Chapter 1176: Whoever Disagrees, Step Forward

"Get lost! Get lost! Get lost!"

As soon as the Illusion Heart Queen spoke, the citizens of Heaven's Illusion Island raised their voices in unison, shouting for the black-robed man to leave.

"You... All of you!"

The black-robed man glared first at the Illusion Heart Queen, then at Ling Feng. His face twisted in fury. "Very well, Illusion Heart Queen. I will remember this!"

He took a deep breath, flicked his sleeve and wiped the footprint from his face, then flew out of Heaven's Illusion Palace.

"Elder Tian Yi," the Illusion Heart Queen said coldly, "follow him. If he approaches within five hundred li of Heaven's Illusion Island, execute him on the spot!"

Her voice was not loud, yet it voiced clearly into every ear. The black-robed man also heard it.

The black-robed man clenched his fists and turned back to glare at Ling Feng. "Brat, you ruined everything. You had better stay on Heaven's Illusion Island for the rest of your life, because I will kill you the moment you step outside!"

Ling Feng felt the killing intent but only shrugged, unconcerned. If that old man came for him, it would only be to seek death!

"You must have realized something was wrong with that man from the start," a lazy voice murmured beside him.

Ling Feng looked up and saw the Illusion Heart Queen rise gracefully to her feet. Dressed in red, she stood like a burning flame, her phoenix eyes fixed on him as if she wanted to see straight into his soul.

"I noticed a few things."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose and met her gaze. For the first time, he felt a faint sense of unease. Just one glance from her made him feel as if all his thoughts had been laid bare.

She was called the Illusion Heart Queen for a reason. Her mastery of illusion techniques was said to be unrivaled, and illusions were themselves a form of spiritual consciousness control.

In a way, Tuoba Yan's Tianheng Illusion Technique shared a similar foundation with the Queen's cultivation path.

"You are full of surprises," the Illusion Heart Queen said with a faint smile. "Even that old monster's spiritual consciousness was weaker than yours."

Her tone softened slightly. "That soul-refining secret art, you must have obtained it, haven't you?"

"Yes."

Ling Feng did not lie. There was no need to. Since the secret art was sealed within the Stairway of the Soul, it was meant to be claimed by whoever could reach it.

He took out the mysterious scroll. On its surface were four engraved words: Nightmare Heart Technique. As the name suggested, it clearly had something to do with dreams.

"Since fate allowed you to draw out the Nightmare Heart Technique, it now belongs to you," the Illusion Heart Queen said calmly. "However, before you leave with it, I would like to make a copy to keep as a record. Would that be acceptable to you?"

"Of course." Ling Feng nodded. A hint of curiosity stirred in his heart. Was this Nightmare Heart Technique not something the Illusion Heart Queen herself had sealed within the Stairway of the Soul? If it were hers, there would be no need to ask for a copy.

The Queen lifted her jade-like hand. With a light motion, she drew the scroll through the air into her sleeve. "One matter at a time," she continued. "Although you helped me recover this secret art, that kick you gave the old man caused quite an uproar and injured several contestants. You must take responsibility for that."

She said this not out of anger but out of consideration. Murong Huang was from Tianhuang City, and though the Illusion Heart Queen ruled Heaven's Illusion Island with authority, she still needed to show the Venerable of the Desolate Sea some respect.

By now, Murong Huang had climbed to his feet. Rolling down from such a height had nearly broken several of his bones, and naturally he blamed Ling Feng for it.

"You arrogant brat!" Murong Huang shouted, his face swollen and bruised beyond recognition. "Your Majesty, this boy must be severely punished!"

Ling Feng pursed his lips and ignored him. He turned to the Queen. "Your Majesty, how do you wish me to take responsibility?"

"You are quite wealthy," she replied with a small smile. "Just pay for their medicine. Ten thousand elemental crystals per person. Consider it a favor to me, and we shall close this matter here!"

"Your Majesty, you cannot be serious!"

Murong Huang nearly exploded.

Ten thousand elemental crystals?

My reputation cannot be bought with such a

petty sum!

Are you trying to treat me like a beggar?

"You disagree?"

The Illusion Heart Queen's gaze sharpened. Her eyes glowed with divine light as she stared straight at Murong Huang. "Whoever disagrees, step forward."

"I..."

Murong Huang froze. He glanced around and saw that every contestant who had been knocked down and every spectator was staring at him.

On Heaven's Illusion Island, who would dare challenge the Illusion Heart Queen?

"I... I agree."

He swallowed his pride. Even if his teeth broke, he could only swallow them with blood.

"Since you agree, young man, distribute the medicine fee," the Queen said with a faint smile.

Ling Feng understood immediately. He took a large chest of elemental crystals from his storage spirit ring and tossed it onto the stairway. "There are one million elemental crystals inside. Divide them among yourselves."

During the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons, Ling Feng had seized an entire vault belonging to a great emperor. Zifeng had taken away hundreds of these crystal chests, and within the Five Elements Heavenly Palace every drop of water and every grain of soil was a treasure. To Ling Feng, wealth was only a number.

"

Gulp!

"

Several martial artists gulped audibly, their eyes gleaming with greed.

That chest contained far more than ten thousand elemental crystals per person!

Even for Inner Sea geniuses like them, tens of thousands of crystals was no small fortune. Unless one had Murong Huang's background, no one would dare scoff at such wealth.

Yang Huanzhi watched Ling Feng toss out a million elemental crystals and promptly rolled down a few steps, shouting, "I want my share! I want my share too!"

From the platform above, both the Illusion Heart Queen and Xiang'er twitched at the corners of their mouths.

This guy is shameless!

Ling Feng raised an eyebrow and looked back at Illusion Heart Queen. "Your Majesty, it seems I'm the only one who passed the Stairway of the Soul. I suppose the second round of assessment won't be necessary anymore."

"In principle, yes," the Queen replied, nodding slightly. "However, there are still several others capable of passing the Stairway of the Soul. Your kick was a violation of the rules, but since you have already taken responsibility, I will overlook it."

She paused and looked down at the crowd. Her clear voice carried through the hall. "The assessment of the Stairway of the Soul ends here. Although there were some unexpected incidents, aside from Ling Feng, three others have qualified to enter the second round."

With a light wave of her hand, Illusion Heart Queen drew Yang Huanzhi, Murong Huang, and another green-clad swordsman up onto the platform.

Murong Huang's dark expression eased slightly. At least he had qualified for the next round, so Tianhuang City's reputation was not entirely lost.

The green-clad swordsman's face lit up with excitement. He bowed deeply. "Many thanks, Your Majesty!"

"Yang Huanzhi, however, shouted, "My crystals! I haven't collected all my crystals yet!"

Illusion Heart Queen's mouth twitched again. Her eyes flashed coldly toward him, only then did Yang Huanzhi shrink his neck and fall silent, not daring to utter another word.