Shi Hao stood in the center of the arena. Auspicious vapor surged around him, cloaking his form like dragons coiling in the air, rendering him impervious to all attacks.
Around him, ancient divine formations awakened. Tremendous waves pulsed outward, every inch of the space inscribed with sacred glyphs, binding the area tightly.
The Demoness’ expression shifted, and instinctively she stepped back, scanning the surroundings. Her delicate brows slightly furrowed as a sense of foreboding welled inside her. In a light tone, she said, “Little Shi, what exactly are you planning?”
“I fear that the Lunar Grace Goddess may try to escape. To be safe, I sealed this place,” Shi Hao replied candidly.
The Lunar Grace Goddess, draped in white robes, smiled with unruffled grace. Her lips curved into a serene smile. She acted more composed than a captive should, clearly satisfied with the outcome.
The Demoness clenched her teeth, pearls gleaming faintly, and said, “Shi Hao, you and I have always worked well together. Do you truly intend harm me today?”
“Certainly not! We’re in perfect sync; we’re practically like brothers already. I would never betray you,” Shi Hao declared with unwavering conviction.
“Hmph! As if I’d ever share a pair of trousers with you!” the Demoness replied with a glare, opening her divine eye to inspect her surroundings.
“Truly, you wound me. Are we not close enough? That was just a metaphor!” Shi Hao smiled, while silently activating five layers of divine formations. He was certain even a group of Zunzhe cultivators could not break through.
“Shi Hao, hurry and capture her! She’s cunning and resourceful. If we delay, she might escape,” the Lunar Grace Goddess advised with a light laugh.
In her current predicament, the fact that she could still smile was testament enough to her composure and transcendence.
The Demoness’ eyes darkened as she regarded Shi Hao, saying, “Little Shi, I helped you capture an exquisite beauty, a woman who rivals the goddess herself. Could this truly be how you repay me? She hasn’t even married you, and yet you favor her so. As your friend, I must admit, this hurts.”
“Don’t misunderstand! I’m not targeting you,” Shi Hao replied. “I only wish to understand the art of mending the heavens, as well as the transformations of the True Dragon and Celestial Phoenix. Which of you would be willing to instruct me?”
Glyphs sparkled across the space like stars, guarding this area and rendering escape impossible.
At the same time, the jade seal atop Shi Hao’s head radiated with more brilliance. Beams of light pierced through the air, and waves of dragon essence surged, as though gathering the blessings of heaven and earth to protect his body.
Undeniably, within this imperial palace, the Jade Seal of the Monarch stood as the ultimate treasure—an artifact capable of suppressing all forces, empowered by the combined might of an entire nation.
“Shi Hao, I have not yet received the profound essence of the Mending-the-Heavens technique. To obtain it, we must cooperate together against the Lunar Grace Goddess,” the Demoness said.
“You clearly possess it. You stole my path of cultivation and now feign reluctance to share,” the Lunar Grace Goddess countered with a shake of her head.
These two women stood as pearls unparalleled—two most extraordinary beings within the Eight Realms, both dazzling in beauty and unmatched in strength. Now, they stood in direct opposition.
“Shi Hao, capture her, and I shall teach you my treasure spell,” the Lunar Grace Goddess suddenly declared, her flowing dark tresses dancing as her lustrous, flawless face bore a look of sincerity, her eyes shimmering with a rare sparkle.
“Truly?” Shi Hao’s face lit up with delight.
“Given my current state, could I even attempt escape?” the Lunar Grace Goddess said, gliding gracefully to his side, standing beside him with elegant poise.
“Lunar Grace, you truly are bold!” the Demoness exclaimed in astonishment, her delicate nose crinkling, radiant light flickering in her eyes.
“You stole the sacred techniques of my sect, yet refused to teach them to Little Shi. Since that is the case, I shall teach him myself. What is wrong with that?” the Lunar Grace Goddess smiled.
“Lunar Grace, you truly are formidable. To oppose me so resolutely, I must admit, I am impressed,” the Demoness sighed.
“Demoness, we’ve known each other for quite some time. Would you not assist me for a little while? Let me learn the Mending-the-Heavens art and I shall release you, even bestowing the treasure spell upon you,” Shi Hao transmitted mentally, his tone earnest.
The Demoness’ long lashes fluttered, her eyes sparkling with divine light. “Little Shi, you do not trust me? Truly, I never obtained her techniques.”
“I do trust you—that is why I’m doing this. Once I acquire the techniques, I will pass them on to you,” Shi Hao replied.
“Hmph! You bold brat, daring to scheme against me! You’re truly asking to be taught a lesson,” the Demoness growled, her beautiful white fox tail swaying behind her.
