A Road Never Before Imagined!

Ding, ding-ling-ling—

Fengge leaped up. The Fierce Beast's splattered hot blood, its body collapsing into black mist in an instant, and the golden crown condensing from that black mist—

The crown fell from midair, struck the Ice Shards several times, and kept dropping downward.

In that instant.

Wu Wang skimmed low and charged forward, but Fengge, who was closest to the crown, had already brought her spear down savagely!

The Imperial Preceptor could not help collapsing beside the hall doors, despair written across his eyes as he muttered, "It's over. It's all over..."

The spear tip touched the space directly above the crown first, but the golden light the crown suddenly erupted with was so blinding that it flung Fengge far away and shoved Wu Wang straight back.

The next moment, the crown seemed to come alive and shot toward the hall entrance.

Wu Wang lowered his head and spat out blood, roaring, "Stop it!"

Ling Xiaolan's sword light had already flown out, while Ji Mo swept his immortal hammer sideways!

Yet the crown suddenly accelerated, turning directly into a streak of light and vanishing through the hall doors.

Wu Wang followed close behind. Ling Xiaolan and Ji Mo were about to follow when Wu Wang turned and shouted:

"Fairy, protect the ruler!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ling Xiaolan sped up even further in her Skyward Flight.

Yet confusion flickered in Ji Mo's eyes, and he stood there somewhat stunned.

Had he... chosen wrong?

Was it right to sacrifice those young girls to maintain that false prosperity? Or perhaps, perhaps these matters could not be judged as right or wrong? Perhaps it depended on which side suffered fewer losses?

Ji Mo subconsciously followed Wu Wang forward, while that group of military generals immediately raced after them.

But Fengge had vanished to who knew where. It seemed she had fled through another hall entrance.

Ji Mo's Nascent Soul was somewhat muddled. He only knew to follow the figure ahead, guided by starlight all the way as he rushed into a golden hall on the western side of the royal palace.

Spirit Nurturing Hall, Spirit Nurturing Pool.

The crown left behind after the Fierce Beast collapsed had flown here. It hovered above the Spirit Nurturing Pool, scattering wisps of hazy divine radiance.

A disk surfaced in the Spirit Nurturing Pool, displaying the mountains and rivers, cities and villages throughout the entire Women's Country.

And beyond the glittering river protecting the nation at the disk's edge, fist-sized stone statues had nearly completely broken free of their stone chips.

Great Wilderness Fierce Beasts!

One hundred and eight Great Wilderness Fierce Beasts!

Whirling Turtles, White Boars, Black Dappled Beasts, Biyis, Ferocious Jackals...

Their eyes were already filled with red light!

Columns of smoke rose one after another along the borders of the Women's Country. The moment that membrane-like barrier vanished, these Fierce Beasts each erupted with vast, boundless auras.

Every time the crown turned once, a little more of the stone shells covering those Fierce Beasts fell away, and they drew a little closer to the borders of the Women's Country!

Images appeared on the surface of the Spirit Pool. They showed every border region: Fierce Beast auras soaring into the heavens, military camps falling into chaos after losing the barrier's protection, desperately trying to erect frail defensive formations.

Watching scene after scene, Ji Mo sat down weakly, his Dao heart on the verge of collapse...

"Brother Xiong, did I choose wrong?"

"Choose what?"

Wu Wang turned and glanced at him.

It was nothing serious—just another idealist whose ideals had shattered, leaving him battered. Wu Wang had seen it plenty of times before.

Ji Mo thought he could withstand such pressure, but in truth, he had merely been swept up in a rush of hot blood at the time.

Because of the earlier clash of auras, Wu Wang's face was somewhat pale. He sat cross-legged beside the Spirit Nurturing Pool, forming seals with both hands in succession as he tried to approach the crown with Spiritual Sense, only to be instantly knocked away.

But Wu Wang keenly caught that the crown's rotation had been hindered for an instant.

There was hope!

"Brother Ji, strike now! Those Fierce Beasts were awakened—obviously, it has something to do with this crown!"

"Brother Xiong..."

"What are you dawdling for!"

Wu Wang gritted his teeth and said, "It's all within my plan! Stop this crown from turning right now. Just buy us a little more time, and there won't be unnecessary casualties."

Ji Mo immediately perked up. "Really?"

Of course it was fake. Wu Wang had been pushing through every possible scenario for ages.

Though he had realized that the queen was connected to the Fierce Beasts, he had thought the Fierce Beasts had survived from ancient times.

