"Sister Xue… I'm sensing something strange. Isn't this the capital of the Yanhuo Kingdom? Why does the energy here feel so… dirty?" Moa spoke softly.
"Dirty? What do you mean? I don't feel anything," Xue Yunxue replied in confusion.
"Sister Xue, I come from Fleur — a planet with the purest energy in the entire universe. Our race is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in energy," Moa explained calmly. "For beast-humans like you, who have long lived alongside contamination and pollution, the difference may be imperceptible. But I am different."
Moa's voice turned serious.
"I can sense that the energy within this capital is extremely impure… almost identical to the energy of the Dark Sovereign that once destroyed my planet."
Xue Yunxue fell silent, her heartbeat quickening.
"What? Is that true? Then why can't I feel it?" she asked.
"That's because your beast body was born on a planet with a high level of energy pollution," Moa answered evenly. "To perceive energy of this level, you must reach the Taigu stage."
"A power level like Taigu? What is that?" Xue Yunxue asked again.
"It is the stage where one's strength surpasses the limit of level ninety-nine," Moa explained. "At that point, you will step into the Taigu Realm. In this world, only a handful of individuals throughout history have ever reached it."
A faint unease slowly formed in Xue Yunxue's chest.
"Then… what does this mean?" she asked quietly, fear creeping into her voice.
Moa paused for a moment before answering in a heavy tone.
"It means the threat of the Dark Sovereign… has begun to enter the Yanhuo Kingdom."
Xue Yunxue's face paled slightly after hearing Moa's words.
For a moment, the world around her seemed to fall silent, as though the bustling sounds of the capital faded far beyond her awareness.
The air felt heavy.
Without realizing it, her palms began to grow cold with sweat.
Lu Xiao, seated directly across from her, immediately noticed the subtle change. The sharpness in his gaze softened. He reached forward and gently took her hand, holding it warmly — firm yet careful, as though afraid of hurting something fragile.
"Don't worry," he said softly.
His voice was low and calm, like a night breeze soothing the surface of a restless lake.
The touch made Xue Yunxue's heart beat faster. Warmth spread from Lu Xiao's palm, driving away part of the chill tightening around her chest. She lifted her gaze and offered a faint smile — calm on the surface, yet unable to fully conceal the unease within.
Her anxiety was not without reason.
Tao Ling's words echoed clearly in her mind.
The power of darkness… had begun to infiltrate.
Another memory surfaced — the story of Hu Shui. How her body had once been controlled by a dark entity named Mo Yin. Xue Yunxue could not help but wonder why Mo Yin had abandoned Hu Shui's body so suddenly. Had it already found a more suitable vessel? Had Hu Shui simply been discarded after becoming useless?
Luo Shixin entered the grand hall with elegant, commanding steps. His robe swayed lightly with each movement, radiating a calm authority impossible to ignore. At his side, Xue Yunxue held his arm naturally, as though that position had always belonged to her.
Behind them, Lu Xiao and the others followed with calm yet oppressive strides. The presence of the four men immediately drew the attention of the entire hall.
The previously lively atmosphere gradually quieted.
Conversations halted.
All gazes turned toward them.
The guests recognized the men almost instantly — the former husbands of Princess Hu Shui, figures who had once shaken the capital with their strength and reputation. A faint yet heavy pressure filled the air; the cold aura they unconsciously emitted caused several low-level cultivators to hold their breath.
But soon, the guests' attention shifted to something else.
The woman walking among them.
Who was she?
Her beauty was so captivating it was difficult to look away. Almond-shaped eyes slightly lifted at the corners gave her an air both elegant and sharp. Her nose was delicate and refined, while her lips resembled soft red plum blossoms. Every step she took radiated a natural charm — not merely outward beauty, but a calm aura that compelled others to keep watching.
It was not only the men who were captivated.
Many women were secretly stunned as well.
Her beauty was not ordinary softness, but something rare and unique, as though she had been born to stand alongside extraordinary beings.
Whispers quickly spread among the guests.
"Is that General Luo's partner?"
