“The problem is, this is the Immortal Veil Realm, a place within the Divine Prohibition. The heavenly tribulation that descends here is a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
According to Tian Xuanzi, enduring the tribulation within the Immortal Veil Realm would summon a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Though a group of ancient immortals could assist him, in the end, the greatest burden would still fall on his shoulders.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave even ashes behind?
Seeing Yang Hao deep in thought, Tian Xuanzi knew the risks were immense. Given Yang Hao’s heavy responsibilities, he didn’t press the matter. “The decision is yours to make—whether to enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron for cultivation or not. You may return and rest first, then come back once you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy cauldron standing alone before him, like a mountain towering in his heart.
The choice he was about to make was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Tian Xuanzi and the others, understanding that Yang Hao needed time to consider, left him alone by the Great Alchemy Cauldron and departed.
Yang Hao stood there for a while, then decided to climb the cauldron as if it were a mountain, using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was too troubled. He’d rather sweat it out.
Sitting atop the cauldron, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Immortal Veil Realm had likely been reshaped by the immortals, resembling Earth’s ancient landscapes.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless green grassland, with a winding river flowing through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the scenery with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the countless warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s fingers on the Elder Mountain.
Let this sunset be the blood those brothers never shed.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up, standing beside Yang Hao. She casually tied her long hair back, revealing her stunning face under the sunset’s glow.
“Mm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The masters want me to cultivate inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “I want to advise you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I asked the master, and he said the chance of survival is slim—one in a hundred.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find another solution.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had become much more spirited compared to her past delicate demeanor, making her even more endearing. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had regarded her as his wife during their time on Saint Bear Star.
“Then why were there other women later?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain this? Should he say he loved her, Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyan? Might as well claim all the beauties in the world for himself.
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed red.
Panicked, Yang Hao hurriedly wiped them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch and leaned into him, sobbing.
Holding her delicate body, Yang Hao felt her flawless form pressed against him.
“There, there,” Yang Hao whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more captivating than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, for me, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were well was enough for me.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of that was what I wanted. I just wanted to help you, to wait for you to take over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
As she spoke, anger welled up inside her. She pushed Yang Hao away and stood abruptly.
Dressed in a sleek armored suit with shorts that reached her knees, revealing her shapely calves, she quickly distanced herself from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with that woman.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was dumbfounded. The fastest-changing creatures in the world were undoubtedly women.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to that reputation, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, return to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, treacherous man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Shi Mingyuan said coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. Stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked, alarmed. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond it lay the empire’s territory, where the crown prince had been installed as a puppet emperor by the Elder Council.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair, looking resolute. “I’m going to get it—for you.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under their control, a region of fervent religious devotion, especially to the Supreme One’s cult. Those fanatics were deadly. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you even care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao watched her lightning-fast departure helplessly.
Stubborn yet soft-hearted, she claimed she never wanted to see him again, yet she was off to the south to secure another divine artifact for him.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the dynamics between these three formidable women would be a headache.
And he deserved it. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over the capital’s icy saintess, the Elder Council’s cunning strategist, and a fiancée who became a republic leader?
What kind of drama would unfold when these three powerful women stood together?
The southern part of the Galactic Empire had once been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Dominion and Star Spirit Republic declared independence and the empire waged endless wars, the south remained tranquil.
Here, governance wasn’t by planetary regimes but by faith. Nearly everyone worshipped the Supreme One’s religion, which revered him as the universe’s sole deity. Under the Elder Council’s appointed religious leaders, the region remained undisturbed.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, a vital hub in the south, connected the empire’s core to other southern systems via its acceleration stations. Its strategic location made it the Merchant Guild’s primary trade hub in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single star cluster accounted for half the south’s trade volume, holding immense importance.
With a population of 200 million, including 20 million merchants and 50 million employees, the planet was practically built by merchants.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, stability crumbled. The Merchant Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the trade system leaderless and collapsing.
The Elder Council’s forces seized the opportunity to oppress merchants, plunging the trade planet into chaos.
The Sky Revelation Pavilion, Cloud Capital’s most famous restaurant, had been run by a merchant family for three generations. Established when the planet was new, it served imperial cuisine to homesick merchants, becoming an instant hit.
A century later, it still stood, where countless merchants dined.
That afternoon, the pavilion was sparsely occupied, with only a dozen tables scattered across its grand three-story hall, adorned with imperial motifs.
Two tables stood out—both occupied by women.
The first held two women: a stunning female warrior in white armor with a silver spear, cold yet attentive to her companion—a breathtaking woman holding an infant, exuding charm despite her maternal role.
The second table seated five unparalleled beauties in Star Spirit Republic armor, led by the tall, raven-haired Shi Mingyuan.
She scanned the room, pausing briefly at the first table but not recognizing Ling Ziyan, whom she once despised.
Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling’s journey began after the Elder Mountain battle. Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyan to a space station for safety, guarded by swordsmen.
After the battle’s failure, Lan Ling returned and was injured by the Supreme One, rescued by the Sword Spirit. From then on, she and Yang Hao lost contact.
Yang Hao listened, his head throbbing.
“The problem is, this is the Hidden Immortal Realm, a place within the divine prohibition. The heavenly tribulations that descend here are a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
According to Tian Xuanzi, staying in the Hidden Immortal Realm to face tribulation would mean encountering a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Although a group of old immortals could assist him, in the end, the greatest pressure would still fall on him.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave even ashes behind?
Seeing Yang Hao deep in thought, Tian Xuanzi knew the risks were immense. Given Yang Hao’s heavy burdens, he didn’t push him. Instead, he said, “The decision is yours to make. Whether you enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron to cultivate is entirely up to you. You may rest first and return when you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy furnace standing alone before him, like a mountain towering in his heart.
The choice he was about to make was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Tian Xuanzi and the others, knowing Yang Hao needed time to think, left him alone by the Great Alchemy Cauldron and departed.
Yang Hao stood still for a while, then decided to climb the cauldron as if it were a mountain, using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was troubled and preferred to sweat it out.
Sitting atop the cauldron’s lid, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Hidden Immortal Realm had likely been reshaped by the immortals, resembling Earth from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless emerald grassland, with a winding river flowing through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the landscape with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s command on the Elder Mountain.
He decided to regard the sunset’s glow as the unspilled blood of those fallen brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up, standing naturally by his side. She swept her long hair back and tied it up, revealing her exquisite face under the sunset’s radiance.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The masters want me to cultivate inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “I want to advise you against it. It’s too dangerous. I asked Master, and he said the chances of survival are slim—one in a hundred.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find another solution.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had become much more spirited, less like the delicate woman she once was, and more endearing now. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had regarded her as his wife, especially during their time on Saint Bear Star.
“Then why were there other women later?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain this? Should he say he loved her, but also Lan Yue and another woman named Ling Ziyan? Might as well claim all the beauties in the world for himself.
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed red.
Panicked, Yang Hao hurriedly wiped them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch and leaned into him, sobbing.
Yang Hao held her delicate form, her flawless body pressed against him without reservation.
“There, there,” Yang Hao whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more captivating than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, for me, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were well was enough to make me happy.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of that was what I wanted. I just wanted to help you, to do more until you took over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
As she spoke, anger welled up inside her. She pushed Yang Hao away and stood abruptly.
Dressed in a sleek armored suit with shorts that reached her knees, revealing her shapely calves, she quickly stepped away from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with that woman.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was dumbfounded. Nothing in the world changed faster than a woman’s mood.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to the reputation of women’s fierceness, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, go back to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, heartless man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Shi Mingyuan said coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. Stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked, alarmed. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond it lay the empire’s territory, where the crown prince had been installed as a puppet emperor, with the elders controlling everything.
Venturing out was extremely dangerous.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair, looking heroic. “I’m going to get it… for you.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under their control, and a region where religion thrived—especially the Supreme Holy Church, whose fanatical followers were not to be trifled with. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you still care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him for good measure before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao watched helplessly as she vanished in a flash of lightning.
This woman was all tough talk but soft-hearted. Despite saying she never wanted to see him again, she was heading south to secure another divine artifact for him.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the relationships between these three formidable women would be a headache indeed.
And Yang Hao deserved the headache. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over not just the capital’s top ice beauty, the elders’ most cunning strategist, but also a fiancée who had become the Republic’s leader?
With these three extraordinary women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
The southern part of the Galactic Empire had once been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Dominion and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence and the empire waged endless wars, the south remained undisturbed.
Here, governance was not by political power but by faith. Nearly everyone worshipped the Supreme Holy Church, which revered the Supreme One as the universe’s sole deity. Under this shared belief, the region was managed by the elders’ appointed religious leaders, ensuring stability.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, a vital hub in the south, served as a crossroads for travel to the empire’s core and other southern systems. Its strategic location made it the Merchants’ Guild’s primary trade hub in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single star cluster accounted for half the south’s total trade, making it indispensable.
With a population of two hundred million, including twenty million merchants and fifty million employees, the Cloud Capital Star Cluster was practically built by merchants.
Yet after the Elder Mountain battle, its peace was shattered. The Merchants’ Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the trade system leaderless and collapsing.
The elders’ forces seized the opportunity to oppress the merchants, plunging the trade planet into chaos.
The Celestial Pavilion, the star cluster’s most famous restaurant, had been run by a merchant family for three generations. Established when the star cluster was new, it catered to merchants nostalgic for the capital’s cuisine, quickly becoming a sensation.
A century later, the Celestial Pavilion still stood, a favorite stop for merchants.
That afternoon, the restaurant was sparsely populated, with only a dozen or so tables scattered across its grand, three-story hall adorned with imperial motifs. Its name, “Celestial Pavilion,” was said to have been bestowed by a past emperor.
Though few diners were present, two tables stood out. The current owner, Ning Shuidong, though distracted, couldn’t help but glance at them.
Coincidentally, both tables were occupied by women.
The first held two women—one a warrior in gleaming white armor, a silver spear at her side. Strikingly beautiful with an ample bust, her icy demeanor seemed to freeze everything around her. Yet she tended to the other woman with great care, helping her sit, pouring tea, and meticulously selecting dishes.
The second woman cradled an infant. Despite being a new mother, she retained the allure of a maiden, her eyes brimming with charm—a stark contrast to the warrior’s frostiness.
Given the warrior’s intimidating aura, no man dared approach.
Though seemingly struggling in these turbulent times, the two women dined with refined elegance, ordering dishes even the waitstaff hadn’t heard of. Ning Shuidong recognized them as imperial delicacies and instructed the kitchen to prepare them carefully.
Before returning, he stole a glance at the baby—a beautiful child, less than a hundred days old, sleeping soundly in its mother’s arms.
As Ning Shuidong pondered their origins, the second group of diners arrived, lighting up the restaurant.
Five stunning women.
Beautiful women were common in the bustling Cloud Capital Star Cluster, but five of such perfection arriving together, unaccompanied by men, was rare.
Yet no one dared harass them. Their armored suits and Star Spirit Republic insignias marked them as formidable.
Their leader, Shi Mingyuan, with her long black hair and tall frame, didn’t hide her identity, indifferent to the men’s gazes.
Entering, Shi Mingyuan scanned the room, pausing briefly at the first table.
She didn’t recognize them—though one was Ling Ziyan, a woman she once despised.
Indeed, it was Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling.
Their story began with the Elder Mountain battle. Before the assault, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyan to a space station under guard, forbidding her from risking herself while pregnant.
After the empire’s defeat, Yang Hao stayed behind to hold off the Supreme One while He De fled. But Lan Ling returned and was gravely injured by the Supreme One, only escaping thanks to the Sword Spirit’s intervention.
From that moment, Yang Hao lost all contact with Lan Ling.
“The problem is, this is the Hidden Immortal Realm, a place within divine prohibition. The heavenly tribulation that descends here is a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
According to Tian Xuanzi, enduring the tribulation within the Hidden Immortal Realm would summon a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Though a group of ancient immortals could assist him, the greatest burden would ultimately fall on his shoulders.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave nothing behind, not even dust?
Seeing Yang Hao deep in thought, Tian Xuanzi understood the immense risk involved. Given Yang Hao’s heavy responsibilities, he didn’t press the matter. Instead, he said, “The decision is yours to make. Whether you enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron to cultivate is entirely up to you. You may return and rest first, then come back once you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy cauldron standing alone before him, much like the weighty mountain in his heart.
The choice he faced was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Tian Xuanzi and the others, knowing Yang Hao needed time to consider, left him alone by the Great Alchemy Cauldron and departed.
Yang Hao stood still for a while, then decided to climb the cauldron as if it were a mountain, using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was too troubled. He preferred to sweat it out.
Sitting atop the cauldron, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Hidden Immortal Realm had likely been reshaped by the immortals, resembling Earth from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless green prairie with a winding river flowing through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the landscape with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the countless warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s finger on the Elder Mountain.
He decided to regard the sunset’s glow as the unspilled blood of those fallen brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up and now stood beside him. She casually tied her long hair back, revealing her stunning face under the sunset’s radiance.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The elders want me to cultivate inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “I want to advise you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I asked the elders—they said the chance of survival is slim, one in a hundred.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find another solution.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had grown more spirited, less delicate and haughty than before, making her even more endearing. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had regarded her as his wife throughout their time on the Sacred Bear Star.
“Then why were there other women later?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain this? Should he say he loved her, Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyan? As if he could claim all the beauties in the world for himself.
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed red.
Panicked, Yang Hao hurriedly wiped them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch and leaned into him, sobbing.
Holding her delicate form, Yang Hao felt her flawless body press against him without reservation.
“There, there,” Yang Hao whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more captivating than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, for my sake, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were well was enough to make me happy.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of that was what I wanted. I just wanted to help you, to wait for you to take over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
As she spoke, anger welled up inside her. She pushed Yang Hao away and stood abruptly.
Dressed in a sleek armored suit with shorts that reached her knees, she revealed her shapely legs—legs that quickly distanced themselves from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with that woman.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was dumbfounded. Nothing in the world changed moods faster than a woman.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to that reputation, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, return to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, heartless man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Shi Mingyuan said coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. You can stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked, alarmed. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond its borders lay the empire’s territory, where the Elder Council had installed the crown prince as a puppet emperor, controlling the entire regime.
Venturing out was extremely dangerous.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair, exuding confidence. “I’m going to help you—I’m going to seize it.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under imperial control. The south was also a region of fervent religious devotion, dominated by the Supreme Holy Church, whose fanatical followers were not to be trifled with. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you even care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him for good measure before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao sighed, watching her lightning-fast departure with resignation.
This woman was all bark and no bite. Though she claimed she never wanted to see him again, her trip south was clearly to help him secure another divine artifact.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the dynamics between these three formidable women would be a headache.
And he deserved it. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over the capital’s top ice beauty, the Elder Council’s most cunning strategist, and a fiancée who had become the Republic’s leader?
With such fierce women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
The southern region of the Galactic Empire had once been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Autonomous Region and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence and the empire waged continuous wars, the south remained undisturbed.
Here, governance was not by political power but by faith. Nearly everyone devoutly followed the Supreme Holy Church, which revered the Supreme One as the universe’s sole deity. Under this shared belief, the Elder Council’s appointed religious leaders maintained order without incident.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, the south’s most vital hub, was a crossroads for travel to the empire’s core and other southern systems. Its strategic location made it the Merchant Guild’s primary trade center in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single star cluster accounted for half the south’s total trade, making it indispensable.
With a population of two hundred million, including twenty million merchants and fifty million employees, the Cloud Capital Star Cluster was practically a planet built by merchants.
Yet after the Elder Mountain battle, its stability shattered. The Merchant Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the guild leaderless and collapsing its operations.
The Elder Council’s forces seized the opportunity to oppress the merchants, plunging the trade planet into chaos.
The Celestial Pavilion, the star cluster’s most renowned restaurant, had been run by a merchant family for three generations. Established when the planet was first settled, it specialized in dishes from the imperial capital to comfort homesick merchants, quickly becoming a sensation.
A century later, the Celestial Pavilion still stood, a favorite among merchants.
That afternoon, the restaurant was sparsely occupied, with only a dozen or so tables scattered across its grand, three-story hall adorned with imperial motifs. Legend had it the restaurant’s name was bestowed by a past emperor.
Though quiet, two tables stood out, drawing the owner Ning Shuidong’s uneasy attention.
Coincidentally, both were occupied by women.
The first table held two women—one a warrior in gleaming white armor, a silver spear at her side. Her stunning beauty, especially her ample bosom, drew male gazes, but her icy demeanor kept them at bay. She tended to the other woman with care, helping her sit, pouring tea, and meticulously ordering food.
The second woman, cradling an infant, was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding charm despite her maternal role. Unlike her companion, her eyes shimmered with allure.
But the warrior’s intimidating presence deterred any would-be suitors.
