Yang Hao’s gaze pierced through the shop owner like needles, causing him to stumble backward repeatedly. In an instant, there was no visible movement from Yang Hao, yet everything inside the shop began to fly about as if enchanted, crashing into each other and creating utter chaos.
“Aiyah! Aiyah!” The shop owner plopped onto the ground, wailing, “I can’t live anymore! I can’t live anymore!!”
“What’s going on?” The merchant enforcement squad arrived quickly, seemingly stationed permanently in Starlight City. These squads, composed of regular soldiers, functioned similarly to police, handling disputes within commercial cities. Several enforcement officers in gray uniforms rushed in, witnessing the chaos, and immediately drew their particle guns, aiming at Yang Hao. “Who are you?”
Who am I? Yang Hao was too lazy to respond. His identity was far beyond what these low-ranking soldiers could handle.
Considering the enforcement squad was technically under the merchant guild, Yang Hao waved his hand dismissively, choosing not to dwell on the matter.
However, the men proved to be clueless fools, blocking the doorway and roaring, “Daring to cause trouble in Starlight City? Don’t you know this is the territory of the Starlight Circus?”
“Aren’t you part of the merchant guild’s enforcement squad?” Kan Ling frowned. “Why are you listening to the Starlight Circus?”
“Whoever feeds us, we follow.” The few words from the enforcement officers sealed their tragic fate.
Yang Hao’s expression darkened again, this time not directed at those in the room but at the Merchant Guild Headquarters. After all, he was one of the top ten council members, overseeing all merchants across the land. Yet since assuming this position, he had gained nothing but responsibilities.
The old man in charge of the Merchant Guild couldn’t even control his subordinates—it was truly disappointing.
Yang Hao raised his hand and casually flicked a finger. A spark flew from his fingertip, accurately striking the enforcement squad’s vehicle parked at the entrance.
With a deafening explosion, the entire Starlight City trembled. The vehicle was engulfed in flames, launching several meters into the air before crashing down, rolling a few times, and finally landing amidst a massive cloud of dust.
“You… you…” The merchant enforcement officers finally realized Yang Hao was a force they could never hope to handle. They glared bitterly at the shop owner before hastily stepping aside, clearly intending to escort Yang Hao out.
But Yang Hao had no intention of leaving. He folded his hands behind his back, waiting calmly.
About ten minutes later, the air in this district began to vibrate violently. A swordsman regiment was teleported here using an instantaneous transmission device. While the merchants’ management wasn’t great, their response was indeed swift.
Seeing the swordsman regiment arrive, the enforcement officers perked up again, rushing to greet them. “Grand Sword Master Chen Tie, you’ve arrived just in time. There’s a troublemaker here who dares to cause chaos in Starlight City.”
“Violators of the merchant regulations…” Chen Tie was about to recite the law and then apprehend the culprit when he suddenly noticed Yang Hao slowly turning his head toward them.
“Ahh!” Startled, Chen Tie and the swordsmen behind him were equally shocked. The once-mighty swordsman regiment immediately knelt before Yang Hao.
“Councilor Yang Hao!” Their voices thundered, befitting one of the forty swordsman regiments of the Merchant Guild.
“Chen Tie, you arrived rather quickly!” Yang Hao said coldly. Naturally, Chen Tie recognized him—he was the commander of one of the forty swordsman regiments under the Merchant Guild Headquarters. When Yang Hao officially assumed his position as councilor, all forty regiments had sworn loyalty to him.
“Hehe, Councilor Yang Hao, what brings you here?” Chen Tie stood up, asking in a fawning tone.
“Ask them,” Yang Hao replied, gesturing slightly with his chin toward the people around him.
The shop owner and enforcement officers were already terrified beyond words. Especially the shop owner, who finally understood why Zhou Yao had fled in disgrace. The man standing before him was no ordinary human.
Within the merchant guild, Yang Hao was practically a godlike figure.
Who else could transform a company into one of the top ten merchant guilds within a single year?
Who else, at such a young age, could become one of the top ten councilors? And who else could expel the Ten Sword Streams, relieving the merchants of their long-standing oppression?
Yang Hao’s gaze was like needles, making the shopkeeper retreat repeatedly. In the blink of an eye, without any visible movement from Yang Hao, everything in the shop seemed bewitched, flying around and crashing into each other, creating utter chaos.
“Ah! Ah!” The shopkeeper plopped onto the ground, throwing a tantrum. “I can’t live like this, I can’t!”
“What’s going on?” The merchant enforcement team arrived quickly—apparently, they were stationed in Star City. Such teams existed in every trade hub, composed of ordinary soldiers, functioning similarly to police, handling disputes. Several officers in gray uniforms rushed in, surveying the mess before drawing their particle guns and aiming at Yang Hao. “Who are you?”
Who was he? Yang Hao couldn’t be bothered to answer. His status was far beyond what these lowly soldiers could comprehend.
Considering that the enforcement team was under the merchant guild’s jurisdiction, Yang Hao waved his hand, unwilling to engage further.
But to his surprise, these men were equally blind. Blocking the door, they roared, “How dare you cause trouble in Star City? Don’t you know this is the territory of the Star Circus?”
“You’re not the merchant guild’s enforcement team?” Kan Ling frowned. “Why are you taking orders from the Star Circus?”
“We follow whoever feeds us.” The words of the enforcement team sealed their tragic fate.
Yang Hao’s expression darkened again—this time not toward the people in the room, but toward the merchant guild’s leadership. After all, he was one of the Ten Great Directors, overseeing all merchants in the world. Yet since taking this position, he had gained nothing but responsibilities.
The old men of the merchant guild couldn’t even control their own subordinates. It was utterly disappointing.
Yang Hao raised his hand and casually flicked a finger. A streak of fire shot from his fingertip, precisely hitting the enforcement team’s combat vehicle parked outside.
With a deafening explosion, the entire Star City trembled. The vehicle, engulfed in flames, soared several meters into the air before crashing back down, sending up a massive cloud of dust.
“You—” The enforcement officers finally realized Yang Hao was someone they couldn’t handle. They shot the shopkeeper a resentful glare before hastily stepping aside, as if eager to escort Yang Hao out.
But Yang Hao didn’t leave. He stood with his hands behind his back, waiting calmly.
After about ten minutes, the air in the district rippled violently as a Swordmaster Battalion was teleported in via instant-transportation devices. The merchant guild’s management might be lacking, but their response time was impressive.
Seeing the Swordmaster Battalion arrive, the enforcement officers regained their courage and hurried to greet them. “Great Swordmaster Chen Tie, you’ve come just in time! There’s a troublemaker here—someone who dares disrupt Star City!”
“Those who violate merchant laws—” Chen Tie began reciting the rules, preparing to arrest the culprit, when he suddenly saw Yang Hao slowly turn around.
“Ah!” Chen Tie gasped in shock, as did the Swordmasters behind him. The once-majestic battalion immediately dropped to their knees before Yang Hao.
“Director Yang Hao!” Their voices boomed, befitting one of the merchant guild’s Forty Swordmaster Battalions.
“Chen Tie, you arrived quickly,” Yang Hao said coldly. He recognized Chen Tie as the leader of one of the Forty Swordmaster Battalions under the merchant guild. When Yang Hao officially assumed his directorship, all forty battalions had sworn loyalty to him.
“Heh, Director Yang Hao, what brings you here?” Chen Tie stood up, trying to ingratiate himself.
“Ask them.” Yang Hao tilted his chin toward the people around him.
The shopkeeper and the enforcement officers were terrified. The shopkeeper, in particular, finally understood why Zhou Yao had fled in panic—the man before him wasn’t just powerful; he was practically a god among merchants.
Who else could turn a small group into one of the Ten Great Merchant Guilds in just a year?
Who else could become one of the Ten Great Directors at such a young age?
Who else could drive out the Ten Sword Sects, freeing merchants from years of oppression?
And yet, the shopkeeper had failed to recognize such a figure. He wasn’t just scared—his soul had practically left his body.
“Director Yang Hao!” The shopkeeper fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Spare me, spare me!”
Chen Tie glanced around, immediately grasping the situation. With a signal, his subordinates rushed forward, restraining the shopkeeper and the enforcement officers like dogs.
“How should we handle this?” Chen Tie asked cautiously, sensing Yang Hao’s foul mood.
To his surprise, Yang Hao’s fury was directed at someone far higher up. “Handle it? Handle nothing! Go back and tell those nine old men at the guild headquarters—I’m extremely dissatisfied with them. What kind of joke is this? Nine people can’t even manage one merchant guild properly? They might as well retire. Star City! Who’s in charge here—the Star Circus or the guild?”
Chen Tie shrank back, not daring to respond. A director scolding other directors—one against nine—wasn’t a conversation he could join.
Kan Ling took Yang Hao’s hand, calming his anger slightly.
“Lock them all up and deal with them according to merchant laws,” Yang Hao sighed, his eyes dark. “Then mobilize ten Swordmaster Battalions and raze Star City to the ground.”
“What?” Everyone in the room was stunned.
Yang Hao had already made up his mind. “I’ve been here several times. Star City claims to be under the merchant guild, but it’s actually controlled by the Star Circus. If this continues, who’s really in charge—the Ten Sword Sects or the guild? This situation cannot be tolerated. So—”
Chen Tie’s expression turned solemn as he understood Yang Hao’s intent. “Understood. I’ll mobilize forces immediately. But what if the Star Circus resists? They’re a major force within the Ten Sword Sects—their combat power can’t be underestimated.”
“If they ask, tell them it’s my order. If the Star Circus dares to act, next time, it’ll be the Dan Ding Sect’s turn.” Yang Hao snorted. “I doubt Zhou Chuanqian would dare interfere.”
As it turned out, Yang Hao’s prediction was correct.
When fifteen Swordmaster Battalions under the merchant guild entered Star City, systematically shutting down and demolishing shops, the Star Circus merely sent a few people to inquire. Upon hearing Yang Hao’s message, Zhou Chuanqian withdrew without another word.
Star City, which had been the Star Circus’s subsidiary and cash cow for a century, vanished overnight—all because of Yang Hao’s decree.
Of course, neither Yang Hao nor Kan Ling realized that their outing would trigger monumental changes for the empire’s future.
Though they didn’t manage to buy the Snow Night Star Lion, Kan Ling wasn’t upset. At least she had witnessed Yang Hao’s devotion to her. After leaving Star City, she dragged Yang Hao around the outskirts of the imperial capital. Along the way, they encountered nearly every noble in the city. Through this, Kan Ling quietly declared to the world that from now on, she was Yang Hao’s woman.
But the matter wasn’t over. When Yang Hao and Kan Ling returned to the Dan Ding Sect that evening, they found the estate in chaos, as if the apocalypse had arrived.
Thinking something had gone wrong, Yang Hao rushed inside.
To his surprise, the first thing he saw was a Snow Night Star Lion—or rather, many, many Snow Night Star Lions. At least thirty lions of various sizes were running wild, turning the estate upside down. These creatures were incredibly powerful—a single swipe of their paws could topple a tree, and a headbutt could demolish a wall. If left unchecked, they’d dismantle the entire Dan Ding Sect.
As a result, every member of the sect, from masters to novices, was chasing the lions, creating a hilarious scene of chaos.
The funniest was He De, a peak Saint Realm expert, who had one lion under him, another in his arms, and a third clinging to his neck—yet he didn’t dare let go.
Kan Ling, seeing the spectacle, cheered and joined the lion-catching frenzy.
“Director.” Chen Tie stood respectfully beside Yang Hao.
“Hmm?” Yang Hao finally noticed him and shook his head helplessly. “What’s going on? Did you bring these?”
Chen Tie grinned slyly. “The nine elder directors, after hearing your words, ordered me to bring thirty Star Lions. They asked me to relay a message: they’ll handle the merchant guild’s affairs, but Director Yang Hao seems too idle and needs something to do.”
Too idle? Something to do?
Yang Hao was speechless. The chaotic scene before him was clearly the nine old men’s revenge for his earlier scolding.
These guys truly held grudges.
But grudges weren’t exclusive to the nine directors. While their retaliation involved sending Snow Night Star Lions—ostensibly as payback but actually as a gesture of goodwill—crossing a woman was far more dangerous.
At the same moment Yang Hao incinerated the enforcement team’s vehicle with a flick of his finger, two people in a nearby club were drinking and admiring his display of power.
Princess Xian Lan seemed to have been waiting for an opportunity. After Zhou Yao was driven out of the shop by Yang Hao, she dragged him into the club, where he sat drinking gloomily.
The explosion, though not shattering the club’s windows, still rattled everyone’s ears.
Xian Lan frowned, touching her earlobe before glancing at Zhou Yao’s dejected expression. “Look how imposing Yang Hao is. That’s a real man.”
Zhou Yao, recalling his humiliation, chugged his drink as if it were his enemy.
“What’s the point of drinking?” Xian Lan sneered. “Your fiancée was stolen, and all you do is drown your sorrows. Are you even a man?”
Already furious, Zhou Yao couldn’t take her taunts. Slamming his cup down, he snapped, “Yang Hao even dared to break off an engagement with a princess! Is there anything he wouldn’t do? What can I do?”
Xian Lan’s face twisted with hatred.
The two were truly kindred spirits—one a proud princess, the other a renowned genius of the empire. Yet in front of Yang Hao, they were worse than stray dogs.
Xian Lan’s expression turned icy. “Zhou Yao, do you want Kan Ling back?”
“Of course I do!” Zhou Yao scoffed. “But what’s the use? Yang Hao is at the peak of his power now. Even the Ten Sword Sects avoid him. Who dares to oppose him?”
“If you have the courage—if you’re a real man—I can help you.”
“You?” Zhou Yao shook his head in disbelief. “You can’t even help yourself. How can you help me?”
A sinister smile crept onto Xian Lan’s beautiful face. “Challenge Yang Hao to a duel.”
