Star Luo Empress

Ye Family Fortress, courtyard.

Xiao Cui had just finished refilling the tea for the masters and had not yet had time to retreat when two streaks of light landed in the courtyard one after the other.

One was cold and aloof, the other fiery and sultry.

Zhu Zhuqing wore a tight-fitting black outfit, her figure slender and her expression icy, yet her physique was exceptionally voluptuous.

Zhu Zhuyun, on the other hand, wore a long purple dress, her posture enchanting and her eyes brimming with allure.

Standing together, the two sisters—one cold, one vibrant—presented a contrast so sharp it was impossible to forget.

Ye Lingling's gaze swept over them, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips: "Fourteenth on the Genius Ranking, Zhu Zhuyun. And eleventh on the Genius Ranking, Zhu Zhuqing?"

Zhu Zhuqing bowed slightly, her expression somewhat unnatural: "I am Zhu Zhuqing."

After all, the woman before her was Brother Cao's legitimate wife, while she... was a latecomer. This feeling was akin to a concubine meeting the matriarch; it would be a lie to say she didn't feel guilty.

Zhu Zhuyun, however, was unbothered. She stepped forward generously, her smile bright: "Zhu Zhuyun greets Elder Sister. Sister is truly a peerless beauty; Brother Cao is certainly blessed!"

Beside them, Xiao Wu wore a strange expression. These words... why did they sound so familiar?

Wasn't this exactly what she had said when she first met Ye Lingling?

Hearing this, Ye Lingling also felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

She calmly sized up Zhu Zhuyun—the curvaceous figure, the enchanting and charming temperament—she was indeed a stunner.

Her husband's taste was certainly not bad.

"Sister Zhuyun is the one with the graceful figure and city-toppling beauty."

"Since both sisters have arrived, we are all sisters from now on. You may stay here for the time being."

Zhu Zhuyun quickly expressed her gratitude: "Then thank you, Sister! You are truly kind!"

Having said that, she didn't forget to pull along Zhu Zhuqing, who was still standing there in a daze.

The two sisters were one cold and one hot, a massive contrast; she, Zhu Zhuyun, understood that only by sticking together could they handle Brother Cao.

The women took their seats, all wearing smiles, appearing harmonious on the surface.

Xiao Wu took the teapot and obediently refilled Ye Lingling's cup, while Zhu Zhuyun held Ye Lingling's hand and spoke flattering words. Although Zhu Zhuqing didn't say much, she nodded in agreement from time to time.

Cao Xiyu sat to the side, watching this scene, and sighed inwardly.

The harmony was only temporary; more girls would be arriving soon.

By then, this courtyard would likely turn into a battlefield.

Xiao Wu seemed to recall something and suddenly spoke up: "Since we are all sisters now, we can practice together in the Dream Space."

Ye Lingling glanced at her slightly: "Is that Dream Space very large?"

Xiao Wu nodded, looking innocent: "The space inside is vast, more than enough to accommodate many more sisters. Could it be... Sister hasn't been there?"

Ye Lingling's smile stiffened slightly.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun's eyes lit up.

Good heavens, this Xiao Wu looked innocent and harmless, but she was no pushover.

The question sounded like it was about the Dream Space, but in reality, it was a probe: if you haven't even been to the Dream Space, Sister, does that mean your relationship with Brother Cao isn't as deep?

She decided to add fuel to the fire: "It seems that before the Sky Screen exposure, Sister didn't know Brother Cao's true identity?"

This was even more direct: you have spent ten years with Brother Cao day and night, yet you didn't know who he was.

Though we are only with him in dreams, our hearts are connected; can you really sit securely in the position of the legitimate wife?

Ye Lingling looked at these two scheming little vixens and sneered in her heart.

Did they think she was easy to bully, so they were all coming to test her depth?

She picked up her teacup and took a light sip: "I spend my days and nights with my husband, sleeping beside him every night and seeing him every day. Why would I need to meet him in a dream?"