Though seemingly vulnerable in these turbulent times, the pair dined with refined elegance, ordering dishes even the waitstaff had never heard of—imperial delicacies Ning Shuidong had to instruct the kitchen to prepare carefully.
Before returning, Ning Shuidong glanced at the infant, a rosy-cheeked baby less than a hundred days old, peacefully asleep in its mother’s arms.
As he pondered their origins, another group of diners arrived, lighting up the restaurant.
Five stunning women, all in armor bearing the Star Spirit Republic’s emblem, entered.
Though beautiful women were common in the bustling star cluster, such a flawless group traveling without male escort was rare.
Yet no one dared approach them—their formidable aura was unmistakable.
Their leader, Shi Mingyuan, with her long black hair and statuesque figure, ignored the men’s stares, accustomed to such attention.
Scanning the room, she paused briefly at the first table but didn’t recognize the women—one of whom was Ling Ziyan, whom she once despised.
Indeed, it was Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling.
Their journey began after the Elder Mountain battle. Before the assault, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyan to a galactic waystation under guard, forbidding her from risking herself while pregnant.
After the empire’s defeat, Yang Hao stayed behind to delay the Supreme One while Hed led the retreat. But Lan Ling returned and was injured, saved only by the Sword Spirit’s intervention.
From that moment, Yang Hao lost contact with her.
Seeing Yang Hao lost in thought, Tian Xuanzi understood the immense risk involved and the heavy burden Yang carried. He didn’t press him further and simply said, “For now, think it over yourself. Whether or not to enter the Grand Elixir Cauldron for cultivation is entirely your decision. You may return to rest first and come back when you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent. He gazed at the massive cauldron standing alone before him, just like a towering mountain lodged in his heart.
What he was about to decide would be a matter of life and death. But had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended life and death?
The setting sun cast a crimson glow, like blood and tears.
Knowing Yang Hao needed time to think, Tian Xuanzi and the others left him alone with the Grand Elixir Cauldron and departed on their own.
Yang Hao stood still for a while, then decided to treat the Grand Elixir Cauldron like a mountain. He scrambled up it with hands and feet. Normally, with his power, flying to the top would be effortless, but in his troubled state, he preferred to sweat it out to relieve the tension.
Sitting atop the cauldron’s lid, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Xianyin Realm had apparently been transformed by immortals into a scene reminiscent of Earth from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless expanse of green grassland. A clear river meandered across it. Though there were no cattle or horses grazing, the desolate beauty of the grasslands was palpable.
The fading red light bathed the mountains and grass tips, tinting the scenery with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao, unbidden, of the piles of warriors slain by the Supreme Elder’s hand atop the Elders’ Mountain.
Let this dying sunlight be the unshed blood of those fallen brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up and naturally landed beside Yang Hao. She casually swept her hair back and tied it up, revealing her exquisite face in the evening glow.
“Umm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The Masters want me to enter the Grand Elixir Cauldron for cultivation.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression slightly changed. “I want to persuade you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I asked the Masters, and they said it’s a hundred to one against survival. The chance of living is very slim.”
“I know.”
“There must be other ways,” Shi Mingyuan said. “Let me help you find another way.”
“You?” Yang Hao chuckled as he looked at her. She had become much more heroic, more endearing now than her former self, once full of femininity and arrogance. “You’ve changed so much, almost unrecognizable.”
“Did you tell others that I’m your wife?” Shi Mingyuan asked, tilting her head.
“Umm,” Yang Hao admitted bluntly. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma, right up until their time at the Saint Bear Star, Yang Hao had always regarded her as his wife.
“But later, why were there other women?” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’ve already become engaged to another woman.”
“Your information is pretty slow,” Yang Hao said with self-deprecating humor.
How could he explain this? Could he say he loved her as well as Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyun? Would that make him seem like he had collected all the beauties in the world?
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the blood-red sunset, even her falling tears looked red.
Panicked, Yang Hao hurried to wipe them away. Shi Mingyuan, already aching in her heart, softened the moment she touched Yang Hao’s hand. She leaned against him, sobbing.
Holding Shi Mingyuan’s soft body close, Yang Hao felt the perfect woman’s flawless form pressed tightly against him.
“There, there,” Yang Hao kissed her earlobe. “I’m right here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan asked tearfully.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, pinching her chin between two fingers. Looking at her tear-streaked face, she seemed even more endearing than usual.
“Then why…”
“When you were unconscious, when you were unconscious for me, I always regarded you as my wife,” Yang Hao said softly. “After we separated, I experienced too much. I was already very happy knowing you were doing well.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you all along,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I’ve been waiting for you to come and get me. Being a leader or a ruler isn’t what I want. I just want to help you with more things and wait for you to take over. But you… you’ve been enjoying yourself with other women.”
As she spoke, Shi Mingyuan’s anger boiled over. She gave Yang Hao a hard shove and stood up abruptly.
She was wearing a mechanized suit today, and her short shorts only reached her knees, revealing her shapely calves. But those legs quickly moved away from Yang Hao. “If that’s the case, then there’s no need for you to keep considering me your wife. Just go and be happy with that woman.”
“I…” Yang Hao was speechless. In this world, nothing turned its face faster than a woman.
Shi Mingyuan, in no way diminishing her reputation as a woman, stood with her hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, then cultivate. If not, go back to your west. I don’t want to see you anymore, you heartless, faithless man who abandons his wife.”
Yang Hao scratched his head, awkwardly saying, “I won’t go back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Whatever,” Shi Mingyuan coldly threw the words at him. “Anyway, starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. Wherever you want to stay, you can. You won’t see me anymore.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked in surprise. Nowhere was safer than within the Star Spirit Republic. Beyond it lay the Empire’s territory. With the Crown Prince now a puppet emperor installed by the Elders’ Council, the entire imperial regime was under the Elders’ control. If she were discovered, it would be extremely dangerous.
“I recently heard that a divine artifact has appeared in the south of the Empire,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair back, looking dashing and spirited. “I want to help you… I want to go and seize this artifact.”
“The problem is, this is the Hidden Immortal Realm, a place within the Divine Forbidden Zone. The heavenly tribulations that descend here are a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
According to Tian Xuanzi, enduring a tribulation in the Hidden Immortal Realm would summon a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Though a group of ancient immortals could assist him, in the end, the greatest burden would still fall on his shoulders.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave nothing behind, not even dust?
Seeing Yang Hao deep in thought, Tian Xuanzi knew the risks were immense. Given Yang Hao’s heavy responsibilities, he didn’t press the matter. “The decision is yours,” he said. “Whether to enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron for cultivation is entirely up to you. You may rest first and return when you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy cauldron standing alone before him, like a towering mountain in his heart.
The choice before him was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Tian Xuanzi and the others, knowing Yang Hao needed time to think, left him alone by the Great Alchemy Cauldron and departed.
Yang Hao stood there for a while, then decided to climb the cauldron as if it were a mountain, using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was troubled and preferred to sweat it out.
Sitting atop the cauldron, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Hidden Immortal Realm had likely been reshaped by the immortals, resembling Earth from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless green prairie, with a winding river flowing through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the landscape with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the countless warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s command on the Elder Mountain.
He imagined the sunset’s glow as the unspilled blood of his fallen brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up and now stood beside him. She casually tied her long hair back, revealing her exquisite face under the sunset’s radiance.
“Mm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The elders want me to cultivate inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan said, her expression darkening. “I want to advise you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I asked the elders—they said the chance of survival is slim, one in a hundred.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find one.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had grown more spirited, her former coquettishness replaced by a more endearing charm. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had regarded her as his wife during their time on the Sacred Bear Star.
“Then why were there other women later?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain? That he loved her, but also Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyan? Should he just claim all the beauties in the world for himself?
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed red.
Panicked, Yang Hao reached out to wipe them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch and leaned into him, sobbing.
Holding her delicate form, Yang Hao felt her flawless body press against him.
“There, there,” he whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more enchanting than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, because of me, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were well was enough to make me happy.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of that was what I wanted. I just wanted to do more for you, to wait for you to take over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
Her anger flared, and she pushed Yang Hao away, standing abruptly.
Dressed in a sleek armored suit with shorts that ended at her knees, she revealed her shapely legs—legs that quickly stepped away from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with that woman.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was dumbfounded. Nothing in the world changed as quickly as a woman’s mood.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to the reputation of her gender, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, return to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, treacherous man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Shi Mingyuan said coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. Stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked, alarmed. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond its borders lay the empire’s territory, where the Elder Council had installed the crown prince as a puppet emperor.
If she were discovered, it would be extremely dangerous.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair, looking resolute. “I’m going to get it… for you.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under their control—and a region where religion thrived, especially the Supreme Cult, whose fanatical followers were not to be trifled with. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you even care?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him for good measure before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao watched helplessly as she vanished in a flash of lightning.
Stubborn yet soft-hearted, she claimed she never wanted to see him again, yet her journey south was to secure another divine artifact for him.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the relationships between these three formidable women would be a headache indeed.
And he deserved it. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over the capital’s icy saintess, the Elder Council’s cunning strategist, and a fiancée who had become the Republic’s leader?
With these three extraordinary women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
The southern region of the Galactic Empire had once been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Dominion and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence and the empire waged endless wars, the south remained undisturbed.
Here, governance was not by the star systems but by faith. Nearly everyone worshipped the Supreme Cult, which revered the Supreme One as the universe’s sole deity. Under this shared belief, the Elder Council’s appointed religious leaders maintained order without incident.
But after the battle at Elder Mountain, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, the south’s most vital planet, lay at a crucial transportation hub. Whether traveling to the empire’s core or other southern systems, one had to pass through its acceleration stations.
Its strategic location made it the Merchant Guild’s primary trade hub in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single star system accounted for half the south’s total trade, making it indispensable.
With a population of two billion, including over twenty million merchants and fifty million of their employees, the planet was practically built by merchants.
But after Elder Mountain, its stability shattered. The Merchant Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the trade network leaderless and on the verge of collapse.
The Elder Council’s forces seized the opportunity to oppress the merchants, plunging the trade planet into chaos.
The Celestial Pavilion, the planet’s most famous restaurant, had been run by a merchant family for three generations. When the planet was first settled, many merchants grew homesick for central imperial cuisine. The founder opened the Celestial Pavilion to serve these dishes, earning instant fame.
A century later, it still stood, a place where countless merchants gathered to savor fine food.
That afternoon, the restaurant was sparsely populated, with only a dozen or so tables scattered across its grand, three-story hall adorned with imperial motifs. Legend had it the name “Celestial Pavilion” was bestowed by a past emperor.
Though quiet, two tables stood out, drawing the owner Ning Shuidong’s uneasy gaze.
Coincidentally, both were occupied by women.
The first table held two women—one a warrior in gleaming white armor, a silver spear at her side. Stunningly beautiful with an exceptionally ample bust, she exuded an icy aura that seemed to freeze everything around her. Yet she tended to her companion with great care, helping her sit, pouring tea, and meticulously selecting dishes.
Her companion, cradling an infant, was the opposite—radiant and coquettish, her eyes brimming with allure. But the warrior’s intimidating presence kept admirers at bay.
In these troubled times, the two women, unaccompanied by men, seemed to be in dire straits. Yet they dined with refined elegance, ordering dishes even the waitstaff hadn’t heard of. Ning Shuidong recognized them as imperial delicacies and instructed the kitchen to prepare them carefully.
Before returning, he stole a glance at the baby—less than a hundred days old, sleeping soundly in its mother’s arms, oblivious to the world. The child was strikingly beautiful, though its father remained a mystery.
As Ning Shuidong pondered their origins, the second group of diners arrived, lighting up the entire restaurant.
Five women of unparalleled beauty.
Beautiful women were common in the bustling Cloud Capital, but five of such perfection arriving together, unescorted, was rare.
Yet no one dared approach them. Their armored suits and Star Spirit Republic insignias marked them as formidable.
Their leader, Shi Mingyuan, with her long black hair and statuesque figure, made no effort to conceal her identity, indifferent to the men’s gazes.
Upon entering, she scanned the room, pausing briefly at the first table.
She didn’t recognize them—though one was Ling Ziyan, a woman she had once despised.
Indeed, it was Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling.
Their journey began after Elder Mountain. Before the battle, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyan to a galactic acceleration station under heavy guard, forbidding her from risking herself while pregnant.
After the defeat, Yang Hao stayed behind to hold off the Supreme One while He De led the retreat. But Lan Ling turned back, was gravely injured, and was carried away by the Sword Spirit.
From that moment, Yang Hao lost all contact with her.
“Do you still care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared fiercely at Yang Hao, not forgetting to kick him before turning and jumping down from the Grand Elixir Cauldron.
Yang Hao frowned, helplessly watching Shi Mingyuan’s retreating figure as she rode the lightning away.
This woman was indeed somewhat tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Although she claimed she never wanted to see Yang Hao again, in reality, going south was to help him acquire another divine artifact.
However, given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling were certainly incompatible. If Yang Hao found Lan Ling and Ling Ziyun again in the future, how would he manage the relationships among these three women? That would indeed be a headache.
And this was exactly what Yang Hao deserved. Who asked him to be so fickle, seducing the capital’s top Saint Domain Ice Beauty, the Elders’ Council’s most cunning female strategist, and having an engaged fiancée who had become the Republic’s leader?
With such formidable women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
“The problem is, this is the Hidden Immortal Realm, a place within the Divine Forbidden Zone. The heavenly tribulations that descend here are a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
From Tian Xuanzi’s words, staying in the Hidden Immortal Realm to face the tribulation would mean enduring a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Although a group of old immortals could help him, in the end, the greatest pressure would still fall on him alone.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave even ashes behind?
Seeing Yang Hao lost in thought, Tian Xuanzi knew the risks were immense. Given Yang Hao’s heavy burdens, he didn’t push him. Instead, he said, “The decision is yours to make. Whether you enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron to cultivate is entirely up to you. You can go back and rest first, then return when you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy cauldron standing solitary before him, much like the mountain weighing on his heart.
The choice he was about to make was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate arrangements truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Tian Xuanzi and the others, knowing Yang Hao needed time to think, left him alone by the Great Alchemy Cauldron and departed.
Yang Hao stood there for a while, then decided to treat the cauldron like a mountain, climbing it with hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was too troubled. He preferred to sweat it out.
Sitting atop the cauldron, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Hidden Immortal Realm must have been reshaped by the immortals, resembling Earth from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless green grassland, with a clear river winding through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the landscape with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the piles of warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s finger on Elder Mountain.
Let this sunset be the unspilled blood of those brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up, standing naturally by Yang Hao’s side. She swept her long hair back, tying it up, revealing her stunning face under the sunset’s glow.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The elders want me to enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron to cultivate.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “I want to advise you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I asked the elders—they said the chance of survival is one in a hundred, almost negligible.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find another solution.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had become much more spirited, more endearing than her former delicate and proud self. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had considered her his wife all the way until their time on Saint Bear Star.
“Then why were there other women later?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain this? That he loved her, but also Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyan? Should he just claim all the beauties in the world for himself?
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed red.
Panicked, Yang Hao hurriedly wiped them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch, leaning into him and sobbing.
Yang Hao held her delicate body, feeling her flawless form pressed against him.
“There, there,” Yang Hao whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more captivating than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, because of me, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were doing well was enough to make me happy.”
“But I was waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of that was what I wanted. I just wanted to do more for you, waiting for you to take over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
As she spoke, anger welled up inside her. She pushed Yang Hao away and stood abruptly.
Today, she wore a mech suit with shorts that reached her knees, revealing her shapely calves. But those legs quickly moved away from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with that woman.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was dumbfounded. Nothing in the world changed faster than a woman’s mood.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to the reputation of women everywhere, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, go back to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, heartless man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Shi Mingyuan tossed back coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. You can stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked, startled. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond it lay the empire’s territory, where the crown prince had been installed as a puppet emperor by the Elder Council. The entire empire was under their control.
Venturing out was extremely dangerous.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan flicked her hair, looking heroic. “I’m going to help you—I’m going to seize it.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under their control. The south was also a region of intense religious fervor, dominated by the Supreme Holy Church, whose fanatical followers were not to be trifled with. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you even care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him for good measure before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao frowned, watching helplessly as she rode a bolt of lightning into the distance.
This woman was all tough talk but soft-hearted. Though she claimed she never wanted to see him again, going south was clearly to help him secure another divine artifact.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the relationships between these three formidable women would be a headache indeed.
And Yang Hao deserved that headache. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over not just the capital’s top ice beauty, the Elder Council’s most cunning strategist, but also a fiancée who had become the Republic’s leader?
With three such formidable women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
The southern part of the Galactic Empire had once been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Autonomous Region and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence and the empire waged continuous wars, the south remained undisturbed.