“A duel? A duel?!” Zhou Yao burst into laughter. “Are you insane, or am I hearing things? Haven’t I dueled him before? I lost—badly. My Radiant Star Sword was like a toy in his hands. How strong is Yang Hao now? At least Saint Realm. Even my uncle doesn’t dare face him. The elders don’t dare. And you want me to duel him? Do you think I haven’t suffered enough?”
“If you dare challenge him, I guarantee you’ll win.”
“How can you guarantee that?” Zhou Yao didn’t believe her.
Xian Lan leaned in, whispering a few words into his ear.
Zhou Yao’s expression changed drastically. “Really? You’re not lying?”
“We’re in the same boat now. Why would I lie?” Xian Lan said. “I hate Yang Hao more than you do.”
Zhou Yao took a deep breath. He knew Xian Lan was vengeful—especially after the humiliation of the broken engagement.
But this plan was extremely dangerous. Zhou Yao could die, or even drag the entire Star Circus down with him. He had to be cautious.
“You’re not a man at all,” Xian Lan taunted. “No courage, no backbone. No wonder Kan Ling doesn’t like you. The man she loves must be a peerless hero—someone unafraid of death.”
Mentioning Kan Ling reignited Zhou Yao’s fury. He had devoted half his life to her, only to end up with nothing. Even an ordinary man wouldn’t tolerate this.
“Fine!” Zhou Yao roared. “I’ll do it! This time, I’ll fight Yang Hao to the death!”
“We will succeed.” Xian Lan smirked, her eyes gleaming. “Yang Hao is doomed.”
“Doomed!”
Their glasses clinked together, the amber liquid swirling like a dark conspiracy.
The universe, the stars—they never changed for anyone.
As Xian Lan had said, a princess’s engagement wasn’t so easily broken. Especially one approved by the emperor and announced to the world—known across the universe.
No matter how sweet Yang Hao and Kan Ling’s days were, external pressures were mounting.
Rumors spread that Yang Hao was a womanizer—first deceiving the princess, then Kan Ling, aiming to collect all three of the capital’s great beauties. Though men might envy such a feat, among the older, powerful nobles, Yang Hao’s reputation was beginning to suffer.
“Councilor Yang Hao!” The shop owner dropped to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. “Spare me, please spare me!”
Chen Tie glanced around, quickly understanding the situation. He signaled with his eyes, and his group of swordsmen immediately rushed forward, restraining both the shop owner and the enforcement officers.
“How should we handle them?” Chen Tie asked cautiously, clearly sensing Yang Hao’s foul mood.
Unexpectedly, Yang Hao’s first outburst was directed at such a high-ranking individual: “Handle them? Handle what? Go back and tell those nine old men at Headquarters that I’m extremely dissatisfied. What kind of nonsense is this? Nine people can’t even manage a single Merchant Guild—maybe they should all retire and go home. Starlight City! Who’s in charge here, the Starlight Circus or the Headquarters?”
Chen Tie shrank his neck, too afraid to respond. Councilor scolding councilors—especially one scolding nine—how could he possibly reply?
Kan Ling gently pulled Yang Hao’s hand, calming his anger slightly.
“Lock all these people up and deal with them according to the merchant regulations,” Yang Hao sighed, his eyes darkening. “Then send me ten swordsman regiments and demolish the entire Starlight City.”
“What?” Everyone in the room was stunned.
Yang Hao had already made up his mind: “I’ve been here a few times. The entire Starlight City claims to belong to the Merchant Guild, but in reality, it listens to the Starlight Circus. If this continues, will it be the Ten Sword Streams controlling the merchants or the Headquarters? This situation cannot be allowed to continue, so…”
Chen Tie’s expression turned solemn. Naturally, he understood Yang Hao’s meaning: “Understood. I’ll immediately return to mobilize the forces. However, if the Starlight Circus resists, what should we do? After all, they are a major force within the Ten Sword Streams, and their military power cannot be underestimated.”
“If they ask, tell them it was my order. If the Starlight Circus dares to act, then next time it will be the Dan Ding Sect’s turn to intervene,” Yang Hao snorted. “I doubt Zhou Chuan would dare to question it.”
In fact, Yang Hao’s prediction was spot on.
When fifteen swordsman regiments under the Merchant Guild Headquarters entered Starlight City, going door-to-door to smash shops and shut them down, the Starlight Circus only sent a few people to inquire. Upon hearing Yang Hao’s message, Zhou Chuan immediately withdrew, not daring to utter another word.
Yang Hao’s gaze, sharp as needles, made the shopkeeper retreat repeatedly. In an instant, without any visible movement from Yang Hao, the entire shop seemed bewitched—items flew around, colliding with each other, creating utter chaos.
“Ah! Ah!” The shopkeeper plopped onto the floor, throwing a tantrum. “I can’t go on! I can’t go on!”
“What’s going on?” The merchant enforcement squad arrived swiftly—clearly stationed in Star City. Such squads existed in every trade hub, composed of ordinary soldiers, functioning similarly to police, handling minor disputes. Several officers in gray uniforms rushed in, surveying the mess before drawing their particle guns and aiming at Yang Hao. “Who are you?”
Who was he? Yang Hao couldn’t be bothered to answer. His status was far beyond what these lowly soldiers could comprehend.
Considering the squad was under the merchant association’s jurisdiction, Yang Hao waved his hand dismissively, unwilling to engage further.
But to his surprise, these men were equally blind. Blocking the entrance, they roared, “You dare cause trouble in Star City? Don’t you know this is the territory of the Star Circus?”
“You’re not the merchant association’s enforcers?” Even Kan Ling frowned. “Why are you obeying the Star Circus?”
“Whoever feeds us, we obey.” Their words sealed their fate.
Yang Hao’s expression darkened again—this time not at the people in the shop, but at the merchant association’s leadership. As one of the Ten Great Directors, overseeing all merchants, he had gained nothing but responsibilities since taking the position.
The old men of the merchant association couldn’t even control their own subordinates. Disappointing.
Yang Hao raised a hand, casually flicking a finger. A streak of fire shot from his fingertip, precisely striking the enforcement squad’s armored vehicle parked outside.
A deafening explosion shook the entire Star City. The vehicle, engulfed in flames, soared several meters into the air before crashing down in a cloud of dust.
“You—” The enforcers finally realized Yang Hao was someone they couldn’t handle. Shooting the shopkeeper a resentful glare, they hastily stepped aside, practically ushering Yang Hao out.
But Yang Hao didn’t leave. He stood with his hands behind his back, waiting calmly.
About ten minutes later, the air in the district rippled violently as a Swordmaster Battalion teleported in. The merchant association’s management might be lacking, but their response time was impressive.
Seeing the Swordmasters arrive, the enforcers regained their courage. “Great Swordmaster Chen Tie! Perfect timing! There’s a troublemaker here—daring to disrupt Star City!”
“Those who violate merchant laws—” Chen Tie began reciting the rules, preparing to arrest the culprit, when he suddenly saw Yang Hao slowly turn around.
“Ah!” Chen Tie gasped, as did the Swordmasters behind him. The once-imposing battalion immediately dropped to their knees before Yang Hao.
“Director Yang Hao!” Their voices boomed, befitting one of the merchant association’s Forty Swordmaster Battalions.
“Chen Tie, you arrived quickly,” Yang Hao said coldly. Chen Tie was the leader of one of the Forty Battalions, all of whom had sworn loyalty when Yang Hao assumed his directorship.
“Heh, Director Yang Hao, what brings you here?” Chen Tie stood, fawning.
“Ask them.” Yang Hao tilted his chin toward the surrounding men.
The shopkeeper and enforcers were terrified—especially the shopkeeper, who now understood why Zhou Yao had fled in panic. The man before them wasn’t just powerful—he was practically a god among merchants.
Who else could turn a small group into one of the Ten Great Merchant Associations in a single year? Who else, at such a young age, could become one of the Ten Directors? Who else could drive out the Ten Sword Schools, freeing merchants from decades of oppression?
And yet, the shopkeeper had failed to recognize him. He wasn’t just scared—his soul had fled.
“Director Yang Hao!” The shopkeeper collapsed to his knees, tears streaming. “Spare me! Spare me!”
Chen Tie glanced around, immediately grasping the situation. With a nod, his Swordmasters seized the shopkeeper and enforcers, restraining them like dogs.
“How should we handle this?” Chen Tie asked cautiously, sensing Yang Hao’s foul mood.
To his shock, Yang Hao’s fury was directed at someone far higher. “Handle it? Handle nothing! Go back and tell those nine old men at the association—I’m deeply dissatisfied. What kind of joke is this? Nine men can’t even manage one merchant association? They might as well retire. Star City! Who’s in charge here—the Star Circus or the association?”
Chen Tie shrank back, not daring to respond. A director scolding directors—one against nine—wasn’t a conversation he could join.
Kan Ling took Yang Hao’s hand, calming his rage slightly.
“Lock them all up. Deal with them according to merchant law.” Yang Hao sighed, his eyes shadowed. “And mobilize ten more Swordmaster Battalions. Tear down the entire Star City.”
“What?” Everyone in the room gaped.
Yang Hao had made up his mind. “I’ve visited Star City several times. It’s supposed to be under the merchant association, yet it obeys the Star Circus. If this continues, who’s really in charge—the Ten Sword Schools or the association? This cannot stand. So—”
Chen Tie’s expression turned solemn. He understood. “Understood. I’ll mobilize forces immediately. But what if the Star Circus resists? They’re a major force among the Ten Sword Schools—their strength can’t be underestimated.”
“If they ask, say it’s my order. If the Star Circus dares to act, the next move will be from the Alchemy Sect.” Yang Hao snorted. “I doubt Zhou Chuanqian would dare interfere.”
Yang Hao’s prediction proved correct.
When fifteen Swordmaster Battalions under the merchant association entered Star City, systematically shutting down and demolishing shops, the Star Circus merely sent a few men to inquire. Upon hearing Yang Hao’s message, Zhou Chuanqian withdrew without another word.
Star City, which had been the Star Circus’s cash cow for a century, vanished overnight—all because of Yang Hao’s command.
Of course, neither Yang Hao nor Kan Ling realized that their outing would trigger monumental changes for the empire’s future.
Though they failed to buy the Snow Night Star Lion, Kan Ling wasn’t upset. At least she saw Yang Hao’s devotion. After leaving Star City, she dragged Yang Hao around the imperial outskirts, subtly announcing to every noble they encountered that she was now Yang Hao’s woman.
But the day wasn’t over. That evening, when Yang Hao and Kan Ling returned to the Alchemy Sect, they found the estate in chaos—as if the world had ended.
Thinking something terrible had happened, Yang Hao rushed inside.
Instead, the first thing he saw was Snow Night Star Lions—dozens of them, varying in size, running wild and wrecking the estate. A single swipe of their paws could topple trees; a headbutt could demolish walls. At this rate, the entire Alchemy Sect would be rubble soon.
Every member of the sect, from masters to novices, was chasing the lions, creating a hilarious scene.
The funniest was Herd, a peak Saint Realm expert, riding one lion, holding another, with a third draped over his shoulders—yet too afraid to let go.
Kan Ling cheered and joined the lion-catching frenzy.
“Director.” Chen Tie stood respectfully beside Yang Hao.
“Hmm?” Yang Hao finally noticed him, sighing. “What’s this? Your doing?”
Chen Tie grinned slyly. “The nine elder directors heard your words and ordered me to bring thirty Star Lions. They said, ‘The merchant association’s affairs are ours to handle, but Director Yang Hao seems too idle—he needs something to do.’”
Too idle? Something to do?
Yang Hao was speechless. The chaos before him was clearly the nine elders’ revenge for his earlier scolding.
Petty grudges indeed.
But grudges weren’t exclusive to the elders. While their revenge was harmless—sending lions as both retaliation and flattery—crossing a woman was far more dangerous.
As Yang Hao’s flames obliterated the enforcement squad’s vehicle, two people watched from a nearby club, sipping drinks and admiring his display.
Princess Xianlan had been waiting for an opportunity. After Zhou Yao was driven from the shop, she dragged him to the club, where he drank miserably.
The explosion didn’t shatter the club’s windows, but it rattled eardrums.
Xianlan touched her ear, then glanced at Zhou Yao’s dejected face. “Look how imposing Yang Hao is. That’s a real man.”
Zhou Yao, still fuming over his humiliation, gulped his drink as if it were his enemy.
“Drinking won’t help,” Xianlan sneered. “Your fiancée was stolen, and all you do is drink. Are you even a man?”
Already furious, Zhou Yao couldn’t take her taunts. Slamming his cup down, he snapped, “Yang Hao even dared to break off an engagement with a princess! What wouldn’t he do? What can I do?”
Xianlan’s face twisted with hatred.
The two were kindred spirits—once proud and distinguished, now reduced to nothing before Yang Hao.
Xianlan’s expression turned icy. “Zhou Yao, do you want Kan Ling back?”
“Of course I do!” Zhou Yao scoffed. “But what’s the use? Yang Hao’s unstoppable now. Even the Ten Sword Schools avoid him. Who dares oppose him?”
“If you’re brave enough—if you’re a real man—I can help you.”
“You?” Zhou Yao shook his head. “You can’t even help yourself.”
Xianlan’s beautiful face darkened. “Challenge Yang Hao to a duel.”
“A duel? A duel?!” Zhou Yao laughed bitterly. “Are you insane? Or am I hearing wrong? Didn’t I duel him before? I lost—badly. My Brilliant Star Sword was like a toy to him. How strong is Yang Hao now? At least Saint Realm! Even my uncle won’t face him. The elders won’t. And you want me to duel? Do you want me to suffer more?”
“If you dare challenge him, I guarantee you’ll win.”
“How?” Zhou Yao didn’t believe her.
Xianlan leaned in, whispering a few words.
Zhou Yao’s face paled. “Really? You’re not lying?”
“We’re in the same boat now. Why would I lie?” Xianlan said. “I hate Yang Hao more than you.”
