"How dare you…" The little princess's face instantly turned ashen, chilled by Chen Feng's sudden ruthlessness. Just when everyone thought he wouldn't dare, he had struck without hesitation. Recalling his methods, she clutched her collar tightly, the words "How dare you" lacking the force they had moments before.

"You think I dare not?" Chen Feng let out a cold laugh, his eyes locked onto her.

"Don't come any closer…" the little princess cried out anxiously, her eyes beginning to redden. She was genuinely terrified by Chen Feng’s reputation for acting exactly as he threatened.

Seeing her fear, Chen Feng asked, "Where have you hidden the residual soul of Elder Yanlong?"

"I don't know, but it should be with my father…" the little princess replied quickly, a flicker of cunning in her eyes.

Chen Feng’s gaze was like that of a viper; he saw through her pretense instantly. Without wasting another word, he slammed a hand onto the table and roared, "Guards! Undress her…"

"I'll tell you!" the little princess stammered urgently.

"It's too late to say it now!" Chen Feng declared. With a wave of his hand, two Dragon Clan youths immediately appeared and moved to tear at her robes.

"Waaah…" The little princess burst into tears. Having been pampered and tyrannical in the Tiger Domain, she had never suffered such "treatment." In her panic, she utterly abandoned any pretense of being the daughter of a Golden Profound Tiger and started to cry aloud.

Her sudden tears stunned the two Dragon Clan youths into immobility. They looked to Chen Feng, awaiting his command.

Chen Feng waved his hand, signaling them to stand down. Threatening to strip her had merely been said in the heat of the moment; he certainly couldn't have a young girl completely undressed in the main hall.

"I'll tell you, alright?" the little princess sobbed. "My father put it in the [Golden Tiger Divine Hall]… Wuuu…"

"The [Golden Tiger Divine Hall]?" Chen Feng paused in surprise.

The Great Elder standing nearby explained, "The [Golden Tiger Divine Hall] is where the Golden Profound Tiger resides, the very heart of his stronghold in the Tiger Domain."

Chen Feng nodded. Just as he was about to speak, Little Tiger walked in, looking utterly delighted.

In his hands, he held several brightly colored Demon Cores, a look of pure triumph on his face.

"Boss, these are the Demon Cores of the Profound Tiger Clan!" Little Tiger exclaimed excitedly. "I just discovered they’re edible!"

Everyone present stared at Little Tiger as if he were a monster, their faces etched with astonishment. Even the little princess stopped crying in shock.

It was the first time anyone had ever heard of Demon Cores being edible.

"They really are edible!" Little Tiger declared proudly, opening his mouth and popping another core inside. He chewed as he spoke, "And they taste quite good…"

The notorious hardness of Demon Cores meant nothing to Little Tiger; in his mouth, they seemed no different from eating hard candies, leaving everyone present utterly speechless.

"You… what do you feel after eating them?" Chen Feng couldn't help but ask.

"Just a warm feeling in my belly. But I bet if I eat these few, my cultivation will definitely stabilize firmly at the Nine-Tier Demonic Beast level!" Little Tiger boasted.

Eating the Demon Cores of the Profound Tiger Clan could actually boost one's cultivation? Chen Feng turned to the Great Elder in stunned silence.

The Great Elder, having lived for over ten thousand years, was knowledgeable enough to grasp the potential reasons behind this phenomenon.

"The Iron-Backed Silver Tiger is only a second-rate race among the Tiger lineage, far inferior in talent to the Profound Tiger clan… However, he received the Dragon God’s blessing, his father burned his soul to nourish him in his youth, and later he forged a Soul Blood Pact with Lord Dragon God! When I resurrected him, I borrowed a drop of blood from one of the core disciples of the Phoenix Clan, using that…" He paused, then continued, "Now, let us discuss how to rescue the residual soul of Elder Yanlong!"

The Great Elder said, "I don't entirely trust what the little princess said!"

"I know, but right now there's no other way," Chen Feng stated calmly. "Elder Yanlong was kind to me; I cannot stand by and watch his residual soul dissipate. I must save him!"

Yanlong’s stone statue had clearly been found by the enemy, meaning the Nine-Story Pagoda had certainly been destroyed. Yanlong's residual soul, once tethered to the statue, must now be in the hands of the Golden Profound Tiger.

Even without knowing why the Four Divine Beasts had split, Elder Yanlong's residual soul was undoubtedly in grave danger.

"Does Lord Dragon God intend to make a trip to the Tiger Domain?" the Great Elder asked nervously.

Chen Feng nodded. "I want to go to the Tiger Domain myself and scout the situation."

"Absolutely not!" the Great Elder stated resolutely.

"Why not? Didn't you surmise that the Golden Profound Tiger is already injured? This is the best time!" Chen Feng argued.

