An Unforeseen Path!

Ding, ding-a-ling-ling—

Fengge leaped up. The blood splattered by the Fierce Beast turned into black mist, and the beast's body instantly collapsed, along with the golden crown that condensed from the black mist.

The crown fell from mid-air, bounced off the Ice Shards a few times, and continued to drop downwards.

At this moment.

Wu Wang swooped low and charged, but Fengge, who was closest to the crown, had already smashed down fiercely with her spear!

The National Teacher slumped onto the hall door, despair filling his eyes. He muttered, "It's over," "It's all over"...

The spear tip first touched the top of the crown, but the golden light that suddenly erupted from the crown was so dazzling that it sent Fengge flying far away and pushed Wu Wang directly back.

The next moment, the crown seemed to come alive and shot towards the hall door.

Wu Wang lowered his head, spat out a mouthful of blood, and shouted, "Stop it!"

Ling Xiaolan's sword light flashed, and Ji Mo swept his Immortal Hammer!

But the crown suddenly accelerated, turning into a beam of light and disappearing through the hall door.

Wu Wang followed closely. Ling Xiaolan and Ji Mo were about to follow, but Wu Wang turned and roared:

"Fairy, go protect the Sovereign!"

Ling Xiaolan didn't hesitate, her Skyward Flight becoming even faster.

Ji Mo's eyes, however, held a hint of confusion, and he was somewhat dazed.

Had he made the wrong choice?

Was it right to sacrifice those young girls to maintain this false prosperity? Or, or, were these things not about right and wrong? Was it about which side suffered less?

Ji Mo subconsciously followed Wu Wang as he flew forward, and the group of generals immediately sped up in pursuit.

But Fengge's whereabouts were unknown; it seemed she had fled through another hall door.

Ji Mo's Nascent Soul was somewhat hazy. He only knew to follow the figure in front of him, guided by Starlight all the way, and rushed into the golden Great Hall on the west side of the Royal Palace.

Spirit Nurturing Hall, Spirit Nurturing Pool.

The crown left behind by the collapsed Fierce Beast flew here, hovering above the Spirit Nurturing Pool and emitting wisps of divine light.

A circular盘 appeared on the surface of the Spirit Nurturing Pool, displaying the mountains, rivers, cities, and towns of the entire Women's Country.

And at the edge of the circular disk, beyond the shimmering River That Protects the Nation, stone figures, each about the size of a fist, had almost completely broken free from their stone shells.

Great Wilderness Fierce Beasts!

One hundred and eight Great Wilderness Fierce Beasts!

Xuan Gui, Bai Zhi, Hei Bo, Bo Niu, Xiong Jiao...

Their eyes were now filled with red light!

Billows of smoke rose from the borders of the Women's Country. The moment the film-like Barrier disappeared, these Fierce Beasts each erupted with vast and unparalleled auras.

With each rotation of the crown, the stone shells on the Fierce Beasts shed a bit more, approaching the borders of the Women's Country.

The surface of the Spirit Pool displayed scene after scene: on the borders, the auras of the Fierce Beasts soared into the sky. The military camps, deprived of the Barrier's protection, fell into chaos as they struggled to construct flimsy defensive formations.

Ji Mo watched these scenes, sitting on the ground powerlessly, his Dao heart on the verge of collapse...

"Brother Xiong, did I make the wrong choice?"

"Choose what?"

Wu Wang glanced at him.

It wasn't a big deal; he had seen plenty of idealists have their ideals shattered and suffer blows.

Ji Mo thought he could withstand such pressure, but in reality, he had just been carried away by his emotions at the time.

Due to the previous clash of energies, Wu Wang's face was somewhat pale. He sat cross-legged beside the Spirit Nurturing Pool, continuously forming hand seals, attempting to approach the crown with his Spiritual Sense, but was instantly repelled.

However, Wu Wang keenly caught that the rotation of the crown had been momentarily obstructed.

There's hope!

"Brother Ji, act quickly! Those Fierce Beasts were awakened, and it's clearly related to this crown!"

"Brother Xiong..."

"What are you dawdling for!"

