Donghuang Ziyou Was Completely Stunned!

Ten Thousand Devil Kingdom, Devil Palace.

Donghuang Ziyou stood in the great hall with her hands behind her back, clad in the purple-and-gold Flying Phoenix Battle Armor.

After two full days of fierce fighting, the Northern Profound Heaven army had finally seized the Devil Palace.

This meant that from then on, the Ten Thousand Devil Kingdom would fall under Northern Profound Heaven's control.

"This battle has caused such a stir. Those enemies lurking in the shadows certainly won't sit idly by!"

Donghuang Ziyou thought to herself.

The twelve Quasi-Emperor Realm experts who had ambushed and surrounded her four years ago—she still hadn't uncovered who was behind them.

That had forced her to remain on high alert, and she had made the most thorough preparations for this campaign in the Ten Thousand Devil Kingdom.

"Your Majesty!"

Ruoying's shapely, fiery figure emerged from a flash of black light.

Without turning her head, Donghuang Ziyou asked, "Have you uncovered any news?"

As soon as the situation in the Ten Thousand Devil Kingdom had stabilized, she had ordered Ruoying to send out top intelligence officers to investigate the area around the kingdom.

Ruoying nodded. "According to reports from our scouts, there has been unusual activity among the Demon Race, three hundred thousand li beyond the Ten Thousand Devil Kingdom's border."

"The Demon Race?!" Donghuang Ziyou was slightly surprised.

Even the Demon Race was getting involved.

It seemed the situation was even more complicated than she had imagined.

"Yes!" Ruoying nodded. "Just as Your Majesty predicted, it looks like they intend to lay an ambush there. The most likely location is Tongtian Valley."

"Can you confirm that Tongtian Valley is the final location?" Donghuang Ziyou turned around.

Ruoying shook her head. "The Demon Race's senses are naturally keen beyond compare. Our intelligence officers didn't dare get too close."

Donghuang Ziyou swept out her jade-like hand and took a huge map from the void.

After studying it carefully,

she narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "If someone intends to ambush us, Tongtian Valley would be the best location."

Ruoying nodded slightly. Donghuang Ziyou was not only skilled at managing state affairs;

she was also a peerless genius on the battlefield, well versed in every kind of military strategy and stratagem.

"Your Majesty, how shall we overcome this obstacle?" Ruoying asked.

After taking the Ten Thousand Devil Kingdom, Donghuang Ziyou would lead her troops back to Northern Profound Heaven.

If Tongtian Valley was indeed ambushed, they would have to get through it!

Donghuang Ziyou studied the map for a moment, then took a deep breath. "We don't know the enemy's strength yet. Forcing our way through would be unwise."

"I think we can split our forces into three routes: one to break through head-on, with the other two providing cover from the flanks."

Ruoying nodded. "Understood! I'll inform the three armies to draw up a detailed battle plan at once!"

Just as she turned around, a figure hurried into the great hall.

"Reporting!"

The newcomer was the leader of the second group of intelligence officers Ruoying had sent out.

Ruoying asked, "What's the latest news?"

The intelligence chief replied, "A sudden change occurred at Tongtian Valley. Every demon beast lying in wait there was killed by an unknown powerhouse!"

"From the demon beast carcasses left behind and the locations where they were stationed, I estimate that the Demon Race had at least ten thousand troops in ambush, including several hundred great demons around the first rank!"

Donghuang Ziyou looked up in surprise. "Is this true?"

"Absolutely!" The intelligence chief nodded quickly. "I personally entered the valley with my subordinates and confirmed that every one of the ambushers there was dead!"

"This..."

Donghuang Ziyou couldn't help opening her small mouth in astonishment.

In such a short time, someone had killed more than ten thousand demon beasts in one go, including several hundred third-rank great demons.

What kind of mighty being could have done this?

Why had he—or they—dealt such a brutal blow to the Demon Race's ambushers?

Was it for the sake of her Northern Profound Heaven, or for some other reason?

Even Donghuang Ziyou, brilliant as she was, was completely thrown by the sudden turn of events.

But in the end, the ambushers had been killed. That was wonderful news.