Because in the empire’s south, rule was not held by planetary governments, but by faith. Nearly everyone here devoutly followed the Supreme Holy Church, a religion that worshipped the Supreme One as the universe’s sole deity. Under this shared belief, they accepted governance by the Elder Council’s appointed religious leaders, ensuring stability.
But after the Battle of Elder Mountain, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster was the most important system in the south, a hub for transportation. Whether traveling to the empire’s core or other southern systems, one had to pass through its acceleration stations.
Thanks to its strategic location, the Cloud Capital Star Cluster was the Merchants’ Guild’s primary trade hub in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single system accounted for half of the south’s total trade, making it indispensable.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster housed two billion people, including over twenty million merchants and fifty million of their employees. It was practically a planet built by merchants.
But after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the once-stable peace was shattered. The Merchants’ Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the entire trade system leaderless and on the verge of collapse.
The Elder Council’s forces seized the opportunity to oppress the merchants, plunging this trade planet into chaos.
The Heavenly Revelation Pavilion was the most famous restaurant on the Cloud Capital Star Cluster, founded by an old merchant and passed down for three generations. When the star cluster was first established, many merchants grew homesick from the unfamiliar southern cuisine. The old merchant opened the Heavenly Revelation Pavilion, specializing in delicacies from the imperial capital’s central region, quickly making it a sensation.
A century later, the pavilion still stood, where countless merchants stopped to savor its dishes.
It was afternoon, and the restaurant was sparsely populated, with only about a dozen tables scattered across its lavishly decorated three-story hall. The walls bore imperial motifs, and legend had it the restaurant’s name was bestowed by a past emperor.
Though few diners were present, two tables stood out. The current owner, Ning Shuidong, though distracted, couldn’t help glancing at them.
Coincidentally, both tables were occupied by women.
The first to arrive held two women. One appeared to be a warrior, clad in gleaming white armor with a silver spear by her side. Her beauty was striking, especially her ample bosom, drawing many male gazes. Yet her icy demeanor seemed capable of freezing everything around her—except for the woman beside her, whom she tended to with great care, helping her sit, pouring tea, and meticulously selecting dishes.
The woman being cared for held an infant. Despite the newborn in her arms, she didn’t look like a young mother but rather a stunning, coquettish maiden. Unlike the warrior, her eyes brimmed with charm.
But given the warrior’s intimidating aura, no man dared approach.
In these turbulent times, these two women, traveling without male companions, clearly weren’t faring well. Yet they dined with refined elegance, ordering dishes even the waitstaff hadn’t heard of. Ning Shuidong personally took their order, realizing they were imperial delicacies, and instructed the kitchen to prepare them with care.
Before returning, he stole a glance at the infant—a beautiful child, less than a hundred days old, sleeping soundly in its mother’s arms, oblivious to the world.
As Ning Shuidong pondered their origins, another group of diners arrived, lighting up the entire restaurant.
Five women of unparalleled beauty.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster was a southern hub, where beautiful women were common. But so many stunning women arriving together, unaccompanied by men, was rare.
Yet no one dared harass them. It was obvious they weren’t to be trifled with—all wore mech suits adorned with the Star Spirit Republic’s emblem.
Their leader was Shi Mingyuan, her long black hair cascading down her tall frame. Though in empire-controlled territory, she didn’t hide her identity, nor was she bothered by the men’s stares.
Entering the pavilion, Shi Mingyuan scanned the room, pausing briefly at the pair of women.
But she didn’t recognize them—even though one was Ling Ziyan, whom she once despised.
It was indeed Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling.
Their story began with the Battle of Elder Mountain. Before the assault, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyan to a galactic acceleration station under a swordsmen’s guard, forbidding her from risking herself while pregnant, regardless of the battle’s outcome.
After the empire’s defeat, Yang Hao stayed behind to hold off the Supreme One while He De led the retreat. But Lan Ling turned back and was injured by the Supreme One’s strike, saved only by the Sword Spirit carrying her away.
From that moment, Yang Hao lost all contact with Lan Ling.
“The problem is, this is the Hidden Immortal Realm, a place under divine prohibition. The heavenly tribulation that descends here is a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tianxuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
According to Tianxuanzi, enduring the tribulation within the Hidden Immortal Realm would summon a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Although a group of ancient immortals could assist him, in the end, the greatest pressure would still fall on his shoulders.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave even ashes behind?
Seeing Yang Hao deep in thought, Tianxuanzi knew the risks were immense. Given Yang Hao’s heavy responsibilities, he didn’t press the matter. “The decision is yours,” he said. “Whether you enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron to cultivate is entirely up to you. You may rest first and return when you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy cauldron standing alone before him, like a towering mountain in his heart.
The choice before him was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Tianxuanzi and the others, knowing Yang Hao needed time to think, left him alone by the Great Alchemy Cauldron and departed.
Yang Hao stood still for a while, then decided to climb the cauldron as if it were a mountain, using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was troubled and preferred to sweat it out.
Sitting atop the cauldron, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Hidden Immortal Realm had likely been reshaped by the immortals, resembling Earth from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless emerald grassland, with a winding river flowing through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the landscape with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the countless warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s finger on the Elder Mountain.
He let the dying sunlight represent the unspilled blood of those brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up, standing naturally by his side. She swept her long hair back, tying it up, revealing her exquisite face under the sunset’s glow.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The elders want me to cultivate inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “I want to advise you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I asked the elders—they said the chance of survival is slim, one in a hundred.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find another solution.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had grown more spirited, less delicate and haughty than before, making her even more endearing. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had considered her his wife—until their time on the Sacred Bear Star.
“Then why were there other women?” Shi Mingyuan’s face dimmed. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain? That he loved her, but also Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyan? That he wished all the beauties in the world could be his?
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed red.
Yang Hao panicked, reaching to wipe them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch, leaning into him and sobbing.
Holding her delicate form, Yang Hao felt her flawless body press against him.
“It’s alright,” he whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more captivating than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, because of me, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were well was enough for me.”
“But I waited for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of it was what I wanted. I just wanted to help you, to wait for you to take over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
Her anger flared, and she pushed Yang Hao away, standing abruptly.
Dressed in a sleek armored suit with shorts that ended at her knees, she revealed her shapely legs—legs that soon stepped away from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with that woman.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was speechless. Nothing in the world changed faster than a woman’s mood.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to the reputation of women’s fierceness, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, return to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, heartless man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Do as you please,” Shi Mingyuan said coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. Stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao was shocked. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond it lay the empire’s territory, where the Elder Council had installed the crown prince as a puppet emperor, controlling the entire regime.
Venturing out was extremely dangerous.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair, her demeanor resolute. “I’m going to help you—I’m going to seize it.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under their control, a region where religion thrived—especially the Supreme Holy Sect, fanatics who worshipped the Supreme One. Falling into their hands was no joke. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you even care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him for good measure before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao watched helplessly as she vanished in a flash of lightning.
Stubborn yet soft-hearted, she claimed she never wanted to see him again, yet her journey south was to secure another divine artifact for him.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the dynamics between these three formidable women would be a headache.
And he deserved it. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over the capital’s top ice beauty, the Elder Council’s most cunning strategist, and a fiancée who had become the Republic’s leader?
What kind of story would unfold when these three formidable women stood together?
The southern region of the Galactic Empire had once been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Dominion and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence, plunging the empire into war, the south remained undisturbed.
Here, governance wasn’t by the stellar regime, but by faith. Nearly everyone worshipped the Supreme Holy Sect, a religion that revered the Supreme One as the universe’s sole deity. Under this shared belief, the Elder Council’s appointed religious leaders ruled without conflict.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, a vital hub in the south, connected the empire’s core to other southern systems via its acceleration stations. Its strategic location made it the Merchant Guild’s primary trade hub in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single star cluster accounted for half the south’s trade, holding immense importance.
With a population of two hundred million, including twenty million merchants and fifty million employees, the Cloud Capital Star Cluster was practically built by merchants.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, stability crumbled. The Merchant Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the trade system leaderless and collapsing.
The Elder Council’s forces seized the opportunity to oppress merchants, plunging the trade planet into chaos.
The Celestial Pavilion, the star cluster’s most famous restaurant, was founded by an old merchant and passed down three generations. When the Cloud Capital Star Cluster was first established, many merchants missed the capital’s cuisine. The old merchant opened the Celestial Pavilion, specializing in imperial delicacies, and it became an instant hit.
A century later, the Celestial Pavilion still stood, where countless merchants savored its dishes.
That afternoon, the restaurant was sparsely populated, with only a dozen tables scattered across its grand, three-story hall adorned with imperial motifs. Legend had it the restaurant’s name was bestowed by a past emperor.
Though few diners were present, two tables stood out. The current owner, Ning Shuidong, though distracted, kept glancing at them.
Coincidentally, both tables were occupied by women.
The first table held two women—one a warrior in gleaming white armor, a silver spear at her side. Stunningly beautiful with an ample bust, her icy demeanor seemed to freeze everything around her. Yet she tended to the other woman with care, helping her sit, pouring tea, and meticulously ordering food.
The second woman cradled an infant. Despite motherhood, she retained the allure of a maiden, her eyes brimming with charm—a stark contrast to the warrior’s frostiness.
But given the warrior’s intimidating aura, no man dared approach.
In these turbulent times, the two women, unaccompanied by men, seemed to be in dire straits. Yet they dined with refined taste, ordering dishes even the staff hadn’t heard of. Ning Shuidong recognized them as imperial delicacies and instructed the kitchen to prepare them carefully.
Before returning, he stole a glance at the infant—a child less than a hundred days old, sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the world. The baby was beautiful, its father unknown.
As Ning Shuidong pondered their origins, another group of diners arrived, lighting up the Celestial Pavilion.
Five peerlessly beautiful women.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, a bustling southern hub, was no stranger to beauty. But five such flawless women arriving together, unaccompanied by men, was rare.
Yet no one dared harass them. Their armored suits and Star Spirit Republic insignias marked them as formidable.
Their leader, Shi Mingyuan, tall with flowing black hair, flaunted her identity despite being in imperial territory. She ignored the men’s gazes, accustomed to such attention.
Entering the restaurant, Shi Mingyuan scanned the room, pausing briefly at the two women.
She didn’t recognize them—though one was Ling Ziyan, a woman she once despised.
It was indeed Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling.
Their story began with the Elder Mountain battle. Before the assault, Yang Hao sent Ling Ziyan to a galactic acceleration station under heavy guard, forbidding her from risking her pregnancy.
After the empire’s defeat, Yang Hao stayed behind to hold off the Supreme One while He De fled. But Lan Ling returned, only to be gravely injured by the Supreme One. Fortunately, the Sword Spirit intervened, carrying her to safety.
From that moment, Yang Hao lost all contact with Lan Ling.
However, after the Battle of the Elders’ Mountain, unexpected changes occurred here.
The Yundujia Star Cluster was the most important planet in the southern region, strategically located at a transportation hub. Whether heading to the heart of the Empire or to other southern star systems, one had to pass through the acceleration space station here.
Due to its geographical advantages, the Yundujia Star Cluster was the central trading hub for the Merchant Guild in the south, making it a bustling trade planet.
Just this star system alone accounted for half of the entire southern region’s trade volume, holding a position of vital importance.
The Yundujia Star Cluster had a population of two billion, over twenty million merchants, and fifty million employees following the merchants. Here, it was practically a planet built by merchants.
However, after the Battle of the Elders’ Mountain, the previously peaceful days finally saw turbulence. Due to the Merchant Guild’s defeat in this battle, the Guild’s nine council members were forced to flee, leading to the entire merchant system collapsing into chaos without leadership.
Taking advantage of the situation, the forces controlled by the Elders’ Council aggressively oppressed the merchants, marking the beginning of chaos on this trade planet.
The Apocalypse Pavilion was the most famous restaurant in the Yundujia Star Cluster, established by an old merchant and passed down through three generations. When the Yundujia Star Cluster was first established, many merchants missed the food from the capital and fell into homesickness. The old merchant opened the Apocalypse Pavilion, specializing in delicacies from the capital’s central region, which became an instant hit.
A century has passed, and the Apocalypse Pavilion still stands in the Yundujia Star Cluster, where countless merchants stop to savor its cuisine.
It was now the afternoon, and the Apocalypse Pavilion wasn’t very crowded, with only about ten tables occupied, scattered sparsely in the lavishly decorated three-story hall. The three-story hall was the hallmark of the Apocalypse Pavilion, with walls carved with imperial family patterns. It was said that the name Apocalypse Pavilion was even granted by the late emperor.
Although not crowded, today’s diners included two tables that particularly drew attention. Ning Shuidong, the current owner of the Apocalypse Pavilion, although preoccupied, kept glancing at those two tables of diners.
Coincidentally, both tables were occupied entirely by women.
One table was occupied by two women who arrived earlier. One of them looked like a female warrior, dressed in bright white soft armor, with a silver spear placed beside the table. This female warrior was extremely beautiful, especially with her unusually full chest, which attracted a lot of male attention. But she had a cold expression that seemed to freeze everything around her. However, she was very attentive to the other woman beside her, helping her sit down, pouring tea for her, and even carefully deliberating over the menu choices.
The woman being cared for by the female warrior was holding a baby. Although she was cradling what seemed to be a newborn infant, she didn’t look like a young mother, but rather like a seductive young woman. Unlike the female warrior, her eyes and brows exuded a charming allure.
However, given the female warrior’s overwhelming aura, no man dared to approach and strike up a conversation.
In this chaotic era, these two women had no male companions, clearly indicating their difficult circumstances. Yet they dined very meticulously, ordering several dishes that even the waiters had never heard of. Ning Shuidong personally went over to listen and realized these were special imperial dishes. He immediately instructed the kitchen to prepare them with utmost care.
Before Ning Shuidong returned from giving the order, he couldn’t help but glance at the baby in the woman’s arms. The child was clearly less than a hundred days old, peacefully sleeping in its mother’s arms, oblivious to the changes in the outside world. The baby was born with rosy lips and white teeth, extremely adorable, but no one knew who the father was.
As Ning Shuidong was speculating about the identity of these two beauties, another table of diners appeared, making the entire Apocalypse Pavilion shine with their presence.
They were five women of unparalleled beauty.
The Yundujia Star Cluster was a major southern town, bustling with people coming and going. Beautiful women were common here, but so many of them, all so perfectly beautiful, arriving in a group without any men, was indeed rare.
Yet no one dared to casually approach these beauties, for anyone could tell they were not to be trifled with. These women were all dressed in mechanized suits, with the insignia of the Star Spirit Republic on their chests.
The leader of this group of beauties was Shi Mingyuan, with her long black hair and tall, graceful figure. Although she was in territory controlled by the Empire, she did not hide her identity. She was also accustomed to the fiery gazes of the men in the restaurant.
After entering the Apocalypse Pavilion, Shi Mingyuan glanced around. She hesitated slightly only when she looked at the pair of women.
But Shi Mingyuan did not recognize who they were, even though one of them was Ling Ziyun, someone she had once intensely hated and disliked.
It was indeed Ling Ziyun and Kan Ling.
Their whereabouts must be traced back to the Battle of the Elders’ Mountain. Before attacking the Elders’ Mountain, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyun to an acceleration space station in the Milky Way, assigning a squad of sword masters to protect her. Regardless of victory or defeat, he had forbidden Ling Ziyun from taking any risks while pregnant.
“The problem is, this is the Hidden Immortal Realm, a place within the divine prohibition. The heavenly tribulation that descends here is a hundred times stronger than usual,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “So, Yang Hao, you must be careful.”
Yang Hao felt a headache coming on.
According to Tian Xuanzi, enduring a tribulation in the Hidden Immortal Realm would unleash a heavenly calamity a hundred times more powerful. Though a group of old immortals could assist him, in the end, the greatest burden would still fall on his shoulders.
This was no joke. An ordinary heavenly tribulation was enough to reduce a person to ashes. What would a hundredfold tribulation be like? Would it leave nothing behind, not even dust?
Seeing Yang Hao deep in thought, Tian Xuanzi knew the risks were immense. Given Yang Hao’s heavy responsibilities, he didn’t press the matter. “The decision is yours,” he said. “Whether to enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron for cultivation is entirely up to you. You may rest first and return when you’ve made up your mind.”
Yang Hao remained silent, staring at the massive alchemy furnace standing alone before him, like a towering mountain in his heart.
The choice before him was one of life and death. Had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended mortality?
The setting sun cast a bloody glow, as if weeping.
Knowing Yang Hao needed time to think, Tian Xuanzi and the others left him alone with the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
Yang Hao stood still for a while, then decided to climb the cauldron as if it were a mountain, using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but he was troubled and preferred to sweat it out.
Seated atop the cauldron, Yang Hao gazed into the distance and unexpectedly beheld a breathtaking view. The Hidden Immortal Realm had likely been reshaped by the immortals, resembling the planet’s appearance from countless years ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless green grassland, with a winding river flowing through it. Though no cattle or horses grazed, the scene evoked a desolate beauty.