Zhou Yao took a deep breath. He knew Xianlan never forgave slights—especially the humiliation of a broken engagement.
But the plan was perilous. Zhou Yao could die—or drag the entire Star Circus down with him. He had to be cautious.
“You’re no man at all,” Xianlan taunted. “No courage. No wonder Kan Ling doesn’t love you. She likes heroes—men who fear nothing.”
Mentioning Kan Ling reignited Zhou Yao’s fury. He’d devoted his life to her, only to lose everything. No man could endure that.
“Fine!” Zhou Yao roared. “I’ll do it. This time, I’ll fight Yang Hao to the death.”
“We’ll succeed.” Xianlan smirked. “Yang Hao is doomed.”
“Doomed!”
Their glasses clinked, the amber liquid swirling like dark conspiracies.
The universe cared little for individuals.
As Xianlan said, a princess’s broken engagement wasn’t so easily dismissed—especially one approved by the emperor and announced to the galaxy.
No matter how blissful Yang Hao and Kan Ling’s days were, external pressures mounted.
Rumors spread—Yang Hao was a womanizer, seducing the princess before stealing Kan Ling, aiming to claim all three of the capital’s great beauties. The gossip, likely started by nobles, soon engulfed the galaxy. While men might envy such exploits, older, powerful nobles began to doubt Yang Hao.
His influence was waning.
Of course, that day, neither Yang Hao nor Kan Ling could have known how much change their outing would bring to the empire’s future.
Although they hadn’t managed to buy the Xueye Star Lion, Kan Ling’s mood wasn’t bad. At the very least, she had seen Yang Hao’s sincerity toward her. Therefore, after leaving Starlight City, it was actually she who dragged Yang Hao along, touring the entire outskirts of the capital.
Along the way, they didn’t see much scenery, but they encountered nearly all the nobles of the capital. Kan Ling used this method to quietly announce to others that from this day forward, she was Yang Hao’s woman.
However, the matter didn’t end there. Late into the evening, when Yang Hao and Kan Ling returned to the Dan Ding Sect, they found the manor in uproar, almost as chaotic as the end of the world.
Yang Hao thought something unexpected had happened and rushed in urgently.
But upon entering, the first thing that caught his eye was the Xueye Star Lion. More accurately, it was many, many Xueye Star Lions. In the manor alone, there were at least thirty of various sizes and forms, joyfully running amok and turning the entire estate into chaos. These lions were simply too powerful; a single swipe of their paws could topple a tree, and a headbutt could bring down a wall. With such unrestrained playfulness, it wouldn’t take long before the entire Dan Ding Sect was reduced to rubble.
Therefore, all the Dan Ding Sect’s martial artists, skilled or not, had mobilized to catch the lions, chasing and intercepting the Xueye Star Lions in a lively game.
The funniest sight was still Hede. As a peak Saint-level martial artist, he had one lion riding beneath him, another in his hands, and a third clinging to his neck, all while helplessly refraining from letting go. Seeing Kan Ling witness the scene, she joyfully cheered and joined the lion-catching frenzy.
“Councilor,” Chen Tie respectfully stood in front of Yang Hao.
“En?” Yang Hao finally noticed him, shaking his head helplessly. “What’s going on? Did you bring them?”
Chen Tie grinned slyly. “The nine elder councilors heard what Councilor Yang Hao said and ordered me to bring thirty Star Lions. They instructed me to convey to you, Councilor Yang Hao, that they will handle the merchant affairs, but since Councilor Yang Hao seems idle, they thought you might need something to do.”
Idle? Something to do?
Yang Hao could only sigh inwardly. Looking at the chaotic mess before him, it was clear that those nine old councilors, far from being venerable, were simply seeking revenge for his scolding earlier that day.
These guys were indeed petty and vengeful.
But those who harbored grudges weren’t just the nine old councilors. Councilors seeking revenge might only send a few Xueye Star Lions, ostensibly as retaliation but actually as a form of appeasement.
However, if one incurred a woman’s wrath, the trouble would be far greater.
Just as Yang Hao unleashed a fiery blast to destroy the merchant enforcement squad’s vehicle, in a nearby club, two people were drinking and watching Yang Hao’s display of power.
Princess Xianlan seemed to have been waiting for this opportunity. After Zhou Yao was driven out of the Elegance Shop by Yang Hao, she had dragged him into the club, where he sat dejectedly drinking his sorrows away.
The explosion’s roar, while not shattering the club’s glass, still made everyone’s ears ring.
Xianlan frowned, touching her earlobe, then looked at Zhou Yao sitting across from her, his face full of despair. She sneered, “Look how impressive Yang Hao is. Now that’s a real man.”
Zhou Yao thought back to how he had been driven away by Yang Hao earlier, his heart filled with anger. He gulped down his drink, treating the liquid in the cup as if it were his enemy.
“What’s the point of drinking?” Xianlan looked down on the man before her even more. “Your fiancée was taken away, and all you can do is drink. Are you even a man?”
Zhou Yao was already filled with rage and couldn’t bear such mockery. He slammed his cup onto the table, furious. “Yang Hao dared to break off his engagement with a princess? What wouldn’t that kid dare to do? What can I do?”
Xianlan’s expression changed, her hatred intensifying.
The two of them were now truly fellow sufferers. Once, one was the pride of heaven, the other a renowned talent in the empire. But before Yang Hao, they were worse than drowned dogs.
Xianlan’s hatred slowly froze into a sinister expression. She asked coldly, “Zhou Yao, do you want to win Kan Ling back?”
“Of course I do! How could I not!” Zhou Yao laughed bitterly. “Wanting it helps how much? Yang Hao is now at his peak. Even the Ten Sword Streams retreat three feet upon seeing him. Who dares to interfere in his affairs?”
“As long as you have the courage, act like a real man, and I can help you.”
“Me?” Zhou Yao shook his head disbelievingly. “You couldn’t even help yourself. How can you help me?”
A sinister glint flickered in Xianlan’s beautiful face. She leaned close to Zhou Yao’s ear and whispered a few words.
Zhou Yao’s expression immediately changed drastically. “Really? You’re not lying to me?”
“We’re on the same boat now. Why would I lie to you?” Xianlan said. “I hate Yang Hao even more than you do.”
Zhou Yao took a deep breath. He knew Xianlan was someone who always sought revenge, especially for the humiliation of being rejected by Yang Hao, which she could never swallow.
However, the plan was extremely risky. Zhou Yao might die at any moment, potentially dragging the entire Starlight Circus to their doom. Therefore, he had to be extremely cautious.
“I see. You’re not even a real man. Without the courage to act, no wonder Kan Ling doesn’t like you,” Xianlan mocked again. “The man Kan Ling likes must be a heroic figure, someone fearless of death.”
Mentioning Kan Ling reignited Zhou Yao’s anger. His entire life had been devoted to her, only to end up with nothing. Even the most ordinary man couldn’t bear such a loss.
“Fine!” Zhou Yao roared. “I’ll do it. This time, I’ll fight Yang Hao to the end.”
“We will definitely succeed,” Xianlan raised her eyebrows, exuding seduction. “Yang Hao is doomed.”
“Doomed!”
Their wine glasses clinked together. The amber liquid swirled darkly in the cups, as if narrating some sinister plot.
The universe, vast and ancient, with stars revolving, never changes for any single individual.
As Princess Xianlan said, a princess’s engagement was not so easily broken. Especially since this engagement had been approved by the emperor, announced to the world, and known throughout the universe.
Therefore, no matter how sweet Yang Hao and Kan Ling’s days were, external resistance had already begun to emerge.
First came rumors spreading everywhere that Yang Hao was fickle, having deceived a princess only to snatch Kan Ling away, aiming to collect all three beauties of the capital. This rumor likely originated among the nobles and eventually spread throughout the entire galaxy. While many men might see this as more of a boast than a flaw, among the older generation of powerful nobles, Yang Hao’s reputation had already begun to wane.
The rebound from the other side surprisingly came from Kan Ling’s own family. Kan Ling came from a prestigious family, receiving education from both the Senate and the imperial court since childhood. Her friendship with the princess made her background extraordinary.
Almost everyone in Kan Ling’s family was nobility. Her father was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Household Affairs, and several of her brothers were also leaders of different star systems, making them a family of real power.
Such a family had one distinctive characteristic: they valued reputation above all else and could not tolerate any criticism.
Therefore, Kan Ling’s relationship with Yang Hao was seen as deviating from tradition in the Kan family’s eyes. Yang Hao had the audacity to reject the Emperor’s arranged marriage, while Kan Ling had fallen head over heels, not even returning home anymore. This was utterly unforgivable.
So whatever Yang Hao sent over, the Kan family returned. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared he would never accept Yang Hao as their son-in-law.
The old man was clearly being unreasonable. After all, his daughter was already living at Yang Hao’s residence. This gesture was utterly superfluous.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already placed him in a disadvantageous position in public opinion. Therefore, this court assembly became particularly important.
Though the engagement had originally been a royal family matter, Princess Xianlan insisted on holding this court assembly. In her words, she wanted the empire’s high officials to judge the matter fairly.
What was there left to judge? Xianlan had already prepared public opinion and played the role of a pitiful wronged wife. Naturally, all the ministers in the grand hall stood on her side.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the middle of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ scathing condemnations, as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, didn’t quickly marry the princess, the Galactic Empire would suffer a moral decline and the nation would perish.
Yang Hao endured for a long time but finally couldn’t take it anymore. He glared fiercely at the ministers, cursing every one of their ancestors to the eighth generation.
The ministers felt uneasy under Yang Hao’s gaze and wisely shut up. The current Yang Hao was no longer the prisoner who could be bullied at will. He was now the top expert of the royalist faction and the most powerful person in the universe. If they truly enraged him, they might not even survive returning home.
Seeing the ministers dared not speak anymore, Princess Xianlan couldn’t help feeling sorrow and began to cry softly.
At this moment, the two people standing on the golden steps felt uneasy. One of them was the Crown Prince, who had saved Yang Hao several times. After all, Xianlan was his younger sister. Seeing his beloved sister so heartbroken, it would be unforgivable for her older brother not to say a few words.
“Lord Yang Hao, although Princess Xianlan may not be your true love, monogamy no longer exists in the Empire. There’s truly no need for you to break off the engagement.”
The Crown Prince’s words were quite skillful. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the Empire had long abandoned monogamy. Most noble officials had multiple wives, and no one would criticize you as long as you could afford to support them. Then he subtly hinted that even if Yang Hao didn’t like Xianlan, he could still marry her first. Later, he could bring in Kan Ling or someone else, and no one would interfere.
The Crown Prince had truly given it his best effort and had been quite considerate toward Yang Hao. Even Emperor Yinglie nodded slightly.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement was not because he disliked having too many wives but simply because he fundamentally disliked Xianlan and wanted no relationship with this woman.
The backlash came unexpectedly from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential household, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was friends with the princess—clearly, her family was no ordinary one.
Almost every member of Kan Ling’s family was nobility. Her father held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and several of her brothers were leaders of star systems, making them a family of considerable power.
Such families had one defining characteristic: they valued face above all else and couldn’t stand criticism.
Thus, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was seen as heretical in the eyes of the Lan family. Yang Hao had dared to reject the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it so deeply that she even stopped returning home—this was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Lan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish. His daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still insisted on this charade—utterly pointless.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in public opinion, making this court deliberation all the more critical.
Marriage arrangements were originally a private matter for the royal family, but Princess Xian Lan had insisted on convening this deliberation, claiming she wanted the empire’s high officials to judge the matter.
What was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared public opinion in her favor and played the role of a wronged woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace sided with her.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the center of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations, as if Yang Hao, the heartless man, would bring moral ruin to the Galactic Empire if he didn’t marry the princess immediately.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally snapping. He glared fiercely at the ministers, as if cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
Chilled by his gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. Yang Hao was no longer the powerless prisoner they could bully—he was now the foremost expert of the royalist faction and one of the most powerful figures in the universe. If they truly angered him, they might not make it home alive.
Seeing the ministers cowed, Xian Lan couldn’t hold back her sorrow and burst into tears.
At this, the two figures standing on the golden steps grew restless. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. Xian Lan was, after all, his sister, and seeing her so heartbroken, he felt compelled to speak.
“Lord Yang Hao, though Xian Lan may not be your true love, the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There’s no need for you to break off the engagement.”
The crown prince’s words were carefully chosen. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy—most noble officials had multiple wives, and as long as one could support them, no one would object. Then, he subtly suggested that even if Yang Hao didn’t love Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or others into the household later without interference.
The crown prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even Emperor Ying Lie nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s refusal wasn’t about the number of wives—he simply didn’t like Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I’ve already discussed breaking off the engagement with His Majesty. Once the siege of Qianlong Pavilion was lifted, he agreed to allow it,” Yang Hao said bluntly, showing no regard for their feelings.
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted, rarely raising his finger to point at Yang Hao’s nose. “Don’t push your luck! The princess’s status is beyond compare—her willingness to marry you is an immense honor. How dare you reject her? Don’t you know the engagement has already been announced to the entire universe? Do you think you can just break it off as you please?”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became complicated.
Among the three on the golden steps, the crown prince appealed to reason, Qin Feng resorted to intimidation, and Emperor Ying Lie, though silent, was the princess’s father—he couldn’t possibly side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds: Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Whether by reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. Apart from yielding, what other options did he have?
But they had forgotten one thing: Yang Hao had risen to such heights at a young age because he always had a plan—sometimes more than one. His defiance stemmed from the fact that he still held a trump card.
Now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty, I have another reason for breaking off the engagement,” Yang Hao said, locking eyes with Emperor Ying Lie. “The schemes of Kunlong and Jiaosha were actually…”
“Silence!!”