"They look incredibly well-matched…"
"Or… is that girl the companion of all those men?"
A mixture of admiration and curiosity filled the air. Some did not even bother hiding their astonishment.
Not far away, Bai Ling stood beside Eyen. The luxurious gown she wore was beautiful, yet at this moment it failed to draw anyone's attention.
Of course she had received an invitation — thanks to her father's connections.
But all of it felt meaningless the moment her gaze landed on Xue Yunxue.
Bai Ling's expression stiffened.
Jealousy slowly filled her eyes.
That place… should have been hers.
She was the one who deserved to stand there, among those extraordinary men, receiving the admiration of the entire hall.
Not like unknown woman who suddenly appeared and stole all the attention.
Bai Ling's fingers unconsciously curled into fists at her sides, her nails nearly digging into her own palms.
At last, Bai Ling turned and left. The heels of her shoes struck the marble floor sharply, each step filled with anger she could no longer conceal. Her gown swayed fiercely with her movements, as if even the air around her could feel her fury.
She could not bear to watch any longer.
Could not bear to see Xue Yunxue standing in the place she believed should have belonged to her.
Meanwhile, Eyen remained where he stood.
Unlike Bai Ling, there was no jealousy in his eyes—only a cold, piercing interest, like a scholar discovering a rare specimen.
His gaze followed Xue Yunxue without blinking. Calculating. Curious.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Interesting… very interesting.
He once read an ancient journal nearly forgotten by time — experimental records concerning plant-element beast-humans. Such beings were said to possess life cores far stronger than ordinary humans, extraordinary regenerative abilities, and even the potential to prolong spiritual vitality.
Legend claimed that their blood and energy could become the perfect catalyst for high-level research.
Eyen's gaze deepened.
Luo Shixin's sharp instincts immediately caught Eyen secretly observing Xue Yunxue from afar. The man's stare was too obvious — filled with an unpleasant curiosity.
Luo Shixin's brows furrowed slightly, yet the expression only sharpened his handsome features. His gaze turned colder, carrying an unspoken warning.
If the opportunity came, he would not hesitate to teach that cunning crocodile a lesson.
Xue Yunxue's grievance had yet to be repaid, and Luo Shixin was not the kind of man who allowed such matters to pass quietly.
The royal hall stretched wide and magnificent, filled with nobles and guests from neighboring kingdoms dressed in luxurious silk and gold. Warm light cascaded from the towering ceiling, adorned with glittering mosaic crystals forming the image of a legendary fire fox that seemed alive within the glow.
It was said that the founder of the Yanhuo Kingdom came from the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan — legendary beings who once wielded sacred flames and divine power. But the clan had long since gone extinct, leaving only ordinary fox descendants as faint echoes of past glory.
Xue Yunxue and her group chose seats at the far corner, away from the center of attention. They attempted to appear ordinary, like insignificant guests amid the palace's splendor.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
From the moment they stepped into the royal grounds, countless eyes had secretly followed them — filled with curiosity, vigilance, and intentions difficult to discern.
At last, the coronation ceremony began.
A man in white robes slowly stepped onto the main stage. A long hood concealed most of his face, leaving only a faint shadow behind thin fabric. Even so, Xue Yunxue recognized him immediately — the priest she had seen before.
His white hair hung pale, his body thin and fragile, as though a strong wind alone could topple him. He looked more like a dying patient surviving on his last breath than the leader of a sacred ceremony.
The priest raised a sheet of paper and wrote something upon it with slow, reverent movements. When finished, he tossed the paper into a massive ceremonial furnace at the center of the stage.
Flames instantly devoured it.
The paper turned to ash, and white smoke rose into the air. Within seconds, the smoke twisted into glowing symbols. Golden characters slowly appeared, shining brightly above the hall like a heavenly decree.
A savior has been born who shall unite all races and defeat the demons.She is Hu Lian, the Star Princess…
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall. Guests rose to their feet, their faces filled with admiration and hope.
"Cheap trick," Moa muttered mockingly within Yunxue's mind.
Moments later, the stage floor slowly opened.