Shi Hao released a surge of dragon essence from the jade seal atop his head, intensifying the formation’s power. The fluctuating waves grew stronger, layering into a shimmering barrier that completely sealed the area.
“Strike now, capture her! Since I cannot escape, I stand beside you, never intending harm. I do this only to make you stronger,” Lunar Grace stated.
“Demoness, we’ve been old allies, couldn’t you humor me for a bit and pretend to play along?” Shi Hao sighed.
“Black-hearted fellow! You dare betray me after all we’ve done together. I aided you willingly, yet you’ve ensnared me in this trap,” the Demoness grumbled, her fists clenched and her eyes filled with displeasure.
“Not long ago, you nearly used the Soul-Sealing Pearl against me. Yet I said nothing. Now, I merely ask you to perform a little charade,” Shi Hao transmitted.
“Hmph! As if such a trick could fool anyone! You think I’ll submit willingly? Absolutely not!” the Demoness snapped, retreating as radiant light surged around her body. The stone bead in her palm erupted in brilliant radiance, no longer dull but shining like a miniature sun, illuminating the ages.
At this moment, Shi Hao had already activated the grand formation. Glyphs blazed across the sky like stars, densely interwoven with dazzling intensity, sealing off the path toward the Demoness.
“No, it’s still not enough! Use any secret treasures you possess!” Lunar Grace urged, eager to suppress the Demoness.
The stone bead radiated a protective barrier around the Demoness, repelling all glyphic attacks. With a graceful flick of her hand, she directed a beam of glyphic energy toward Shi Hao.
A hundred Heavenly Dragons surged from the Jade Seal above Shi Hao’s head, coiling protectively around him, blocking the glyphic ray. The palace trembled as waves of dragon essence surged forth, converging at the battlefield.
“A mere jade seal could be this powerful?” the Demoness exclaimed in surprise. At that moment, she saw Shi Hao reaching into his hair to retrieve the gleaming white pagoda, and immediately, her stone bead flared, shattering through the formation.
Shi Hao was astounded—the bead was too formidable! What was its true origin? Could five layers of divine formation truly not contain her?
“Little Pagoda, it’s time to act!”
“Have you forgotten the promise you made to an old friend?” the Demoness suddenly whispered with a smile, addressing the tiny white tower.
Within Shi Hao’s hair, the little white pagoda remained silent and motionless. No matter how much Shi Hao urged it, it remained unresponsive, as if petrified.
The Demoness danced backward like a fairy gliding across water, her movements light and effortless. She waved at Shi Hao and said, “Youngling, you’re simply not ready yet.”
Shi Hao was both stunned and puzzled—did the pagoda share some connection with the Demoness? That seemed impossible!
“The stone bead was left by an old friend. Endless aeons ago, I made a vow never to harm the descendants who possess it,” the white pagoda finally spoke, its tone tinged with sorrow and nostalgia.
“This…” Shi Hao was momentarily speechless, but then he chuckled. “Looks like we really are a pair destined for each other. Look at how harmonious even our artifacts are.”
“You dare speak so smugly, after tricking me?” the Demoness scoffed, glaring at him fiercely.
“Don’t pretend. When you held the Soul-Sealing Pearl in Lunar Grace’s consciousness, you were already thinking of imprisoning me, weren’t you? If you doubted your chances, you would’ve acted long ago,” Shi Hao retorted, smugly.
The Demoness bore a thick skin just like Shi Hao’s and naturally denied any such thoughts, instead demanding compensation.
“If you stay with me, I’ll name you the Empress of my Harem,” Shi Hao grinned.
“Hmph! I already said—you’re not my type! Next time, I’ll definitely teach you a lesson!” she warned, swishing her snowy fox tail. In a sudden flash of light, she darted out of the palace.
At the same time, the pagoda vanished, chasing after her with a soft sigh, seeking to uncover some deeper truth.
“Traitorous pagoda! You’ve defected!” Shi Hao cried out.
“Youngling, keep training. You’re still in my refinement plan!” the Demoness laughed from outside the palace before vanishing.
“I warned you—she’d be trouble. This time, you avoided her schemes, but next time… you might not be so lucky,” Lunar Grace said, her tone tinged with regret at failing to capture the Demoness.
She was radiant and flawless in beauty, a grace born of both innate charm and cultivation, her aura so pure that it made others hesitate to even admire her.
However, for Shi Hao, it had absolutely no effect. He casually draped an arm around the celestial beauty beside him and said, “Mother of my children, time to teach me your treasure spell.”