In reality, the entire Women's Country was supported by two great treasures: the Spirit Nurturing Pool and the Goddess Crown.

The formation core of the Women's Country's grand array was not the Fierce Beasts, but this crown within their bodies.

Just then!

A heaven-shaking explosion came from the queen's bedchamber. A figure wrapped in strange flames shot into the night sky, carrying another figure in her arms.

"Brother Xiong!" Ji Mo immediately called out a warning.

Wu Wang said steadily, "Stop that crown from turning. I'll go save the queen."

Ji Mo hurriedly asked, "Th-this is part of the plan too?"

"Yes!"

Wu Wang rose to his full height. The number of times he had summoned Star Wings today had already far exceeded usual.

He looked at Ji Mo, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself. After taking two steps, he turned back and said, "You'll definitely think of a way, but I'm not telling you to risk your life. Think carefully—what methods can still be used now!"

With that, Wu Wang's Star Wings trembled, and he turned into a streak of light that shot straight ahead.

Ji Mo sat cross-legged beside the pool. He froze for a moment, then immediately tried to stop the crown's rotation. Yet his Spiritual Consciousness was likewise shut out, and the backlash made his Primordial Spirit tremble ceaselessly.

What other way was there? What other method...

"Master!"

Ji Mo clenched his fists, his lips trembling slightly and his eyes reddening. Yet he stood up and directly dropped to his knees.

"I give up—I give up the Human Emperor trial! Master, help me, please help me!

This disciple truly cannot bear to see the living beings here reduced to ruins! This calamity was caused by this disciple. This disciple is willing to bear Four Seas Pavilion's Blame alone!"

A faint sigh came from the side:

"Have you thought this through? Your trial carries the hopes of the entire Ji Family, and it is a hard-won opportunity. If you successfully pass a few more stages, you will gain the support of both Four Seas Pavilion and the frontier garrison army..."

"This disciple... this disciple has decided."

Ji Mo silently lowered his head and prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead pressed against the icy floor. Yet the tremble had left his voice.

"This disciple gives up the Human Emperor trial!"

"So be it."

The middle-aged scholar slowly sighed. He had already walked to Ji Mo's side and raised his hand to press down on the crown. Immortal light seeped from his palm lines, forming chains of dazzling colors that slowly dragged the crown back.

The crown shuddered lightly. The middle-aged scholar's eyes widened, and he lowered his head to spit out blood. Yet he pursed his lips, gritted his teeth, and grabbed the chains condensed from immortal power with his backhand, holding them fast.

The process of those Fierce Beasts shattering their stone shells was halted in an instant!

Beads of sweat as large as beans formed on the scholar's forehead, but he stood as steady as Mount Tai. Then he suddenly began cursing loudly:

"This damned trial has long been an eyesore to your master! It's better not to participate!

Just cultivate with peace of mind!

Your master will leave Four Seas Pavilion later and become a general at the border. Wouldn't that be better than suffering this birdshit aggravation!"

"Master?"

"Go help Xiong Ba! That Fengge has gone mad. She is burning her very soul just to take away the ruler of the Women's Country. Xiong Ba is likely no match for her."

Ji Mo immediately agreed. Rising to his feet, he gripped two Immortal Treasures and flew through the air toward the place where starlight and lightning clashed violently.

"Hurry!"

The middle-aged scholar's voice had begun to tremble. "Your master can't hold on much longer!"

"This disciple obeys!"

Ji Mo roared, his figure already shooting into the sky.

He looked at Fengge, who held the unconscious queen in one arm and wielded her spear with the other, constantly repelling Wu Wang and Ling Xiaolan's attacks. He could not help growling:

"Fengge! What exactly are you trying to do!"

Fengge said nothing. Her eyes were nearly blood-red as she held the queen tightly, her figure continuously closing in on the Royal Palace Grand Array.

She was almost successful.

Once she broke out of the grand array, trusted aides would meet her outside, and she could take her away from this cage!

Just then, Wu Wang suddenly withdrew. Ling Xiaolan, at his side, was already coordinating with him quite smoothly, launching a rapid barrage with her sword.

Ji Mo joined the battle from afar, but he could not bring his immortal hammer down, afraid of hurting the queen.

Many figures surrounded them from a distance. They too could not approach, nor did they know exactly what had happened.

Fengge's eyes suddenly grew somewhat unfocused. The burning of her soul seemed to have reached its limit.

Fengge... Fengge...

Your Majesty.

