Rebirth in Against the Gods with The Ultimate System

Fen Duanhun clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly as his remaining elite forces fell before Yun Che and Retsu. They have already lost three high level elders. The backbone of their clan is being chipped one by one. With the loss of Fen Moli, they have already begun losing more and more. The strange and devastating arts they wielded were beyond his comprehension, making the clan's once-revered profound arts seem laughably insignificant—like matches against a raging inferno.

"You bastard, Yun Che!" Fen Juecheng spat, blood dripping from his battered face. Yun Che had caught him mid-charge and pummeled him mercilessly, the humiliation of his defeat burning deeper than his wounds.

Both father and son exchanged glances, now fully convinced of a grim reality: Yun Che and Retsu had hidden their true strength. Their supposed cultivation at the True Profound Realm was nothing but a clever ruse. Fen Duanhun's mind raced. If they can fight on par with me, then…

"They're Heaven Profound Masters, that must be the case! How can they easily kill our three elders easily?" Fen Xinghao whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling with disbelief.

The surviving men froze, their eyes widening in collective shock. Against Heaven Profound Masters, they didn't stand a chance. Even their clan master, a Peak Sky Profound Realm cultivator, had failed to inflict any meaningful damage.

"Impossible… Impossible… Such strength at such a young age… They can't be!" Fen Zhong muttered, his voice cracking under the weight of fear and disbelief.

The other elders exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence shattered. The battle had laid bare their own inadequacy. Even with their Sky Profound Realm strength and their clan's best warriors, they had been utterly outmatched.

Fen Duanhun's mind churned with desperation. He had believed that bringing a contingent of Sky Profound Realm elders and a significant number of Earth Profound Masters would suffice. But now, that plan lay in ruins. Their losses had mounted to an unbearable degree, and retreat seemed the only option.

But retreat wasn't enough. Not for him. Not after this humiliation.

"There's only one way…" Fen Duanhun muttered under his breath, his resolve hardening. If they could retreat to the Burning Heaven Clan's sanctuary, he could unleash the two forbidden arts stored there, techniques powerful enough to annihilate even Heaven Profound Masters. But in their current position, surrounded and weakened, he could only see one desperate path forward.

He had to concentrate all his remaining power—and that of his remaining men—into a single, devastating attack.

"Men! I promise you, if we return to the clan alive, I will compensate you for this! Send me your blood essence! We must kill these monsters!" Fen Duanhun bellowed, his voice trembling with both fury and desperation.

The remaining members of the Burning Heaven Clan hesitated, but their loyalty—or perhaps fear—spurred them into action. One by one, they began pouring their blood essence into Fen Duanhun, their faces growing pale as the forbidden technique consumed their vitality. The air grew thick with oppressive energy as Fen Duanhun's aura swelled to terrifying heights. A dark purple dragon began to materialize, its scales shimmering with malevolence, its sheer presence suffocating. Several times more powerful than Fen Moli and Fen Juechen.

"Burning Heaven Dragon!!!" Fen Duanhun roared, his voice echoing as the monstrous dragon reared back, its maw glowing with destructive power. The technique, powered by the sacrifices of his own men, was said to rival the strength of an Emperor Profound Realm cultivator in a single, devastating strike.

Fen Juecheng's face twisted into a savage grin. "Kill them, Father! End this now!"

Yun Che, unfazed by the growing threat, crossed his arms and smirked. "Using the blood essence of your own men to power up your attack? You must be really desperate to deal with us. How sad."

The glowing purple flame soccer ball in Yun Che's hand, faintly pulsing with power, had been quietly gathering energy throughout the battle. Its purple hue now mirrored the dragon, brimming with enough force to counter the so-called forbidden technique. He glanced at Retsu, who stood calm at his side.

"Retsu," Yun Che said with a mischievous grin, "how about it? Want to show him your own dragon?"

Retsu blinked, her serene smile faltering for a moment as the weight of his suggestion sank in. "Yuu-kun… you mean that technique? Are you sure? It's a bit… overkill."

