Star Luo Empire, Imperial Palace Grand Hall.
"What?!"
Dai Tianling shot to his feet, gripping the urgent report in his hand so tightly that the edges tore under the force. His eyes widened, his pupils constricting sharply as a vast surge of Soul Power erupted uncontrollably from his body and shook the entire hall.
Crack—
The dragon throne's armrest split first. Then the entire left side of the backrest fractured, cracks spreading like a spiderweb before it finally collapsed with a crash. Splintered wood and gold leaf scattered across the floor.
Everyone in the hall knelt on the ground, scarcely daring to breathe.
Crown Prince Dai Yueyan stood on the left below the throne, his face pale, fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. He was fourteen this year and had followed his father in handling state affairs for two years. He had thought he had seen his share of storms. Yet now, his mind was blank, with only the words from that urgent report replaying over and over—
"Eldest daughter of the Xiaoyao King, Dai Lingxi, murdered... body severely damaged... second daughter, Dai Lingwei, survived but remains unconscious..."
Seven-year-old Dai Yuner stood beside her brother, her small hand tightly clutching his sleeve. She did not yet fully understand what "murdered" meant, but she understood her father's expression, her brother's pallor, and the suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere filling the hall.
She remembered Sister Lingxi and Sister Lingwei.
They were the daughters of her imperial uncle, Dai Tianyou, and among her few friends in the palace. Her imperial uncle was a carefree prince who loved traveling and never involved himself in courtly struggles. Sister Lingxi and Sister Lingwei were just like him—bright, lively, and kind. Whenever they came to the palace, they would play with her and bring her