"You are the hope of our Dragon Clan. If anything happens to you, how can I face the entire Dragon Domain?" the Great Elder worried.

"Actually, if we truly intend to go to the Tiger Domain, there might be a way," the Second Elder, who had been standing aside, suddenly interjected.

The Second Elder was the Dragon Domain's strategist, perhaps the most cunning individual within it. When he spoke, everyone turned to look at him.

"Elder Second, what suggestions do you have?" Chen Feng inquired.

"In truth, going to the Tiger Domain isn't that complicated. I have devised two methods. First: we hold this little princess hostage, use the Transformation Art to take the form of those fifteen envoys from before, and infiltrate the Tiger Domain!" the Second Elder said with a slight smile.

"No, this method is far too dangerous…" the Great Elder objected anxiously.

If they ventured deep into the Tiger Domain and were caught by the enemy's formidable Dragon-Binding Ropes, not only would they fail to rescue Yanlong's soul, they might all perish there!

"The second method is for us to lead the main Dragon Clan army, escorting the little princess, and force our way into the Tiger Domain, compelling them to hand over Elder Yanlong's residual soul!" the Second Elder proposed.

"Hmm?" Chen Feng hadn't expected the Second Elder to suggest such a bold plan.

"This method is viable… Since the Golden Profound Tiger is injured, it's the perfect moment for a full counterattack!" the Great Elder, Longyi, agreed. "If we go, the Dragon Clan disciples must form a combat sequence and not act separately. They only have so many Dragon-Binding Ropes; I doubt they can scatter our main force!"

The Great Elder’s words were filled with martial spirit. Due to his previous concerns regarding Elder Yanlong's mission, he had been hesitant, but now that Lord Dragon God had returned, those reservations were cast aside.

Like general, like soldier: Chen Feng's arrogance was bound to influence his subordinates, especially since the Dragon Clan was naturally proud.

Chen Feng considered the Second Elder’s suggestion for a moment, then suddenly looked up and addressed the Fourth and Fifth Elders.

"What is the status of your mission to eliminate the Purple Courtyard Demon Territory?"

"Reporting to Lord Dragon God, we have slain the seven Vice-Lords of the Purple Courtyard Demon Territory. The remaining three have agreed to submit to our Dragon Domain and are now entirely under our control!" the Fourth Elder announced loudly.

"Exactly!" the Second Elder clapped his hands. "We have this force we can utilize!"

Chen Feng smiled faintly upon hearing this and immediately commanded, "Notify all the Chiefs, Vice-Chiefs, Guard Teams, and regular soldiers of the Purple Courtyard Demon Territory to assemble within one day!"

"Yes!" The Fourth Elder turned and exited upon receiving the order.

"The strength of the Purple Courtyard Demon Territory might not match the Tiger Domain, but they should be close! Since they don't fear the Dragon-Binding Ropes, let them take the vanguard!" Chen Feng stated with a smile.

The Great Elder sighed in admiration. "Lord Dragon God's method is truly brilliant; it minimizes our Dragon Clan's casualties while allowing us to vent some of this anger!"

The Second Elder followed up, "Since we are going to fight, why not make it bigger? Can we send envoys to the Phoenix Domain and the Qilin Domain to discuss joining forces to destroy the Tiger Domain?"

The Great Elder countered, "The Phoenix and Qilin Domains have already declared they won't interfere in the affairs between our Dragon Domain and the Tiger Domain. I fear it will be difficult to persuade them!"

"It won't be that hard. Tell those two clans that if they refuse to send aid, our Dragon Domain will move to eradicate them first!" the Second Elder seemed confident.

"This might not be appropriate. The Phoenix and Qilin Domains are also among the Four Divine Beasts. If we publicly provoke them like this, won't they ally with the Tiger Domain against us?" the Great Elder worried.

"If there are no tangible benefits, there will certainly be many problems. What if we tell them the Golden Profound Tiger is gravely wounded, and we forfeit all the treasures and divine artifacts obtained from destroying the Tiger Domain entirely to them?" The Second Elder spoke like a shrewd merchant, his eyes gleaming.

Hitting them with a stick while offering a sweet date has always been the best means of appeasement.

"Ah, yes!" Everyone suddenly realized the wisdom of the approach.

"With a Divine-level expert like the Golden Profound Tiger, the Tiger Domain's treasures and artifacts are guaranteed to be the richest. This is definitely the most tempting offer!" the Great Elder couldn't help but praise.

Although they agreed the method was good, the final decision rested with Chen Feng, so all eyes turned to him, hoping he would decide.

"It might not be entirely sound," Chen Feng said after a moment of deep thought. (To be continued. For future developments, please visit www**com for more chapters, to support the author, and for genuine reading!) First published.