Wu Wang gritted his teeth and said, "It's all within my plan! Immediately stop the crown from rotating. Just hold it for a while longer, and there won't be any unnecessary casualties."

Ji Mo's spirits instantly lifted: "Really?"

Of course, it was a lie. Wu Wang had spent a long time considering various possibilities.

Although he realized the Queen was connected to the Fierce Beasts, he had thought the beasts were coming back to life from ancient times.

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

The core of the Women's Country's Grand Array was not the Fierce Beasts, but this [Crown] within the Fierce Beasts' bodies.

Just then!

A world-shattering explosion rang out from the Queen's private chambers, and a figure engulfed in strange flames shot into the night sky, carrying another person in their arms.

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

Wu Wang said firmly, "Stop the crown from spinning. I'll go rescue the Queen."

Ji Mo quickly asked, "Is this... is this part of the plan?"

"Yes!"

Wu Wang rose to his feet. He had already used the Star Wings far more times than usual today.

He looked at Ji Mo, hesitating for a moment. After taking a couple of steps, he turned back and said, "You can definitely think of a way, but not by risking your life. Think carefully, what other methods can you use right now!"

With that, Wu Wang's Star Wings vibrated, and he transformed into a beam of light, charging straight ahead.

Ji Mo sat cross-legged by the pool. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately tried to stop the crown from spinning. However, his Spiritual Sense was also blocked, and the impact made his Nascent Soul tremble incessantly.

What other way, what other method...

"Teacher!"

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

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

Your disciple truly does not wish to see this place plunged into misery! This is the disaster your disciple has caused, and I am willing to bear all the blame from the Four Seas Pavilion!"

A faint sigh came from the side:

"Have you thought it through? Your trial is the hope of the entire Ji Family, and it's a hard-won opportunity. If you pass a few more stages smoothly, you'll gain the support of both the Four Seas Pavilion and the border defense forces..."

"Disciple, disciple has thought it through."

Ji Mo lowered his head silently, prostrating himself on the ground, his forehead touching the cold floor. His voice, however, no longer trembled.

"Disciple gives up the Human Emperor trial!"

"Very well."

The middle-aged scholar sighed slowly. He walked to Ji Mo's side and raised his hand towards the crown, pressing down. Immortal light emanated from his palm, transforming into colorful chains that slowly grasped the crown.

The crown trembled slightly. The middle-aged scholar's eyes widened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. But he pursed his lips, gritted his teeth, and gripped the chains formed by immortal energy, holding on tightly.

The process of the Fierce Beasts shattering their stone shells was instantly halted!

Large beads of sweat appeared on the scholar's forehead, yet he stood firm. Suddenly, he cursed, "I've had enough of this damn trial long ago! It's better not to participate!

Just focus on your cultivation!

I'll withdraw from the Four Seas Pavilion later and go to the border to be a general. Isn't that better than putting up with this indignity!"

"Teacher?"

"Go help Xiong Ba! That Fengge has gone mad, burning her soul to take the Sovereign of the Women's Country. Xiong Ba might not be her match."

Ji Mo immediately agreed. He stood up, grasped two Immortal Treasures, and flew towards the place where the Starlight and Thunder were fiercely colliding.

"Be quick!"

The middle-aged scholar's voice began to tremble, "I can't hold on for much longer!"

"Disciple obeys!"

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

He saw Fengge, holding the unconscious Queen in one arm and using her spear to fend off the attacks of Wu Wang and Ling Xiaolan with the other. He couldn't help but roar, "Fengge! What exactly are you trying to do!"

Fengge remained silent, her eyes almost bloodshot. She tightly held the Queen, her body continuously approaching the Royal Palace Grand Array.

She was almost successful.

Once she broke through the array, with her trusted subordinates waiting outside, she could take her away from this cage!

Just then, Wu Wang suddenly retreated. Ling Xiaolan beside him cooperated with him quite tacitly, launching a rapid series of attacks with her long sword.

Ji Mo joined the battle from a distance. However, he couldn't bring his Immortal Hammer down, afraid of injuring the Queen.

Numerous figures were surrounding them from afar, also unable to get close, and they didn't know what exactly had happened.