The crimson light bathed the earth and the tips of the grass, staining the landscape with a bloody hue. It reminded Yang Hao of the warriors who had fallen under the Supreme One’s finger on the Elder Mountain.
Let this sunset be the unspilled blood of those brothers.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up, standing naturally by his side. She swept her long hair back, tying it up, revealing her exquisite face under the sunset’s glow.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao mumbled. “The masters want me to enter the Great Alchemy Cauldron for cultivation.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “I want to advise you against it. It’s too dangerous. I asked the master—he said the chance of survival is slim, one in a hundred.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan insisted. “I’ll help you find another solution.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had become much more spirited compared to her past delicate and proud demeanor, now even more endearing. “You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Did you tell people I was your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head and asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao admitted without hesitation. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him, he had considered her his wife during their time on the Sacred Bear Star.
“But then, why were there other women?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is slow,” Yang Hao said self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain this? Should he say he loved her, Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyan? As if he could claim all the beauties in the world for himself.
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the bloody sunset, even her tears seemed tinged with red.
Panicked, Yang Hao reached out to wipe them away. Shi Mingyuan, heartbroken, softened at his touch, leaning into him as she sobbed.
Holding her delicate form, Yang Hao felt her flawless body press against him.
“There, there,” he whispered, kissing her earlobe. “I’m here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan choked out.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about most,” Yang Hao said, lifting her chin with two fingers. Her tear-streaked face was even more captivating than usual.
“Then why—”
“When you were in a coma, for me, I always thought of you as my wife,” Yang Hao murmured. “After we parted, so much happened. Knowing you were well was enough for me.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I waited for you to come for me. Being a leader, a ruler—none of that was what I wanted. I just wanted to help you, to wait for you to take over. But you? You were off enjoying yourself with other women.”
As she spoke, anger welled up inside her. She pushed Yang Hao away and stood abruptly.
Dressed in a sleek armored suit with shorts that reached her knees, she revealed her shapely legs—legs that quickly stepped away from Yang Hao. “If that’s how it is, then you don’t need to think of me as your wife anymore. Go be happy with her.”
“Me?” Yang Hao was dumbfounded. Nothing in the world changed as quickly as a woman’s mood.
Shi Mingyuan lived up to the reputation of women’s fierceness, hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, return to the west. I don’t want to see a faithless, treacherous man like you again.”
Yang Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Shi Mingyuan said coldly. “Starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. Stay wherever you like—you won’t see me again.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao asked, startled. The Star Spirit Republic was the only safe place now. Beyond its borders lay the empire’s territory, where the crown prince had been installed as a puppet emperor by the Elder Council.
Venturing out would be extremely dangerous.
“Rumors say a divine artifact has appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair, looking resolute. “I’m going to retrieve it—for you.”
“The empire’s south?” Yang Hao frowned. Though not the empire’s core, it was still under imperial control. The south was also a region of fervent religious devotion, dominated by the Supreme Sect, whose fanatical followers were not to be trifled with. “Be careful. Take more people with you.”
“Do you still care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared at him, kicking him for good measure before leaping off the cauldron.
Yang Hao watched helplessly as she vanished in a flash of lightning.
Stubborn yet soft-hearted, Shi Mingyuan had declared she never wanted to see him again, yet her journey south was to secure another divine artifact for him.
But given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling would never get along. If Yang Hao reunited with Lan Ling and Ling Ziyan, managing the dynamics between these three formidable women would be a headache.
And he deserved it. Who asked him to be so fickle, winning over the capital’s top ice beauty, the Elder Council’s most cunning strategist, and a fiancée who had become a republic leader?
With such fierce women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
The southern region of the Galactic Empire had long been peaceful. Even as the Divine Mandate Dominion and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence, plunging the empire into war, the south remained undisturbed.
Here, governance was not by political power but by faith. Nearly everyone worshipped the Supreme Sect, which revered the Supreme One as the universe’s sole deity. Under this shared belief, the Elder Council’s appointed religious leaders maintained order without conflict.
But after the Elder Mountain battle, unexpected changes arose.
The Cloud Capital Star Cluster, a vital hub in the south, served as a crossroads for travel to the empire’s core and other southern systems. Its strategic location made it the Trade Guild’s primary distribution center in the south, a bustling commercial planet.
This single star cluster accounted for half of the south’s trade, making it indispensable.
With a population of two hundred million, including twenty million merchants and fifty million employees, the Cloud Capital Star Cluster was practically built by traders.
Yet after the Elder Mountain battle, stability crumbled. The Trade Guild’s defeat forced its nine directors into exile, leaving the guild leaderless and collapsing the trade system.
The Elder Council’s forces seized the opportunity to oppress merchants, plunging the trade planet into chaos.
The Celestial Pavilion, the star cluster’s most famous restaurant, had been run by a merchant family for three generations. Established when the star cluster was new, it catered to homesick traders with delicacies from the imperial capital, earning fame.
A century later, the Celestial Pavilion still stood, a favorite among merchants.
That afternoon, the restaurant was sparsely occupied, with only a dozen tables scattered across its grand three-story hall. The walls bore imperial motifs, and legend had it the restaurant’s name was bestowed by a past emperor.
Though quiet, two tables stood out, drawing the owner’s attention.
Coincidentally, both were occupied by women.
The first table held two women—one a warrior in gleaming white armor, a silver spear at her side. Her stunning beauty, especially her ample bosom, drew male gazes, but her icy demeanor kept them at bay. She tended to her companion with care, helping her sit and pouring tea, even deliberating over the menu.
Her companion, holding an infant, was the opposite—radiant and alluring, her eyes full of charm. But the warrior’s intimidating aura deterred any would-be suitors.
Despite their precarious situation in these turbulent times, they dined meticulously, ordering dishes even the staff hadn’t heard of. The owner, recognizing imperial delicacies, instructed the kitchen to prepare them carefully.
Before returning, he glanced at the infant—a beautiful child, less than a hundred days old, sleeping peacefully in its mother’s arms.
As he pondered their origins, another group of diners arrived, lighting up the restaurant.
Five stunning women.
Beautiful women were common in the bustling Cloud Capital Star Cluster, but five of such perfection, unaccompanied by men, was rare.
Yet no one dared approach them. Their armored suits and Star Spirit Republic insignias marked them as formidable.
Their leader, Shi Mingyuan, with her long black hair and tall stature, didn’t hide her identity, indifferent to the men’s admiring stares.
Entering the restaurant, she scanned the room, pausing briefly at the pair of women.
She didn’t recognize them—though one was Ling Ziyan, whom she once despised.
Indeed, it was Ling Ziyan and Lan Ling.
Their story began with the Elder Mountain battle. Before the attack, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyan to a space station under guard, forbidding her from risking her pregnancy.
After the defeat, Yang Hao stayed behind to hold off the Supreme One while others fled. But Lan Ling returned, only to be injured and carried away by the Sword Spirit.
From that moment, Yang Hao lost contact with Lan Ling.
From that moment on, Yang Hao completely lost contact with Kan Ling.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. After the sword spirit carried her through space for a while, she regained consciousness. However, she hadn’t witnessed the scene where Yang Hao threw the divine ring, causing a massive explosion. After becoming separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to seek out Ling Zhiyan.
Fortunately, she did.
That bumbling fool, He De, led everyone straight back to the Oracular Autonomous Territory, accidentally leaving Yang Hao’s wife and child behind at the spatial acceleration station. As a result, when the elders dispatched people to eliminate the remaining Dan Ding Sect members, they coincidentally discovered Ling Zhiyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, they certainly wouldn’t let her go. Subordinates of the Senate slaughtered everyone and prepared to take Ling Zhiyan back.
Yang Hao left sword masters to resist desperately, and they all sacrificed themselves in the end. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the sword spirit arrived just in time. After a fierce battle, they rescued Ling Zhiyan.
From that point on, these two women, plus the sword spirit, began their wandering days. They couldn’t stay in the Empire, so by chance, they fled southward, recuperating while also preparing for childbirth, all while seeking news of Yang Hao.
Now the child had been born, but Yang Hao remained completely out of contact. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Zhiyan brought the baby to the Yundu Jia star cluster, hoping to find a smuggling spaceship to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly a cruel joke by fate. If Yang Hao could see the scene at the Apocalypse Pavilion, he would probably wish he could go and smash his head against a wall. The most intense encounter between rivals in history was born right here.
However, fortunately, although Shi Mingyuan and Ling Zhiyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had changed them both greatly.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Zhiyan had lived in Ling Fei’s Star Sea in Leiman Star. Back then, Ling Zhiyan was the boss, always dressed up elaborately, even more flamboyant than a butterfly. Nothing like the plain-faced woman she was now, holding a baby in her arms. Not only Shi Mingyuan, even if her master, Elder Rong Li, came personally, he probably wouldn’t recognize her at first glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more dramatic. Once a courtesan unwanted by anyone in Ling Fei’s Star Sea, she had now become the Chief Executive of the Celestial Republic, a leader at the Saint Domain level. Her current image, dressed in military uniform yet still dazzling, was incomparable to her past self.
Therefore, although these three met, no sparks had yet erupted.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been closely watching Shi Mingyuan’s table, not just because her table had more beauties, but because everyone had already figured out the beauties’ origins—they were actually rebels from the Eastern territories.
That was too bold. Although the South was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the Senate’s domain. To brazenly come in without even changing their uniforms and insignias, they weren’t afraid of being attacked, but Ning Shuidong feared getting into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan was eating calmly, completely ignoring the looks she was getting. Women from the Angel Star, ever since escaping the fate of being bought and toyed with by men, had always maintained this kind of pride.
The afternoon sunlight poured through the open central courtyard, illuminating the golden royal crest, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, almost feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be peaceful like this afternoon, with people quietly enjoying their meals everywhere, how wonderful that would be, Ning Shuidong thought to himself.
But dreams have always existed only to be shattered.
As if jealous of the excessive tranquility here, soon, noise came from outside. A piercing chant entered Ning Shuidong’s ears. He twisted his face in pain but had to pull himself together and go forward.
“Who’s the boss? Step forward!” A group of people wearing black cloaks, with large sword emblems embroidered on their backs, rushed in, shouting rudely.
“That’s me, that’s me.” Ning Shuidong put on a smiling face. “Honorable guests from the Holy Church, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked men didn’t respond first but kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Although Ning was a merchant and had practiced some martial arts since childhood, when the black-cloaked man kicked him, he didn’t dare dodge, allowing himself to be knocked down.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t that severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her fleeing through the cosmos, she regained consciousness. However, she didn’t witness Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, which led to the massive explosion. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
And thank goodness she thought of Ling Ziyan.
That fool He De led all their forces straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left behind at the spatial acceleration station. When the Elders later sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, how could they let her go? The subordinates of the Elder Council launched a massacre, intending to take Ling Ziyan back.
Yang Hao’s sword masters fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with a Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating and preparing for childbirth while also gathering information about Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no news of Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, came to the Cloud Capital Star Cluster in hopes of finding a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
What a cruel twist of fate. If Yang Hao had seen the scene unfolding in the Heavenly Revelation Pavilion, he might have wished to smash his head against a wall. The most dramatic confrontation between rivals in history was about to unfold right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed too much.
Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had both once lived on the Thunderstar’s Lingfei Star Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he wouldn’t have recognized her at a glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more drastic. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three of them had crossed paths, no sparks flew.
At least, not yet.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already deduced their origins. These women were actually rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the control of the Elder Council. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was terrified of getting himself into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan continued eating gracefully, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this air of arrogance ever since they broke free from the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the open atrium, casting a golden glow on the imperial insignia, making it look exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if jealous of the tranquility, a clamor soon erupted outside. A piercing chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, making him grimace in pain, but he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, with large sword-shaped emblems embroidered on their backs, barged in, shouting rudely.
“That’s me, that’s me.” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here for a meal?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant, he had trained in martial arts since childhood. Yet when the kick came, he didn’t dare dodge, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” The black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One has granted me the power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honored Saint, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elder Council and the High Priest, the Heavenly Revelation Pavilion is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Cloud Capital Star Cluster. This land is now the property of the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and then pleaded, “Honored Saint, we are just small merchants. Our family has run this restaurant in Cloud Capital for three generations. It’s our ancestral heritage.”
“Small merchants are still merchants.” The black-cloaked man wouldn’t hear any excuses. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed that all merchants are traitors. The fact that we’re only expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. He lowered his head and begged, “Honored Saints, our Ning family has operated the Heavenly Revelation Pavilion in Cloud Capital for over a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. Besides, we also worship the Supreme Church. We’ve long since left the Merchant Guild. We’re no longer merchants.”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong across the face. “Merchants are forbidden from worshiping the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
At this point, the entire restaurant was in an uproar. Especially Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table—both groups were watching the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was about to charge forward, but fortunately, Ling Ziyan held her back tightly.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded and said, “If that’s the case, Honored Saints, please grant me a little more time. Though we must abandon our business, we still need to pack our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked darkly. “You leave today. And you take nothing. Everything here now belongs to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was about coveting their wealth and seizing it for themselves.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet and shouted angrily, “The Heavenly Revelation Pavilion was built through generations of our family’s hard work! How can you just take it? Does the empire no longer have laws? Is there no justice?”
“We are the law!” The black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse to leave?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance to his sides, and several workers quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious to the danger. “Defy the Holy Church’s orders, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, still basking in his arrogance, never expected Ning Shuidong to attack. The Holy Church had grown too complacent, forgetting that merchants were also hardened travelers who lived by the sword. They forgot that when pushed to the brink, people were capable of anything.
As Ning Shuidong charged, the black-cloaked man—likely a skilled fighter within the Holy Church—managed to stumble aside just in time.
But his subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two lackeys turned to flee, only to be blocked at the door by the restaurant workers. Armed with whatever they could grab, the workers beat them to death.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced toward the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man, however, sneered. “If that’s how it is, don’t blame me for what comes next.” He quickly drew a short sword from his robe—a blade no longer than his palm, pitifully small compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The restaurant workers burst into laughter, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they could see the faint spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—proof that it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, being a backward region, couldn’t compare to the empire’s core territories. Ordinary weapons were the norm here, and even an alloy sword was considered rare. Weapons blessed by the Elder Council were typically reserved for high-ranking officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword flashed brilliantly, slicing through it effortlessly. Ning Shuidong staggered back in shock. His workers, seeing the danger, rushed forward, but their crude weapons—iron rods and the like—were no match. A single flick of the short sword severed them all.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Holy Church? This sword was personally bestowed by an Elder, imbued with his sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong sighed inwardly. With his weapon broken, he knew death was inevitable. He closed his eyes, waiting for the Holy Church’s execution.
“Saint’s might—shatter!!” A blinding white light erupted within the Heavenly Revelation Pavilion.
But death never came. When Ning Shuidong opened his eyes, he saw the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a gleaming silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Thick blood oozed from the wound.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back in shock, finally recognizing the warrior in white soft armor—the beautiful woman with the silver spear had intervened.
Kan Ling tossed aside the corpse of the Holy Church member, her expression still cold.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though he had narrowly escaped danger today, the real trouble was only beginning.
“Thank you, miss.” Ning Shuidong bowed to Kan Ling, then turned to her and Ling Ziyan, who was now approaching with the child. “But you must leave quickly. This trouble is ours to bear. Don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them so much?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, there were few things she feared.
“You two must not be from the south.” Ning Shuidong gestured for his workers to remove the bodies, then explained, “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatical devotees of the Supreme One, controlling nearly all religious authority in the south. Recently, after the new High Priest took office, their expansion has grown even more aggressive. Just last week, they executed the governor of the Cloud Capital Star Cluster—who was also our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can just kill people? Even a star cluster governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong smiled bitterly. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elder Council, and right now, the empire is under their rule. Everything the Holy Church does is on the Elders’ orders. After killing the governor, their Supreme Temple atop Cloud Capital’s highest peak has become the planet’s new administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics are everywhere, squeezing merchants dry, driving us to extinction.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elder Council to shift its focus to the south so quickly. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the council would need at least a year to fully consolidate control over the empire’s core regions, including the noble and royal circles. But now, it seemed something in the south had made them act prematurely.
“What exactly has the Holy Church been doing in the south this past month?” Ling Ziyan asked suspiciously.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though the Merchant Guild has lost its leadership, we still have underground connections. Messages from other star systems say the same thing: the empire has secretly ordered the evacuation of all residents from the south. The Holy Church is just enforcing this. They’re ruthlessly expelling merchants, confiscating their wealth, and hauling it all back to their temples.”
“Evacuate the entire south?” Kan Ling’s expression darkened.