A young woman emerged from below, walking gracefully in a long white gown that shimmered softly beneath the crystal lights. Her eyes appeared gentle yet captivating, as though capable of calming anyone who met her gaze. Her long hair was intricately braided, enhancing the sacred aura surrounding her.
All attention in the hall immediately focused on her.
Beautiful. Pure. Innocent — like a holy maiden descending from legend.
That was Hu Lian.
Xue Yunxue observed her without blinking. She had to admit the girl's beauty was truly breathtaking. Yet what made her more curious was the reaction of her "beast husbands." A girl like this would normally make any man lose his composure.
She secretly glanced at them.
But the reactions of the four men were completely unexpected.
Lu Xiao's eyes darkened instead, as though he were looking at something repulsive. Xiang Shuai only glanced once before turning away indifferently. Lin Yuan appeared entirely uninterested, his expression calm and unmoved.
Meanwhile, Luo Shixin narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold — even carrying undisguised disgust.
The four men looked as though they were facing an old enemy.
Rituals and sacred prayers followed one after another. The priests' chants echoed throughout the royal hall, blending with the fragrance of incense filling the air. Upon a grand balcony, the King and Queen stood side by side, observing the ceremony with calm authority.
As the ceremony neared its climax, a crimson light suddenly glowed from Princess Hu Lian's forehead. A star-shaped mark slowly appeared, shining gently yet radiating immense power.
The entire hall fell silent.
A powerful energy ripple spread invisibly through the air, causing the guests to hold their breath. Awe and reverence filled their hearts as they felt the aura emanating from the princess.
Soon after, the ritual ended. The priest who had led the ceremony suddenly vanished, his body dissolving into white mist before disappearing entirely, as though he had never existed.
Lu Xiao watched everything with a grave expression, his gaze sharp and contemplative.
Lin Yuan, seated beside him, immediately noticed the change. He turned slightly, as if wanting to ask something. But Lu Xiao merely shook his head faintly without speaking.
Lin Yuan instantly understood and remained silent.
There was nothing more to ask.
Meanwhile, the King and Queen descended from the balcony to greet foreign envoys, diplomatic smiles returning to their faces.
Hu Lian did the same.
Her gaze swept across the hall before quickly settling on a striking figure seated at a secluded corner table.
Luo Shixin.
Even seated, his imposing military uniform and powerful physique made him stand out effortlessly. Anyone could see that the man was tall, strong, and commanding.
But the moment her eyes landed on the woman beside him, the smile on her face stiffened.
Is this the girl named Xue Yunxue? she thought.
Hu Lian walked toward their table with slow, graceful steps, like a blooming flower amidst the crowd. Yet the closer she approached, the more obvious the difference in atmosphere became.
The air around the four men felt heavy.
Not welcoming… but like an invisible domain of authority.
"Thank you for attending, General Luo," Hu Lian greeted softly, her gentle voice still drawing attention.
"Of course. It is my duty," Luo Shixin replied briefly. His tone was polite, yet cold — clearly establishing distance between them.
Hu Lian's gaze shifted to the other three men.
Xiang Shuai leaned casually in his seat, but his eyes were sharp like a predator observing prey. Lu Xiao sat upright without expression, while Lin Yuan lazily swirled the glass in his hand, a faint smile resting on his lips — one impossible to decipher.
Not a single one of them showed any intention of welcoming her.
For the first time, Hu Lian felt that she was not a princess… but an uninvited guest.
"General Luo arrived together with Prince Xiang, Young Master Lu, and Young Master Lin…" she said, trying to maintain a light tone. Her gaze then fell upon Xue Yunxue. "And who might this young lady be?"
"She is our partner."
Lu Xiao's answer fell cleanly and firmly, leaving no room for denial.
In an instant, the atmosphere changed.
The four men subtly shifted their positions—not a large movement, merely slight adjustments of shoulders and posture—but enough to form a protective line around Xue Yunxue.
Hu Lian's smile stiffened.
She was accustomed to being the center of attention, accustomed to men lowering their heads or at least treating her warmly. Yet here… she was not even regarded as a princess worthy of notice.