Three furious voices cut him off—Emperor Ying Lie, the crown prince, and Qin Feng. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes fluttered wildly, as if he were about to strike.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to go that far, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were bewildered and Yang Hao remained composed, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, staring at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, Yang Hao’s words were something the three already knew.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xian Lan’s expression remained calm, but her mind was in turmoil.
Yang Hao stayed silent, standing relaxed and at ease, knowing he was about to win this battle—effortlessly and irreversibly.
As expected, after a moment of contemplation, Emperor Ying Lie looked around. The ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the crown prince wore grim expressions, and Xian Lan dared not speak.
The secret Yang Hao held was something the royal family absolutely could not let out—it was Emperor Ying Lie’s Achilles’ heel. Though Yang Hao might pay a price later, for now, he was the victor.
“Very well, then…” Emperor Ying Lie was about to agree to the annulment when things took another turn.
A voice from outside the palace reignited Xian Lan’s hope.
“I object!” Zhou Yao stumbled in, shouting.
The ministers erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew the Cosmic Circus was a pillar of the Ten Swords Sect, the only remaining powerful sword faction.
Since the rift between the royal family and the Senate, members of the Ten Swords Sect had been barred from the palace.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unimpeded with a royal pass—clearly, someone in the royal family had arranged this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the eunuch king, only for this brat to oppose him. What right did Zhou Yao have?
“Not only do I object, but I challenge you,” Zhou Yao spat, throwing a longsword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel.”
“Are you seeking death?” Yang Hao glared coldly. He wouldn’t kill in the grand hall.
“I’m not seeking death—I’m challenging you like a man,” Zhou Yao declared proudly. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess.”
“Why should I agree to this?” Yang Hao looked at him with boredom.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling was already a done deal. Why bother with a pointless fight? Of course, Yang Hao wouldn’t mind killing Zhou Yao, but the wager was too trivial.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial skills are unmatched in the world. What could he possibly fear?” Xian Lan interjected. “I think he’s worried about making a mistake and becoming a laughingstock.”
Yang Hao sighed, glancing at Xian Lan. Heaven’s punishments can be survived, but self-inflicted ones are inescapable. Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was undoubtedly Xian Lan’s doing.
The Privy Council’s chief minister coughed lightly. The old fox had remained silent during the ministers’ earlier protests, waiting to see Emperor Ying Lie’s stance. But now it was clear—no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao. Once Yang Hao made up his mind, even the emperor had to concede.
The best course now was to find a way to save face.
Thus, the chief minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, though Zhou Yao’s actions are rash, they do offer a solution.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of solution was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive idea in the entire universe.
Yet Xian Lan was precisely that kind of self-destructive person. She added tearfully, “If that’s the case, I don’t want to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the engagement will be annulled.”
Yang Hao found it baffling how these high-and-mighty figures loved making decisions for others, acting as if their decrees were favors to be gratefully accepted.
First, it was the arranged marriage; now, it was this duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even agreed, yet they acted as if the matter were settled.
But in truth, it was settled.
Xian Lan had set this trap knowing Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse—and that he couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Yao added, “Besides the marriage, I’ll wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Swords Sect. If I lose, all four will be yours.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao was startled, now taking the matter seriously.
The Ten Swords Sect was renowned for its ten divine swords, said to be bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undoubtedly the sect’s treasures.
Yang Hao had already seized six. His goal was obvious—to collect all ten. The problem was, the remaining four sects guarded their swords fiercely, hiding them where no one could find them. Even if Yang Hao wiped out the sects, he might not recover the swords.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Would the Ten Swords Sect listen to you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled brat—his challenge was a guaranteed loss. Why would the sect hand over their swords?
But Zhou Yao’s reply was cryptic: “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Swords Sect now?”
Who led the Ten Swords Sect? Of course, it was the elusive enchantress.
Yang Hao understood—this was an intricately laid trap. He was sure the enchantress had more schemes in store. The four swords were just bait.
But Yang Hao was ready to take the plunge.
Even if outnumbered, he would press forward. A few traps meant nothing.
Zhou Yao continued boasting to the ministers: “Only the strongest man in the world is worthy of Kan Ling. I will use this duel to prove to the universe that the Ten Swords Sect is invincible—forever!”
His face turned red with exertion, as if he might burst a blood vessel any second.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said indifferently, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital was abuzz with unrest. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip. It involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s ice beauty, and a noble from the Ten Swords Sect—scandal, secrets, and intrigue all rolled into one.
But the two central figures—the Alchemy Sect and the Cosmic Circus—fell into silence, offering no further response.
Since the day the Merchant Guild razed Star City, the Cosmic Circus had ceased public performances. Rumors said they feared Yang Hao, but no one knew Zhou Chuanqian was engaged in a secret endeavor.
He was about to die.
As a peak Saint Realm expert, he had long transcended mortality. A lifespan of centuries was but a fleeting moment, and at seventy, he was still in his prime.
Yet what Zhou Chuanqian was about to do would send him to hell—eternally.
The Cosmic Circus’s grand tent, besides hosting performances, held a secret: it was a training ground.
Now, all the sect’s swordsmen stood guard around the tent, aware that a monumental event was about to unfold on this seemingly peaceful night.
Inside, the tent was eerily quiet. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by lit candles. The solid ceiling had transformed into a dazzling star map.
Countless stars shimmered and shifted colors overhead. This star map existed in no known database, for its stars weren’t real—they depicted the distribution of cosmic forces from ancient astrological arts.
These stars represented not physical bodies but the residual power of creation itself, governing celestial movements.
This was the Cosmic Circus’s legacy, and the Star Sword was its core. Each member drew power from a unique stellar source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan,” the ancient counterpart to the sun—akin to a cosmic black hole or antimatter, rarely seen and immensely potent.
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng became furious, rarely pointing his finger at Yang Hao. “Don’t go too far. The princess holds such a high status. It’s already a great blessing for her to marry down to you. How dare you break off the engagement? Don’t you realize that the imperial marriage has already been announced to the entire universe? Do you think it’s something you can just cancel at will?”
With Qin Feng taking this stance, things became complicated.
Among the three people on the golden steps, the Crown Prince appealed to emotion, Qin Feng displayed anger, and although Emperor Yinglie hadn’t expressed his opinion, as the princess’s father, he certainly wouldn’t stand on Yang Hao’s side.
In the grand hall, all the ministers already had a clear idea: it seemed Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Now, whether in terms of reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. There was no other way but to bow and submit.
However, these people had forgotten that Yang Hao had reached such a high position at a young age for a reason. Sometimes, he had more than just a few tricks up his sleeve. His firm stance was because he still had an ace in the hole.
This was the moment to play that trump card.
The backlash came from an unexpected quarter—Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential household, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was even friends with the princess. Naturally, her family was no ordinary one.
Almost every member of the Kan family was nobility. Her father held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and several of her brothers were leaders of star systems. It was a family with real power.
Such families had one defining characteristic—they cared deeply about face and couldn’t stand criticism.
So, in the eyes of the Kan family, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was nothing short of heresy. Yang Hao had dared to reject the Emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it so deeply that she didn’t even return home anymore. This was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Kan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish. His daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still put on this act—utterly pointless.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in the court of public opinion. That made this council meeting all the more crucial.
The marriage contract was originally a matter for the imperial family, but Princess Xian Lan insisted on convening this council. As she put it, she wanted the high officials of the empire to judge the matter.
What was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared public opinion in her favor and played the role of a wronged woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace sided with her.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the center of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations. It was as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, would bring moral ruin to the Galactic Empire if he didn’t marry the princess soon—as if the empire itself would collapse.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally losing his patience. He glared fiercely at the ministers, as if cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
Under his piercing gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. Yang Hao was no longer the helpless prisoner who could be bullied at will. He was now the foremost expert of the royalist faction, the most powerful man in the universe. If they truly angered him, they might not even make it home alive.
Seeing that the ministers didn’t dare speak, Xian Lan couldn’t help but feel sorrow welling up inside her. She began to sob pitifully.
At this, the two figures standing on the golden steps grew restless. One of them was the Crown Prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. After all, Xian Lan was his sister. Seeing his own flesh and blood so heartbroken, he couldn’t just stand by without saying anything.
“Lord Yang Hao,” the Crown Prince said, “Xian Lan may not be your true love, but the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There’s really no need for you to break off the engagement.”
The Crown Prince’s words were carefully chosen. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy—most noble officials had multiple wives, and as long as one could afford it, no one would criticize. Then, he subtly hinted that even if Yang Hao didn’t like Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or someone else into the household later without interference.
The Crown Prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even the Emperor nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao wasn’t breaking off the engagement because he disliked having too many wives—he simply didn’t like Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I already discussed the matter of breaking the engagement with His Majesty,” Yang Hao said bluntly. “Once the siege of Qianlong Pavilion was lifted, he agreed to let me withdraw.”
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted, his rarely used finger jabbing at Yang Hao’s nose. “Don’t push your luck! The princess is of the highest status—her willingness to marry you is an immense honor! How dare you break it off? Do you not realize that the arranged marriage has already been announced to the entire universe? Do you think you can just withdraw as you please?”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became complicated.
Among the three on the golden steps, the Crown Prince appealed to emotion, Qin Feng resorted to intimidation, and while the Emperor hadn’t spoken, he was still the princess’s father—he certainly wouldn’t side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds—Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Whether by reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. What else could he do but bow his head and submit?
But they had all forgotten one thing—Yang Hao hadn’t risen to such heights at such a young age without having a few tricks up his sleeve. Sometimes, those tricks weren’t just minor ones. His stubbornness stemmed from the fact that he still had a trump card.
Now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty,” Yang Hao said, locking eyes with the Emperor, “there’s another reason I wish to break off the engagement. The schemes of Kunlong and Jiaosha are actually—”
“Silence!!”
Three furious shouts cut him off.
Naturally, they came from the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Qin Feng on the golden steps. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes fluttered wildly, as if he were about to strike.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to go that far, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were left bewildered and Yang Hao remained composed, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, staring at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, the three of them knew what Yang Hao was about to say.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xian Lan’s expression remained unchanged, but her heart was in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time.
Yang Hao stayed silent, standing relaxed and at ease. He knew he was about to win this battle—and win it effortlessly, in a way his opponents couldn’t reverse.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, the Emperor glanced around. The ministers naturally had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the Crown Prince wore dark expressions, and Xian Lan didn’t dare speak either.
The secret Yang Hao held was one the imperial family absolutely could not allow to spread—and it happened to be the Emperor’s sore spot. Even if Yang Hao would pay a price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“In that case…” the Emperor began, about to agree to the annulment—but then things took another turn.
From outside the palace came a voice that reignited Princess Xian Lan’s fading hope.
“I object!”
With those words, Zhou Yao stumbled into the hall.
The ministers erupted in murmurs. Everyone present knew that the Stellar Circus was a pillar of the Ten Sword Schools and the only remaining sword faction with any real strength.
Ever since the imperial family and the Senate had split, members of the Ten Sword Schools had been barred from the palace.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unimpeded with an imperial pass—clearly, someone in the imperial family had arranged this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the King of Eunuchs, only for this brat to pop up and oppose him. What right did Zhou Yao have to object?
“Not only do I object—I challenge you!” Zhou Yao gnashed his teeth and threw a longsword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel!”
“You want to die?” Yang Hao glared coldly at him. He wouldn’t kill anyone in the grand hall.
“I’m not here to die—I’m here to duel like a man!” Zhou Yao declared with great determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess!”
“Why should I take that bet?” Yang Hao looked at him with utter boredom.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling was already a done deal. Why go through the trouble of fighting and killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao wouldn’t mind killing Zhou Yao—but the wager itself was pointless.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial skills are unmatched in the world. There’s nothing he wouldn’t dare do.”
Princess Xian Lan finally spoke up. “I think he’s just worried that a single misstep might make him the laughingstock of the empire.”
Yang Hao sighed and glanced at Xian Lan. Heaven’s punishments could be survived, but self-inflicted ones were inescapable. Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was undoubtedly Xian Lan’s doing.
The Chief Minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. The old man was shrewd—he had remained silent earlier while the other ministers vehemently opposed Yang Hao, waiting to see the Emperor’s stance. But now it was clear that no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao. Once Yang Hao made up his mind, even the Emperor had to concede.
The only solution now was to find a way for everyone to save face.
So the Chief Minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, while Young Master Zhou Yao’s actions are rash, they do present a possible resolution.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of resolution was this? Two men dueling over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive method in the entire universe.
But Xian Lan was precisely that kind of self-destructive person. She said sorrowfully, “If that’s the case, I don’t wish to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the engagement will be annulled.”
Yang Hao found it baffling—why did these high-and-mighty figures always insist on making decisions for others, then act as if they were bestowing some great favor that demanded gratitude?
First, it was the arranged marriage. Now, it was this duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even agreed, yet they were already acting as if the matter was settled.
But in reality, it was indeed settled.
Xian Lan had set this trap precisely because she knew Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse—and because there was a reason he couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Yao added, “Besides the engagement, I’ll also wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Schools. If I lose, all four will belong to you.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao was startled, suddenly taking the matter seriously.
The Ten Sword Schools were renowned for their ten divine swords, said to have been bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undoubtedly the schools’ most treasured artifacts.
Yang Hao had already seized six of them. Even a blind man could see his goal was to collect all ten. The problem was that the remaining four schools guarded their swords fiercely—either with elite warriors or by hiding them in unknown locations. Even if Yang Hao wiped out the schools, he might never recover the swords.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Would the Ten Sword Schools listen to you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled noble—challenging Yang Hao was a guaranteed loss. Why would the schools willingly hand over their treasures?
But Zhou Yao’s response was cryptic: “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Sword Schools now?”
Who led them? Of course, it was the elusive enchantress.
Yang Hao understood—this was an intricately laid trap. And he was certain it wouldn’t be simple. The enchantress had surely set multiple snares, with the four swords merely as bait.
But Yang Hao was ready to take the plunge.
