Shuiton Shan arrived in a flurry, urgency etched on his face.
Shuiton Shan: "Your Highness… Her Majesty has awakened. She is looking for you."
Prince Long Hua's heart leapt. Without hesitation, he rushed to her side.
Prince Long Hua: "How are you feeling now?"
Empress Xiao Yufan gazed at him, her expression serene yet sorrowful.
Empress Xiao Yufan: "I am going to die."
Prince Long Hua: "Do not say that. Nothing will happen to you. You are not going anywhere."
She shook her head gently. "I know my time has come. Please… promise me you will take care of yourself."
Prince Long Hua: "Wait for me… I will be back." He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, unwilling to disturb her further, and quietly left her side.
Her family and closest friends soon gathered in her room. First Prince Xiao Yu Lang, then Prince Xiao Yu Song, Princess Meiling Hua, Princess Li Long, Princess Lin Zhang, and Prince Yulong—all came to see her. Princess Li Long and Princess Lin Zhang sat closest, holding her hands with quiet reverence.
Princess Lin Zhang: "How are you feeling?"
Empress Xiao Yuan: "I… I am dying soon."
Princess Li Long squeezed her hand, her eyes unwavering. "Do not speak like that. Just believe in yourself. You will be fine."
Empress Xiao Yufan: "Then… promise me something. After I am gone… take care of Long Hua."
One by one, they nodded solemnly, their eyes glistening with tears. They knew the truth—she was beyond mortal saving.
Meanwhile, Prince Long Hua sought the council of Chief God Hei Ping in the heavenly realm.
Prince Long Hua: "Chief God… what is truly happening to Yufan?"
Hei Ping's expression softened, revealing no desire to hide the truth.
Chief God Hei Ping: "She is dying to save the world. It is a sacrifice of unimaginable courage. But do not despair… she will be reborn."
A spark of hope ignited in Prince Long Hua's heart.
Prince Long Hua: "Then I will wait for her. Even if it takes a thousand years… or ten thousand. I will wait for her, until my last breath."
At that moment, the heavens darkened. Rain poured in sheets, lightning tore across the sky, and the wind howled like a warning. A storm unlike any before had arrived—a harbinger of doom.
Prince Long Hua raced back to Shuilu Kingdom, his heart pounding. He burst into her room. Empress Xiao Yu Fan lay there, fragile and radiant, her final moment upon her.
Empress Xiao Yufan: "I am going… please… take care of yourself."
Prince Long Hua shook his head violently, tears streaming down his face, kissed her forehead.
With a final, ethereal smile, she transformed into shimmering dust, rising like a golden phoenix into the sky. The entire kingdom bowed, awed by her sacrifice.
Then the earth trembled violently. Mountains shook, rivers roared, and the heavens themselves seemed to crack. In mere moments, the Four Realms collapsed. Gods, immortals, and divine beings fell alongside the crumbling realms. Those who survived fled to the human world, carrying the weight of a shattered cosmos.
The Four Realms—the celestial, the demonic, the human, and the immortal—were no more. Their grandeur, their glory, and their power reduced to memories. Humanity remained, bearing the echoes of gods, and a world forever changed by one woman's sacrifice.
Prince Long Hua looked to the sky, his heart heavy, yet filled with resolve.
He would wait… and he would remember.
For the Phoenix who gave everything for the world, he would honor her until the end of time.
To be continued.