Donghuang Ziyou immediately gave the order: "Sound the call for the three armies to assemble. We return to Northern Profound Heaven in half an hour!"

Southern Profound Heaven, Imperial Palace.

A streak of white light pierced through the void and appeared.

Qin Cang, the emperor of Southern Profound Heaven, reached out and caught it.

This streak of light was the Demon Race's special method of communication, known as a "Flying Feather."

He sent a strand of spiritual power through it, and a momentous message entered Qin Cang's ears.

"The troops I sent to ambush Empress Profound Ice were wiped out by mysterious people overnight. Their corpses covered the entire valley!"

"Empress Profound Ice was thus able to return to Northern Profound Heaven without meeting any resistance!"

"This mission is declared a failure!"

Qin Cang clenched both fists, his arms trembling violently despite himself.

"Damn it! How could this happen?!"

"Who did this?!"

Heaven itself had handed him such a golden opportunity, yet a mysterious person had ruined it. There was hardly anything more infuriating in the world!

And now, the generous reward he'd promised the Demon Race had gone down the drain, while Empress Profound Ice had emerged completely unharmed.

He'd lost both the lady and the troops!

A blaze of frustration smoldered in Qin Cang's heart, threatening to erupt like a volcano.

He took several deep breaths, and the cold in his gaze only intensified.

"Donghuang Ziyou, you may escape the first day of the month, but you won't escape the fifteenth!"

"My abilities and methods exceed your imagination, Donghuang Ziyou. Just you wait. No matter who helps you, I'll make you submit to my might!"

Once his anger had subsided, Qin Cang revealed a cold smile.

He was only one level away from fully mastering the Southern Profound Heaven imperial clan's forbidden art, the World-Destroying Divine Scripture.

When that happened, he would become invincible in the Emperor Realm and might even touch the Great Saint Realm!

The day his divine art was complete, he would make Donghuang Ziyou watch helplessly in despair as Northern Profound Heaven was swallowed up, bit by bit.

Northern Profound Heaven, Crystal Palace.

The bright morning sunlight poured down, making the Crystal Palace look like a beautiful, dreamlike paradise.

After washing up with his daughters, Lin Xuan had prepared a sumptuous and delicious breakfast for them.

They had just finished eating when an elderly man in white robes, with a refined and scholarly air, walked in.

"Greetings, Emperor Consort!"

The old man was Yang Wencheng, Grand Tutor of the Profound Ice Palace.

"Good morning, Grand Tutor Yang." Lin Xuan nodded in greeting.

From what he understood, Yang Wencheng had been appointed by Donghuang Ziyou to teach the children, and held the official rank of Grand Tutor.

Yang Wencheng had another identity, too: he was one of the ten great scholars of Northern Profound Heaven's literary world.

He was as renowned as Jiang Jiubai and Shen Yakang, and was widely respected for his profound learning and virtue.

Whenever Donghuang Ziyou was busy, Yang Wencheng would come to the Crystal Palace to teach the children.

Seeing Yang Wencheng, Xuanzhu and the others quickly stood up and lined up to greet him. "Good day, Grand Tutor!"

"Good, good, good!" Yang Wencheng said with a smile. "What well-behaved children!"

Xuanzhu stepped forward and asked, "Teacher, are you here to teach us again today?"

Yang Wencheng shook his head, then glanced at Lin Xuan with an expression full of respect.

"Emperor Consort, your father is the Literary Saint. How could I presume to show off my humble skills in front of him?"

"Now that the Emperor Consort is teaching you, it's time for a part-time teacher like me to step aside."

Lin Xuan gave a slight nod.

Yang Wencheng had to help Donghuang Ziyou manage the court, so he couldn't devote all his energy to educating the children.

Now that he was a full-time stay-at-home dad, of course he was the best choice to teach them.

The little girls' eyes sparkled with excitement when they heard this.

It would be so much fun to have their father as their teacher!

Yang Wencheng then took an ink painting from his sleeve and stepped forward. "Emperor Consort, I've also come today to ask a favor of you."

Lin Xuan saw that the painting depicted a world of ice and snow, seemingly a scene from Northern Profound Heaven.