The New Year's celebration ended, but a greater celebration began. The crown prince was getting married, and such an event shut down the merchants' market across the capital.
First came the ritual at SÌ TIĀN TEMPLE, then the visit to the bride's town, before the main ceremony at the palace.
The bride's family was allowed into the palace and given special treatment, but the bride herself remained at the Queen's manor, as tradition required.
Queen Yù Yuè was pleased to meet Mò Lián's family. The day felt lively to her, especially as she listened to Chen Rong, whose endless words and humor filled the halls with laughter.
The celebration finally arrived.
For the first time, the district would crown a maiden.
Sì Tiān Temple overflowed with gifts. Incense burned thickly in the air as the royal ritual began.
And the heavens watched.
The high priest stared at Mò Lián throughout the ritual. His gaze never left her, and it made her feel off-guard. None of her loved ones were close; no one was allowed near until the ritual ended. Before it began, Queen Yù Yuè had stayed with her, but the King personally led her away.
The ritual carried many processes—so many that some girls had died enduring them.
The queen knew this well. She remembered what she herself had gone through before being crowned a princess. Her heart tightened as a loud cry echoed through the temple halls. Her fingers curled into her sleeves. In that moment, she wished TIĀN JÙN were beside Mò Lián.
But he was not.
He was in a separate hall with the immortal priests.
TIĀN JÙN was undergoing an ancestry curse reducer. He sat watching the immortals hum their incarnation chants. The sound circled the hall endlessly. Boredom crept into him, and he straightened where he sat.
Then—
A sudden sharp pain struck him.
He spun immediately, his eyes scanning the room.
The pain reduced.
Then it returned—harder than before.
Something was responding.
Queen Yù Yuè stood outside the temple sanctuary, crying openly. Her pleas had not stopped since the ritual began. The king was tired of her begging him to release the girl, but he remained unmoved. His silence was heavy.
The Mò Lián family was not present at the temple. It was too risky for them to attend.
At last, Queen Yù Yuè straightened.
Her tears stopped.
She stepped forward and slammed her palm against the sanctuary door. Power surged from her veins as she tried to force the lock open. The door trembled but did not yield.
Inside the sanctuary, Mò Lián gasped sharply.
Her chest tightened.
The air had changed.
The high priest had released poison into the space. It was thin, almost invisible, but it burned her lungs as she tried to breathe. Her knees weakened, and she staggered, clutching at her throat.
Outside, the queen struck the door again.
"Open it," she whispered, her voice breaking.
The temple remained silent.
He had sensed it from the beginning—Mò Lián was not an ordinary girl. To force a reaction, he released something dangerous. Yet she did not transform into what he expected, nor did she collapse into the dormant slumber that other young girls did.
The high priest summoned the sacred whip.
It snapped into the air and curled tightly around Mò Lián's leg.
No reaction.
No resistance.
No transformation.
His eyes narrowed. He increased the pain.
Still—nothing.
Around the sanctuary, the other priests exchanged uneasy glances.
If the proper ceremony is finished, why are you doing this?
You will end up killing an innocent soul.
One priest could no longer remain seated. He rose abruptly, palms pressed together as he stepped forward.
"Your Holiness, this is beyond the limit," he said, his bald head trembling as he shook it. "She was born and raised in Sì Tiān."
Another priest stood, his voice following without hesitation.
"Yes... Your Holiness. Her grandparents are devoted followers."
He paused, watching the high priest continue as though deaf.
Then realization struck him.
"Our crown prince has already chosen her. If anything were to happen to her..." His eyes gleamed as he straightened. "You will regret it."
The high priest finally stopped.
He raised one hand into the air, silencing them.
But then—
Something heavy pressed against the atmosphere.
His expression shifted.
He turned sharply toward Mò Lián.
She was struggling for air. Her chest rose unevenly, her breath shallow and broken. Her ceremonial dress was torn and stained, hanging on her like rags. She lay collapsed on the floor, trembling, weak, barely conscious.