I'm so scared, the young girl had curled up in the corner of her bed, crying until her eyes were red in the depths of night. I'm so scared of becoming a monster, I'm so scared... Save me, Fengge... Save me...

All right. I will save you.

I definitely would!

The flames on Fengge's forehead blazed even fiercer!

"Why must you insist on stopping me! Shut down the grand array!"

Fengge stomped a stone slab to pieces. Ignoring the Sword Qi Ling Xiaolan unleashed, she leaped straight toward the palace gate, and the Royal Palace Grand Array instantly dissipated.

But Wu Wang flashed in from the side and blocked her path. He spread his right hand, a trace of reluctance passing through his eyes, yet he still pushed his palm forward.

Silver pillars of light suddenly burst forth from every corner of the royal palace. The Crystal Balls Wu Wang had hidden throughout the palace began rapidly releasing the Star Power within them.

A curtain of light unfolded in Wu Wang's palm, sealing heaven and earth in an instant and completely enveloping the entire royal palace.

Fengge's body slammed straight into it, only to be gently pushed back by the starlight, her eyes full of unwillingness...

"Fairy Ling!"

Wu Wang gave a sharp cry.

Fengge subconsciously looked to the side, only to suddenly feel numbness in her left elbow. The sleeping figure in her arms swiftly slipped free.

Before she could catch her, the rebounding force of the starlight grand array pushed her backward.

Only then did Fairy Ling arrive belatedly. Enduring her own discomfort, she caught the queen and swiftly retreated.

"Give Her Majesty back!"

The lightning-wreathed immortal hammer crashed down. Fengge smashed straight through the roof of a palace hall and fell amid tiles and rubble. A thread of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, but she still glared, craning her neck stiffly...

"Give her back..."

The Imperial Preceptor's voice came, carrying a trace of anger:

"Take Fengge down!"

Of the warriors who had originally followed Fengge, half immediately surged forward.

A short while later, in the Spirit Nurturing Hall.

The Imperial Preceptor anxiously kept calling out. The army had completely surrounded the area, vigilantly watching outside.

After taking the antidote Ji Mo had produced, the queen slowly opened her eyes. Seeing the exhausted faces before her, covered with ash and wounds, a tear slid from the corner of her eye.

Wu Wang moved his finger, and the necklace wrapped around the queen's wrist quietly melted away. It had originally been used to make tracking easier.

When Fengge tucked in the queen's blanket, there had been something wrong with the former's gaze. Wu Wang had not gathered much useful information at the time, but he had instinctively felt that Fengge might take the queen away.

After arranging formations outside, Wu Wang had placed a necklace formed by the Star Invocation Technique on the queen when he returned to her bedchamber.

It was no longer needed now.

Before them, the queen immediately struggled to sit up.

Yet the Imperial Preceptor had already prostrated himself before the queen, saying in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Grand General Fengge has rebelled and attacked the Underground Palace. She has already... already..."

"I know."

The queen spoke calmly. Looking at the crown wrapped in immortal light and trembling ceaselessly, she said nothing more. Lowering her head, she quickly walked toward it.

"Your Majesty," the Imperial Preceptor cried miserably, "you originally still had several decades..."

"Fengge was too willful and has caused everyone trouble," the queen said, stopping in her tracks. She turned to Wu Wang, Ji Mo, and Ling Xiaolan, giving them a slight bow.

Then she turned and was about to step into the Spirit Nurturing Pool.

"Your Majesty!"

Wu Wang immediately said, "There is no need to hurry. This True Immortal senior can still hold on for a while."

The queen froze, carefully studying the scene displayed within the Spirit Pool. She relaxed slightly as well.

The middle-aged scholar glared at Wu Wang but said nothing, gritting his teeth and holding on.

This young master really spoke without knowing the ache in another's back!

"Can I... see Fengge once more?"

the queen asked softly. A general beside her immediately lowered his head and withdrew.

Wu Wang asked quietly, "Is there no way to undo this? I mean, a way for the Women's Country to continue existing without this barrier."

The queen gently shook her head and said softly, "The Great Wilderness cannot truly accommodate a paradise. The price paid here is already very small.

You should understand, Xiong."

"What exactly is the process?" Wu Wang asked without leaving her any room to evade.

The queen answered softly, "The royal family bears the goddess's bloodline. Wearing that crown allows one to become the goddess's incarnation. When my soul is completely eroded by divine power, I will fall into the form you saw before... the form of Mother.