Even if faced with ten thousand enemies, he would march forward. What were a few traps to him?
Zhou Yao continued grandstanding before the ministers: “Only the strongest man in the universe is worthy of Kan Ling! I will use this duel to prove to the world that the Ten Sword Schools are undefeatable—forever!”
By the end, his face was flushed red with exertion, as if he might burst a blood vessel at any moment.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said flatly, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital was restless with unease. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip than this—it involved the imperial family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s ice beauty, and a noble from the Ten Sword Schools. Scandal, secrets, and intrigue—it had it all.
But the two focal points of the matter—the Alchemy Sect and the Stellar Circus—fell into silence, offering no further response.
Ever since the Merchant Guild had razed the Stellar City, the circus had ceased public performances. Rumors spread that they feared Yang Hao, but no one knew that Zhou Chuanqian was engaged in a secret endeavor.
He was about to die.
A master at the peak of the Saint Realm should have transcended life and death—living for centuries was but a fleeting moment. And Zhou Chuanqian was only in his seventies, still in his prime.
But what he was about to do would send him straight to hell—with no hope of return.
The circus’s performance tent held a secret beyond its shows—it was also a training ground.
Tonight, all the sword masters of the Stellar Circus stood guard around the tent. They knew that beneath this seemingly peaceful night, something monumental was about to happen.
Inside, the tent was eerily silent. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by rows of lit candles. The solid ceiling had transformed into a dazzling star map—one that no computer in the universe could replicate.
The shimmering stars on the ceiling weren’t real celestial bodies but representations of cosmic energy distribution—or, as the gods called it, the remnants of the Creator’s power that governed the stars’ movements.
This was the Stellar Circus’s legacy. The Sword of Stars was the key to activating this star map, and each member drew their power from a unique stellar source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan”—the ancient name for the Dark Star, the counterpart to the sun. Rarely seen, it was akin to a black hole or antimatter in the universe.
“Silence!!”
Three people angrily shouted, interrupting Yang Hao’s words.
It was naturally Emperor Yinglie, the Crown Prince, and Qin Feng on the golden steps. Qin Feng was so furious that his robes were flaring wildly, showing signs of attacking.
Yang Hao did not continue speaking. He had only intended to go this far, waiting to be interrupted.
Compared to the ministers’ confusion and Yang Hao’s calmness, Princess Xianlan trembled all over, looking at the three people on the golden steps with disbelief.
Obviously, the three people knew exactly what Yang Hao was about to say.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xianlan showed no expression on the surface, but inside her heart, it was like a floodgate had opened, difficult to calm.
Yang Hao remained silent, standing there relaxed because he knew he was going to win this battle again, and win easily, something the other side couldn’t reverse.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, Emperor Yinglie glanced around. Naturally, the ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the Crown Prince wore dark expressions, and Xianlan remained silent. The secret Yang Hao held was absolutely forbidden from being disclosed outside the royal family, precisely the Emperor’s most sensitive point. Although Yang Hao would have to pay some price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“In that case, then…” Emperor Yinglie was about to open his mouth to agree to the annulment when something unexpected happened.
Outside the palace, a voice rang out, instantly lifting Princess Xianlan’s previously despondent expression.
“I object!” Following the voice, Zhou Yao hurriedly ran in.
The ministers were in an uproar. Everyone here knew that the Starlight Circus was the backbone of the Ten Sword Sects and currently the only sword sect with remaining strength.
Since the royal family’s split with the Senate, no one from the Ten Sword Sects had been allowed to enter the court anymore.
But Zhou Yao had managed to enter without any obstacles thanks to a royal pass, clearly indicating that this was a prearranged scenario orchestrated by someone within the royal family.
“You object?” Yang Hao was truly angry beyond measure. He had already dealt with the Eunuch King, yet now a little brat dared to object. What authority did Zhou Yao have to object?
“I not only object, but I also challenge you.” Zhou Yao gritted his teeth and threw a long sword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I challenge you to a duel.”
“Do you want to die?” Yang Hao coldly looked at him. Naturally, he wouldn’t kill anyone in the grand palace.
“I don’t want to die. I want to challenge you like a real man.” Zhou Yao spoke with great determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess.”
“Why should I gamble with you?” Yang Hao looked at him with a bored expression.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling had long been a fact. Why bother fighting and killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao didn’t mind killing Zhou Yao. The key was that this gamble was too trivial.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao provoked him.
“Lord Yang Hao is unmatched in martial arts. What would he ever fear?” Princess Xianlan began speaking again. “I think he’s worried about accidentally losing and being ridiculed by the entire world.”
Yang Hao sighed, glancing at Xianlan. It was said that heavenly misfortunes could be avoided, but self-inflicted ones could not. Today, Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was clearly Xianlan’s idea.
The Minister of the Privy Council lightly coughed. This old fox was naturally shrewd. When the ministers had vehemently opposed earlier, he hadn’t spoken much, aiming to observe Emperor Yinglie’s reaction. But now it was clear that there was no one more powerful than Yang Hao in the entire Empire. Once Yang Hao made up his mind, Emperor Yinglie could only agree.
At this point, everyone was looking for a way to save face.
So the Chief Minister of the Privy Council stepped forward. “Your Majesty, although Zhou Yao is rash, his proposal isn’t without merit.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes in exasperation. What kind of method was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was truly no more masochistic method in the entire universe.
Yet Princess Xianlan was just such a masochistic person. She also sorrowfully said, “Since it’s like this, I don’t want to make my father feel conflicted. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the marriage will be called off.”
Yang Hao found it strange. How come these high-and-mighty figures always liked to make decisions for others? And once they made a decision, they assumed it was a favor that required others to be grateful.
It was like this when the marriage was arranged, and now it was the same with the duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even spoken yet, but they were already acting as if everything was settled.
But in reality, everything was indeed settled.
Xianlan dared to set up this scheme because she had already predicted Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse. Naturally, there was also a reason Yang Hao couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Yao then said, “Besides the marriage contract, I will also use the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Sects as the bet. If I lose, these four swords will all belong to you.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao was startled, beginning to take the matter seriously.
The backlash came unexpectedly from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential household, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was even friends with the princess—clearly, her family was no ordinary one.
Nearly every member of the Kan family was a noble. Her father held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and several of her brothers were leaders of star systems, making them a family of real power.
Such families had one defining characteristic: they valued face above all else and couldn’t stand criticism.
Thus, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was seen as heretical in the eyes of the Kan family. Yang Hao had dared to reject the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it so deeply that she even stopped returning home—this was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Kan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish. His daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still put on this act—utterly pointless.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in public opinion, making this court deliberation all the more crucial.
The marriage contract was originally a royal family matter, but Princess Xian Lan insisted on holding this deliberation, claiming she wanted the empire’s high officials to judge the fairness of it all.
What fairness was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared public opinion in her favor and played the role of a scorned woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace all stood on her side.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the middle of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations, as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, would plunge the Galactic Empire into moral decay and national ruin if he didn’t marry the princess soon.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally snapping. He glared fiercely at the ministers, as if cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
Chilled by his gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. The current Yang Hao was no longer the powerless prisoner who could be bullied at will—he was now the foremost expert of the royalist faction and one of the most powerful figures in the universe. If they truly angered him, they might not even make it home alive.
Seeing the ministers cower, Xian Lan couldn’t help but feel sorrow welling up inside her and began to sob pitifully.
At this, the two figures standing on the golden steps grew restless. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. After all, Xian Lan was his sister, and as her elder brother, he couldn’t just stand by while she grieved.
“Lord Yang Hao,” the crown prince spoke with measured words, “though Xian Lan may not be your true love, the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There’s really no need for you to break off the engagement.”
His words were carefully crafted. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy—most nobles and high-ranking officials had multiple wives, and as long as one could afford it, no one would bat an eye. Then, he subtly hinted that even if Yang Hao didn’t like Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or others into the household later without interference.
The crown prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even Emperor Ying Lie nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s refusal wasn’t about having too many wives—he simply didn’t like Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I’ve already discussed breaking off the engagement with His Majesty,” Yang Hao said bluntly, showing no regard for their feelings. “Once the siege of Qianlong Pavilion was lifted, he agreed to let me withdraw.”
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted in anger, his finger jabbing at Yang Hao’s nose—a rare display of fury. “Don’t push your luck! The princess is of the highest status—her willingness to marry you is an immense blessing. How dare you reject her? Do you not realize that the engagement has already been announced to the entire universe? Do you think you can just break it off whenever you please?”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became complicated.
Among the three on the golden steps, the crown prince appealed to emotion, Qin Feng resorted to intimidation, and Emperor Ying Lie, though silent, was still the princess’s father—he certainly wouldn’t side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds—Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Whether by reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. Apart from bowing his head in submission, what other choice did he have?
But they had forgotten one thing: Yang Hao had risen to such heights at a young age for a reason. Sometimes, his methods weren’t just one or two. His defiance now was because he still had one last trump card.
And now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty,” Yang Hao said, locking eyes with Emperor Ying Lie, “there’s another reason I must break off the engagement. The schemes of Kunlong and Jiaosha are actually—”
“Silence!!”
Three furious voices roared, cutting him off.
Naturally, they belonged to Emperor Ying Lie, the crown prince, and Qin Feng on the golden steps. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes fluttered wildly, as if he were about to strike.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to go this far, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were left bewildered and Yang Hao remained composed, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, staring at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, what Yang Hao was about to say, those three already knew.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xian Lan’s expression remained calm, but inside, her thoughts were in turmoil, unable to settle.
Yang Hao stayed silent, standing relaxed and at ease, because he knew he was about to win again—this time, so decisively that his opponents couldn’t reverse it.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, Emperor Ying Lie glanced around. The ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the crown prince wore dark expressions, and Xian Lan didn’t dare speak.
The secret Yang Hao held was one the royal family absolutely could not let spread—it was also Emperor Ying Lie’s greatest weakness. Though Yang Hao might pay a price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“Very well, then—” Emperor Ying Lie was about to agree to the annulment when another twist occurred.
A voice rang out from outside the palace, reigniting Xian Lan’s hope.
“I object!”
With those words, Zhou Yao rushed in, stumbling slightly.
The ministers erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew that the Stellar Circus was the backbone of the Ten Sword Schools and the only remaining powerful sword faction.
Since the rift between the royal family and the Senate, members of the Ten Sword Schools had been barred from the palace.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unhindered with a royal pass—clearly, someone in the royal family had arranged this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the “King of Eunuchs,” only for this brat to show up and oppose him. What right did Zhou Yao have to object?
“I don’t just object—I challenge you!” Zhou Yao gnashed his teeth, throwing a longsword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel!”
“You want to die?” Yang Hao glared coldly. He wouldn’t kill in the grand hall, but the threat was clear.
“I’m not here to die—I’m here to duel like a man!” Zhou Yao declared with determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess!”
“Why should I take that bet?” Yang Hao looked at him with boredom.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling was already a done deal. Why bother with a fight and killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao wouldn’t mind killing Zhou Yao—it was just that the bet was too pointless.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial skills are unmatched in the world,” Xian Lan interjected. “I suppose he’s worried about making a mistake and becoming a laughingstock.”
Yang Hao sighed, glancing at Xian Lan. Heaven’s wrath could be survived, but self-inflicted doom was unavoidable. Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was clearly Xian Lan’s doing.
The chief minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. This old fox had remained silent earlier, waiting to see Emperor Ying Lie’s stance. Now, it was clear that no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao—once Yang Hao made up his mind, even the emperor could only agree.
The only solution now was to find a way for everyone to save face.
Thus, the chief minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, though Young Master Zhou Yao is impulsive, his proposal isn’t without merit.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of solution was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive method in the entire universe.
Yet Xian Lan was precisely that kind of self-destructive person. She said mournfully, “If that’s the case, I don’t wish to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the engagement will be annulled.”
Yang Hao found it baffling—why did these high-and-mighty figures always insist on making decisions for others and then act as if they were bestowing a favor, expecting gratitude?
First, it was the arranged marriage; now, it was this duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even spoken, yet they acted as if everything was already settled.
But in reality, it was.
Xian Lan had set this trap precisely because she knew Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse—and because there was a reason he couldn’t.
Zhou Yao added, “Besides the engagement, I’ll wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Schools. If I lose, all four will be yours.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao stiffened, suddenly taking this seriously.
The Ten Sword Schools were renowned for their ten divine swords, said to have been bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undoubtedly the schools’ most treasured artifacts.
Yang Hao had already seized six. His goal was obvious—to collect all ten. The problem was, the remaining four schools guarded their swords fiercely, hiding them where no one could find them. Even if Yang Hao wiped out their factions, he might never recover the swords.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Would the Ten Sword Schools listen to you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled noble—challenging Yang Hao was a guaranteed loss. Why would the schools hand over their swords so easily?
But Zhou Yao’s reply was cryptic: “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Sword Schools now?”
Who led them? Of course, it was the elusive enchantress.
Yang Hao understood—this was an intricately laid trap. And he was certain it wouldn’t be simple. The enchantress had surely set multiple snares, with the four swords as mere bait.
Yet Yang Hao was prepared to walk right in.
“Even if faced with ten thousand foes, I shall march forward!” A few traps meant nothing to him.
Zhou Yao continued boasting to the ministers, “Only the strongest man in the universe is worthy of Kan Ling! I will prove with this duel that the Ten Sword Schools are undefeatable—forever!”
His face turned red with fervor, as if he might burst a blood vessel any second.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said flatly, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
—
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital was restless with unease. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip. It involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s “Ice Beauty,” and a noble from the Ten Sword Schools—scandal, secrets, and intrigue all rolled into one.
Yet the two central figures—the Alchemy Sect and the Stellar Circus—remained eerily silent, offering no further reactions.
Ever since the Merchant Guild had razed Stellar City, the Stellar Circus had ceased public performances. Rumors spread that they feared Yang Hao, but no one knew the truth: Zhou Chuanqian was preparing for something far more sinister.