Ning Shuidong quickly gestured for silence. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It hasn’t been publicly announced.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but there are still hundreds of billions of people, countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible.” Ling Ziyan suddenly spoke up. “The north was once cleared out the same way.” As a spy trained by the Elder Council for years, she knew their inner workings well. “Long ago, the entire northern population was relocated in several mass migrations. Later, all the northern planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elder Council planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her fleeing through space, she regained consciousness. However, she didn’t witness Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, which led to the massive explosion. After being separated from the main force, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led all his troops straight back to the Divine Edict Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left behind at the spatial acceleration station. As a result, when the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, how could they let her go? The subordinates of the Elder Council launched a massacre, intending to take Ling Ziyan back.
Yang Hao’s Sword Masters fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived just in time. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women and a Sword Spirit began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating and preparing for childbirth while also gathering information about Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no news of Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, came to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had seen the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he would probably have wanted to smash his head against a wall—the most formidable confrontation between romantic rivals in history was unfolding right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and too much had changed.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived in the Lingfei Starry Sea on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, were here, he probably wouldn’t recognize her at a glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more dramatic. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Starry Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three of them had met, no sparks had yet erupted.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not entirely because it was filled with beautiful women, but because everyone had already discerned their origins: they were actually rebels from the east.
This was far too bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the control of the Elder Council. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was terrified of bringing trouble upon himself.
Yet Shi Mingyuan continued eating gracefully, completely ignoring the stares around her. The women of Angel Star had always maintained this haughty demeanor ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the open atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, a clamor soon erupted outside. A piercing chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, and his face twisted in pain, but he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, with large sword-shaped insignias embroidered on their backs, barged in rudely.
“I am, I am.” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant and had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge—he let himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me strength to eradicate scum like you.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honored Saint, what do you require of me today?”
“By order of the Elder Council and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster at once. This land is now the property of the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a decree.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the decree and skimmed a few lines before pleading, “Honored Saint, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this restaurant in Yundu Jia for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage!”
“A humble merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. He lowered his head and begged, “Honored Saints, our Ning family has operated the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. Besides, we too worship the Supreme One’s Holy Church. We long ago severed ties with the Merchant Guild—we’re no longer merchants!”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
At this, the entire restaurant was in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table, in particular, watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, had already wanted to intervene, but thankfully, Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Nothing is to be taken—everything is confiscated by the Holy Church.”
Even the dullest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet and roared, “The Tianqi Tower is the fruit of my family’s hard work! How can I just hand it over? Does the Empire no longer have laws? Is there no justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“What if I refuse to leave?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance at his men, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church’s decree, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two turned to flee but were blocked at the door by the Tianqi Tower staff, who beat them to death with whatever weapons they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man, however, sneered. “If that’s how it is, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” He swiftly drew a short sword from his belt—a weapon so small it seemed laughable compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The Tianqi Tower staff burst into laughter, dismissing the tiny blade as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. These two Saint Realm experts sensed something—the short sword shimmered with spiritual light, indicating it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the Empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered top-tier here. Weapons blessed by the Elder Council were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and sliced through it effortlessly. Stunned, Ning Shuidong retreated. His men, seeing the danger, rushed forward, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword effortlessly severed them all.
The black-cloaked man cackled. “Dare oppose the Holy Church? This sword was personally bestowed by an Elder, imbued with his sacred power. Today, your blood shall consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong sighed inwardly. Disarmed and resigned to death, he closed his eyes, awaiting the fatal blow.
“Saint’s Might—Shatter!!” A blinding white light filled the Tianqi Tower.
Instead of death, Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge—a silver spear had pierced his throat from behind, its gleaming tip protruding, blood dripping thickly.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back in shock, only then realizing the white-armored warrior woman with the silver spear had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse, her expression unreadable.
Ning Shuidong’s heart raced. Though he’d narrowly escaped death today, the real trouble had only just begun.
“Thank you, miss.” Ning Shuidong bowed to Kan Ling, then added urgently, “But you must leave now. This trouble is ours—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, there wasn’t much she feared.
“You two must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, instructing his men to remove the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Since the new High Priest took office, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed the governor of Yundu Jia—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can kill freely? Even execute a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elder Council, which now rules the Empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, the Holy Church’s temple atop Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics are squeezing merchants dry, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elder Council to shift focus to the south so soon. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, they’d need at least a year to fully consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions, including the noble and royal circles. Yet here they were, already extending their reach southward.
“What exactly has the Holy Church been doing in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we merchants have lost our leaders, we still communicate in secret. Reports from other star systems match ours—the Empire has ordered the south to be emptied. The Holy Church is merely enforcing this, driving out merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling’s face paled.
Ning Shuidong gestured for silence. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It hasn’t been publicly announced.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was once emptied the same way.” As a former Elder Council spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the entire northern population was relocated in several mass migrations. Later, all northern planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elder Council planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
“By the order of the Senate and the High Priest, the Apocalypse Pavilion must close immediately today. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia star cluster immediately. This land is now claimed by the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly threw down a decree.
Ning Shuidong trembled all over, picked up the decree, read a few lines, and then begged:
“Honorable guests from the Holy Church, we are just small merchants. We’ve run this restaurant in Yundu Jia for three generations; it’s been passed down from our ancestors.”
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her away through the cosmos, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, her first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led all his forces straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child left behind at the spatial acceleration station. When the Elders later sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they happened to discover Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they had no intention of letting her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to capture her.
Yang Hao’s sword masters fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with the Sword Spirit—began a life of wandering. Unable to stay in the empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while preparing for childbirth and searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, arrived at the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall—the most dramatic confrontation between romantic rivals in history was unfolding right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived on the Thunderstar’s Lingfei Star Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the flamboyant owner, always dressed to the nines and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he probably wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Supreme Governor of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three had crossed paths, no sparks had yet flown.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beautiful women, but because everyone had already deduced their origins: they were rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was worried about getting himself into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan and her companions ate calmly, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star had carried themselves with this same pride ever since breaking free from the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting golden reflections on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, noise soon erupted from outside. A grating chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, making him grimace in pain, but he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of black-cloaked figures stormed in, their robes emblazoned with massive sword insignias on the back, shouting rudely.
“That’s me, that’s me.” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant scum!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One has granted us power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster at once. This land now belongs to the Sacred Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honored Saints, we’re just small merchants. The Tianqi Tower has been in our family for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage!”
“Small merchants are still merchants,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. We’re being lenient just by letting you leave.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has run the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a hundred years. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. And we’ve long since renounced the Merchant Guild—we’re not merchants anymore!”
“Bastard!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants are forbidden from worshiping the Sacred Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
By now, the entire tavern was in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched coldly.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was ready to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though the business is lost, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Take nothing—everything is forfeit to the Sacred Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about cleansing merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet, furious. “The Tianqi Tower was built by my family’s hard work! How can you just take it? Does the empire have no laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“What if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong signaled subtly, and several workers quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Sacred Church, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two tried to flee but were blocked at the door by the tavern workers, who beat them to death with whatever they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man scowled. “Fine. Don’t blame me for what comes next.” He quickly drew a short sword—barely palm-sized—that seemed pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The tavern workers laughed, dismissing it as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they could see the spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—proof it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons at best. A sword made of alloy was considered top-tier here. Weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and sliced through it effortlessly. Stunned, Ning Shuidong retreated. His workers, seeing the danger, rushed in, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword severed them all with a single flick.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Sacred Church? This sword was personally blessed by an Elder, imbued with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong sighed inwardly. Unarmed, he knew death was certain. He closed his eyes, awaiting the end.
“Saint’s Might—Break!!” A blinding white light filled the Tianqi Tower.
Ning Shuidong, expecting death, opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge—a silver spear had pierced his throat from behind, its gleaming tip dripping with thick blood.
Stumbling back, Ning Shuidong saw the white-armored warrior woman, her silver spear in hand, standing coldly over the corpse.
Kan Ling tossed aside the dead Saint, her expression icy.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though he’d escaped immediate danger, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss.” He bowed to Kan Ling, then added urgently to her and Ling Ziyan, who now approached with the child, “But you must leave quickly. This is our problem—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, very little intimidated her.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, directing his workers to remove the bodies. “Here, the Sacred Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatical devotees of the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Since the new High Priest took office, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed the governor of Yundu Jia—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can just kill people? Even a star cluster governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Sacred Church answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple on Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics are squeezing merchants dry, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus to the south so soon. Based on her earlier analysis, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, it should’ve taken them at least a year to fully consolidate control over the empire’s core regions, nobility, and royalty. But clearly, something in the south had made them act hastily.
“What exactly has the Sacred Church been doing here this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we’ve lost our guild, merchants still communicate secretly. Reports from other star systems match ours—the empire has ordered the south to be emptied. The Sacred Church is just enforcing it, driving out merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible.” Ling Ziyan’s voice was grim. “The north was emptied the same way years ago.” As a former Elder-trained spy, she knew their methods well. “Decades back, the entire northern population was relocated in mass migrations. Later, all northern planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her fleeing through space, she regained consciousness. However, she didn’t witness Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, which led to the massive explosion. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she remembered Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led everyone straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left behind at the space acceleration station. As a result, when the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The subordinates of the Elder Council launched a massacre, intending to take Ling Ziyan back.
Yang Hao’s sword masters fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with a Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions. There, they recuperated, gave birth, and searched for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, came to the Cloud Capital Star Cluster in hopes of finding a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Heavenly Revelation Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall in despair. The most formidable confrontation between romantic rivals in history was unfolding right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and too much had changed.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived on the Thunderstar’s Lingfei Star Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan was the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, were here, he probably wouldn’t recognize her at a glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more dramatic. Once an unwanted courtesan in Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
Thus, though the three had met, no sparks had yet erupted.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been observing Shi Mingyuan’s table—not entirely because it was filled with beautiful women, but because everyone had already discerned their origins. These women were actually rebels from the east.
This was far too bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the control of the Elder Council. To waltz in so brazenly, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, feared getting himself into trouble.
Yet Shi Mingyuan continued eating gracefully, completely ignoring the stares around her. The women of Angel Star had maintained this haughty demeanor ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and played with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the open atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, a clamor soon erupted outside. A piercing chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain, but he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, with large sword-shaped insignias embroidered on their backs, barged in rudely.
“I am, I am.” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honorable Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant and had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the kick, allowing himself to be knocked down.
“Merchant!” The black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme has granted me power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honorable Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elder Council and the High Priest, the Heavenly Revelation Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Cloud Capital Star Cluster. This land is now the property of the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honorable Saints, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this restaurant in Cloud Capital for three generations. It’s our ancestral heritage.”
“A small merchant is still a merchant.” The black-cloaked man refused to listen. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already lenient.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he feared had finally arrived. Swallowing his pride, he begged, “Honorable Saints, our Ning family has operated the Heavenly Revelation Tower in Cloud Capital for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. Moreover, we too worship the Supreme. We’ve long since abandoned the Merchant Guild.”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme!”
At this, the entire restaurant was stirred. Especially Kan Ling’s and Shi Mingyuan’s tables—both groups watched the scene coldly.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was about to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back tightly.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honorable Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our business, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked darkly. “Leave today. Take nothing. Everything is forfeit to the Holy Church.”
Even the dullest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled up, furious. “The Heavenly Revelation Tower is the fruit of my family’s labor! How can you just take it? Does the Empire no longer have laws? Is there no justice?”
“We are the law!” The black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse to leave?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance to his sides. Several workers quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious to their impending doom. “Defy the Holy Church’s decree, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, still arrogant, never expected Ning Shuidong to strike. The Holy Church had grown too complacent, forgetting that merchants were hardened travelers who lived by the sword. They forgot that cornered men would do anything.
As Ning Shuidong attacked, the black-cloaked man—likely a skilled fighter within the Holy Church—managed to stumble aside, narrowly avoiding the assault.
His underlings weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. Two others turned to flee but were blocked at the door by the restaurant’s workers, who beat them to death with whatever weapons they had.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man, however, snarled, “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.” He swiftly drew a short sword from his person—a blade no longer than a palm, pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The restaurant workers burst into laughter, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. These two Saint Realm experts sensed the spiritual energy radiating from the short sword—proof that it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the Empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered top-tier here. Weapons blessed by the Elder Council were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and effortlessly severed it. Ning Shuidong recoiled in shock. His workers, seeing the danger, rushed forward, but their crude weapons were no match. A single flick of the short sword sliced through them all.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare oppose the Holy Church? This sword was personally blessed by an Elder, imbued with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it.”
Ning Shuidong sighed inwardly. Disarmed, he knew death was inevitable. He closed his eyes, awaiting the fatal blow.
“The Saint is invincible! Break!!” A white holy light erupted within the Heavenly Revelation Tower.
Ning Shuidong, expecting death, opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge—his throat pierced by a silver spear. The gleaming tip protruded from his neck, blood oozing thickly.
Ning Shuidong staggered back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman with the silver spear had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly discarded the corpse, her expression unreadable.
Ning Shuidong’s heart raced. Though he’d narrowly escaped death, the real trouble had only just begun.
“Thank you, miss.” He bowed to Kan Ling but urged her and Ling Ziyan, who now approached with the child, “But you must leave quickly. This trouble is ours—don’t let it drag you in.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You must not be from the south.” Ning Shuidong gestured for his workers to remove the bodies and explained, “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme, controlling all religious authority. Recently, under the new High Priest, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed the governor of Cloud Capital Star Cluster—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion dares kill freely? Even a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who would dare?” Ning Shuidong smiled bitterly. “The Holy Church answers to the Elder Council, and the Empire is now under their rule. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their Supreme Temple atop Cloud Capital’s highest peak became the planet’s administrative center. Those black-cloaked zealots now oppress merchants everywhere, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elder Council to shift focus to the south so soon. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the Council would need at least a year to fully consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions, including the noble and royal circles. Yet here they were, extending their reach southward.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we merchants have lost our leadership, we still communicate privately. Reports from other star systems mirror ours. The Empire has ordered the south’s population cleared out. The Holy Church is merely enforcing this—driving merchants away and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Clear out the south?” Kan Ling’s expression darkened.
Ning Shuidong raised a finger to his lips. “This is intelligence we risked much to obtain. It hasn’t been publicly announced.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible.” Ling Ziyan interjected. As a long-time spy for the Elder Council, she knew their methods well. “The north was once cleared the same way. Massive relocations emptied entire planets, which later withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elder Council planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the region was reduced to lifeless husks.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t that severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through the cosmos, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led all his forces straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Region, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child left behind at the spatial acceleration station. As a result, when the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they had no intention of letting her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to capture her.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to resist, but in the end, all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with a Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating and preparing for childbirth while also searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word of Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, came to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster to see if there were any smuggling ships that could take them to the Western Autonomous Region.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall—the most dramatic confrontation between romantic rivals in history was unfolding right there.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and too much had changed.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived on the Thunderstar’s Lingfei Star Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan was the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, were present, he probably wouldn’t recognize her at a glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more drastic. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and striking presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
Thus, though the three had met, no sparks flew—at least, not yet.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table, not just because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already deduced their origins—they were rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer regions, it was still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—did they not fear being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was more worried about getting himself into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan and her companions ate quietly, completely indifferent to the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this air of pride ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, chaos soon erupted outside. A grating chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, and though his face twisted in pain, he forced himself to brace for what was coming.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of black-cloaked figures stormed in, their robes emblazoned with a massive sword insignia on the back, shouting rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me strength to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Sacred Order.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. The Tianqi Tower has been in our family for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage!”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already merciful.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. He lowered his head and begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has operated the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. Moreover, we too worship the Supreme One’s Sacred Order. We’ve long since abandoned the Merchant Guild—we’re no longer merchants!”
“Fool!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Sacred Order! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire tavern was now in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was ready to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back firmly.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Nothing is to be taken—everything is confiscated by the Sacred Order.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet, furious. “The Tianqi Tower was built by my family’s sweat and blood! How can you just take it? Does the Empire have no laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong signaled subtly to his men, who quietly moved to block the exits.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Sacred Order, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two tried to flee but were intercepted by the tavern’s staff at the door, who beat them to death with whatever they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man scowled. “Fine. Don’t blame me for what comes next.” He swiftly drew a short sword—barely the length of a palm—that seemed pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The tavern staff laughed, dismissing it as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they sensed the spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the Empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered top-tier here, while weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword clashed with the short sword, the latter’s glow severed the former effortlessly. Ning Shuidong staggered back in shock. His men rushed forward, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword sliced through them with a mere flick.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Sacred Order? This sword was bestowed by an Elder himself, imbued with his sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.
