"I already said it. Our grudges are settled. I owe you nothing." Fire Phoenix Woman's lips moved slightly, her tone as cold as ice. Her red robes fluttered in the wind, and even the fiery aura around her carried a hint of aloofness.
"Heh, easy for you to say!" Ling Yunxiao stepped forward, his voice laced with mockery. "When you refused to show yourself earlier, weren't those Taiyi Academy disciples hunting you down killed by us at the risk of our lives? Forget everything else—how do you plan to repay us for taking the disaster meant for you?"
Fire Phoenix Woman fell silent, her phoenix eyes lowered.
In truth, she had arrived at the outskirts of Death Valley long ago. But wary of the unknown force, she had remained hidden in the shadows, watching the situation unfold.
She had witnessed the earth-shattering battle of the Nether Wind Fire Talisman with perfect clarity. She knew exactly what formidable enemies Ling Yunxiao and the others had eliminated for her, and how great a price they had paid.
"Those people already had a grudge against you. Killing them was merely taking advantage of the situation. How does that count as me owing you a favor?" After thinking for a moment, Fire Phoenix Woman raised her eyes and retorted. Her tone remained firm, though it lacked some of its earlier conviction.
"Taking advantage of the situation?"
Ling Yunxiao laughed. "If we hadn't been helping you, why would my brother have voluntarily gotten involved in a deadly feud with Taiyi Academy? And do you really think we had nothing better to do than return to Death Valley and provoke powerful enemies?"
Fire Phoenix Woman took a deep breath. "I assume you know my origins. I cannot coexist under the same sky as the people of