The moment Wen Qingye took out the Copper Mirror, Primordial Qi began to pour from his hands and into it endlessly.

Wen Qingye had already used the Exotic Treasure’s power once in the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. Most people hadn’t experienced it directly, but they had either seen it through the Water Curtain or felt its effects firsthand. They all knew just how formidable it was.

Everyone guessed that the Exotic Treasure in Wen Qingye’s hands was at least Mid-Level King Grade.

The light from the Copper Mirror in Wen Qingye’s hand grew increasingly brilliant, its extreme radiance stinging everyone’s eyes.

When Tong He saw Wen Qingye produce the Exotic Treasure, he immediately thrust out his arms. The surrounding golden light swirled madly around him, forming what looked like a Golden Light Shield.

WHOOSH!

The light from the Copper Mirror instantly condensed into a beam and shot toward Tong He.

HISS!

The concentrated beam of Primordial Qi from the Copper Mirror ruthlessly struck Tong He’s Golden Light Shield, emitting a peculiar sound.

Tong He’s face fell. He knew if he couldn’t withstand it, he would be slain by the mirror’s concentrated light. Clenching his jaw, he struggled to hold on.

BOOM!

An unknown amount of time passed before the deadlock broke. Wen Qingye was pushed back a step, his face growing pale, while Tong He staggered back three steps and spat out a mouthful of blood.

CRACK!

Cracks began to spread across the Copper Mirror, which looked as if it might shatter at any moment.

Wen Qingye quickly put the Copper Mirror away, his eyes turning cold. He wouldn’t miss such a perfect opportunity. The last of his Primordial Qi surged like a mighty river into the body of his sword.

Wen Qingye lunged, his sword a blur. It moved as fast as the wind, a piercing glint of cold light that shot toward Tong He.

Tong He still hadn’t recovered. Seeing Wen Qingye’s Sword Qi, he was horrified. He stumbled backward, subconsciously striking out with his palm toward his opponent.

PFFT!

Wen Qingye’s One Thought Sword pierced straight through the Powerful Qi emanating from Tong He’s palm, ran through his entire arm, and continued its forward momentum.

"AAAAH!"

With the One Thought Sword running through his arm, Tong He couldn’t help but let out a bloodcurdling scream. The sound set everyone’s teeth on edge and sent a chill down their spines.

’How could it not be agonizing to have a sword run straight through your arm?’

Wen Qingye sent a tremor through his sword. A powerful and righteous aura flowed from his body into the One Thought Sword.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

With a final, massive BANG, Tong He’s body exploded into a shower of blood and gore.

Sword in hand, Wen Qingye sank to one knee, breathing heavily.

Wen Qingye had slain an expert at the Half-Step Yin-Yang Realm!

The crowd’s minds went blank; they couldn’t process what had just happened. This was an expert at the Half-Step Yin-Yang Realm, a being whose level they could normally only dream of witnessing! And now, not even his corpse remained.

"You think you can run?!"

Just then, Huang Yi and Liu Ying saw the men from the Divine Wind Country trying to flee and attacked in unison. The cultivation of these experts wasn’t high. How could they possibly be a match for two powerhouses at the Refining Spirit Ninth Layer Heaven? Within seconds, all the experts from the Divine Wind Country were dead.

"Ling Wei! Spare me, please, spare my life!" The Third Prince saw all was lost. He dropped to his knees before Ling Wei and began to wail.

Ling Wei’s expression was blank as she looked down at the sniveling, tear-streaked Third Prince. "If you had only been vying for the throne, I might have spared you," she said. "But you never should have colluded with the Divine Wind Country."

"I..."

Before the Third Prince could continue begging, Ling Wei flicked her wrist. A short sword appeared in her hand, and in one swift motion, she thrust it through his throat.

The look of terror was still frozen on the Third Prince’s face as his body collapsed to the ground.

Ling Wei hurried to Wen Qingye’s side. "Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Wen Qingye shook his head. He slowly got to his feet and smiled. "Just a little exhausted."

As Wen Qingye rose, he was suddenly overcome by a wave of dizziness and staggered.

Ling Wei saw this and rushed forward to steady him.

.....

The stars were sparse in the clear, ink-black sky. Moonlight cascaded down, washing over the Cyan Stone in a soft, heart-stirring glow.

「Qianyuan Palace.」

Wen Qingye stood upon the vast, spacious palace terrace, his eyes calm and clear as he gazed at the full moon overhead.

"Your injuries are much better now, aren’t they?" Ling Wei asked softly as she approached, a brocade robe in her hands.

"Almost completely," Wen Qingye said with a faint smile, taking the robe from Ling Wei as she moved to place it over his shoulders.

Ling Wei stood beside him, her gaze also turning toward the moon.

She heaved a deep sigh. "It’s been so many years since I’ve felt this at peace."

"Are you tired?" Wen Qingye asked softly.

At his words, Ling Wei couldn’t help but flinch. Her pupils contracted unnaturally. After a long moment, she forced a laugh. "I’m just pursuing what I desire. Why would I be tired?"

Wen Qingye nodded, saying nothing. ’Others only see her as resolute and decisive, as if she has everything under control. They don’t know that she’s just struggling like anyone else.’

’Some people passively accept their fate, content with what comes their way. Others, like Ling Wei, rise up and fight back. In that respect, he and she were the same.’

Suddenly, Ling Wei looked at him earnestly. "If I could, I would give this throne to you. Would you stay?"

Even Ling Wei herself was surprised that her voice lacked its usual calm confidence. Instead, it was laced with nervousness, and her eyelashes trembled.

Wen Qingye was taken aback for a moment. Then, collecting his thoughts, he pointed to the heavens. "Look at this starry sky. Every star shines with its own radiance—bright, soul-stirring. And beyond this vast sea of stars, at an edge you cannot see, there are countless more. They travel toward us along their own immense trajectories. The fleeting light they give off when they blaze into view is beautiful, brilliant... a shooting star is hard to forget. But only the stars that fill your eyes right now are truly real. *She* is the light that will illuminate your entire life."

After hearing his words, Ling Wei nodded firmly, a peculiar emotion flickering in her eyes.

’Wen Qingye blinked. For some reason, he had a feeling that Ling Wei hadn’t truly understood his meaning.’

Ling Wei flashed a smile reminiscent of a young girl. She tilted her head, gazing up at the vast, dark heavens. "The moon is beautiful tonight..."

....

「Three days later.」

The Celestial Martial Country announced that the Emperor had passed away. A new sovereign ascended the throne immediately—the new Empress was none other than Ling Wei.

「At the enthronement ceremony.」

Ling Wei was dressed in a Dragon Robe of Purple Jade Silk, a phoenix coronet on her head, and a jade satin sash at her waist. Her brow was furrowed, and she projected an aura of profound authority.

Ling Xiao, Huang Yi, Liu Ying, and hundreds of civil and military officials stood behind her. Their expressions were grave as they awaited her command.

Ling Wei’s bright eyes swept over the tens of millions of armored soldiers below. "Warriors!" she declared. "In ten days, we march to war! We will conquer the Divine Wind Country! We swear we will not return until the Divine Wind Country is annihilated!"

"We swear not to return!"

"We swear not to return!"

The voices rolled out like a tidal wave, and the crowd surged with fiery emotion and excitement.