"Granduncle, Second Granduncle, Third Granduncle..."
Just then, Zi Tianya slowly emerged from the crowd with light steps.
He walked at an unhurried pace, the smile on his face completely gone.
For once, he wore a solemn expression instead.
He went straight to the three Grand Elders, stopped before them, and bowed deeply.
His voice was not loud, but everyone in the square could hear him clearly.
"Allow me to speak out of turn. If my royal brother and third sister fight here before the altar, their struggle will inevitably bring disaster upon the guests from the Four Seas."
"Why not follow the Dragon Palace's old rules, open the Life-and-Death Platform, and have both parties make a pact: the survivor shall rule."
"That would preserve the Dragon Palace's dignity, spare its innocent people from being dragged into this, and let my royal brother and third sister settle their personal grudge. Three gains with a single stroke."
The three Grand Elders looked at one another, exchanging glances.
Zi Gang's brows knitted tightly, like a mountain that had finally begun to crack after bearing too much weight for too long.
He glanced at the Purple Sky Dragon King on the dais, then at Zi Ning in the center of the altar.
Complicated emotions churned in his cloudy old eyes as he slowly said, "The Life-and-Death Platform... the Dragon Palace has not used it for five hundred years. And this is between brother and sister, no less. That platform was established to settle blood feuds between members of our own clan. Are you certain you want to use it?"
The Purple Sky Dragon King stood on the dais, his gaze resting on Eldest Princess Zi Ning for a long time.
"Granted."
Zi Ning stood there, the curve of her lips lifting slightly.
She drew