This was a fate I accepted when I was little. There is no need to mourn for me.

To protect my kingdom and safeguard my people—as a ruler, that is already a great happiness."

Wu Wang asked, "The stronger one's own strength, the longer one can endure, right?"

The queen froze, then nodded slightly.

"No, it should also depend on whether one's will is strong enough. If you sacrifice yourself now, wouldn't the royal bloodline be cut off?" Wu Wang muttered to himself, as though he had grasped some reason.

"Our ancestors did not fail to foresee such a situation. I have a King's Sister secretly raised outside the palace... Thank you, Xiong. It is enough."

The queen opened her arms, anticipation in her eyes, and asked softly, "Can you grant me one wish?"

Wu Wang froze for a moment, then stepped forward, keeping the Ice Armor around him as he said softly:

"I might... be a little cold."

The queen shook her head gently and slowly wrapped her arms around Wu Wang's waist. Wu Wang raised his hand several times in hesitation, but in the end, let it fall back to his side.

She slowly tried resting her head against Wu Wang's chest. After listening quietly for a while, she stepped back two paces in curiosity.

"It feels... like there's no feeling at all."

Wu Wang forced out an ugly smile. He could not directly touch her, which meant he could not let her touch him either.

"Thank you. I originally wanted to experience what the ancient books described—what it felt like to be someone's wife. Now, perhaps I won't have the chance."

"One can protect the nation with one's own strength..."

Wu Wang could not continue. He bit his lip and said softly, "I... I respect your choice."

"Brother Bear," Ji Mo said as he grabbed Wu Wang's arm from the side, "what about the plan? Didn't you have a plan, Brother Bear?"

"I!"

Wu Wang shook off Ji Mo's grip, lowered his head, and walked to one side, staring at the Spirit Nurturing Pool.

"Your Majesty!"

Fengge's incomparably weak voice rang out. Carried over on a wooden frame, she struggled to rise beside the pool, only to be pinned down by the warriors nearby. "Your Majesty..."

The queen smiled gently and gave Fengge a slight shake of her head.

She said nothing more, yet Fengge seemed to have heard countless words. Fengge threw her head back and kept growling through clenched teeth. Her teeth cracked from the force, yet she could not summon even a shred of strength to rise and fight again. Gray-white strands had already appeared at her temples.

"Why? Why won't you listen to me... They aren't worth it. They don't know. They know nothing...

"Your Majesty, come with me. Come with me, come with me..."

The queen gently shook her head. Tears had already soaked her eyes, but she turned and walked toward the crown.

Perhaps it was half a lifetime of joy; perhaps it was half an age of splendor.

Perhaps it was one lone shadow; perhaps they walked together in dreams.

When she was young, she had been unable to withstand her fear and begged Fengge to save her. Later, she came to understand what responsibility meant, but Fengge had kept everything buried in her heart.

Jiayi walked forward, as though little white flowers bloomed beneath her feet.

Fengge kept reaching out and struggling, but the warriors beside her held her down with all their strength.

Ling Xiaolan sighed softly and murmured, "What did we actually change by coming here?"

"What did you say?"

Wu Wang suddenly turned to stare at Ling Xiaolan, his gaze seeming ready to devour her. "What did you just say?"

Ling Xiaolan immediately said, "We came here and changed..."

"That's right. Why did I come here? What can I change? Why was I sent here? There must be something I haven't thought of!"

Wu Wang unconsciously clenched his fists. A bolt of lightning suddenly lit up behind him.

'If you want to act, use your Star Invocation Technique to help them.'

Why had Senior Shennong specifically mentioned the Star Invocation Technique?

Star Invocation Technique, Star Invocation Technique... power borrowed by gods... crown divine artifact... Seven-Day Sacrifice... Star God Cult...

Wu Wang suddenly raised his head and dashed forward in two steps, looking at the queen who had already rushed to the pool's edge.

"Your Majesty! Jiayi! I have a plan."

The queen stopped in slight astonishment and looked at Wu Wang. The middle-aged scholar's forehead bulged with veins as he glared at Wu Wang.

You brat, are you using a True Immortal like a pack mule!?

Wu Wang drew a light breath. His eyes were filled with determination, and the corners of his mouth even split into a broad grin. For a moment, words that did not belong to the Great Wilderness slipped out—the joking tone he had often used with his companions in his previous life:

"Comrade Jiayi, would you like to learn about Gathering Belief into Godhood?"

PS: How could I possibly let my dear readers see a tragedy?