“Saint’s Wrath—Shatter!” A blinding white light erupted in the Tianqi Tower.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed as the man collapsed.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though he’d escaped immediate danger, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” he bowed to Kan Ling, then turned to her and Ling Ziyan, who now approached with the child. “But you must leave quickly. This trouble is ours—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, signaling his men to remove the bodies. “Here, the Sacred Order’s power is terrifying. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One and control all religious authority. Recently, under the new High Priest, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed Yundu Jia’s governor—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can kill freely? Even a star cluster’s governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Sacred Order answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the Empire. After killing the governor, their temple on Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics are squeezing merchants dry, driving us to extinction.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus south so quickly. Based on her earlier analysis, after the Elder Mountain battle, they’d need at least a year to consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions, nobility, and royalty. Yet here they were, already reaching south. Something must have compelled them.
“What exactly has the Sacred Order done in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we’ve lost our guild, merchants still communicate secretly. Word from other star systems matches ours—the Empire has ordered the south evacuated. The Sacred Order is just enforcing it, driving out merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Evacuate the south?” Kan Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but billions live here across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was once emptied the same way.” As a former Elder-trained spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the north’s population was relocated in mass migrations. Later, all its planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, soon it would be nothing but dead stars.
At this point, everyone in the restaurant was alarmed. Especially the tables where Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan were sitting, they were watching the whole scene coldly.
Kan Ling was more impulsive and had already wanted to rush out, but fortunately, Ling Zhiyan held her tightly, preventing her from moving.
Ning Shuidong sighed, knowing today’s matter couldn’t be resolved peacefully, and could only nod and say, “Since that’s the case, Honorable guests from the Holy Church, please give me a little more time. I don’t care about the family business anymore, but we need some time to pack up. Our family is large, and www.kz.cc moving will take a month!”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man sneered. “Leave today. You’re not allowed to take anything. Everything will be confiscated by the Holy Church.”
Even the most foolish person could understand now that this was not just about clearing out merchants—it was clearly a scheme to seize others’ wealth and appropriate it for their own use.
Even Ning Shuidong, who usually had a calm temper, became furious at this point. He stood up, angry, and said, “The Apocalypse Pavilion is the result of our family’s hard work. How can you just take it away so easily? Is there no law left in the Empire? Is there no justice left?”
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t that severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through the cosmos, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led everyone straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child left behind at the spatial acceleration station. When the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to take her back.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with the Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while preparing for childbirth and searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall—the most dramatic confrontation between romantic rivals in history was unfolding right there.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived on the Thunder Star in the Lingfei Starry Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the flamboyant owner of a pleasure house, always dressed to the nines with heavy makeup, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he probably wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Starry Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Dressed in military attire yet radiantly beautiful, she bore no resemblance to her past self.
Thus, though the three had crossed paths, no sparks flew—at least, not yet.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already deduced their origins: they were rebels from the eastern territories.
This was incredibly bold. Though the southern regions were also part of the outer territories, they were still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—did they not fear being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was more worried about the trouble they might bring him.
But Shi Mingyuan and her companions ate calmly, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star had carried themselves with this same pride ever since breaking free from the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting golden reflections on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, a clamor soon erupted outside. A grating chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain, but he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of black-cloaked men, their robes emblazoned with a massive sword insignia, barged in, shouting rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked men ignored his question and instead kicked him hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant scum!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants us power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By order of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a decree.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the document, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. The Tianqi Tower has been in my family for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage.”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already merciful.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has operated the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. And we, too, worship the Supreme One—we’ve long severed ties with the Merchant Guild.”
“Liar!” The black-cloaked man slapped him. “Merchants are forbidden from worshiping the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire tavern was now in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was ready to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back firmly.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though the business is lost, we still need to gather our belongings. My family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Take nothing—everything now belongs to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet, furious. “The Tianqi Tower was built by my family’s sweat and blood! How can you just take it? Does the Empire have no laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we are its enforcers.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance to his men, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his lackeys scoffed. “Defy the Holy Church, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two tried to flee but were blocked at the door by the tavern’s staff, who beat them to death with whatever weapons they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will kill to silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man scowled. “Fine. Don’t blame me for what happens next.” He quickly drew a short sword—barely the length of a palm—from his robes. Compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword, it seemed laughably small.
The tavern staff burst into mocking laughter, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they could see the faint spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—proof that it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The southern regions, backward compared to the Empire’s core, had no access to such weapons. Ordinary alloy blades were considered top-tier here. Only officers were granted weapons blessed by the Elders.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and effortlessly sliced through it. Stunned, Ning Shuidong retreated. His men rushed forward, but their crude weapons—iron rods and the like—were no match. A single flick of the short sword severed them all.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Holy Church? This sword was personally blessed by an Elder, imbued with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, weaponless and resigned to his fate.
“Saint’s Judgment—Break!!” A blinding white light erupted in the Tianqi Tower.
Instead of death, Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed from the wound.
Stumbling back, Ning Shuidong saw the white-armored warrior—Kan Ling—standing coldly over the corpse.
His heart pounded. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” Ning Shuidong bowed to Kan Ling, then turned to her and Ling Ziyan, who now approached with the child. “But you must leave quickly. This trouble is ours—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, there wasn’t much she feared.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, signaling his men to remove the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One and control all religious authority. Since the new High Priest took office, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed the governor of Yundu Jia—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can just kill people? Even a star cluster governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the Empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple on Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics are squeezing merchants dry, driving us to extinction.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to turn their attention south so soon. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, it should’ve taken them at least a year to fully consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions and subdue the nobility and royalty. But clearly, something in the south had made them act urgently.
“What exactly has the Holy Church been doing here this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though the Merchant Guild has lost its leadership, we still have underground networks. Reports from other star systems match ours. The Empire has ordered the southern regions to be emptied. The Holy Church is just enforcing it—driving out merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling’s face paled.
Ning Shuidong raised a finger to his lips. “This is intel we risked our lives to obtain. It hasn’t been announced publicly.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was emptied the same way years ago.” As a former Elder-trained spy, she knew their methods well. “Decades ago, the entire northern population was relocated in mass migrations. Afterward, all its planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
“What if I refuse to move?” Ning Shuidong signaled to his men on both sides, and several waiters quietly started to close the main doors.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through space, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
And thank goodness she did.
Herd, that fool, led everyone straight back to the Divine Edict Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left stranded at the space acceleration station. When the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they had no intention of letting her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to take her back.
Yang Hao’s Sword Masters fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with the Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the empire, they ended up in the southern territories by sheer coincidence. There, they recuperated, gave birth, and searched for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s cruel joke. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall—this was the most dramatic confrontation between romantic rivals in history.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived in the Lingfei Star Sea on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three of them had crossed paths, no sparks flew.
But this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beautiful women, but because everyone had already deduced their identities. These women were actually rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the southern territories were also part of the outer regions, they were still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—did they not fear being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was worried about getting himself into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan and her companions ate quietly, completely unfazed by the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this air of pride ever since they broke free from the fate of being bought and played with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, making it look exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of women, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful would that be? Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if jealous of the tranquility, a commotion soon erupted outside. A shrill chant pierced Ning Shuidong’s ears, and though his face twisted in pain, he forced himself to brace for what was coming.
“Who’s the owner here? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, their backs emblazoned with massive sword insignias, barged in, shouting rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow and let himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By order of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a decree.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the decree, scanned a few lines, and then pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this restaurant in Yundu Jia for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage!”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned deathly pale. The day he had feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, our Ning family has operated the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. And we too worship the Supreme One—we’ve long since left the Merchant Guild!”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants are forbidden from worshiping the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire restaurant was now in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched the scene coldly.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was ready to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. And you take nothing—everything is forfeit to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was about seizing wealth for themselves.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet, furious. “The Tianqi Tower was built by my family’s hard work! How can you just take it? Does the empire have no laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong signaled to his men, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings scoffed. “Defy the Holy Church, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, arrogant as ever, never expected Ning Shuidong to strike. The Holy Church had grown too complacent, forgetting that merchants were hardened travelers who lived by the sword. They forgot that cornered men would do anything.
Ning Shuidong’s attack was swift. The black-cloaked man, likely a skilled fighter within the Holy Church, managed to dodge, stumbling away.
But his underlings weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two quick slashes, slit one man’s throat. Two others turned to flee but were blocked at the door by the Tianqi Tower’s staff, who beat them to death with whatever weapons they had.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will kill to survive!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man sneered. “Then don’t blame me for what comes next.” He drew a short sword from his robes—a blade no longer than a palm, pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The Tianqi Tower’s staff laughed, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they sensed the spiritual energy radiating from the short sword—it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The southern territories, backward compared to the empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered high-grade here. Weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword clashed with the black-cloaked man’s short sword, the latter’s blade gleamed and effortlessly sliced through the soft sword. Ning Shuidong staggered back in shock. His men rushed forward, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword effortlessly cut through them all.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Holy Church? This blade was personally blessed by an Elder, infused with sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, weaponless and resigned to his fate.
“Saint’s might—BREAK!” A blinding white light erupted in the Tianqi Tower.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed from the wound.
Stumbling back, Ning Shuidong realized the white-armored warrior woman—Kan Ling—had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse.
Ning Shuidong’s heart raced. Though he’d escaped immediate danger, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” he bowed to Kan Ling, then added to her and Ling Ziyan, who was now approaching with the baby, “But you must leave. This is our problem—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong explained as his men removed the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s power is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One and control all religious authority. Since the new High Priest took office, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed the governor of Yundu Jia—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion dares to kill freely? Even a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who would dare?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. These black-cloaked fanatics now extort merchants everywhere, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus to the south so quickly. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the Elders would need at least a year to fully consolidate control over the empire’s core regions and subdue the nobility and royalty. But clearly, something in the south had made them act sooner.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we merchants have lost our leadership, we still communicate in secret. Reports from other star systems match ours. The empire has ordered the southern territories to be emptied. The Holy Church is merely enforcing this—driving out merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling’s expression darkened.
Ning Shuidong gestured for silence. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It hasn’t been announced publicly.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was once emptied the same way.” As a former Elder-trained spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the entire northern population was relocated in mass migrations. Afterward, all northern planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fierce light, and he lunged forward like a tiger.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. After the Sword Spirit carried her through space for a while, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. Once separated from the main group, her first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she remembered Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led everyone straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting Yang Hao’s wife and child at the space acceleration station. When the Elders later sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they happened to discover Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to capture her.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to protect her, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with the Sword Spirit—began a life of wandering. Unable to stay in the empire, they ended up in the southern regions by sheer coincidence. There, they recuperated, gave birth, and searched for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall. The most dramatic confrontation between rivals in history was unfolding right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived in the Lingfei Starry Sea on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the flamboyant owner of a pleasure house, always dressed to the nines and heavily made up—more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Starry Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader of the Sanctuary level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
Thus, though the three had crossed paths, no sparks flew—at least, not yet.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beautiful women, but because everyone had already discerned their origins. These women were actually rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was terrified of getting himself into trouble.
Yet Shi Mingyuan sat there calmly eating, completely indifferent to the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this air of pride ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting golden reflections on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as though he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, chaos soon erupted outside. A cacophony of chants reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain. Yet he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of black-cloaked figures stormed in, their robes emblazoned with massive sword insignias on the back. They shouted rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow. He let himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant scum!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me strength to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the floor, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By order of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a decree.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the document and skimmed a few lines before pleading, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. The Tianqi Tower has been in our family for three generations—it’s our ancestral legacy.”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. He dropped all pretense and begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has run the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. Besides, we too worship the Supreme One. We’ve long severed ties with the Merchant Guild—we’re no longer merchants!”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants are forbidden from worshiping the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire tavern was now in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, had been ready to intervene, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Nothing is to be taken—everything is forfeit to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet and shouted, “The Tianqi Tower was built by my family’s blood and sweat! How can you just take it? Does the empire have no laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance to his men, who quietly moved to block the exits.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his lackeys remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church’s orders, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. These Holy Church fanatics had grown too arrogant, forgetting that merchants were hardened travelers who lived by the sword. They forgot that cornered men would do anything.
Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist. With two swift strokes, he slit one man’s throat. Two others turned to flee but were blocked by the Tianqi Tower’s staff at the door. Armed with whatever they could grab, the staff beat them to death.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man scowled. “Fine. Don’t blame me for what happens next.” He pulled out a short sword—barely the length of a palm—that seemed laughable compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The Tianqi Tower’s staff burst into laughter, dismissing the tiny weapon.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Sanctuary-level experts, they sensed the faint spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—proof that it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the empire’s core regions, had no access to such weapons. Ordinary alloy blades were considered top-tier here. Only officers wielded weapons blessed by the Elders.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword clashed with the black-cloaked man’s short sword, the latter’s blade shimmered and effortlessly sliced through the soft sword. Ning Shuidong staggered back in shock. His men rushed forward, but their crude weapons—iron rods and the like—were no match. A single flick of the short sword severed them all.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Holy Church? This blade was personally blessed by an Elder, infused with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it.”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, resigned to death.
“Sanctuary’s might—BREAK!”
A blinding white light erupted in the Tianqi Tower.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed from the wound.
Stumbling back, Ning Shuidong realized the white-armored warrior woman—Kan Ling—had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” he bowed to Kan Ling, then added urgently, “But you must leave now. This is our mess—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Sanctuary expert, she feared little.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, signaling his men to remove the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s power is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One and control all religious authority. Since the new High Priest took office, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they murdered Yundu Jia’s governor—our Merchant Guild’s leader.”
“A religion dares to kill freely? Even a star cluster’s governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who would dare?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. These black-cloaked fanatics are squeezing merchants dry, driving us to extinction.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus to the south so soon. Based on her earlier analysis, after the Elder Mountain battle, it should’ve taken them at least a year to fully control the empire’s core regions and subdue the nobility and royalty. Clearly, something in the south had spurred them to act.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done here this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we’ve lost our guild, merchants still communicate in secret. Reports from other star systems match ours. The empire has ordered the south to be emptied. The Holy Church is merely enforcing this—driving out merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling breathed deeply. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was emptied the same way years ago.” As a former Elder spy, she knew their methods well. “Back then, the entire northern population was relocated in mass migrations. Later, all northern planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
As Ning Shuidong lunged forward, the black-cloaked man, probably a high-ranking expert in the Holy Church, still reacted quickly, stepping aside and stumbling away.
But his subordinates were not so lucky. Ning Shuidong pulled out the soft sword hidden at his waist, slashing twice, and had already cut one man’s throat. The other two henchmen turned to run but were blocked at the door by the waiters of the Apocalypse Pavilion. A group of them grabbed whatever tools they could find and literally beat them to death.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with anger, advanced toward the black-cloaked man with the soft sword.
“What do you think you’re doing?” This time, the black-cloaked man was clearly shaken.
“Dogs will bite when cornered, and people will kill when desperate!” Ning Shuidong said viciously.
The black-cloaked man, however, was furious. “If that’s how it is, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” He quickly pulled out a small dagger, barely the size of his palm, which was tiny compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The surrounding waiters of the Apocalypse Pavilion burst into laughter, barely considering the child’s toy a threat.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed at the same time. These two Saint Domain experts had already noticed that the dagger was actually glowing with a faint light, indicating it had been blessed by the elders.
The South, being a backward region, couldn’t compare to the heart of the Empire. Weapons here were all ordinary. Having an alloy sword was already considered excellent, while the weapons blessed by the Senate were traditionally reserved only for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck the black-cloaked man, the latter’s small dagger glowed, actually cutting the soft sword in two. Ning Shuidong was shocked and could only retreat. His men, seeing the situation turning bad, rushed forward, but their iron rods and other tools were no match. The dagger merely spun around once, cutting all their weapons to pieces.
The black-cloaked man laughed maliciously, “Daring to oppose the Holy Church? This sword in my hand is a holy blade granted by the elders, blessed with the elders’ sacred power. Today, I will sacrifice you to this sword.”
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t that severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through space, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led everyone straight back to the Divine Dominion, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left stranded at the space acceleration station. When the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to capture her.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to protect her, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, the two women and the Sword Spirit began a life of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while giving birth and searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now that the child was born, there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Cloud Capital Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Dominion.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had seen the scene in the Heavenly Revelation Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall. The most dramatic confrontation between rivals in history was unfolding right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived on the Thunder Star in the Lingfei Star Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan was the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, wouldn’t have recognized her at a glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader of the Saint Realm. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past.
Thus, though the three had crossed paths, no sparks flew—at least, not yet.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table, not just because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already discerned their origins—they were rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, feared the trouble they might bring.