Lunar Grace could only sigh. Before others, her demeanor would earn reverence and awe. Alas, before this shameless fellow, nothing worked.
While she felt neither dismay nor fear, an unease stirred deep within her—was she truly fated to fall for this?
Shi Hao withdrew the Jade Seal, allowing the formations to dissipate. Taking Lunar Grace by the hand, he walked forth, stepping into the central celestial palace.
Meanwhile, Shi Zi Ling and his wife had returned from visiting an old friend, both feeling content. Having been away from Shi Kingdom for so many years, meeting old acquaintances again brought them both joy and nostalgia.
“Hao’er, this is…” Upon seeing Lunar Grace, the couple were momentarily stunned—the woman’s beauty was beyond comparison, as if stepping directly from an ancient painting.
Even Qin Hao, rarely expressive, turned to gaze at her in fascination.
Although Shi Hao’s bravado was well-known, even he dared not speak recklessly before his parents. Unlike how he might have answered another, he merely said a little awkwardly, “She’s a prisoner I captured.”
The Lunar Grace Goddess, ever perceptive, quickly understood the identities of the middle-aged couple. Her eyes gleamed with understanding, and with elegant grace, she stepped forward in greeting.
The couple marveled at her beauty and then turned puzzled eyes to Shi Hao, asking her true identity.
“Wh-what? The Celestial Grace of the Mending-the-Heavens Sect?!” Shi Zi Ling gasped, momentarily unable to grasp the situation. His eldest son had actually captured the sect’s sacred disciple? His discerning gaze quickly noticed his son’s slight discomfort, and he immediately caught on, leaving him unsure of what to say.
“Mending-the-Heavens Sect… Lunar Grace?” Qin Yi Ning, upon hearing the name, also blinked with surprise. But then her eyes brightened, and a radiant smile bloomed across her face. Even as a mother, her beauty remained undiminished.
“Are you… Holy Maiden Qin Yi Ning?” Lunar Grace asked with a respectful and warm expression, her politeness growing warmer by the moment.
She had long known the truth before her capture, and with surprise, she had learned that Shi Hao’s mother was the Holy Maiden of the Immortal Grove Sect from above, who had suffered misfortune in the lower realm.
“You were that miraculous infant—born beneath celestial omens that dimmed the sun and moon, causing the stars of ten thousand skies to shine upon you alone?” Qin Yi Ning looked at Lunar Grace with increasing fondness and delight.
“Senior, you know me?” Lunar Grace softly smiled, her demeanor now much gentler than usual.
“I heard of it just before descending to this world, and I even visited your sect back then, just to see the wondrous girl born of celestial blessings,” Qin Yi Ning reached out and gently took Lunar Grace’s hand.
“I’ve heard so many legends about you, Holy Maiden. I’ve long admired your brilliance,” Lunar Grace laughed, growing ever warmer in her conversation with Shi Hao’s mother.
Shi Hao could only give a sheepish, helpless smile—he had not expected his mother to be so fond of his captive, placing him in a rather awkward spot.
“Hao’er! How could you treat Lunar Grace so disrespectfully? Hurry and apologize!” Qin Yi Ning gently tapped his forehead, showing her disapproval.
Lunar Grace exuded grace and splendor, conversing with Qin Yi Ning with increasing familiarity. She cast a subtle glance at Shi Hao, her eyes brimming with soft amusement.
“M-Mother…” Shi Hao hesitated.
Given the close relationship between the Mending-the-Heavens Sect and the Immortal Grove Sect, Lunar Grace, with a gentle smile, found herself more and more at ease, sensing the possibility of escape through this familial bond.
“Hao’er, from now on, you must not bully Lunar Grace,” Qin Yi Ning gave Shi Hao a pointed look.
“M-Me? Since when have I ever done that?” Shi Hao objected, wondering if he would really be expected to free the Lunar Grace Goddess.
Lunar Grace’s brows softened, a quiet smile forming as she stole another glance at Shi Hao, growing ever more relaxed.
Her heart lightened, and her smile grew sweeter as she held Qin Yi Ning’s arm, chatting like a daughter to a beloved mother, showing a side of herself quite unlike before.
Qin Yi Ning nodded, smiling warmly. “Mm, Hao’er, when you two marry, you must treat each other with mutual respect. Lunar Grace and I have taken to each other so naturally—I truly like her. The wedding should happen soon.”
“Huh?!” Lunar Grace’s smile froze in place—had she really just heard those words?
Shi Hao also blinked, momentarily taken aback. He saw the gleam of wisdom in his mother’s eyes, radiant and brilliant, and for a moment, he did not know what to say.
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