Zhu Zhuqing didn't understand the implication and subconsciously said: "Sister sees Brother Cao in reality every day, so naturally, there is no need to enter the dream."

Xiao Wu's expression shifted slightly.

At first glance, the words seemed harmless, but in reality, they meant: you can only see Brother Cao in dreams, while I see him in reality every single day.

This gap was not small by any means.

Zhu Zhuyun glared at her foolish sister, frustrated by her lack of wit.

This silly girl couldn't even hear the sarcasm in someone else's words.

No wonder she was always so prone to sweating during normal interactions; her head was filled with nothing but water!

"Let's drink tea."

The women raised their cups one after another, and the atmosphere returned to a state of harmony.

Cao Xiyu watched this scene, finding it secretly amusing.

These women spoke of sisterly affection, but every word was a probe or a contest.

His wife was telling them: I am the legitimate one, and I am by his side every day.

Xiao Wu was probing, while Zhu Zhuyun was stirring up trouble.

Zhu Zhuqing? That silly girl simply thought the tea tasted quite good.

The days ahead for Ye Family Fortress, I fear, would not be very peaceful.

Star Luo Empire.

In stark contrast to the undercurrents surging at Ye Family Fortress, the atmosphere in the Star Luo Imperial Palace at this moment was as lively as a festival.

White Tiger Emperor Dai Tianfeng sat upon the dragon throne, laughing so hard he rocked back and forth, his dragon robe even sliding askew.

"Hahaha! So that old man Xue Ye has his day too!" He slapped the imperial desk. "His wife got snatched away, his head is covered in green, hahaha! It's killing me!"

The ministers echoed his sentiments, one and all grinning from ear to ear.

"Your Majesty is right! The Heaven Dou Empire has lost all face this time!"

"With his empress running off with someone else, where is Xue Ye supposed to hide his old face?"

"Hahaha, it is still His Majesty who is wise; such a scandal would never happen in our Star Luo Empire!"

Dai Tianfeng felt exceptionally good, raising his wine cup to take a hearty drink.

Above the Sky Screen, dark golden light surged as a new ranking appeared.

Combat Power Ranking, 14th Place: Zhu Yunyun.

Identity: Empress of the Star Luo Empire.

Strength: Level 99 Titled Douluo.

Techniques: Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique, Heavenly Demon Chaotic Dance.

Reward: Teleportation Talisman x8, can teleport to any location on the Douluo Continent; Soul Power increased by one level.

"BOOM!!!"

A golden pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping the graceful and luxurious Empress beside Dai Tianfeng.

Dai Tianfeng's smile froze instantly.

The wine cup in his hand clattered to the floor. He turned his head slowly to look at the figure bathed in golden light beside him—his Empress, the wife he had accompanied for decades, Zhu Yunyun.

He had just been mocking Emperor Xue Ye for his wife running off with another man, and in the blink of an eye, it was his own turn.

Did retribution come this quickly?

Dai Tianfeng's mouth hung open, unable to utter a single word. The expression on his face shifted from wild joy to disbelief, from disbelief to a livid blue, and then from blue to a deathly pale; in the span of a few breaths, it changed colors several times.

The ministers were all stunned as well.

"Gah?"

They had just been mocking the Heaven Dou Empire, and in the blink of an eye, their own Empress was on the list.

"This..."

Dai Tianfeng did not speak, only staring fixedly at Empress Zhu, his tiger eyes filled with anger and resentment.

Yet what could he do? He dared not do anything at all!

After a long while, he slowly stood up and turned to leave, looking exactly like an impotent husband.

Zhu Yunyun watched the direction in which Dai Tianfeng had departed, a trace of guilt rising in her heart.

However, she did not regret it.

Without Brother Cao, she would have been trapped in the deep palace her entire life, stuck with a man she did not love, unable to even save her own daughter.

It was Brother Cao who gave her strength and gave her true freedom.

Brother Cao was the only true man!