As the Heavenly Vermilion Sword of Ten Thousand Prisons descended with terrifying power, every cultivator in Purple Rainbow City lost their composure, scrambling desperately to flee.
Luo Qingxian felt utterly helpless. Though he hadn't known "Ao Debiao" for long, he had come to understand his temperament.
Although Luo Xiu had indeed made a move, he wasn't worried that the Heavenly Vermilion Sword of Ten Thousand Prisons would actually smash down and harm the innocents in the city.
Sure enough, in the next instant, several powerful auras streaked across the horizon at incredible speed. Before they even arrived, an intimidating majesty rolled toward Luo Xiu like rumbling thunder.
At the same time, Wei Qingkuang made her move from within the flying carriage. That graceful figure appeared in a fleeting, breathtaking flash that stunned everyone.
Wei Qingkuang soared into the sky, flying straight for the Flame Giant Sword. With a light flick of her wrist, a purple energy emerged from the east, coalescing in the sky into a light array that instantly devoured the massive sword of fire. Seeing this, all the cultivators in the city breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Is that the Empress Dowager of the Heaven Azure Empire… Wei Qingkuang?"
"Such unrivaled elegance!"
"Truly worthy of being the Zihong Holy Maiden!"
In the sky, that noble and enchanting silhouette now looked like a goddess descended from the heavens in the eyes of the cultivators.
Luo Xiu fixed his gaze on that graceful figure, his expression thoughtful. He didn't recognize Wei Qingkuang, yet for some reason, the more he looked, the more familiar she seemed, as if he had seen her somewhere before.
While Luo Xiu was lost in thought, piercing howls echoed through the void around him. The Lords of Purple Rainbow Mountain, White Rainbow Mountain, and Red Rainbow Mountain, along with the Elders from the three great holy lands, all appeared, surrounding Luo Xiu with palpable killing intent.
Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before Luo Xiu, accompanied by a fragrant breeze. Wei Qingkuang materialized in front of him as if from thin air.
An Elder roared angrily, "Audacious scoundrel! How dare you cause trouble on the day the Empress graces us with her presence? What are your intentions?"
"You are in the presence of the Empress! Kneel and pay your respects!"
In the crowd, Zhu Yu's lips curled into a smirk as he watched Luo Xiu with pity. With the three great Lords and the Empress Dowager gathered, such a lineup meant that even the lord of heaven himself wouldn't escape death today. He truly hadn't expected a man so young to possess such strength, forcing so many prominent figures to intervene personally. To die like this, he thought, is an honor in itself!
Unfazed, Luo Xiu slowly swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes finally resting on Wei Qingkuang's exquisitely cold and beautiful face.
In the ensuing silence, Luo Xiu spoke. "Esteemed seniors, I am just passing through Purple Rainbow City. I had no intention of causing trouble."
Zhu Yu scoffed. "Weren't you quite arrogant just a moment ago? Why the sudden cowardice?"
Luo Xiu shot Zhu Yu a sidelong glance. "Whose dog is this? Can someone shut him up?"
Wei Qingkuang glanced at Zhu Yu. "Yu'er, stand down."
"Yes, Mistress." Zhu Yu shot Luo Xiu a venomous glare before obediently retreating.
Luo Xiu shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Seniors, please don't misunderstand. This isn't cowardice; I just want to make things clear. And since you've all come, it would be terribly dull to just talk. We might as well fight first."
Wei Qingkuang's expression was glacial. The moment Luo Xiu finished speaking, she waved her hand lightly. "Then I shall grant your wish."
Luo Xiu's vision suddenly went dark. Before he could react, he found himself inexplicably transported to a small world. Wei Qingkuang appeared before him like a phantom, her voice indifferent. "To avoid harming the innocent, I will execute you in this realm."
Luo Xiu looked around. The small world was filled with splendid palaces and jade pavilions; it was quite lavish. "Such a beautiful place. Wouldn't it be a shame to destroy it?"