For a brief moment, doubt flickered.
Then his face hardened.
Without mercy, he continued.
This time—
It was ten times worse.
The priests inside the sanctuary rose to their feet in panic, rushing toward the sealed door as the high priest released his full power.
"Ahhhh—!"
The scream tore through the temple.
Outside, QUEEN YÙ YUÈ heard MÒ LIÁN'S cry.
Her heart shattered.
She slammed her fists against the sealed door, again and again, her strength failing her as tears streamed freely down her face. Her eyes were swollen, red with desperation.
She turned suddenly—
And froze.
King Tiān Lóngxuān had arrived.
He raised his hand, gathering power to release the seal—
But before he could act—
Something massive struck the temple.
The ground shook violently.
Flames erupted along the walls as the sanctuary cracked open. Fire crawled across the pillars, and the sealed door shattered, crashing to the floor in burning fragments.
The king reacted instantly.
He seized Queen Yù Yuè, pulling her back with force. She struggled wildly, crying out for him to let her go, but his grip tightened, refusing to let her move even an inch.
Inside the burning sanctuary—
The consequences had already begun.
The lone priest who survived crawled out of the ruined sanctuary, coughing violently. Across the Western Province, chaos erupted. People fled in terror as the air thickened, turning slowly poisonous.
King Tiān Lóngxuān sensed the venom immediately.
Without hesitation, he released his power, forcing the corrupted air into balance. The effort nearly shattered him—his cultivation drained by almost half. He faltered midair, but Queen Yù Yuè reached for him, supporting him as they hovered above the burning ruins.
Her voice broke.
"Mò Lián...!"
Inside the devastation—
Tiān Jùn was a storm.
His fist crashed into the high priest, again and again, blood spilling freely as the man screamed. Tiān Jùn did not hear it. He did not see anything but her.
"Mò Lián...!"
No answer.
Another punch landed.
"Mò Lián...!"
Still nothing.
His hand rose, power coiling violently around his clenched fist. This strike would end everything.
Then—
"Jùn...!"
The voice cut through the fury.
Tiān Jùn froze.
He spun around.
Yán Lǐng was kneeling.
Before Tiān Jùn could blink, Yán Lǐng appeared before him and bowed deeply.
"Your Highness," he said, his voice steady, "she is alive."
Tiān Jùn did not respond.
He walked past him.
Mò Lián lay among the broken stones, her body weak, her breathing shallow. Her eyes fluttered open. Everything before her was blurred—shadows, firelight, a figure watching over her.
Then darkness took her again.
Yán Lǐng slowly rose to his feet.
The high priest was crawling backward, his face drenched in blood and terror.
"Please... please... please... please...!"
Yán Lǐng smiled.
His hands were hidden behind his back.
The high priest screamed as his gaze met Yán Lǐng's—pure dread flooding his eyes. He tried to escape, dragging himself across the ground with his elbows.
Too late.
In the next instant, he vanished—trapped within YÁN LǏNG'S grasp.
Judgment had arrived.
The commotion died slowly.
The ritual ended not in blessing, but in ruin.
The Immortal Priests opened their eyes as their prayer concluded. The air trembled.
The incense burned wrongly. And TIĀN JÙN was gone.
Anger darkened their expressions as they scanned the city from the temple heights.
He was nowhere.
The CAPITAL moved on as if unaware—its rhythm unchanged. The palace stood draped in silk and banners, wedding preparations continuing without pause. Envoys and royal guests arrived from distant lands, laughter echoing through decorated halls.
Yet beneath the calm—
Something ancient stirred.
Something dangerous.
Within the KING'S Quarters, the air thickened with a forgotten presence.
HUĀ YUÁN slept—
Then she jolted awake.
A violent cough tore from her throat as she clutched her neck. Power surged. Her body answered a call older than memory.
Her transformation unfurled.
Her irises sharpened, slanted like a predator's. Her hair curled wildly, her aura shifting—ancient, vast, unmistakable. She was no longer the woman who slept in silk chambers.