He was about to die.
As a peak Saint Realm expert, he should have transcended mortality, with centuries of life ahead. At just over seventy, he was still in his prime.
Yet what Zhou Chuanqian was about to do would send him straight to hell—with no hope of return.
The Stellar Circus’s performance tent held a secret beyond its shows: it was also a training ground.
Tonight, all the circus’s swordsmen stood guard around the tent, aware that something monumental was about to happen.
Inside, the tent was eerily quiet. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by rows of lit candles. The once-solid ceiling had transformed into a dazzling star map.
Countless stars shimmered and shifted in color—a map unlike any in the universe’s databases, for these stars didn’t exist in reality. They were remnants of an ancient astrological art, depicting the distribution of cosmic energy—or, as the gods called it, the residual power of the Creator.
This was the Stellar Circus’s secret legacy, and the Star Sword was its core. Every member drew power from their unique celestial source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan”—the Great Yin, counterpart to the sun, a force as elusive as black holes or antimatter.
Yang Hao had already obtained six divine swords, and his goal was obviously to collect all ten. The current problem was that the four sects were guarding their swords tightly. If a sect didn’t have any powerful experts, they would certainly hide their swords in unknown places. Even if Yang Hao wiped out the sects, he might not necessarily retrieve the swords.
But now, this was an opportunity.
“Will the Ten Sword Sects listen to you?” Yang Hao was somewhat incredulous. Zhou Yao was merely a spoiled young master. Challenging Yang Hao was almost a sure bet to lose. How could the Ten Sword Sects be so willing to hand over their divine swords?
But what Zhou Yao said next was quite mysterious: “You’ve forgotten who’s currently in charge of the Ten Sword Sects.”
The backlash from the other side actually came from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential family, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was friends with the princess—clearly, she was no ordinary person.
Almost every member of Kan Ling’s family was of noble status. Her father held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and several of her brothers were leaders of star systems, making them a family of real power.
Such families had one defining characteristic—they cared deeply about their reputation and could not tolerate criticism from others.
Therefore, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was seen as heretical in the eyes of the Lan family. Yang Hao had the audacity to reject the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it so deeply that she didn’t even return home—this was simply unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Lan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish. His daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still put on this act—utterly unnecessary.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in public opinion, making this court debate all the more crucial.
The marriage contract was originally a matter for the royal family, but Princess Xian Lan insisted on holding this debate, claiming she wanted the empire’s high officials to judge the fairness of the situation.
What fairness was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared public opinion in her favor and played the role of a wronged woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace all sided with her.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the center of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations. It was as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, would bring moral ruin to the Galactic Empire if he didn’t marry the princess soon—as if the empire itself would collapse.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally losing his patience. He glared fiercely at the ministers, as if cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
Under his piercing gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. The current Yang Hao was no longer the helpless prisoner who could be bullied at will—he was now the foremost expert of the royalist faction and one of the most powerful figures in the universe. If they truly angered him, they might not even make it home alive.
Seeing the ministers too afraid to speak, Xian Lan couldn’t help but feel sorrow welling up inside her and began to sob.
At this, the two figures standing on the golden steps grew restless. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. After all, Xian Lan was his sister, and seeing her so heartbroken, he couldn’t just stand by without saying anything.
“Lord Yang Hao, though Xian Lan may not be your true love, the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There’s really no need for you to break off the engagement.”
The crown prince’s words were carefully chosen. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy—most nobles and high-ranking officials had multiple wives, as long as they could support them. Then, he subtly hinted that even if Yang Hao didn’t like Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or others into the household later—no one would interfere.
The crown prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even Emperor Ying Lie nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s refusal wasn’t about having too many wives—he simply didn’t like Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I’ve already discussed breaking off the engagement with His Majesty. Once the siege of Qianlong Pavilion was lifted, he agreed to allow it,” Yang Hao said bluntly, showing no regard for their feelings.
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted in anger, pointing a rarely extended finger at Yang Hao’s nose. “Don’t push your luck! The princess is of the highest status—her willingness to marry you is an immense blessing. How dare you reject her? Do you not realize that the arranged marriage has already been announced to the entire universe? Do you think you can just break it off whenever you please?”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became even more complicated.
Among the three on the golden steps, the crown prince appealed to emotion, Qin Feng resorted to intimidation, and Emperor Ying Lie, though silent, was still the princess’s father—he couldn’t possibly side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds—Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Whether by reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. What else could he do but submit?
But they had all forgotten that Yang Hao, despite his young age, had risen to such heights for a reason. Sometimes, his methods weren’t just one or two. His stubbornness now was because he still had one last trump card.
And now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty, I have another reason for breaking off the engagement,” Yang Hao said directly, locking eyes with Emperor Ying Lie. “The schemes of Qianlong and Jiao Sha are actually—”
“Silence!!”
Three furious voices roared, cutting Yang Hao off.
They belonged to Emperor Ying Lie, the crown prince, and Qin Feng on the golden steps. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes fluttered wildly, as if he was about to strike.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to go this far, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were left bewildered and Yang Hao remained composed, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, looking at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, what Yang Hao was about to say, those three already knew.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xian Lan showed no outward reaction, but her mind was in turmoil, unable to calm down.
Yang Hao remained silent, standing relaxed and at ease—because he knew he was about to win again, and this victory would be so simple that the other side couldn’t reverse it.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, Emperor Ying Lie looked around. The ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the crown prince wore dark expressions, and Xian Lan didn’t dare speak.
The secret Yang Hao held was something the royal family absolutely could not let spread—it was also Emperor Ying Lie’s greatest weakness. Though Yang Hao might pay a price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“In that case, then—” Emperor Ying Lie was about to agree to the annulment when another twist occurred.
From outside the palace came a voice that reignited Princess Xian Lan’s fading hope.
“I object!” With those words, Zhou Yao stumbled into the hall.
The ministers erupted in murmurs. Everyone present knew that the Stellar Circus was a pillar of the Ten Sword Schools and the only remaining influential sword faction.
Since the rift between the royal family and the Senate, members of the Ten Sword Schools had never been allowed in the palace.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unimpeded with a royal pass—clearly, someone in the royal family had arranged this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the king, only for this little upstart to oppose him. What right did Zhou Yao have to object?
“Not only do I object, but I also challenge you,” Zhou Yao said through gritted teeth, throwing a long sword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel.”
“You want to die?” Yang Hao looked at him coldly. He wouldn’t kill anyone in the grand hall.
“I’m not here to die—I’m here to duel. I challenge you like a man,” Zhou Yao declared with great determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess.”
“Why should I agree to this bet?” Yang Hao gave him a bored look.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling was already a done deal. Why go through the trouble of fighting and killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao wouldn’t mind killing Zhou Yao—it was just that the bet was too pointless.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial skills are unmatched in the world. What could he possibly fear?”
Princess Xian Lan finally spoke up. “I think he’s worried that a single misstep might make him the laughingstock of the empire.”
Yang Hao sighed and glanced at Xian Lan. Heaven’s wrath could be survived, but self-inflicted doom was unavoidable. Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was clearly Xian Lan’s doing.
The chief minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. This old fox had remained silent earlier while the other ministers vehemently opposed Yang Hao, waiting to see Emperor Ying Lie’s stance. But now it was clear—no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao. Once Yang Hao made up his mind, even Emperor Ying Lie had to concede.
The only solution now was to find a way for everyone to save face.
So the chief minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, though Young Master Zhou Yao is reckless, his proposal isn’t without merit.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of solution was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive method in the entire universe.
Yet Xian Lan was exactly that kind of self-destructive person. She said sorrowfully, “If that’s the case, I don’t wish to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the marriage will be annulled.”
Yang Hao found it baffling—why did these high-and-mighty figures always insist on making decisions for others, acting as if they were bestowing favors that demanded gratitude?
First, it was the arranged marriage. Now, it was this duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even spoken, yet they acted as if the matter was already settled.
But in reality, it was.
Xian Lan had set this trap precisely because she knew Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse—and because there was a reason he couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Yao added, “Besides the marriage, I’ll also wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Schools. If I lose, all four will belong to you.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao was startled and began to take this seriously.
The Ten Sword Schools were renowned for their ten divine swords, said to have been bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undoubtedly the schools’ most treasured artifacts.
Yang Hao had already seized six. His goal was obvious—to collect all ten. The problem was, the remaining four schools guarded their swords fiercely. If a school lacked strong fighters, they hid their sword in an unknown location. Even if Yang Hao wiped out the entire school, he might never find it.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Will the Ten Sword Schools listen to you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled noble—challenging Yang Hao was a guaranteed loss. Why would the schools willingly hand over their swords?
But Zhou Yao’s response was cryptic. “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Sword Schools now?”
Who led them? Of course, it was the elusive enchantress.
Yang Hao understood—this was an intricately laid trap. And he was certain it wouldn’t be simple. The enchantress would have set multiple snares, with the four swords merely as bait.
But Yang Hao was still prepared to take the plunge.
Even if faced with countless adversaries, he would press forward. A few traps meant nothing.
Zhou Yao continued boasting to the ministers, “Only the strongest man in the world is worthy of Kan Ling. I will use this duel to prove to the universe that the Ten Sword Schools are undefeatable—forever!”
By the end, his face was flushed red with exertion, as if he might burst a blood vessel at any moment.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said indifferently, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital was restless with unease. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip. It involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s ice beauty, and a noble from the Ten Sword Schools—scandal, secrets, and intrigue all rolled into one.
But the two central figures—the Alchemy Sect and the Stellar Circus—fell into silence, making no further statements.
Since the day the Merchant Guild razed Stellar City, the circus had ceased public performances. Everyone assumed they feared Yang Hao, but no one knew that Zhou Chuanqian was preparing for something secret.
He was about to die.
A peak Saint Realm expert should have transcended mortality, with centuries of life at their disposal. Yet Zhou Chuanqian, only in his seventies, was about to perform an act that would send him to hell—forever.
The circus’s performance tent, aside from its usual shows, held a hidden purpose—training.
Tonight, all the swordmasters of the Stellar Circus stood guard around the tent. They knew something monumental was about to happen.
Inside, the tent was eerily quiet. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by rows of lit candles. The solid ceiling had transformed into a dazzling star map.
Countless shimmering stars shifted colors above—a map found in no galactic database. These stars didn’t exist in this universe but were derived from ancient astrological calculations.
Each flickering light represented not a planet, but the distribution of cosmic energy—or, as the divine race called it, the remnants of the Creator’s power governing celestial motion.
This was the Stellar Circus’s secret legacy, with the Star Sword as its core. Every member drew power from a unique stellar source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan”—the ancient name for the Shadow of the Sun, a force as elusive as black holes or antimatter.
The backlash, surprisingly, came from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential family, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was friends with the princess—clearly, she was no ordinary person.
Almost every member of Kan Ling’s family was of noble status. Her father held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and several of her brothers were leaders of star systems. It was a family with real power.
Such families had one defining characteristic—they cared deeply about face and could not tolerate criticism.
Thus, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was seen as heretical in the eyes of the Lan family. Yang Hao had dared to reject the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it, even refusing to return home. This was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Lan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish—his daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still insisted on this charade. It was utterly pointless.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in public opinion. This made the upcoming court debate all the more crucial.
The marriage contract was originally an internal matter of the royal family, but Princess Xian Lan insisted on turning it into a public debate. In her words, she wanted the high-ranking officials of the empire to judge the matter.
But what was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared public opinion in her favor and played the role of a wronged woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace sided with her.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the center of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations. It was as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, would bring moral ruin to the Galactic Empire if he did not marry the princess immediately—as if the empire itself would collapse.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally losing his patience. He glared fiercely at the ministers, as if cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
Under his piercing gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. Yang Hao was no longer the powerless prisoner they could bully—he was now the foremost expert of the royalist faction and one of the most powerful figures in the universe. If they truly angered him, they might not even make it home alive.
Seeing that the ministers dared not speak, Xian Lan felt a surge of sorrow and began to weep softly.
At this, the two figures standing on the golden steps grew restless. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. Xian Lan was, after all, his sister. Seeing her in such distress, he felt compelled to say something.
“Lord Yang Hao,” the crown prince said, “though Xian Lan may not be your true love, the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There is no need for you to break off the engagement.”
His words were carefully chosen. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy—most nobles and high-ranking officials had multiple wives, and as long as one could afford it, no one would criticize. Then, he subtly suggested that even if Yang Hao did not love Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or others into his household later without interference.
The crown prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even Emperor Ying Lie nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s refusal was not because he disliked having multiple wives—he simply did not love Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I already discussed breaking off the engagement with His Majesty,” Yang Hao said bluntly. “Once the siege of Qianlong Pavilion was resolved, he agreed to allow it.”
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted in anger, rarely raising his finger to point at Yang Hao’s nose. “Do not go too far! The princess is of the highest status—her willingness to marry you is already an immense blessing. How dare you reject her? Do you not realize that the arranged marriage has already been announced to the entire universe? This is not something you can simply undo!”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became complicated.
Among the three on the golden steps, the crown prince appealed to emotion, Qin Feng resorted to intimidation, and Emperor Ying Lie, though silent, was still the princess’s father—he could not possibly side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds—it seemed Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Whether by reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. Apart from yielding, what other choice did he have?
But they had forgotten one thing—Yang Hao had risen to such heights at a young age because he always had a way out. Sometimes, he had more than one. His defiance now was because he still held a trump card.
And now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty,” Yang Hao said, locking eyes with Emperor Ying Lie, “there is another reason I must break off the engagement. The schemes of Kunlong and Jiaosha are actually—”
“Silence!!”
Three furious voices cut him off—Emperor Ying Lie, the crown prince, and Qin Feng. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes billowed, as if he were about to strike.