Yun Che shrugged nonchalantly. "Overkill's just right for someone this dramatic. Besides, didn't Yachiru say it's good to let loose once in a while?"

Retsu closed her eyes briefly, exhaling a soft sigh. "Ufuu, if you insist…" When she opened her eyes again, her aura shifted. The playful serenity she usually exuded was replaced by a chilling authority.

"You're a master Kido user, trained by Yachiru herself. I can't learn that technique yet since it's not unlocked for me, but you can—it's one of your previously cultivated skills," Yun Che said with an encouraging smile. "Now, why don't you show me, sweetie?"

Retsu blushed slightly, a soft pink tint coloring her cheeks. "Mou… You charmer," she murmured, smiling despite the tension. Yun Che had a knack for lifting her spirits even in the heat of battle. Taking a steadying breath, she extended her arm forward, her free hand gripping her firing arm for stability. The air around her shimmered as her spiritual energy surged.

This was her first time using such a powerful spell since regaining her abilities. Yachiru had trained her thoroughly, teaching both the incantation and non-incantation forms of the technique. For this moment, she chose the non-incantation form to minimize collateral damage, though it would only unleash half its full power.

"Hadō #88 (Way of Destruction #88): Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō! (Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon)" Retsu's voice rang out, calm and commanding as she channeled a massive surge of energy into her palm. A moment later, a gigantic beam of electrical and spiritual energy erupted forth, shaped like a roaring dragon, crackling with raw power as it hurtled toward Fen Duanhun's Burning Heaven Dragon.

The two dragons collided in a dazzling display of light and energy. Fen Duanhun's dark purple dragon, powered by the essence of his men, roared defiantly, but the sheer intensity of Retsu's electrical dragon began to overwhelm it. The essence dragon flickered and shrank, its power visibly waning against the onslaught.

"What the hell is that technique?!" Fen Duanhun shouted, his voice tinged with panic as the electrical dragon surged forward, piercing through the heart of his creation. The Burning Heaven Dragon shattered in a brilliant explosion of light, its remnants dissipating into the air.

But Retsu's attack did not stop there. The dragon of lightning and spiritual energy continued its rampage, hurtling toward the group of men supporting Fen Duanhun. The moment it struck, the ground shook violently as a massive explosion erupted, decimating the remaining forces and carving a deep trench into the battlefield.

Fen Juecheng stood frozen atop the Burning Heaven Clan's flying ark, his face pale as he watched the devastation below. His father, Fen Duanhun, barely managed to escape the blast radius, collapsing just meters away from the trench gouged into the earth. Around him, the surviving men were paralyzed with disbelief and fear, their collective blood essence rendered meaningless against the might of a single technique.

"She… she obliterated it... with one hand? Without even using blood essence?" one of the clan's elites muttered, his voice trembling.

Fen Juecheng's fists clenched as his teeth ground audibly. His pride and belief in the Burning Heaven Clan's superiority crumbled under the weight of what he had just witnessed. How could this happen?

On the ground, Yun Che chuckled, breaking the heavy silence. "Woah, I knew it would be strong, but this? I didn't expect this level of power," he said, whistling in appreciation.

Retsu turned to him, a spark of curiosity in her calm eyes. "Ara, you've never seen this before?"

"Well," Yun Che began, scratching the back of his head with a playful grin, "not exactly. I saw something similar in my previous world. A fake version of you used it."

"Fake version of me?" Retsu tilted her head, intrigued.

"A Rengai version of you, sweetie," Yun Che clarified, referring to the Bleach Rengai Uprising Arc. "Don't worry, I'll let Yachiru explain when you're in the inner world for training. She's better at the storytelling anyway."

Retsu blinked, her serene demeanor unshaken as she mulled over his words. Then she returned her gaze to the destruction she had wrought, the corner of her lips twitching upward in a soft, satisfied smile. "I'm just glad I didn't use the incantation. This could have been... messier."

Fen Juecheng's panic broke her contemplation. His voice cracked as he screamed from the ark, scrambling for cover when he realized both Yun Che and Retsu had shifted their attention to him. Their hands slowly rose, palms pointing toward the ark with unnerving precision.