Fengge's eyes suddenly became dazed. The burning of her soul seemed to have reached its limit.

Fengge... Fengge...

Your Majesty.

I'm so scared, the young girl curled up in the corner of the bed, her eyes red from crying late at night, I'm so scared of turning into a monster, I'm so scared... Save me, Fengge... Save me...

Okay, I will definitely save you.

I definitely will!

The flames on Fengge's forehead intensified!

"Why must you all stop me! Close the array!"

Fengge shattered the stone slabs with a kick, ignoring the sword qi unleashed by Ling Xiaolan. She leaped straight towards the palace gates, and the Royal Palace Grand Array instantly dissipated.

However, Wu Wang's figure flashed from the side, blocking her path. He opened his right hand, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, yet he still pushed his palm forward.

Silver pillars of light suddenly erupted from various corners of the palace. The crystal balls Wu Wang had previously hidden everywhere now rapidly released their Star Power.

A screen of light unfurled in Wu Wang's palm, instantly sealing the heavens and earth, completely enveloping the entire palace.

Fengge's body crashed forward but was gently pushed back by the starlight. Unwillingness filled her eyes…

"Fairy Ling!"

Wu Wang let out a soft cry.

Fengge instinctively looked to the side, but suddenly felt her left elbow go numb. The person in her arms, who had been unconscious, quickly slipped away.

Before she could grab them, she was pushed backward by the phản lực of the starlight array.

At this moment, Fairy Ling arrived, barely managing her own discomfort. She caught the Queen and quickly retreated.

"Your Majesty!"

Surrounded by thunder, the immortal hammer descended. Fengge's body smashed directly through the roof of a palace hall, falling amidst the rubble. A trickle of blood seeped from her lips, yet she still glared with wide eyes, her neck stiff…

"Give it back to me…"

The National Teacher's voice, tinged with anger, echoed:

"Seize Fengge!"

Half of the warriors who had been following Fengge immediately surged forward.

A short while later, in the Spirit Nurturing Hall.

The National Teacher anxiously called out repeatedly. The army had completely surrounded the area, watching the outside with vigilance.

After taking the antidote Ji Mo had provided, the Queen slowly opened her eyes. Seeing the tired, ash-covered, and wounded faces of the few people before her, a tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.

Wu Wang's finger slid, and the necklace wrapped around the Queen's wrist silently melted away. It had originally been for convenient tracking.

When Fengge had tucked the Queen in, the latter's gaze had seemed troubled. Wu Wang hadn't gathered much useful intelligence at the time, but his intuition told him Fengge might try to take the Queen away.

After setting up an array outside, Wu Wang had placed a necklace formed by the Star Invocation Technique on the Queen when he returned to his chambers.

It was no longer needed now.

Before them, the Queen immediately struggled to sit up.

The National Teacher, however, had already prostrated himself before the Queen, trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, the Great General Fengge has rebelled, attacked the underground palace, and has already… already…"

"I know,"

The Queen said calmly. She looked at the crown on her head, wrapped in immortal light and trembling incessantly, and said nothing more. She lowered her head and quickly walked forward.

"Your Majesty," the National Teacher cried out mournfully, "you still had decades left…"

"Fengge was too willful and caused trouble for everyone," the Queen paused, turned to look at Wu Wang, at Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan, and bowed slightly.

Then, she turned to step into the Spirit Nurturing Pool.

"Your Majesty!"

Wu Wang immediately said, "No need to rush. This True Immortal elder can hold on for a while longer."

The Queen paused, carefully examining the image displayed within the spirit pool. She visibly relaxed a little.

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

This Young Master really has no idea what he's talking about!

"Can I… see Fengge one more time?"

The Queen asked softly. A general beside her immediately lowered his head and retreated.

Wu Wang asked in a low voice, "Is there no way to undo this? I mean, a way for the Women's Country to continue to exist without using this barrier."

The Queen shook her head slightly and said in a low voice, "In the Great Wilderness world, a true paradise cannot actually exist. The price paid here is already very small.

You should understand, Xiong."

"What are the specific procedures?" Wu Wang asked, leaving no room for evasion.

