out a pill and handed it to Miao Ziqiong, his tone indifferent.
Miao Ziqiong hurriedly accepted and swallowed the pill.
This type of pill was a relatively common restorative elixir used by the Miao Clan.
"Very well, you may leave now.
I need to circulate my energy to help Xiao Fei expel the poison."
The old Wizard spoke to Miao Ziqiong.
"Thank you for your trouble, Old Wizard."
Miao Ziqiong quickly retreated from the room.
The old Wizard waved his hand, and a large isolation Formation manifested, completely concealing the entire room.
Then, shockingly, the old Wizard took out the fiery-red bowl again, swiped his finger across Xiao Fei's wrist, and began extracting Xiao Fei's own Origin Essence Blood, pouring it into the tripod vessel!
He extracted a full three bowls before stopping!
"Alright, you may come in now."
The old Wizard waved his hand again, dispersing the isolation Formation, and spoke to Miao Ziqiong.
"Old Wizard, how is Xiao Fei? Has her condition improved?"
Miao Ziqiong quickly walked in from outside, asking anxiously.
"So-so," the old Wizard replied casually.
"By the way, I have some good news for you. The Jiao Clan Second Prince from the Tianjiao Plane has taken a liking to Xiao Fei and has already come to propose marriage with our Miao Clan.
Xiao Fei once met the Second Prince in passing during a clan mission while training outside, and he fell for her at first sight. Hence, he sent the Jiao Clan Grand Elder personally to make the proposal.
After deliberation, our Miao Clan's Elder Assembly has unanimously agreed to have Xiao Fei marry the Second Prince.
The Second Prince will come for the formal betrothal at any time. Prepare yourself."
The old Wizard suddenly spoke, revealing this.
"What?!
Have Xiao Fei marry the Jiao Clan Second Prince?!
How can that be? Xiao Fei is currently afflicted with a strange poison and lies unconscious. How can she be married?
Moreover, I've heard the Jiao Clan Second Prince is lecherous by nature, with a crowd of wives and concubines. Xiao Fei is kind-hearted and so young; how can she be married to him? I do not agree!"
Upon hearing the old Wizard's words, Miao Ziqiong could not help but be horrified.
"The marriages of children from great clans have always been decided by the clan's upper echelons! When has it ever been up to you to agree or not!
The Tianjiao Plane is immensely powerful. The Second Prince is a core disciple of the Jiao Clan, with outstanding talent and surpassing aptitude. He is one of the Jiao Clan's famed young geniuses. Marrying Xiao Fei to him is a perfect match of status.
The union between our Miao Clan and the Jiao Clan is a powerful alliance, beneficial to our Miao Clan's future development.
As for Xiao Fei's poison, do not worry.
The Second Prince has already promised me that if Xiao Fei is married to him, he can immediately use the Jiao Clan's treasures to cure her poison.
In short, the Elder Assembly has already made a decision regarding this marriage. There is absolutely no possibility of change. I am merely notifying you.
When the Second Prince chooses an auspicious date, he will naturally come to take his bride."
The old Wizard sneered coldly.
He then flicked his sleeve and departed.
"No!
I disagree! The Jiao Clan Second Prince already has so many wives and concubines. How can Xiao Fei be married to him?!"
Miao Ziqiong cried out in panic.
"I must see my father!"
Gritting her teeth, Miao Ziqiong recklessly charged towards the room's exit.
"Get back!"
The old Wizard flicked his sleeve, sending Miao Ziqiong crashing back into the room. He then pointed a finger.
BOOM! BOOM!...
Several large-scale Formations simultaneously materialized, completely enveloping the room in layer after layer.
These Formations were extremely advanced and immensely powerful. Miao Ziqiong had absolutely no ability to break through them and escape.
"No!
Old Wizard, I want to see my father! Please, let me out!"
Miao Ziqiong cried out in despair.
"What should I do now?!
That Jiao Clan Second Prince is lascivious by nature. If Xiao Fei marries him, her life will surely be one of utter misery! It will ruin Xiao Fei's happiness for her entire life!
I absolutely cannot let Xiao Fei marry him!
But what can I do now?"
Miao Ziqiong felt utterly helpless at this moment. She wanted to resist but had no idea how she could possibly succeed.
Some time later.
Within the Vermilion Bird Realm's core region, amidst an area of splendid, golden palaces, inside one particularly lavish hall.
A tall, imposing middle-aged man in purple robes stood there. His gaze was sharp and fierce, radiating an aura that chilled anyone he glanced at.
This middle-aged man was the Da Wangye of the Miao Clan!
The eldest son of the Vermilion Bird King!
"Da Wangye."
Suddenly, the old Wizard walked out.
"Old Wizard, well then? Did you obtain Miao Ziqiong's Origin Essence Blood today?"
The Da Wangye hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
"Rest assured, Da Wangye. I used the pretext of helping Xiao Fei cure her poison to demand her Origin Essence Blood. How could she dare refuse?"
The old Wizard replied with a cold sneer.