"Is that so?" Her voice softened, her eyes glistening faintly. "I didn't know you had already found a new partner. I'm even a little hurt that I wasn't invited to your wedding… we used to be family."
That sorrowful expression would normally melt anyone's heart.
But the table remained silent.
Xiang Shuai did not even bother hiding his boredom. Lin Yuan glanced at her briefly before looking away, as if he had already lost interest. Luo Shixin remained calm, while Lu Xiao showed no reaction at all.
There was no sympathy. No gentleness.
Only cold indifference.
Xue Yunxue almost smiled. Such flawless acting… yet performed on the wrong stage.
"We were only recently married, so no grand celebration has been held," Luo Shixin finally said, merely maintaining courtesy.
A flash of relief crossed Hu Lian's eyes before she quickly concealed it.
"As your sister-in-law, you should visit me more often," she said softly. "If you ever encounter difficulties, you may come to me. I will certainly help."
"Your kingdom is so poor," Xiang Shuai interrupted lazily, his tone flat yet sharp as a thin blade, "I doubt there's any help you could offer us."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Several nearby nobles secretly turned their heads to look.
For a moment, Hu Lian's mask nearly cracked. Her fingers tightened beneath her sleeves, yet she maintained her perfect royal smile.
At last, she realized something.
These four men were not merely difficult to win over.
They had no intention of respecting her at all. In fact, their hostility was unmistakable. Was it because of Hu Shui? Or because of the girl now standing before them?
"By the way," she continued, attempting to regain control of the situation, "wasn't there still one former husband of Hu Shui—Yun Wu? Why is he not present?"
"On behalf of my husband, Yun Wu, I apologize to Your Highness," Xue Yunxue spoke gently, her voice almost soothing. Yet hidden within her words was a sharp edge. "He could not attend because he has an allergy to royal families."
Silence fell instantly.
Lin Yuan glanced at Xue Yunxue, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
A beautiful jab, he thought.
Across from them, Hu Lian's smile remained—but this time, cracks were clearly visible.
This girl dared to mock her!
She quickly excused herself and moved toward another table. In her mind, only one thought remained—she had to eliminate that woman as soon as possible.
This time, she would meet Luo Jin and force Luo Shixin to divorce that unknown woman named Xue Yunxue and marry her instead. The power of the Luo family had to belong to her.
The entire hall was filled with invited guests. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, reflecting gold and silver glimmers from the nobles' luxurious attire as they conversed with polite smiles. Soft music flowed through the air, masking the quiet whispers spreading among the crowd.
Yet amid the splendor, Hu Lian walked away.
Her steps remained calm and elegant, as if she were merely seeking fresh air. She passed groups of nobles offering respectful bows before stopping at a quieter corner of the hall, hidden behind a massive marble pillar and the shadows of long curtains.
The gentle smile on her face slowly faded.
Her eyes turned cold.
She raised her communication device, slender fingers moving quickly without hesitation.
"Execute our plan immediately," she typed.
She paused, her gaze drifting toward the main hall—directly toward where Xue Yunxue sat with the four beast husbands.
The corner of her lips curled slightly.
"Xue Yunxue has come here on her own."
The message was sent.
Several seconds passed in silence. The music of the banquet sounded distant, as though coming from another world. Hu Lian slowly closed the device and took a deep breath.
Her smile returned.
But this time, it was not the smile of a princess.
It was the smile of someone who had already decided another person's fate.
In the end… that woman would also die.
Hu Lian's gaze filled with barely concealed obsession. Memories of the past flashed through her mind—the five men who should have remained within her grasp, the five figures who once stood at her side but now protected another woman.
If she could not possess Hu Shui's five husbands…
Then no woman in this world would be allowed to have them.
No one had the right to replace her.
No one was allowed to live happily in her place.
The night breeze drifting in from the balcony caused the hem of her gown to sway gently. Hu Lian turned her gaze back toward the lively hall, her face once again adorned with the flawless gentleness of a noble princess.
No one realized that behind that elegant smile…
a murder had already begun to move.