She was the one who once DIVIDED THE GREAT DEAD SEA.
She rose from her bed, guided by an invisible pull.
The world shifted.
Darkness swallowed her.
Then—
A room.
A sealed chamber drowned in shadow.
Soft sobbing echoed.
She turned.
Light burst outward at her movement.
A man sat cross-legged before her—robes of priesthood clinging to his trembling form. He hummed broken prayers, sweat soaking his skin.
Slowly, he opened one eye.
He froze.
The face before him was Mò Lián's.
Yet—
Not her.
The resemblance mocked him, but the gaze was colder, sharper, ancient beyond measure.
Before his thoughts could settle, his body betrayed him.
He rose into the air—lifted by a force unseen.
His breath hitched.
Huā Yuán felt it then.
The anger.
It wrapped around her chest like a blade pressed against bone.
Venom filled the room.
She smiled.
Her gaze lifted—
And the high priest was suspended, bound by nothing but her will.
His cultivation screamed as it was peeled away, layer by layer. His calmness was shattered.
His prayers broke into sobs.
A blade manifested in the air.
Not forged of metal—
But judgment.
The sword hovered, humming with restrained fury, obeying her silent command.
She tilted her head.
The blade descended—not to spill blood, but to strip him of what made him whole.
His scream cracked the chamber.
Power fled him.
His body collapsed hard against the floor.
Dust rose.
Silence followed.
Huā Yuán stepped back.
The air itself recoiled.
Then—
His lips moved.
Broken.
Smiling.
"I... knew... you... would... come... for... what... is... yours."
The room trembled.
HUĀ YUÁN blinked.
The air dissolved.
The sword carved a single word into the void—burning in blue flame.
It fell.
The flame consumed him.
His scream echoed once—
Then vanished.
The sword disappeared.
And the chamber was empty.
Heavy rain began. It was not the season, yet it fell suddenly.
"Bring them to an end now...!"
The voice speaking to HUĀ YUÁN continued as she appeared within TIĀN'S sacred library. No sound followed it. No trace remained.
HUĀ YUÁN inspected the library. Her gaze settled on a jar. Her eyes glittered as she approached, drawn forward by an unseen pull.
"Yes...!"
The jar vibrated violently. The foundation of Sì Tiān shook. An earthquake erupted, and the ancient bell rang out.
The immortal priests heard the sound and appeared at the capital palace. Tiān LÓNGXUĀN'S heart stirred as his third eye failed to reveal the source of the disturbance.
Shortly after, he remembered his ancestral library. He released his power and appeared there, but everything was in order. He sat on the floor and began to meditate.
The immortal priests sensed that something was wrong. They hovered above the capital, scanning every corner.
BÁI ZHĒN found a black feather on the street and descended to pick it up. He perceived venom. Instantly, he faced the direction it came from, but hot air blew against his face.
He followed the scent, but it led him to the king's manor. He sighed, ascended, and hovered above the quarters, yet he could no longer perceive any venom. The soldiers at the palace gate stood stiff as they watched His Holiness descend and ascend.
Something was wrong.
Huā Yuán appeared in her room. She slumbered as she transformed back to normal.
It was already evening. The day had been a remarkable one, and the chief judge of SÌ TIĀN documented the events with vibrant palms.
"Wake up...!"
"HUĀ YUÁN...!"
"Wake up."
Huā Yuán jolted to reality. Pain coursed through her body. She sighed, holding her temple as she sat on the floor, scanning the room as though she were in a strange place. She felt different—new. Standing up, she shook her head, trying to remember how she had ended up on the floor.
Mid-thought, her door slammed open. She spun in surprise.
Who is that?
"GÙ?"
He gasped, gripping the golden sliding panel.
"My lady...!"
Huā Yuán watched him. She squeezed her face and stretched.
"My lady, the king summoned you, but you were nowhere to be found. And you know how short-tempered he is...!" he said, bowing slightly.