Yang Hao did not continue. He had only intended to say that much, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were left confused and Yang Hao remained composed, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, staring at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, Yang Hao’s unspoken words were known to those three.
How did they know?
And why did they stop Yang Hao from revealing it? Xian Lan’s expression remained calm, but her mind was in turmoil, unable to settle.
Yang Hao remained silent, standing relaxed and at ease—because he knew he was about to win again, and this victory would be irreversible.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, Emperor Ying Lie looked around. The ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the crown prince wore dark expressions, and Xian Lan dared not speak further.
The secret Yang Hao held was one the royal family absolutely could not allow to be revealed—it was Emperor Ying Lie’s greatest weakness. Though Yang Hao might pay a price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“Very well, then…” Emperor Ying Lie began, about to agree to the annulment—but then things took another turn.
From outside the palace came a voice that reignited Xian Lan’s fading hope.
“I object!”
With those words, Zhou Yao stumbled into the hall.
The ministers erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew that the Cosmic Circus was the backbone of the Ten Sword Schools and the only remaining powerful sword faction.
Since the rift between the royal family and the Senate, members of the Ten Sword Schools had been barred from the palace.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unhindered with a royal pass—clearly, someone in the royal family had orchestrated this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the eunuch king, only for this brat to show up and oppose him. What right did Zhou Yao have to object?
“Not only do I object, but I challenge you!” Zhou Yao gritted his teeth and threw a longsword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel.”
“Do you have a death wish?” Yang Hao glared coldly. He would not kill in the grand hall.
“I do not seek death—I seek a duel, a man’s challenge!” Zhou Yao declared with determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess.”
“Why should I agree to this?” Yang Hao looked at him with boredom.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling was already a done deal. Why bother with a fight or killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao wouldn’t mind killing Zhou Yao—but the bet itself was pointless.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial skills are unmatched in the world—there is nothing he fears,” Xian Lan interjected. “I believe he is only worried about making a mistake and becoming a laughingstock.”
Yang Hao sighed and glanced at Xian Lan. Truly, heaven’s wrath could be survived, but self-inflicted doom could not. Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was clearly Xian Lan’s doing.
The chief minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. The old man was shrewd—he had remained silent earlier while the others opposed Yang Hao, waiting to see the emperor’s stance. But now it was clear that no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao. Once Yang Hao made his decision, even Emperor Ying Lie had to comply.
The only solution now was to find a way for everyone to save face.
So the chief minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, though Zhou Yao’s actions are rash, they do present a solution.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of solution was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive method in the entire universe.
Yet Xian Lan was precisely that kind of self-destructive person. She said mournfully, “If that is the case, I do not wish to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the engagement will be annulled.”
Yang Hao found it baffling—why did these high-ranking figures always insist on making decisions for others, then act as if they were bestowing a favor, expecting gratitude?
First, it was the arranged marriage. Now, it was this duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even spoken, yet they acted as if everything was settled.
But in truth, it was.
Xian Lan had set this trap knowing Yang Hao would not refuse—and that he had no choice but to accept.
Zhou Yao added, “Besides the engagement, I will wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Schools. If I lose, all four will be yours.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao was startled, suddenly taking the matter seriously.
The Ten Sword Schools were renowned for their ten divine swords, said to have been bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undoubtedly the schools’ most treasured artifacts.
Yang Hao had already seized six. His goal was clear—to collect all ten. The problem was, the remaining four were either heavily guarded or hidden in unknown locations. Even if Yang Hao wiped out the schools, he might not recover them.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Will the Ten Sword Schools obey you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled noble—challenging Yang Hao was a guaranteed loss. Why would the schools willingly hand over their swords?
But Zhou Yao’s reply was cryptic: “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Sword Schools now?”
Who led them? Of course, it was the elusive enchantress.
Yang Hao understood—this was an intricately laid trap. He was certain the enchantress had prepared multiple pitfalls. The four swords were merely bait.
Yet he was prepared to take the plunge.
Even if thousands stood against him, what were a few traps?
Zhou Yao continued grandstanding before the ministers: “Only the strongest man in the world is worthy of Kan Ling! I will use this duel to prove to the universe that the Ten Sword Schools are undefeatable—forever!”
His face turned red with exertion, as if he might burst a blood vessel at any moment.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said indifferently, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital was restless with unease. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip—it involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s ice beauty, and a noble from the Ten Sword Schools. Scandal, secrets, and drama—it had it all.
Yet the two central figures—the Alchemy Sect and the Cosmic Circus—remained eerily silent.
Since the day the Merchant Guild razed Star City, the Cosmic Circus had ceased public performances. Many believed they feared Yang Hao, but none knew that Zhou Chuanqian was engaged in a secret endeavor.
He was about to die.
A master at the peak of the Saint Realm should have transcended life and death, with centuries being but a fleeting moment. Yet Zhou Chuanqian, only in his seventies, was in the prime of his life.
But what he was about to do would send him to hell—with no hope of return.
The Cosmic Circus’s grand tent, besides hosting performances, concealed another purpose—training.
Now, all the swordsmen of the Cosmic Circus stood guard around the tent. They knew that on this seemingly peaceful night, something monumental was about to happen.
Inside, the tent was silent. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by rows of lit candles. The solid ceiling had transformed into a dazzling star map.
Countless stars shimmered and shifted colors above—a map found in no galactic database, for these stars did not exist in this universe. They were derived from ancient astral calculations.
Each star represented not a physical planet, but the distribution of cosmic energy—or, as the divine race called it, the remnants of the Creator’s power that governed celestial motion.
This was the Cosmic Circus’s secret legacy. The Star Sword was the core that activated this map, and each member drew power from their unique stellar source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan”—the ancient name for the Dark Moon, the counterpart to the sun. Rarely seen, it was akin to a cosmic black hole or antimatter.
But Yang Hao was still prepared to jump in.
Even if a thousand men stood against me, I shall go forth alone! A few mere traps were nothing.
Zhou Yao continued boasting to the ministers: “Only the strongest man in the world deserves Kan Ling. I must use this battle to tell the entire universe that the Ten Sword Sects are unbeatable, forever unbeatable!!”
His face turned bright red as he spoke, so much so that people worried he might burst a blood vessel and die the next second.
“Fine then,” Yang Hao said indifferently and walked out of the grand hall without looking back.
Night fell like a curtain.
The imperial capital was immersed in an uneasy commotion. When the news of Zhou Yao challenging Yang Hao was made public, the entire Milky Way galaxy was stirred.
There couldn’t be a better piece of gossip. It involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, an ice beauty of the capital, and the influential figures of the Ten Sword Sects. The so-called rumors, secrets, and scandals were all covered.
But the two core parties involved in the matter, the Dan Ding Sect and the Starlight Circus, fell into silence afterward, showing no further reaction.
Since the day the Merchant Guild sent people to flatten the entire Star City, the Starlight Circus had stopped all public performances. Everyone said the circus was afraid of Yang Hao, but no one knew that Zhou Chuanqian was about to undertake a secret task.
He was about to die.
The backlash came unexpectedly from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential household, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was friends with the princess—clearly, her family was no ordinary one.
Almost every member of the Kan family was nobility. Her father held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and several of her brothers were leaders of star systems, making them a family of real power.
Such families had one defining characteristic—they valued face above all else and couldn’t stand criticism.
Thus, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was seen as heretical in the eyes of the Kan family. Yang Hao had dared to reject the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it so deeply that she no longer returned home—this was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Kan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish—his own daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still insisted on this charade. It was utterly pointless.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in public opinion, making this court deliberation all the more crucial.
The marriage contract was originally an internal matter of the royal family, but Princess Xian Lan insisted on holding this deliberation, claiming she wanted the empire’s high officials to judge the matter.
What was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared public opinion in her favor, playing the role of a wronged woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace sided with her.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the center of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations. It was as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, would bring moral ruin to the Galactic Empire if he didn’t marry the princess immediately—as if the empire itself would collapse.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally losing his patience. He glared fiercely at the ministers, as if cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
Under his piercing gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. The current Yang Hao was no longer the powerless prisoner who could be bullied at will—he was now the foremost expert of the royalist faction and one of the most powerful figures in the universe. If they truly angered him, they might not even make it home alive.
Seeing the ministers cower, Xian Lan couldn’t help but feel sorrow welling up inside her, and she began to sob.
At this, the two figures standing on the golden steps grew restless. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. After all, Xian Lan was his sister—how could he stand by and say nothing while she grieved?
“Lord Yang Hao,” the crown prince spoke with measured words, “Xian Lan may not be your true love, but the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There’s no need for you to break off the engagement.”
His words were carefully crafted. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy—most nobles and high-ranking officials had multiple wives, as long as they could support them. Then, he subtly hinted that even if Yang Hao didn’t love Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or others into the household later without interference.
The crown prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even the Emperor nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s refusal wasn’t about having too many wives—he simply didn’t like Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I already discussed breaking off the engagement with His Majesty,” Yang Hao said bluntly. “Once the siege of the Hidden Dragon Pavilion was lifted, he agreed to let me withdraw.”
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted in anger, his finger jabbing at Yang Hao’s nose—a rare display of fury. “Don’t push your luck! The princess is of the highest status—her willingness to marry you is an immense honor. How dare you reject her? Do you not realize that the arranged marriage has already been announced to the entire universe? This isn’t something you can just cancel at will!”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became complicated.
The three figures on the golden steps—the crown prince appealing to reason, Qin Feng resorting to intimidation, and the Emperor, who remained silent but was still the princess’s father—could hardly side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds—Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement was doomed. Whether by reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. What else could he do but submit?
But they had forgotten one thing—Yang Hao hadn’t risen to such heights at such a young age without having a few tricks up his sleeve. Sometimes, those tricks weren’t just minor tactics. His defiance stemmed from the fact that he still held a trump card.
Now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty,” Yang Hao said, locking eyes with the Emperor, “there’s another reason I must break off the engagement. The schemes of the Dragon Trap and the Executioner’s Blade were actually—”
“Silence!!”
Three furious voices roared, cutting Yang Hao off.
They belonged to the Emperor, the crown prince, and Qin Feng—all standing on the golden steps. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes fluttered wildly, as if he were about to strike.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to go that far, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were left bewildered and Yang Hao remained composed, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, staring at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, Yang Hao’s unfinished words were something they all knew.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xian Lan’s expression remained calm, but inside, her thoughts were in turmoil.
Yang Hao stayed silent, standing relaxed and at ease—because he knew he was about to win again, and this victory would be irreversible.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, the Emperor glanced around. The ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the crown prince wore grim expressions, and Xian Lan dared not speak.
The secret Yang Hao held was something the royal family absolutely could not let spread—it was the Emperor’s greatest vulnerability. Even if Yang Hao would pay a price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“Very well, then—” the Emperor began, about to agree to the annulment, when another voice rang out from outside the hall, reigniting Xian Lan’s hope.
“I object!”
Zhou Yao stumbled into the hall, causing an uproar among the ministers. Everyone knew that the Cosmic Circus was the backbone of the Ten Sword Schools and the only remaining powerful sword faction.
Since the royal family’s split with the Senate, members of the Ten Sword Schools had been barred from the court.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unhindered with a royal pass—clearly, someone in the royal family had orchestrated this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the King of Eunuchs, only for this brat to show up and oppose him. What right did Zhou Yao have?
“I don’t just object—I challenge you!” Zhou Yao gritted his teeth, throwing a longsword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel.”
“You want to die?” Yang Hao glared coldly. He wouldn’t kill in the grand hall, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.
“I’m not here to die—I’m here to fight like a man!” Zhou Yao declared with determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess.”
“Why should I take that bet?” Yang Hao looked at him with boredom.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling was already a done deal. Why bother with a fight and killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao wouldn’t mind killing Zhou Yao—but the bet itself was pointless.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial skills are unmatched in the world—there’s nothing he wouldn’t dare,” Xian Lan interjected. “I think he’s just worried about making a mistake and becoming a laughingstock.”
Yang Hao sighed, glancing at Xian Lan. Heaven’s wrath could be survived, but self-inflicted doom could not. Zhou Yao’s challenge was clearly Xian Lan’s doing.
The chief minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. The old man was shrewd—he had remained silent earlier while the others opposed Yang Hao, waiting to see the Emperor’s stance. Now, it was clear that no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao. Once Yang Hao made up his mind, even the Emperor had to concede.
The only solution now was to find a way for everyone to save face.
So the chief minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, though Zhou Yao’s actions are reckless, they do present a solution.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of solution was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive method in the entire universe.
Yet Xian Lan was precisely that kind of self-destructive person. She said tearfully, “If that’s the case, I don’t want to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the engagement will be annulled.”
Yang Hao found it baffling—why did these high-and-mighty figures always insist on making decisions for others, then act as if they were bestowing a favor that demanded gratitude?
First, it was the arranged marriage. Now, it was this duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even agreed, yet they were already acting as if everything was settled.
But in truth, the outcome was already decided.
Xian Lan had set this trap precisely because she knew Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse—and because there was a reason he couldn’t.
Zhou Yao added, “Besides the marriage, I’ll also wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Schools. If I lose, all four will be yours.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao’s expression sharpened.
The Ten Sword Schools were renowned for their ten divine blades, said to have been bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undoubtedly the schools’ most treasured relics.
Yang Hao had already seized six. His goal was obvious—to collect all ten. The problem was, the remaining four were either heavily guarded or hidden away. Even if he wiped out the schools, he might never find them.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Would the Ten Sword Schools listen to you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled noble—challenging Yang Hao was a guaranteed loss. Why would the schools hand over their treasures?
But Zhou Yao’s response was cryptic. “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Sword Schools now?”
Who led them? Of course—the elusive enchantress.
Yang Hao understood. This was an intricately laid trap, and he was certain it wouldn’t be simple. The enchantress had surely set multiple snares—the four swords were just bait.
But Yang Hao was ready to take the plunge.