Wei Qingkuang remained expressionless. "It would be a pity, but it is still more valuable than your life."
Luo Xiu met her gaze, feeling her pure, unadulterated killing intent. His expression gradually grew somber. Based on the aura Wei Qingkuang had revealed when stopping the Heavenly Vermilion Sword of Ten Thousand Prisons, she was clearly a White Emperor. While Luo Xiu was confident he could remain undefeated against the White Emperor before him, he didn't dare let his guard down.
While he was still considering his options, Wei Qingkuang suddenly attacked. A purple longsword appeared in her hand, and she slashed forward.
Facing the sharp sword light, Luo Xiu waved his hand casually, summoning the Golden Crow Feather to instantly extinguish the attack.
Seeing this, Wei Qingkuang's expression tensed slightly. If Luo Xiu could tell she was a White Emperor, she could naturally see that he was one as well.
Luo Xiu smiled. "You really do want to kill me."
Wei Qingkuang's face was a cold mask. "You knew I was arriving today, yet you chose to cause a major disturbance in Purple Rainbow City. You clearly have ulterior motives. Moments ago, countless people from my homeland nearly died at your hand. For that… you deserve death!"
As soon as she spoke, her figure flashed, transforming into a series of afterimages that lunged at him.
Luo Xiu, however, remained motionless, completely unflustered. He casually swung the Golden Crow Feather, deflecting every afterimage that slashed toward him.
Suddenly, Wei Qingkuang floated backward, creating distance between them.
Luo Xiu looked up at her, a faint smile on his face. "After some probing, your sword momentum has peaked. It seems you're ready to get serious."
Wei Qingkuang's expression didn't change. Her sword heart was clear and would not be swayed by words. She ran two fingers of her left hand along the blade, and it erupted in a brilliant purple light. A mystical sword intent instantly filled the entire space.
"Zihong Moon Sword!"
As the purple sword light tore through the void toward him, Luo Xiu's heart skipped a beat. Damn, this woman is ruthless, he thought. Using a Divine Skill right off the bat! The power of this strike was nearly on par with his own Heavenly Vermilion Sword of Ten Thousand Prisons.
Not daring to hesitate, Luo Xiu retreated, his body emitting Azure Spiritual Power as a glint flashed in his eyes. Against someone who wanted to kill him, he certainly wouldn't hold back.
In an instant, an identical purple sword light materialized in the void before Luo Xiu, slashing toward the one she had launched.
Seeing this, Wei Qingkuang's beautiful eyes widened in shock.
"Holy Blasphemy?!"
She snapped her head up to look at Luo Xiu. When she saw the aura of his Azure Spiritual Power, she froze, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Who… who are you?" she stammered. "Heavenly Brother, is that you?"
BOOM!
The two sword lights collided, shattering the void. In the next instant, however, the explosive aftershock vanished completely, sealed away by Luo Xiu's Ghost God Power and sent into the Divine Thunder Space.
The world fell silent. A faint breeze stirred the fallen leaves on the ground, lifting her long hair.
Luo Xiu watched her, his brow furrowed. "And who are you?"
Wei Qingkuang's longsword clattered to the ground as she walked toward him, one step at a time. "In this world, only you… possess Holy Blasphemy." Her voice grew certain. "You must be Luo Tian!"
Staring at the approaching woman, Luo Xiu wore a strange expression. "Actually… the first time I saw you, I thought you looked familiar."
Wei Qingkuang gazed at him, her eyes slowly welling with tears. "I am Wei Qingkuang. The one you once vowed… to protect for a lifetime."
Her words struck him like lightning. He suddenly recalled what Luo Qianye had once told him. In those stories, Wei Qingkuang was the woman his past self had loved to death and back, his unattainable "white moonlight."
"Now, do you remember who I am?" Wei Qingkuang's eyes, brimming with tears, glared fiercely at him. "Luo Tian, for that one promise… I waited for you for thousands of years! I never imagined you would appear before me like this."