The third prince felt a pang of disgust as he thought about Ruolan's alluring beauty. Among the women he had meticulously groomed to serve as pawns for the powerful, Ruolan was the one he coveted most. Originally, he had planned to savor her for himself once her mission was completed. But now, before he could enjoy her, she was gone—killed before he had the chance to indulge in her beauty. The realization filled him with rage.
"Damn you, Orion," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "I extended an offer to join forces, and this is how you repay me? By killing my people?"
The narrow slits of the Third Prince's eyes gleamed with a sinister light. Before Ruolan died, she must have revealed that she was acting on his behalf. And yet, despite knowing this, Orion had still gone through with the killing. It wasn't just Ruolan who had died—it was a blow to the Third Prince's dignity and power. If he didn't retaliate, how would his other subordinates perceive him?
"Keep a close watch on Orion's movements at all times," the Third Prince ordered coldly. "Report to me immediately if there's any news."
"Yes, Your Highness!" the man in black replied hastily, nodding before disappearing as if fleeing for his life.
With the man in black gone, the Third Prince was left alone in the pavilion. His lips curled into a malevolent smile. "Orion, you will regret underestimating me, the Third Prince. Prepare to pay dearly for your ignorance."
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were blood-red, filled with malevolent energy.
The destruction of the Wenjian Sect spread like wildfire across the Great Zhou Dynasty. As the most powerful sect in the dynasty, Wenjian was widely recognized as unbeatable. Yet, in just one day, it had been annihilated. Even the disciples scattered outside the sect were being hunted down, leaving everyone in shock. This was clearly an attempt to completely erase the legacy of the Wenjian Sect from history.
The news sent shockwaves through the weaker factions of the dynasty. Fearful that they might be next, they dared not send anyone to investigate, afraid of provoking the unknown force responsible for the sect's destruction. However, the more powerful factions, including the Zhou royal family, began secret investigations, desperate to uncover the truth behind Wenjian's fall.
"Orion...!!!" A shrill, furious cry echoed throughout the palace, chilling everyone who heard it. Zhou Linglong's once delicate and pretty face had twisted into a mask of rage and despair. Upon learning of Wenjian Sect's destruction and the likely death of her grandfather, the sect's leader, she felt as though her world had collapsed.
"Orion, I will make you pay!" Zhou Linglong swore, her beautiful eyes burning with hatred. Her grandfather was gone, leaving her with no family. In that moment, her anger toward Orion transformed into an all-consuming desire for revenge.
Wiping the tears from her face, Zhou Linglong disregarded all royal decorum. Barefoot and disheveled, she ran out of her chambers like a woman possessed.
"Your Majesty…" A guard attempted to intervene, only to be struck down by Zhou Linglong's merciless blow.
"Out of my way!" she snarled, her appearance wild and terrifying. Her face was deathly pale, her lips bloodless, and her hair a tangled mess. She looked like a woman driven mad by grief. The maids and guards lowered their heads in fear, stunned by what they were witnessing. Had the empress lost her mind?
Zhou Linglong raced to the northern part of the palace, where the Dragon Tomb of the Great Zhou Dynasty was located. This sacred site housed the remains of all the dynasty's kings and the Dragon Court, where the most powerful masters of the royal family were enshrined. Only those who had achieved the rank of Half-Saint or higher were permitted entry.
In front of the Dragon Tomb, Zhou Linglong dropped to her knees. "Zhou Linglong, the forty-third emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, humbly requests the aid of the ancestors!" she cried, pressing her forehead to the ground in desperation.
The most powerful individuals she could call upon were only Half-Saints, and now even her grandfather, a Martial Saint, had been killed by Orion. Her only hope lay in summoning the ancient ancestors from the Dragon Court.
Moments later, the air in front of Zhou Linglong began to ripple. An elderly man with a haggard face stepped out from the twisted space. If any other cultivators had been present, they would have gasped in astonishment. The so-called Dragon Court was, in fact, a small, hidden world.
"Ancestor," Zhou Linglong greeted the man respectfully. The elder before her was none other than Zhou Huangye, the revered Grand Ancestor of the Zhou Dynasty.
"Didn't I tell you not to summon me unless the dynasty was on the brink of collapse?" Zhou Huangye snapped, glaring at Zhou Linglong. "What is so urgent that you dare disturb my seclusion? If this is not a matter of great importance, not even your grandfather will save you from my wrath!"
Masters of Zhou Huangye's level were deeply focused on their cultivation, seeking the chance to ascend to even greater heights. Being interrupted without cause was a serious offense that could result in the loss of a crucial opportunity.
"Ancestor, the dynasty truly is in grave danger!" Zhou Linglong explained, wiping away her tears as she recounted the events that had led her to seek his aid.
"Orion? The destruction of the Wenjian Sect... is this true?" Zhou Huangye's expression shifted to one of shock. He was well aware of the power of the Wenjian Sect, the most formidable force in all of Great Zhou.
"It seems we must consult the Emperor about this matter," Zhou Huangye said gravely, his face darkening. The fall of two Martial Saints was beyond his ability to handle alone. Even more alarming was the fact that the one responsible for killing them was now an enemy of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This was a threat that could not be ignored.
"Emperor?" Zhou Linglong echoed, confused. The title sounded familiar, but the details were shrouded in mystery. Even as the empress, she knew little about the secrets of the Dragon Court.
"Say no more and follow me," Zhou Huangye commanded, his voice heavy with authority. The Dragon Court was not just a place for saints like him. Although the world believed him to be the only Martial Saint of the Great Zhou Dynasty, that was merely a facade. No nation would reveal all its cards so easily.
As Zhou Linglong followed her ancestor, she realized that the true strength of the Dragon Court, the very foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty for nearly ten thousand years, was far greater than she had ever imagined.