Upon the Wild Wasteland, within Central Province.
Yang Family Village.
Spring warmth filled the village, and amid the peaceful scene lingered a touch of homely tenderness.
From several wooden houses came bright, cheerful laughter. A few young voices gradually rang out in the courtyard alongside the morning light.
"Mother, can't we stay here? It's so hard to travel outside!!"
At those words, two more voices rose in turn.
"Yeah, Mother, why do we have to leave? Isn't this place good?"
A gentle voice answered.
"It isn't bad. But war will soon come here, so we're going somewhere more fun."
Then a clear voice rang out.
"Stop dawdling! The sun is already up. If we don't leave now, the road will be difficult!"
As that voice sounded, the other mutters immediately quieted, followed by laughter.
"Second Son and Third Sister are getting heavier and heavier. I can barely carry them anymore!"
Amid rustling sounds, the main gate slowly opened.
A woman dressed in a thorn hairpin and plain cloth skirt emerged with a rugged-looking man. The husband and wife each carried one or two children on their backs, but when they saw the sight beyond the courtyard gate, both their expressions changed—especially the dignified woman whose beautiful figure could not be concealed beneath her humble clothes.
At the courtyard gate, more than a dozen figures stood silently watching the yard. At their head was a tall woman in black, with over a dozen heavenly generals behind her, clad in golden armor and faintly wreathed in divine radiance.
Yao Ji's expression turned grave as she looked at the woman in black.
"You? It seems you still found us. You refuse to spare my family!"
She waved a hand to stop Yang Tian You from speaking, then slowly stepped before Mysterious Maiden and