"No! No! What are you doing?! Stop!" Fen Juecheng shouted, his fear boiling over as he remembered the destruction Retsu's technique had just caused.

Retsu's serene expression remained unchanged, though her soft chuckle sent chills through everyone who heard it. "Yuu-kun, shall we?"

"Oh, absolutely," Yun Che replied, his smirk widening as his aura flared. Together, they prepared their next move, their combined power a terrifying force that made the remaining Burning Heaven Clan elites shudder in despair.

The men scrambled onto the ark, dragging their defeated clan master along with them. Their retreat was frantic, leaving behind their dignity, their blood essence, and the remains of their shattered pride. As the ark ascended and sped away, Yun Che and Retsu powered down, the tension in the air dissipating as quickly as it had built.

Yun Che exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Sigh… It doesn't feel right attacking men who've already surrendered," he muttered. "Not to mention, they've lost their wits and pride completely. What more could we take?"

Retsu tilted her head, her expression soft yet thoughtful. "Are we really letting them go? Won't they come back later, seeking revenge?"

"They can try," Yun Che replied with a shrug, his tone calm yet firm. "It'll end the same way every time. If we had weak points or vulnerable people, I might think twice, but we've taken contingency measures for everyone. There's no need to worry."

His words carried a steady reassurance, his confidence extending beyond himself to the people under his protection. Retsu observed him silently, admiring how he shouldered the weight of not just his battles but the safety of others.

"The clan master failed today," Yun Che continued, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked toward the horizon where the ark disappeared. "It won't be long before the last man of their clan steps out. The great elder—the one hiding behind closed doors."

"Ufuu, isn't he the one you're targeting?" Retsu mused, recalling Yun Che's earlier plans. She knew he needed something from the Burning Heaven Clan's elusive great elder, something that would soon lead them into another nation.

"Exactly." Yun Che's smirk returned, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "Sparing them today will force him out into the open. Once he's exposed, we'll decide whether to wipe them off the map or sparing them to keep going."

Retsu nodded, her trust in Yun Che unwavering. "Then it's only a matter of time."

"Whew… that was intense," Yun Che remarked as he stretched out, exhaling deeply as the last remnants of the Burning Heaven Clan's elite force fled, carrying the gravely injured Fen Duanhun and Fen Juecheng with them. He wasn't one to pursue those who had surrendered, especially after such a chaotic battle.

"As if he could stand against our tag team, Yuu-kun," Retsu mused with a soft smile, her tone light despite the destruction they had wrought. Their seamless teamwork—Yun Che focusing on binding spells while Retsu unleashed devastating destruction spells—had proven too much for their opponents, allowing them to carve through the Burning Heaven Clan's forces like a hot knife through butter.

Yun Che chuckled, brushing some dust off his robes. "You make it sound easy, Retsu. But I guess they never stood a chance with us working together."

"Yuu-kun, isn't that—?" Retsu suddenly pointed ahead, her voice curious. Her sharp eyes had caught sight of the Chu sisters mid-battle, their graceful yet relentless strikes overwhelming Ling Yuefeng.

Yun Che followed her gaze and smirked. "Looks like we're in for a show. They really did a number on him, didn't they?"

The duo silently ascended, positioning themselves to observe the ongoing clash. From their vantage point, it was clear that Ling Yuefeng was on his last legs, completely outmatched by the formidable Chu sisters. Little Fairy's ice-coated strikes, combined with Chu Yueli's swift and precise swordplay, had left him battered and on the verge of collapse.

"Looks like she's been using the katana I gave her pretty well," Yun Che noted, his tone carrying a tinge of respect towards Chu Yueli.

Retsu tilted her head slightly, her serene smile unfaltering. "Do you think they need help, Yuu-kun?"

"Nah," Yun Che replied, crossing his arms as he watched. "This is their fight, and they've got it under control. Besides…" He grinned mischievously. "It's not every day you get to watch someone like Ling Yuefeng get his ego handed to him."

Retsu chuckled softly at his words, her eyes glinting with amusement.