The Queen replied gently, "The royal family is descended from the Goddess. Wearing that crown allows one to become the Goddess's avatar. When my soul is completely eroded by divine power, I will degenerate into the appearance of… the mother you saw before.

This is a fate I accepted since I was a child. There's no need to be sad for me.

Being able to protect my country and my people, as a King, this is actually quite fortunate."

Wu Wang asked, "The stronger one's own power, the longer they can hold on, right?"

The Queen paused, then nodded slightly.

"No, it should still be related to the strength of one's will. If you sacrifice yourself now, won't the royal bloodline be broken?" Wu Wang muttered to himself, as if grasping at a reason.

"Our ancestors foresaw this situation. I have a royal sister who was secretly raised outside the palace… Thank you, Xiong. That's enough."

The Queen opened her hands, a hint of anticipation in her eyes, and whispered, "Can you grant me one wish?"

Wu Wang paused, then stepped forward, maintaining the ice armor around him, and said softly:

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

The Queen gently shook her head and slowly wrapped her arms around Wu Wang's waist; Wu Wang hesitated a few times before placing his hands by his side.

She slowly tried to rest her head in Wu Wang's embrace, listened for a moment, then took two steps back with some curiosity.

"It feels like... there's nothing."

Wu Wang forced an awkward smile. He couldn't directly touch her, and therefore couldn't let her touch him.

"Thank you. I originally wanted to experience what it's like to be a wife, as written in the ancient books. It seems I won't have the chance now."

"Protecting the country can be done with your own strength..."

Wu Wang couldn't continue. He bit his lip and said softly, "I, I respect your choice."

"Brother Xiong," Ji Mo said from the side, grabbing Wu Wang's arm, "What's the plan? Don't you have a plan, Brother Xiong?"

"Me!"

Wu Wang flung Ji Mo's hand away and walked towards the Spirit Nurturing Pool.

"Your Majesty!"

Fengge's voice, incredibly weak, called out. Carried on a wooden frame, she struggled to stand by the pool, only to be held down by a nearby warrior. "Your Majesty..."

The Queen smiled gently and shook her head at Fengge.

She didn't say much, yet Fengge seemed to have heard it all. She looked up, gritting her teeth and growling, her jaw shattering, but she couldn't muster the strength to rise and fight again. Gray streaks even appeared in her temples.

"Why, why won't you listen to me... They are not worth it. They don't know, they know nothing... Your Majesty, come with me, come with me, come with..."

The Queen gently shook her head, her eyes already moist with tears. She turned and walked towards the crown.

Perhaps it was half a lifetime of joy, perhaps half a lifetime of prosperity;

Perhaps it was a solitary figure, perhaps walking together in a dream.

It was when she was young and couldn't resist her fear, begging Fengge to save her. But later, she understood responsibility, while Fengge kept everything in her heart.

Jiayi walked forward, as if white flowers bloomed beneath her feet;

Fengge continued to struggle, reaching out, but was held down tightly by the surrounding warriors.

Ling Xiaolan sighed softly and murmured, "What have we changed by coming here?"

"What did you say?"

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

Ling Xiaolan immediately replied, "What we've changed by coming here..."

"Right, why am I here? What can I change? Why was I sent here? There must be something I haven't thought of!"

Wu Wang instinctively clenched his fists. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed behind him.

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

Why did Senior Shennong specifically mention the Star Invocation Technique?

Star Invocation Technique, Star Invocation Technique... Power borrowed from the gods... The divine artifact crown... Seven-Day Sacrifice... Star God Cult...

Wu Wang suddenly looked up, rushed forward two steps, and looked at the Queen who had already reached the edge of the pool.

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

The Queen stopped, slightly taken aback, and looked at Wu Wang; the middle-aged scholar's forehead was covered in veins, and he glared at Wu Wang.

You brat, you're treating a True Immortal like a donkey!

Wu Wang took a gentle breath, his eyes filled with determination, even his lips curved into a wide smile. Words that didn't belong to the Great Wilderness, words he used when joking with companions in his past life, burst out:

"Comrade Jiayi, want to learn about concentrating your thoughts into divinity?"

PS: How could I possibly give my readers a tragedy.