Even if faced with thousands, he would march forward. A few traps meant nothing.
Zhou Yao continued grandstanding before the ministers. “Only the strongest man in the universe is worthy of Kan Ling! I will prove with this battle that the Ten Sword Schools are undefeatable—forever!”
His face turned red with fervor, as if he might burst a blood vessel any second.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said indifferently, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital was abuzz with unrest. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip—it involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s ice beauty, and a noble from the Ten Sword Schools. Scandal, secrets, and intrigue—it had it all.
But the two central figures—the Alchemy Sect and the Cosmic Circus—remained eerily silent.
Since the day the Merchant Guild razed Star City, the Cosmic Circus had ceased public performances. Rumors spread that they feared Yang Hao, but no one knew that Zhou Chuanqian was preparing for something far more sinister.
He was about to die.
As a peak-level master of the Saint Realm, he should have transcended mortality. Yet at just over seventy—still in his prime—he was willingly walking into hell, with no hope of return.
The Cosmic Circus’s performance tent held a secret beyond its shows—it was also a training ground.
Tonight, all the sword masters of the circus stood guard around the tent. They knew something monumental was about to happen.
Inside, the tent was silent. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by flickering candles. The solid ceiling had transformed into a shimmering star map—one that no supercomputer in the universe could replicate.
These stars weren’t real celestial bodies but representations of cosmic energy distribution—or, as the divine race called it, the remnants of the Creator’s power.
This was the Cosmic Circus’s secret legacy. The Star Sword was the core that activated this map, and each member drew power from their unique stellar source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan”—the ancient name for the Black Hole, the counterpart to the sun. Rarely seen, it was akin to the universe’s anti-matter.
However, what Zhou Chuanqian was about to do would send him to hell, never to be reborn.
The Starlight Circus’s performance tent, besides daily performances, had an unknown secret: it was a place for cultivation.
At this moment, all the swordsmen of the Starlight Circus were stationed around the tent on alert. They all knew that during this seemingly tranquil night, a significant event was about to unfold.
The entire tent was silent. The audience seats had been removed and replaced with rows of lit candles. The original solid roof had transformed into a magnificent starry sky chart.
Thousands of shimmering stars changed colors on the roof. This star chart couldn’t be found in any artificial intelligence database in the universe because the stars depicted weren’t real stars in this universe. Instead, they originated from ancient star calculation techniques.
The stars depicted weren’t specific celestial bodies but represented the distribution of stellar forces in the universe. Or, in the words of the deities, they were the distribution of the Creator’s residual power in the universe. The movement of stars relied on such forces.
The secret of the Starlight Circus’s inheritance lay precisely here, and the Stellar Sword was the core activation key of this star chart. Each member of the Starlight Circus had their unique stellar source.
The backlash came unexpectedly from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a wealthy and influential household, Kan Ling had received education from both the Senate and the Feng Feng faction since childhood and was even friends with the princess—clearly, her family was no ordinary one.
Almost every member of the Kan family was nobility, with her father holding a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and several brothers serving as leaders of star systems. They were a family of real power.
Such families had one defining characteristic—they valued face above all else and could not tolerate criticism.
Thus, in the eyes of the Kan family, Kan Ling’s relationship with Yang Hao was nothing short of heresy. Yang Hao had dared to reject the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had thrown herself into it so deeply that she no longer even returned home. This was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, the Kan family returned them all. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that they would never accept Yang Hao marrying their daughter.
The old man was being foolish—his own daughter was already living in Yang Hao’s home, yet he still insisted on this charade. It was utterly pointless.
Regardless, Yang Hao’s decision to annul the engagement had already put him at a disadvantage in the court of public opinion, making this hearing all the more crucial.
The marriage arrangement was originally an imperial family matter, but Princess Xian Lan insisted on turning it into a public hearing, claiming she wanted the empire’s high officials to judge the matter fairly.
But what fairness was there to judge? Xian Lan had already prepared the public narrative, playing the role of a wronged woman. Naturally, the ministers in the palace sided with her.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the center of the grand hall, all he heard were the ministers’ furious condemnations, as if he were some heartless villain who, if he didn’t marry the princess immediately, would bring moral ruin to the Galactic Empire and the downfall of the nation itself.
Yang Hao endured it for a long time before finally snapping. He glared fiercely at the ministers, silently cursing their ancestors for generations.
Under his piercing gaze, the ministers wisely fell silent. The Yang Hao of today was no longer the helpless prisoner who could be bullied at will—he was now the foremost champion of the royalist faction, the most powerful man in the universe. If they truly angered him, there was no guarantee they would make it home alive.
Seeing the ministers cower, Xian Lan couldn’t help but burst into tears, her sorrow overwhelming.
This made the two figures standing on the golden steps uneasy. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao multiple times. Xian Lan was, after all, his sister, and seeing her so heartbroken, he couldn’t just stand by.
“Lord Yang Hao,” the crown prince spoke with measured diplomacy, “though Xian Lan may not be your true love, the empire no longer enforces monogamy. There’s really no need for you to annul the engagement.”
His words were carefully chosen—first reminding Yang Hao that the empire had no laws enforcing monogamy, with most nobles and officials keeping multiple wives as long as they could afford them. Then, he subtly suggested that even if Yang Hao didn’t love Xian Lan, he could marry her first and bring Kan Ling or others into the household later without interference.
The crown prince’s intentions were well-meaning, and even the Emperor nodded slightly in approval.
Unfortunately, none of them understood—Yang Hao wasn’t rejecting the marriage because he disliked having multiple wives. He simply didn’t like Xian Lan and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I already discussed the annulment with His Majesty,” Yang Hao said bluntly, refusing to back down. “Once the siege of Qianlong Pavilion was lifted, he agreed to let me withdraw.”
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng erupted, his finger jabbing at Yang Hao’s nose—a rare display of anger. “Don’t push your luck! The princess is of the highest status—her willingness to marry you is an immense honor! How dare you reject her? Do you not realize the engagement has already been announced to the entire universe? This isn’t something you can just walk away from!”
With Qin Feng’s stance, the situation became even more complicated.
Among the three on the golden steps—the crown prince appealing to reason, Qin Feng resorting to intimidation, and the Emperor remaining silent—none were likely to side with Yang Hao.
The ministers in the hall had already made up their minds—Yang Hao’s attempt to annul the engagement had failed. Whether by reason or force, he was at a disadvantage. Short of surrendering, what other choice did he have?
But they had forgotten one thing—Yang Hao hadn’t risen to such heights at such a young age without a few tricks up his sleeve. Sometimes, those tricks weren’t just minor tactics. His defiance stemmed from one final trump card.
Now was the time to play it.
“Your Majesty,” Yang Hao locked eyes with the Emperor, “there’s another reason I must annul this marriage. The schemes of Kunlong and Jiaosha are actually—”
“Silence!!”
Three furious voices cut him off—the Emperor, the crown prince, and Qin Feng. Qin Feng was so enraged that his robes flared as if he were about to strike.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to go that far, waiting to be interrupted.
While the ministers were left bewildered, Princess Xian Lan shuddered, staring at the three on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, they knew what Yang Hao was about to say.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let him expose it? Xian Lan’s expression remained calm, but inside, her thoughts were in turmoil.
Yang Hao remained silent, standing relaxed and composed. He knew he was about to win this battle—easily and irreversibly.
Just as he expected, after a moment of contemplation, the Emperor glanced around. The ministers had nothing to say, Qin Feng and the crown prince wore grim expressions, and Xian Lan dared not speak further.
The secret Yang Hao held was one the imperial family absolutely could not allow to be revealed—it was the Emperor’s Achilles’ heel. Though Yang Hao might pay a price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“Very well, then—” the Emperor began, about to grant the annulment, when the situation took another turn.
A voice from outside the hall reignited Xian Lan’s hope.
“I object!” Zhou Yao burst in, stumbling slightly.
The ministers erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew the Cosmic Circus was the backbone of the Ten Sword Schools, the only remaining powerful faction since the imperial family’s split with the Senate.
Yet Zhou Yao had entered unimpeded with an imperial pass—clearly, someone in the palace had arranged this.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious. He had already dealt with the eunuch king, only for this brat to show up. What right did Zhou Yao have to oppose him?
“Not only do I object, but I challenge you!” Zhou Yao gritted his teeth, throwing a sword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I demand a duel!”
“Are you looking to die?” Yang Hao’s gaze was icy. He wouldn’t kill in the grand hall.
“I’m not here to die—I’m here to fight like a man!” Zhou Yao declared with bravado. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess!”
“Why should I take that bet?” Yang Hao looked at him with boredom.
His separation from the princess and union with Kan Ling were already facts. Why bother with a pointless fight? Not that Yang Hao minded killing Zhou Yao—it was just a ridiculous wager.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao taunted.
“Lord Yang Hao’s martial prowess is unmatched in the world. What could he possibly fear?” Xian Lan chimed in. “Perhaps he’s worried about losing face if he falters.”
Yang Hao sighed, glancing at Xian Lan. Heaven’s wrath could be survived, but self-inflicted doom could not. Zhou Yao’s challenge was clearly her doing.
The chief minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. The old schemer had remained silent earlier, waiting to gauge the Emperor’s stance. Now, it was clear—no one in the empire held more power than Yang Hao. If he stood firm, even the Emperor would have to concede.
The only way out was to find a graceful exit.
Thus, the chief minister stepped forward. “Your Majesty, though Zhou Yao’s actions are rash, his proposal isn’t without merit.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes. What kind of solution was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, with the loser marrying the princess?
There was no more self-destructive idea in the entire universe.
Yet Xian Lan, ever the masochist, added tearfully, “If that’s the case, I don’t wish to trouble my father further. If Lord Yang Hao wins, the marriage will be annulled.”
Yang Hao was baffled—why did these high-ranking figures always insist on making decisions for others, then act as if they were bestowing a favor, expecting gratitude?
First the forced engagement, now this duel—Yang Hao hadn’t even spoken, yet they acted as if everything was settled.
But in truth, it was.
Xian Lan had set this trap knowing Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse—and that he couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Yao added, “Beyond the marriage, I’ll wager the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Schools. If I lose, they’re yours.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao’s eyes sharpened.
The Ten Sword Schools were renowned for their ten divine blades, said to be bestowed by the Supreme Being. Though their true purpose was unknown, they were undeniably the schools’ most treasured relics.
Yang Hao had already seized six. His goal was obvious—to claim all ten. The problem was, the remaining four were either heavily guarded or hidden beyond reach. Even if he wiped out their factions, retrieving them would be near impossible.
But now, here was an opportunity.
“Would the Ten Sword Schools obey you?” Yang Hao was skeptical. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled noble—challenging Yang Hao was a guaranteed loss. Why would the schools hand over their treasures?
But Zhou Yao’s reply was cryptic: “Have you forgotten who leads the Ten Sword Schools now?”
Who led them? The elusive enchantress, of course.
Yang Hao understood—this was an intricately laid trap. He was certain it wouldn’t be simple. The enchantress had set multiple snares, and the four swords were merely bait.
Yet he was prepared to walk into it.
Even if faced with countless adversaries, he would press forward. A few traps meant nothing.
Zhou Yao continued grandstanding before the ministers: “Only the strongest man in the universe is worthy of Kan Ling! I will prove with this battle that the Ten Sword Schools are undefeated—forever undefeated!!”
His face turned crimson with exertion, as if he might burst a blood vessel any second.
“Fine,” Yang Hao said flatly, then turned and walked out of the grand hall without another word.
Night fell like a curtain.
The capital simmered with unrest. News of Zhou Yao’s challenge to Yang Hao had sent shockwaves across the galaxy.
There was no juicier gossip—involving the imperial family, a princess, a lord, the capital’s ice beauty, and a noble from the Ten Sword Schools. Scandal, secrets, and intrigue—it had it all.
Yet the two central figures—the Alchemy Sect and the Cosmic Circus—fell into silence, offering no further response.
Since the day the Merchant Guild razed Star City, the Cosmic Circus had ceased public performances. Many believed they feared Yang Hao, unaware that Zhou Chuanqian was engaged in a secret endeavor.
He was about to die.
As a peak Saint Realm expert, he should have transcended mortality, with centuries of life ahead. Yet at just over seventy, in his prime, Zhou Chuanqian was preparing to send himself to hell—eternally.
The Cosmic Circus’s performance tent, beyond its shows, concealed another purpose—training.
Tonight, all the Circus’s swordsmen stood guard around the tent, aware that a monumental event was about to unfold.
Inside, the tent was eerily silent. The audience seats had been removed, replaced by flickering candles. The ceiling, once solid, now displayed a shifting tapestry of stars—a celestial map unlike any in the universe’s databases.
These stars weren’t real—they represented the distribution of cosmic power, remnants of the Creator’s energy.
This was the Circus’s secret legacy. The Star Sword was the key to activating this map, and each member drew power from their unique stellar source.
Zhou Chuanqian’s power came from “Gu Xuan”—the Dark Star, counterpart to the sun, akin to a cosmic black hole or antimatter. Rarely seen, it was a force of profound mystery.
During his long journey, Zhou Chuanqian had an unexpected encounter with the Valley Dark Star (Gu Xuan), which enabled him to ascend rapidly to the peak of the Saint Domain.
Zhou Yao, who is about to duel with Yang Hao, draws his power from the Purple Star, known in ancient times as the Emperor Star. Only those destined to be emperor could possess such power. This is why the Zhou family has invested so heavily in Zhou Yao’s cultivation, hoping that one day he would ascend the imperial throne and bring glory to their family name.
Standing amidst the candlelight, Zhou Chuanqian gazed upward in gloom at the stars. His own Valley Dark Star naturally shone brilliantly, continuously transmitting power toward him. Yet within the Purple Forbidden Palace, the Purple Star appeared unusually dim, as a different star brimming with killing intent threatened to break through the palace’s boundaries.
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