Bai Tianheng’s words hung in the air, heavy with reluctant acceptance.
Yet beneath the surface, tension simmered.
Fairy Yue Wushuang’s divine command wasn’t to be questioned—and certainly never bargained over.
Her request should have been accepted immediately, without hesitation or condition.
But Bai Tianheng’s insistence on Bai Xinyue’s choice, while in a respectful manner, was—still borderline defiance.
The Li and Zhao Clan leader exchanged glances, their eyes glinting with sharp opportunism.
(Bai Tianheng could have quietly agreed and increased his favor with Fairy Yue Wushuang… but he had to say those words.)
Zhao Wutian narrowed his eyes.
(Fool!)
He’s walking the edge of a sword—and he doesn’t even realize it.
Zhao Wutian stepped forward, his sly smile deepening as if he’d been waiting for just such a mistake.
“Clan Leader Bai,” he said, voice smooth as flowing ink, “I can’t help but wonder… how could you hesitate when Fairy Yue herself makes such a gracious request?”
He spread his hands lightly, like a kindly teacher correcting a misguided student.
“This is not some mere opportunity. This is a blessing from the heavens. From the Flowing Moon Sect, no less!”
Li Jianhong nodded gravely.
“Yes! The Flowing Moon Sect does not intervene lightly. If they see her potential, it means Bai Xinyue is destined for greater things than any of us can offer.”
He paused, voice lowering.
“To delay acceptance… could be seen as disrespect. Worse, it invites doubt! Bai Tianheng, you can’t be this selfish!”
A murmur rose from the gathered cultivators.
Everyone knew that if someone like Yue Wushuang were to be angered, then it wouldn’t just mean the Bai Clan’s destruction—perhaps the entire Desolate Heaven Empire might be implicated.
(These weasels!)
Bai Tianheng knew what the two of them were trying to do.
But he can’t do anything about it and just hopes that Yue Wushuang doesn’t misunderstand him.
Fairy Yue Wushuang stood still for a moment, her starlit hair swaying gently in the wind as she gazed at Zhao Wutian and Li Jianhong.
Her expression was unreadable.
The air was silent—deathly so.
Then—
She turned her head slightly, just enough to let her voice drift through the battlefield like the chime of a divine bell.
“Fair enough!”
The murmurs instantly died.
Zhao Wutian’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Li Jianhong’s smug expression faltered.
Who would have thought that someone as esteemed as Yue Wushuang wouldn’t care about saving face?
Most figures of her stature are proud and intolerant of even the slightest doubt—expecting absolute obedience without question.
But Yue Wushuang was different.
Unbothered. Unarrogant.
A rare kind of person in this world.
(We can’t let this chance go!)
Zhao Wutian thought.
But before he could say another word, Fairy Yue Wushuang moved.
Gracefully!
And completely ignoring them.
Not a glance. Not a nod. Not even a shred of acknowledgment.
As if they were insects beneath her notice.
As if their words, their threats, their petty manipulations—meant absolutely nothing.
Because in truth… they didn’t.
She wasn’t some wandering elder they could provoke or push into action.
She was Yue Wushuang of the Flowing Moon Sect—an Immortal Ascension cultivator whose name shook the Central Glorious Continent.
She had seen emperors kneel.
What were they?
Their obvious provocation had already been seen through by her.
The only reason she didn’t act against them—despite their attempts to manipulate her—was because of the Empires’ Agreement with each other not to interfere in each other’s affairs.
Her presence here was already a breach of that agreement. Killing them would only complicate things further.
She stopped in front of Bai Xinyue.
Her presence alone made Xinyue feel like she stood before a boundless night sky filled with stars—each one pulsing with divine will.
And yet—
Yue Wushuang’s gaze held no superiority.
Only a quiet curiosity.
As if… she was not looking down at her.
But through her.
“Bai Xinyue,” she said, voice serene but resonating deep into the soul, “I have no desire to force you. You are not a trinket to be claimed, nor a prize to be traded.”
A faint smile curved her lips.
“I have seen your talent. You are worthy of more than this empire can offer.”
She turned her head just slightly.
“Should you choose to remain here, your path will be long and bitter. But should you come with me—” her voice dropped, low and enticing, “—then the entire continent shall one day kneel before your feet.”
Silence!
Even Bai Tianheng was holding his breath.
They didn’t understand Bai Xinyue’s potential until Yue Wushuang said those words.
If it were any other person saying those words, it might have sounded crazy but with Yue Wushuang saying it, it meant it was something that was possible.
Yue Wushuang stepped back, her robes fluttering like moonlight.
“A single word, and I shall take you beyond the sky.”
All eyes fell on her.
“I—I…”
Bai Xinyue’s hands trembled. Not from fear.
From weight.
The weight of choice.
Behind her, Bai Zihan watched quietly, expression unreadable.
(Indeed, a Five-Star Fate Heaven’s Chosen…)
Such an opportunity being handed to Bai Xinyue might feel bizarre to others—but not to Bai Zihan, who understood her fate.
It seemed that even if he or the Bai Clan weren’t going to protect her, she wouldn’t need them.
To be honest, Bai Xinyue didn’t have any particular lingering feelings for this place.
There had been nothing but hurtful memories here.
She didn’t really care for it.
Her gaze naturally drifted to Bai Zihan.
Perhaps the only connection to this land.
Someone she once wanted revenge against—though now, that desire seemed distant. Perhaps it didn’t even exist anymore.
She didn’t know.
And despite everything, a strange reluctance to leave still lingered in her heart.
Perhaps, in the end… she also knew that her roots and home had always been here.
But even if she wanted to stay—she couldn’t.
The Li and Zhao Clans would never stop until they had her.
Her presence would invite a war far bigger than she could bear. One that would cost countless lives.
And right now, it was just the Li and Zhao Clans.
Soon, the Demonic Sect might get involved.
The Imperial Family was only staying quiet because they were watching from afar. But eventually, they would act.
They would never allow a power they couldn’t control to grow beneath their nose.
No matter what—
Staying here would mean destruction for the Bai Clan.