Yet Shi Mingyuan ate her meal with refined grace, completely indifferent to the stares. The women of Angel Star had carried this air of pride ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, a clamor soon erupted outside. A grating chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain, but he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner here? Step forward!” A group of black-cloaked figures, their robes emblazoned with a massive sword insignia, barged in rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here for a meal?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant scum!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants us power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the floor, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elders and the High Priest, the Heavenly Revelation Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Cloud Capital Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this restaurant in Cloud Capital for three generations. It’s our ancestral heritage.”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, our Ning family has operated the Heavenly Revelation Tower in Cloud Capital for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. Moreover, we too worship the Supreme One. We’ve long severed ties with the Merchant Guild—we’re no longer merchants!”
“Fool!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire restaurant was now in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was ready to intervene, but Ling Ziyan held her back firmly.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Take nothing. Everything is forfeit to the Holy Church.”
Even the dullest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet, furious. “The Heavenly Revelation Tower is the fruit of my family’s hard work! How can you just take it? Does the Empire have no laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong signaled subtly to his staff, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church’s decree, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. Two others tried to flee but were blocked at the door by the restaurant staff, who beat them to death with whatever they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man sneered. “Then don’t blame me for what comes next.” He swiftly drew a short sword—a mere palm-sized blade compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The restaurant staff laughed, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they sensed the spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—proof it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the Empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered top-tier here. Weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and sliced through it effortlessly. Ning Shuidong recoiled in shock. His staff rushed forward, but their iron rods were no match—the short sword severed them all with a single flick.
The black-cloaked man cackled. “Dare oppose the Holy Church? This sword was bestowed by an Elder, imbued with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, resigned to death.
“Saint’s Wrath! Shatter!!” A blinding white light filled the Heavenly Revelation Tower.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed as the man collapsed.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse.
Ning Shuidong’s heart raced. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” he bowed to Kan Ling, then turned to her and Ling Ziyan, who approached with the child. “But you must leave now. This is our problem—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong explained as his staff removed the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One and control all religious authority. Recently, under their new High Priest, they’ve grown even bolder. Last week, they executed Cloud Capital’s governor—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can kill freely? Even a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers to the Elders, who now rule the Empire. After killing the governor, their temple on Cloud Capital’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. Their black-cloaked enforcers extort merchants everywhere, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus south so soon. Her earlier estimate was that after the Elder Mountain battle, they’d need a year to consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions and nobility. Clearly, something in the south had spurred them to act.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done here this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we’ve lost our leaders, merchants still communicate secretly. Reports from other star systems mirror ours. The Empire has ordered the south evacuated. The Holy Church enforces this, seizing merchants’ wealth for their temples.”
“Evacuate the south?” Kan Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked much to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How?” Kan Ling breathed deeply. “The south may be sparsely populated, but billions live here across countless planets. Emptying such a vast region is impossible.”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was emptied the same way.” As a former Elder spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the north’s population was relocated in mass migrations. Later, all its planets died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, soon it would be nothing but dead stars.
“Holy power! Destroy!!” White holy light shone through the Apocalypse Pavilion.
Ning Shuidong didn’t feel death. He opened his eyes and saw the black-cloaked man pouncing toward him with a snarl. However, the man could no longer advance even a single step, as his throat had already been pierced by a silver spear. The gleaming spear tip entered from his back, pierced through his throat, and thick blood flowed out.
Ning Shuidong was frightened and took a few steps back, finally seeing clearly that it was the beautiful warrior in white armor and holding the silver spear who had come to his rescue.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her fleeing through space, she regained consciousness. However, she didn’t witness Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, which led to the massive explosion. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Heide, that fool, led all their forces straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left behind at the spatial acceleration station. As a result, when the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, how could they let her go? The subordinates of the Elder Council launched a massacre, intending to take Ling Ziyan back.
The swordsmen Yang Hao left behind fought desperately to resist, but in the end, all of them perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived just in time. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with a Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay within the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while preparing for childbirth, all the while searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, came to the Cloud Capital Star Cluster in hopes of finding a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Heavenly Revelation Tower, he might have wished to bash his head against a wall—the most dramatic confrontation between romantic rivals in history had just unfolded here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed too much.
Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had both once lived on the Thunderstar in the Lingfei Starry Sea. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the proprietor, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even Shi Mingyuan wouldn’t recognize her—let alone her former master, Elder Rong Lui.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more drastic. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Starry Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and striking presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
Thus, though the three had met, no sparks had yet flown.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not entirely because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already discerned their origins: they were rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the control of the Elder Council. To waltz in so brazenly, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, feared getting himself into trouble.
Yet Shi Mingyuan continued eating gracefully, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star had maintained this haughty demeanor ever since breaking free from the fate of being bought and played with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the open atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, noise soon erupted from outside. A piercing chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, making his face contort in pain. Yet he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner here? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, with massive sword-shaped insignias embroidered on their backs, barged in rudely.
“That’s me, that’s me.” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here for a meal?”
The black-cloaked man ignored him and instead kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” The black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One has granted me the power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elder Council and the High Priest, the Heavenly Revelation Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Cloud Capital Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and then pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this tavern in Cloud Capital for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage.”
“A merchant is still a merchant.” The black-cloaked man refused to listen. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, our Ning family has operated the Heavenly Revelation Tower in Cloud Capital for a hundred years. This is our home. Without it, we have nowhere to go. Besides, we too worship the Supreme One’s Holy Church. We’ve long since abandoned the merchant life—we’re no longer merchants!”
“Fool!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
By now, the entire tavern had been alerted. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table, in particular, watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was ready to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back tightly.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though the business is lost, we still need to pack our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Nothing is to be taken—everything is confiscated by the Holy Church.”
Even the dullest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled up, furious. “The Heavenly Revelation Tower was built by my family’s hard work! How can you just take it? Does the Empire no longer have laws? Is there no justice?”
“We are the law!” The black-cloaked man scoffed. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse to leave?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance at his men, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church’s orders, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. These Holy Church zealots had grown too arrogant, forgetting that merchants were hardened travelers who lived by the sword. They forgot that cornered men would do anything.
As Ning Shuidong attacked, the black-cloaked man—likely a skilled fighter within the Holy Church—stumbled back, narrowly avoiding the strike.
His underlings weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. Two others turned to flee but were blocked at the door by the tavern’s staff, who beat them to death with whatever weapons they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man, however, sneered. “If that’s how it is, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” He quickly drew a short sword from his robes—a blade no longer than a palm, pitifully small compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The tavern staff burst into laughter, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. These two Saint Realm experts had noticed the faint spiritual glow on the short sword—proof that it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, being a backward region, couldn’t compare to the Empire’s core. Ordinary weapons were the norm here, and even an alloy sword was considered impressive. Weapons blessed by the Elder Council were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and effortlessly sliced through it. Stunned, Ning Shuidong retreated. His men, seeing the danger, rushed forward, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword severed them all with a single spin.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to defy the Holy Church? This sword was personally blessed by an Elder, infused with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong sighed inwardly. Disarmed and certain of his death, he closed his eyes, awaiting the final blow.
“Saint’s Might—Break!!” A blinding white light erupted in the Heavenly Revelation Tower.
Instead of death, Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge—a gleaming silver spear had pierced his throat from behind, blood gushing thickly.
Ning Shuidong staggered back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman with the silver spear had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse, her expression unreadable.
Ning Shuidong’s heart raced. Though he’d escaped danger for now, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss.” He bowed to Kan Ling, then added urgently, “But you must leave quickly. This trouble is ours—don’t let it drag you in.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling snorted. As a Saint Realm expert, there was little she feared.
“You two must not be from the south.” Ning Shuidong gestured for his men to remove the bodies, then explained, “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Recently, under the new High Priest, they’ve grown even bolder. Last week, they murdered the governor of the Cloud Capital Star Cluster—our own Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion dares to kill freely? Even a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who would dare?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elder Council, and the Empire is now under their rule. The Church’s actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Cloud Capital’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. Those black-cloaked zealots now extort merchants everywhere, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elder Council to shift focus to the south so quickly. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, it should’ve taken them at least a year to fully consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions, including the noble and royal circles. Yet here they were, already reaching southward.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we merchants have lost our leaders, we still communicate secretly. Reports from other star systems match ours—the Empire has ordered the south to be emptied. The Holy Church is merely enforcing this, ruthlessly expelling merchants and seizing their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling’s face paled.
Ning Shuidong raised a finger to his lips. “This is intelligence we risked much to obtain. It hasn’t been announced publicly.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible.” Ling Ziyan suddenly spoke. “The north was once emptied the same way.” As a spy trained by the Elder Council, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the entire northern population was relocated in several mass migrations. Later, all northern planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elder Council planned to do the same to the south, soon the entire region would be reduced to lifeless husks.
Ning Shuidong’s heart was pounding. Although he had temporarily escaped danger today, in reality, the real trouble had just begun.
“Thank you, Miss.” Ning Shuidong bowed to Kan Ling but then said to her and Ling Zhiyan, who was approaching with the child in her arms, “But you two should leave quickly. This trouble is ours, and we don’t want to drag you into it.”
“Do we really need to fear them that much?” Kan Ling snorted coldly. As a Saint Domain expert, there were very few things she feared.
Actually, Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through the cosmos, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, which led to the massive explosion. After being separated from the main group, Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she remembered Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, had led all their forces straight back to the Divine Dominion, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left stranded at the spatial acceleration station. When the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they had no intention of letting her go. The subordinates of the Elder Council launched a massacre, intending to take Ling Ziyan back.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with a Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while preparing for childbirth and searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Cloud Capital Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Dominion.
Fate had a cruel sense of irony. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Heavenly Revelation Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall—the most dramatic confrontation between romantic rivals in history had just unfolded there.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived in the Starry Sea of Lingfei on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the flamboyant owner, always dressed to the nines, her makeup so thick she outshone even the most dazzling butterflies. Now, with her plain face and a baby in her arms, even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Starry Sea of Lingfei, she was now the Supreme Governor of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three had crossed paths, no sparks had yet ignited.
But that was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already deduced their origins: they were rebels from the east.
This was incredibly bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the control of the Elder Council. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was terrified of getting himself into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan continued eating gracefully, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this air of pride ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting golden reflections on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if jealous of the tranquility, noise soon erupted from outside. A grating chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain, but he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner here? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, their backs emblazoned with massive sword insignias, barged in rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge—he let himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One has granted us the power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he still managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elder Council and the High Priest, the Heavenly Revelation Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Cloud Capital Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down an order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the document, scanned a few lines, and then pleaded,
“Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. The Heavenly Revelation Tower has been in our family for three generations—it’s our ancestral legacy.”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. He swallowed his pride and begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has operated the Heavenly Revelation Tower in Cloud Capital for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. And we too worship the Supreme One—we’ve long since left the Merchant Guild.”
“Fool!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire tavern was now in an uproar. Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched coldly.
Ling, impulsive by nature, was about to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Nothing is to be taken—everything is forfeit to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled up, furious. “The Heavenly Revelation Tower is the fruit of my family’s labor! How can you just take it? Does the Empire no longer have laws? Is there no justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong shot a glance to his men, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his lackeys remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. The Holy Church had grown too arrogant, forgetting that merchants were hardened travelers who lived by the sword. They forgot that cornered men would do anything.
Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist. With two swift strokes, he slit one man’s throat. Two others turned to flee but were blocked at the door by the tavern’s staff, who beat them to death with whatever they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man.
“What are you doing?” The man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man scowled. “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.” He pulled out a short sword—barely the length of a palm—that looked pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The tavern staff laughed, dismissing it as a child’s toy.
But Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they sensed the spiritual glow on the blade—it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the Empire’s core, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered top-tier here, while Elder-enhanced weapons were reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and sliced through it effortlessly. Stunned, Ning Shuidong retreated. His men rushed in, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword severed them all with a single flick.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare oppose the Holy Church? This sword was personally blessed by an Elder, infused with his sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it.”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, resigned to death.
“Saint’s Might—Break!!” A white light erupted in the tavern.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed as the man collapsed.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman had intervened.
Ling tossed aside the corpse, her expression icy.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss.” He bowed to Ling but then urged, “But you must leave now. This is our problem—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, signaling his men to remove the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s power is terrifying. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Recently, under the new High Priest, they’ve grown even bolder. Last week, they murdered the governor of Cloud Capital—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can just kill people? Even a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers to the Elder Council, which now rules the Empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Cloud Capital’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. They’ve been extorting merchants, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus to the south so soon. She had assumed it would take at least a year after the Battle of Elder Mountain for them to consolidate control over the Empire’s core, including the nobility and royalty. But something must have compelled them to act now.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we’ve lost our guild, merchants still communicate. Word from other systems matches ours—the Empire has ordered the south to be emptied. The Holy Church is just enforcing it, seizing merchants’ wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How is that possible?” Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was emptied the same way.” As a former Elder Council spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the north’s population was relocated in mass migrations. Later, all its planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before only dead stars remained.
“Can a religion just kill people at will? Even daring to kill the star cluster’s governor? And no one dares to stop them?”
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through space, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, which caused the massive explosion. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led all his forces straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child left behind at the spatial acceleration station. As a result, when the Elders sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a massacre, intending to take Ling Ziyan back.
Yang Hao had left behind swordsmen to resist desperately, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with a Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while preparing for childbirth and searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word from Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had seen the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to smash his head against a wall—the most formidable confrontation between romantic rivals in history was unfolding right here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed too much.
Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had both once lived in the Lingfei Starry Sea on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he probably wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more drastic. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Starry Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three of them had met, no sparks had yet erupted.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not entirely because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already discerned their origins: they were actually rebel forces from the east.
This was far too bold. Though the south was also part of the outer territories, it was still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—were they not afraid of being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was worried about getting himself into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan and her companions were calmly eating, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this air of arrogance ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the open atrium, casting golden reflections on the royal insignia, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, a clamor soon erupted outside. A piercing chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain, but he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, with massive sword insignias embroidered on their backs, barged in, shouting rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the kick and let himself be knocked down.
“Merchant!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me strength to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the ground, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land is now the property of the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this restaurant for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage!”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. He lowered his head and begged, “Honored Saints, our Ning family has operated the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nowhere to go. Moreover, we too worship the Supreme One’s Holy Church. We’ve long since abandoned the Merchant Guild—we’re no longer merchants!”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
At this, the entire restaurant was stirred. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched coldly.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, was about to charge forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “Leave today. Take nothing. Everything is now the property of the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled up, furious. “The Tianqi Tower is the fruit of my family’s labor! How can you just take it? Does the Empire no longer have laws? Is there no justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“What if I refuse to leave?” Ning Shuidong signaled subtly, and several workers quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church’s decree, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to stumble aside. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two tried to flee but were blocked at the door by the restaurant staff, who beat them to death with whatever they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man sneered. “Then don’t blame me for what comes next.” He swiftly drew a short sword—barely palm-sized—that seemed pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The restaurant staff laughed, dismissing it as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. These two Saint Realm experts noticed the spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The south, backward compared to the Empire’s core regions, had only ordinary weapons. An alloy sword was considered top-tier here. Weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and sliced through it effortlessly. Ning Shuidong recoiled in shock. His staff rushed forward, but their crude weapons were no match—the short sword effortlessly severed them all with a single spin.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to oppose the Holy Church? This sword was bestowed by an Elder, imbued with their sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, resigned to death.
“Saint’s Might—Shatter!!” A blinding white light filled the Tianqi Tower.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed out thickly.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse.
Ning Shuidong’s heart raced. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” he bowed to Kan Ling, then added to her and Ling Ziyan, “But you must leave now. This is our trouble—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You two must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, directing his staff to remove the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s power is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Recently, under the new High Priest, they’ve expanded aggressively. Last week, they executed Yundu Jia’s governor—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can kill freely? Even a governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the Empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s administrative center. Their black-cloaked enforcers extort merchants, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus south so soon. She’d estimated they’d need a year post-Elder Mountain to consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions and subdue the nobility and royalty. Yet something must have compelled them to act now.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done in the south this month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we merchants have lost our leaders, we still communicate secretly. Reports from other star systems match ours: the Empire has ordered the south evacuated. The Holy Church is enforcing this, seizing merchants’ wealth for their temples.”
“Evacuate the south?” Kan Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked everything to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling breathed deeply. “The south may be sparsely populated, but billions live here across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was once cleared the same way.” As a former Elder-trained spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the north’s population was relocated in mass migrations. Later, all its planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, soon it would be left with nothing but dead stars.
Ling Zhiyan frowned; she hadn’t expected the Senate to turn their attention to the South so quickly. According to her previous reasoning, after the battle at Elder Mountain, the Senate would at least need a year to fully control the core areas of the Empire and subdue both the aristocracy and the imperial family. But judging from the current situation, there must be some special reason in the South that has made the Senate eager to extend their reach.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t that severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through the cosmos, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Heide, that fool, led all his troops straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child left behind at the spatial acceleration station. When the Elders later sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyan. Knowing she carried Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to take her back.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to resist, but in the end, all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with the Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay in the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating while preparing for childbirth and searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word of Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan brought the child to the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
It was truly the Creator’s jest. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to smash his head against a wall—the most dramatic confrontation between rivals in history had just unfolded here.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed too much.
Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had both once lived in the Lingfei Starry Sea on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the boss, always dressed flamboyantly and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lui, had been there, he wouldn’t have recognized her at a glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more drastic. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Starry Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader of the Saint Realm. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
Thus, though the three had met, no sparks flew.
But this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beauties, but because everyone had already discerned their origins: they were rebels from the east.
This was far too bold. Though the southern regions were also part of the Outer Domain, they were still under the Elders’ control. To waltz in so brazenly, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—did they not fear being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, at least, was afraid of bringing trouble upon himself.
Yet Shi Mingyuan ate with refined grace, utterly indifferent to the stares. The women of Angel Star had always carried this haughty demeanor ever since they escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the open atrium, casting a golden glow on the royal insignia, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as if he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, noise soon erupted from outside. A grating chant reached Ning Shuidong’s ears, twisting his face in pain, but he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
“Who’s the owner? Step forward!” A group of black-cloaked figures stormed in, their robes emblazoned with massive sword insignias on the back, shouting rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man ignored the question and instead kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he dared not dodge, letting himself be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” The black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me power to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the floor, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elders and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down an order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the document, scanned a few lines, and pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. The Tianqi Tower has been in my family for three generations—it’s our ancestral legacy.”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has run the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. And we too believe in the Supreme One’s Holy Church—we’ve long severed ties with the Merchant Guild.”
“Scum!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot follow the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The entire tavern was now in an uproar. Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s table both watched coldly.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, nearly charged forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. He nodded. “Very well. Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though the business is lost, we still need to gather our belongings. My family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “Leave today. Take nothing. Everything is forfeit to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled up, furious. “The Tianqi Tower was built by my family’s sweat and blood! How can you just take it? Does the Empire no longer have laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” The black-cloaked man scoffed. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong signaled subtly, and several workers quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious. “Defy the Holy Church’s decree, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to stumble aside. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. Two others tried to flee but were blocked at the door by the tavern workers, who beat them to death with whatever they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally wavered.
“A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man scowled. “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.” He swiftly drew a short sword—barely palm-sized—that seemed pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword.
The tavern workers laughed, dismissing it as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they sensed the spiritual glow emanating from the short sword—proof it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The backward southern regions couldn’t compare to the Empire’s core. Ordinary weapons were the norm here; alloy blades were considered top-tier. Weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword struck, the short sword gleamed and sliced through it effortlessly. Ning Shuidong staggered back in shock. His workers rushed forward, but their iron rods and tools were no match—the short sword severed them all with a single flick.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare oppose the Holy Church? This sword was bestowed by an Elder himself, imbued with his sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it.”
Ning Shuidong sighed inwardly. Disarmed and resigned to death, he closed his eyes.
“Saint’s Might—Shatter!!” A white holy light erupted in the Tianqi Tower.
Ning Shuidong opened his eyes to see the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed as the man collapsed.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back, realizing the white-armored warrior woman had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss.” Ning Shuidong bowed to Kan Ling but urged her and Ling Ziyan, “But you must leave now. This is our mess—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling snorted. As a Saint Realm expert, she feared little.
“You two must not be from the south.” Ning Shuidong directed his workers to remove the bodies and explained, “Here, the Holy Church’s influence is overwhelming. They’re fanatics who worship the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Since the new High Priest took office, they’ve expanded aggressively. Last week, they executed Yundu Jia’s governor—our Merchant Guild’s leader.”
“A religion dares kill freely? Even a star cluster’s governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who would dare?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elders, who now rule the Empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics extort merchants everywhere, driving us to ruin.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift focus south so quickly. Her earlier estimate suggested they’d need at least a year post-Elder Mountain’s battle to fully control the Empire’s core and subdue the nobility and royalty. Yet something in the south must have spurred their haste.
“What exactly has the Holy Church done here this past month?” Ling Ziyan asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though we’ve lost our guild, merchants still communicate. Word from other star systems matches ours: the Empire has ordered the southern regions emptied. The Holy Church is merely enforcing it, seizing merchants’ wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling paled.
Ning Shuidong hushed her. “This is intel we risked much to obtain. It’s not public.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling breathed deeply. “The south may be sparsely populated, but billions live here across countless planets. Such a vast region—how can it be emptied?”
“It’s possible.” Ling Ziyan suddenly spoke. As a former Elder-trained spy, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the north was emptied through mass relocations. Later, its planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned the same for the south, soon only lifeless husks would remain.
Actually, Kan Ling’s injuries weren’t too severe. Shortly after the Sword Spirit carried her through the cosmos, she regained consciousness, though she didn’t witness the massive explosion caused by Yang Hao throwing the divine ring. After being separated from the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyan.
Thankfully, she did think of Ling Ziyan.
Herd, that fool, led the entire force straight back to the Divine Mandate Autonomous Territory, completely forgetting about Yang Hao’s wife and child, who were left stranded at the spatial acceleration station. When the Elders later sent people to clean up the remnants of the Dan Ding Sect, they happened to discover Ling Ziyan. Knowing she was carrying Yang Hao’s child, they naturally wouldn’t let her go. The Elders’ subordinates launched a brutal attack, intending to take her back.
Yang Hao’s swordsmen fought desperately to resist, but in the end, they all perished. At the most critical moment, Kan Ling and the Sword Spirit arrived. After a fierce battle, they managed to rescue Ling Ziyan.
From that moment on, these two women—along with the Sword Spirit—began their days of wandering. Unable to stay within the Empire, they somehow ended up in the southern regions, recuperating and preparing for childbirth while also searching for news of Yang Hao.
Now, the child had been born, but there was still no word of Yang Hao. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyan, carrying the child, arrived at the Yundu Jia Star Cluster, hoping to find a smuggler’s ship that could take them to the Western Autonomous Territory.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor. If Yang Hao had witnessed the scene in the Tianqi Tower, he might have wanted to bash his head against a wall—this was the birth of history’s most intense confrontation between romantic rivals.
Fortunately, though Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan exchanged glances, neither recognized the other. After all, a year had passed, and both had changed drastically.
Both Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyan had once lived in the Lingfei Star Sea on the planet Remon. Back then, Ling Ziyan had been the flamboyant owner of a business, always dressed to the nines and heavily made up, more dazzling than a butterfly. Now, she was bare-faced, holding a baby in her arms. Even if Shi Mingyuan’s master, Elder Rong Lian, had been there, he probably wouldn’t have recognized her.
As for Shi Mingyuan, her transformation was even more striking. Once an unwanted courtesan in the Lingfei Star Sea, she was now the Chief Executive of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Realm level. Her military attire and radiant presence bore no resemblance to her past self.
So, though the three had crossed paths, no sparks had yet flown.
But this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong had been keeping an eye on Shi Mingyuan’s table—not just because it was full of beautiful women, but because everyone had already deduced their origins: they were rebels from the eastern territories.
This was incredibly bold. Though the southern regions were also part of the outer territories, they were still under the control of the Elders’ Council. To waltz in like this, without even changing their uniforms or insignias—did they not fear being surrounded? Ning Shuidong, however, was terrified of getting himself into trouble.
Yet Shi Mingyuan and her companions ate with refined composure, completely ignoring the stares. The women of Angel Star, having escaped the fate of being bought and toyed with by men, had always carried themselves with this kind of pride.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the atrium, casting golden reflections on the royal insignia, creating a breathtaking sight. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, feeling as though he were in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with everyone quietly enjoying their meals, how wonderful that would be. Ning Shuidong mused to himself.
But dreams exist only to be shattered.
As if envious of the tranquility, chaos soon erupted. A cacophony of chants pierced Ning Shuidong’s ears, and though his face twisted in pain, he forced himself to stand and face the disturbance.
“Who’s the owner here? Step forward!” A group of men in black cloaks, their backs emblazoned with massive sword insignias, barged in, shouting rudely.
“That would be me,” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Honored Saints, are you here to dine?”
The black-cloaked man ignored the question and instead kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Though Ning Shuidong was a merchant who had trained in martial arts since childhood, he didn’t dare dodge the blow, allowing himself to be knocked to the ground.
“Merchant!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One grants me strength to eradicate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong lay on the floor, his expression stiff, but he managed to say, “Honored Saints, what do you require of me today?”
“By the decree of the Elders’ Council and the High Priest, the Tianqi Tower is to cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave the Yundu Jia Star Cluster. This land now belongs to the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly tossed down a written order.
Ning Shuidong trembled violently. He picked up the order, scanned a few lines, and then pleaded, “Honored Saints, we are but humble merchants. Our family has run this restaurant in Yundu Jia for three generations—it’s our ancestral heritage!”
“A merchant is still a merchant,” the black-cloaked man cut him off. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao in rebellion. The Supreme One has decreed all merchants as traitors. That we’re merely expelling you is already an act of mercy.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned ashen. The day he had feared had finally arrived. Desperate, he begged, “Honored Saints, the Ning family has operated the Tianqi Tower in Yundu Jia for over a century. This is our home. Without it, we have nothing. And we too worship the Supreme One—we’ve long since left the Merchant Guild!”
“Fool!” The black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong. “Merchants cannot worship the Holy Church! This is an insult to the Supreme One!”
The commotion drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant—especially Kan Ling’s table and Shi Mingyuan’s. They watched coldly as events unfolded.
Kan Ling, impulsive by nature, nearly rushed forward, but Ling Ziyan held her back.
Ning Shuidong sighed, realizing there was no peaceful resolution today. “Very well,” he said, nodding. “Honored Saints, please grant me some time. Though we must abandon our livelihood, we still need to gather our belongings. Our family is large—moving will take at least a month.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man smirked. “You leave today. Take nothing—everything now belongs to the Holy Church.”
Even the dimmest person could see this wasn’t about purging merchants—it was outright plunder.
Ning Shuidong, usually mild-mannered, finally snapped. He scrambled to his feet, furious. “The Tianqi Tower is the fruit of my family’s hard work! How can you just take it? Does the Empire no longer have laws? No justice?”
“We are the law!” the black-cloaked man sneered. “The Supreme One’s word is law, and we, his servants, enforce it.”
“And if I refuse?” Ning Shuidong signaled subtly to his staff, who quietly moved to close the doors.
“Refuse?” The black-cloaked man and his underlings remained oblivious to their impending doom. “Defy the Holy Church’s decree, and you’ll die without a grave!”
“Fine! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with fury as he lunged forward like a tiger.
The black-cloaked man, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge. His subordinates weren’t so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew a hidden soft sword from his waist and, with two swift strokes, slit one man’s throat. The other two tried to flee but were blocked at the door by the restaurant staff, who beat them to death with whatever weapons they could grab.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with rage, advanced on the black-cloaked man, sword in hand.
“What are you doing?” The black-cloaked man finally showed fear.
“A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate man will silence witnesses!” Ning Shuidong growled.
The black-cloaked man sneered. “Then don’t blame me for what comes next.” He drew a short sword from his robes—a weapon no longer than his palm, pitiful compared to Ning Shuidong’s blade.
The restaurant staff laughed, dismissing the tiny weapon as a child’s toy.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both sighed. As Saint Realm experts, they sensed the spiritual energy radiating from the short sword—it had been enhanced by the Elders.
The southern regions, backward compared to the Empire’s core, had only crude weapons. A simple alloy sword was considered high-grade here. Weapons blessed by the Elders were typically reserved for officers.
Sure enough, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword clashed with the short sword, the latter’s glow sliced through the former like paper. Ning Shuidong staggered back in shock. His staff, seeing the danger, rushed forward, but their iron rods and other weapons were no match—the short sword effortlessly severed them all.
The black-cloaked man laughed cruelly. “Dare to oppose the Holy Church? This sword was personally blessed by an Elder, infused with sacred power. Today, your blood will consecrate it!”
Ning Shuidong closed his eyes, weaponless and resigned to death.
But death never came.
When he opened his eyes, he saw the black-cloaked man frozen mid-lunge, a gleaming silver spear piercing his throat from behind. Blood gushed out thickly.
Ning Shuidong stumbled back in shock, realizing the white-armored warrior woman with the silver spear had intervened.
Kan Ling coldly tossed aside the corpse of the Holy Church member.
Ning Shuidong’s heart pounded. Though the immediate danger had passed, the real trouble was just beginning.
“Thank you, miss,” he bowed to Kan Ling, then turned to her and Ling Ziyan, who now approached with the child. “But you must leave quickly. This trouble is ours—don’t let it drag you down.”
“Why fear them?” Kan Ling scoffed. As a Saint Realm expert, there wasn’t much she feared.
“You two must not be from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, directing his staff to remove the bodies. “Here, the Holy Church’s power is overwhelming. They’re fanatical devotees of the Supreme One, controlling all religious authority. Recently, under the new High Priest, they’ve expanded aggressively. Just last week, they executed the governor of Yundu Jia—our Merchant Guild leader.”
“A religion can just kill people? Even a planetary governor? And no one stops them?”
“Who dares?” Ning Shuidong grimaced. “The Holy Church answers directly to the Elders’ Council, which now rules the Empire. Their actions are the Elders’ will. After killing the governor, their temple atop Yundu Jia’s highest peak became the planet’s new administrative center. Those black-cloaked fanatics are squeezing merchants dry, driving us to extinction.”
Ling Ziyan frowned. She hadn’t expected the Elders to shift their focus to the south so quickly. Based on her earlier deductions, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the Council would need at least a year to fully consolidate control over the Empire’s core regions, including the noble and royal circles. Yet here they were, already extending their reach southward.
“What exactly has the Holy Church been doing in the south this past month?” she asked.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice. “Though the Merchant Guild has lost its leadership, we still communicate privately. Reports from other star systems match ours—the Empire has ordered the southern territories to be emptied. The Holy Church is merely enforcing this. They’re expelling merchants, confiscating their wealth for their temples.”
“Empty the south?” Kan Ling’s face paled.
Ning Shuidong gestured for silence. “This is intelligence we’ve gathered at great risk—it’s not public yet.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “The south may be sparsely populated, but it still holds hundreds of billions across countless planets. How can such a vast region be emptied?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Ziyan said suddenly. “The north was once emptied the same way.” As a former spy trained by the Elders, she knew their methods well. “Long ago, the entire northern population was relocated in several mass migrations. Afterward, all its planets withered and died.”
Hearing this, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If the Elders planned to do the same to the south, it wouldn’t be long before the entire region was reduced to lifeless husks.
“Evacuate the South?” Kan Ling’s face changed.
Ning Shuidong quickly made a gesture for silence: “This is information we’ve painstakingly gathered; it hasn’t been publicly announced yet.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “Although the South isn’t densely populated, it still has at least several billion people, countless planets. How can they possibly evacuate such a large population from such a vast area?”
“It’s possible,” Ling Zhiyan suddenly said. “The North was once cleared out like this before.” As a spy cultivated by the Senate for many years, she naturally knew the internal affairs of the Senate well. “Many years ago, the entire population of the North was gradually evacuated through several major migrations, and later, all the planets in the North became barren and lifeless.”
Hearing Ling Zhiyan’s words, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If that was the case, then the Senate was planning to do the same to the South. Before long, the entire South would become nothing but a cluster of dead stars.
While Ning Shuidong was listening to Ling Ziyun’s words, he wasn’t the only one. At the table where Shi Mingyuan and her companions sat, upon hearing this, they suddenly rose from their seats, paid the bill, and silently walked out of the establishment.
Kan Ling watched Shi Mingyuan with wary eyes. Though they couldn’t determine her true abilities, they could sense the aura of an expert. Shi Mingyuan didn’t respond to Lan Yue’s caution; she simply glanced at her coldly and walked away indifferently.
“You all should leave quickly too,” Ning Shuidong sighed deeply. “What happened today will certainly not remain a secret. This place won’t stay open much longer, and we must prepare to flee.”
“Where can we go?”
“Either east or west,” Ning Shuidong replied with a bitter smile. “Nowadays, only the rebels’ territories can barely offer us a chance to survive. We plan to head to the Shenyu Autonomous Territory. There, at least, Yang Hao still governs Chenzhen. After all, he is our leader among merchants and won’t simply abandon us.”
Kan Ling and Ling Ziyun exchanged faintly despondent glances, for they both knew that Yang Hao had not returned to Shenyu and his whereabouts were unknown.
However, in these chaotic times, it was already difficult enough for people to maintain even a sliver of hope. Why should they bother shattering that belief?
The afternoon sunlight gradually faded away. The courtyard in the Tianqi Building, which had stood for centuries, grew increasingly desolate along with the disappearing rays.
Perhaps, it would never witness the sunrise of the next day.
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