Huā Yuán, who had been yawning, froze halfway through. Her eyes widened in shock. She ran out of the room.
"I'm doomed for this," HUĀ YUÁN panicked as she reached the king's long corridor. She slid across the smooth floor, stopping right before the king's golden door.
She panted, dropping to her knees. She kowtowed before straightening up, then gripped both handles. The door cracked open gently. She walked in.
I'm dead already; please forgive my foolishness.
Huā Yuán thought it was wild. She lifted her gaze gently, praying not to meet anyone's eyes.
"HUĀ YUÁN."
"My king," she replied, clenching her hands tightly.
"You are late."
"My king, I'm sorry." Their gazes met, but his eyes were cold—unusual.
King Tiān Lóngxuān sat on his throne, watching her.
"What is your punishment?" Tiān Lóngxuān said as he closed his eyes.
She clenched her teeth in shame.
"Your will," she growled, releasing her trembling hands.
An unseen whip appeared. Huā Yuán fell back as she realized an inhuman figure was holding it.
"Wash up next time before approaching your king," he said before dissolving into the air.
Huā Yuán cried as she was left alone in the room. The first whip struck her skin. She cried, crawling away, but the more she tried to flee, the heavier the whip fell.
The evening slowly turned to night, and the stream was cold. Princess Xǔ Bìyáo, who had just arrived from the Western Province, chose to experience the stream water. Her favorite maids trailed her carriage happily.
They stopped beside the straight road that led to the stream; soldiers stood along the path, guarding it from commoners.
Princess Xǔ Bìyáo smiled broadly as the air brushed against her face. It was calm and carried the scent of rare ointments. Her maids helped her down, and the girls approached the water.
"My lady, this water is special. It is also a stream where one can ask the gods for a wish, and it will be granted immediately," one maid said as she held the gown, trailing behind the princess.
"Hm, how true is that?" Xǔ Bìyáo asked as they stopped at the shore.
"It's real, my lady. Ask, and see how quickly it will be granted," another maid replied, a broad smile spreading across her face.
"Are all my things here?" BÌYÁO asked, facing the flowing water.
"Yes, my lady," they answered.
"Leave. I'll have my bath alone." She stepped into the water.
The maids bowed slightly before leaving.
BÌYÁO sat in the shallow part of the water, bathing briskly. She played with the water for a while, then remembered what her maids had spoken about. She sighed, scanning her surroundings.
Hmph, no one...!
She traced her jawline, admiring her beauty. Her eyes shone as the water slowly became calmer.
What if it's true... hmm.
"I need someone who admires my beauty and desires never to leave me, Lord...!" she said as her fingers ran through her long hair.
"Very handsome. No beard. Curly hair. A powerful scent and very powerful. I don't want to return home with my father. I need it now, Lord." She pouted her lips, facing the sky as it slowly dimmed.
The stars adorned the heavens, and night fell.
The water bobbed. BÌYÁO felt something approaching; she gasped, blinking uncontrollably. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the water, the space between them less than an inch.
Her eyes brightened as she took in every feature of the figure she had prayed for. A broad smile spread across her face as her hands fell on his chest, her gaze lifting slowly. Their eyes met.
She stiffened when she noticed the face was feminine. Her eyes dropped back to its chest—it was firm. Temptation seized her thoughts.
How could my imagination exist?
She hugged it, needing to confirm it was real. Her breath hitched; the body was solid, firm, and alluring. She pulled back, biting her lower lip.
"So good," she gasped, holding its chin.
It remained still the entire time.
"How did you get here? My wish was granted so fast. Humm."
BÌYÁO looked into his eyes.
Her jaw dropped in amazement; she had never seen such before.
His eyes were a different color, shining softly in the darkness. She jerked back to reality as the creature moved, retreating into the water.
"No...! Don't go yet."
He paused, then stepped out of the water. BÌYÁO quickly grabbed her cloth and spun to follow him—but he was nowhere to be found.
She dressed properly and searched for him for a long while, but she found no one.