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Ling Yuefeng collapsed to his knees, his breathing labored, his pride shattered. The once-proud villa master was utterly dominated by the Chu sisters, who seemed to expend minimal effort to keep him subdued. Their mission had shifted from merely protecting Cang Yue to ensuring he remained suppressed, while whatever force now resided within Cang Yue clashed with his father.

Desperation clawed at Ling Yuefeng's mind. He needed an escape—anything to regroup and salvage what remained of his dignity and power. As an idea struck him, he unleashed a barrage of enormous sword projections, aiming to distract and hold the sisters at bay long enough to flee.

Before his attacks could even launch, however, they froze mid-air, encased in shimmering ice. A chilling gust swept through as Little Fairy materialized before him, her expression colder than the frost enveloping his attacks.

"This is for trying to poison me, harassing me, and stealing Yufeng's life!" Little Fairy spat, her voice laced with fury. She struck him with a haki-coated fist, her blow landing with the force of a collapsing mountain. Ling Yuefeng was sent hurtling backward, crashing into a jagged rock formation with a sickening thud.

Chu Yueli flew to her sister's side, letting out a small sigh. "I hope you didn't accidentally kill him."

Before Little Fairy could respond, a new voice cut through the air. "Well, if you did, I think that's rewarding enough for him."

The sisters turned toward the source, their eyes widening in surprise. Hovering in the air not far from them were Yun Che and Unohana Retsu. Their presence was shocking enough, but the fact that they were flying—despite their cultivation only being in the True Profound Realm—was an impossibility that left even the usually composed Little Fairy momentarily stunned.

"Rascal, sister Retsu" Little Fairy muttered, her tone a mix of calm and something unspoken.

"This…" Chu Yueli's eyes widened in disbelief as she watched Yun Che and Retsu glide effortlessly through the air. Despite their use of the Wings of First Flight, the sight of two individuals supposedly in the True Profound Realm flying was nothing short of astounding. Unless, of course, their cultivation was not what it seemed. 

Her thoughts grew more chaotic as she recognized the man—Yun Che, the husband of her former disciple Xia Qingyue. 

"Sister Yuechan!" Retsu called out, her voice filled with warmth as she descended toward Little Fairy, who caught her in a heartfelt embrace. 

"Sister Retsu… it's been a while," Little Fairy said, her usually stoic tone softening as she held Retsu tightly. 

"Yes… and you've grown stronger," Retsu replied with a grin, sensing the profound increase in Little Fairy's cultivation. 

"A courtesy from someone," Little Fairy said with a faint smile, her gaze shifting toward Yun Che. 

"Onee-san, you know these two?" Chu Yueli asked, glancing between her sister and Yun Che with mounting suspicion. First Xia Qingyue and now her sister.

"Yes, Cang Yue isn't the only one I've met in New Moon City. These two were with her," Little Fairy admitted, much to her sister's surprise. 

Chu Yueli stared at Yun Che with growing unease. He seemed to be involved with everyone—Xia Qingyue, Cang Yue, and now her sister. If she wasn't careful, she thought, he might end up involving himself with her as well. 

What she didn't know was that he already had—just not as Yun Che. 

"You two can fly?" Chu Yueli asked, still trying to process what she had just witnessed. 

"We're using these wings. A gift from Retsu's little sister," Yun Che said, holding up the Wings of First Flight crafted by Nemu. The intricate design shimmered faintly, reflecting the light around them. 

"Such beautiful wings," Little Fairy mused, her eyes lingering on the craftsmanship. 

"It uses far less profound energy compared to traditional flying techniques," Yun Che explained. "Anyone below the Sky Profound Realm can now experience flight with ease." 

"Incredible… to think such wonders exist," Chu Yueli murmured, unable to hide her astonishment. 

As Chu Yueli gazed at the wings, her thoughts raced. How could these two individuals—who appeared to be at the Peak True Profound Realm—possess such capabilities? Their display of power against the Burning Heaven Clan's elites had been nothing short of extraordinary. 

"Could their cultivations be a façade?" she wondered, her gaze shifting between Yun Che and Retsu. The mysteries surrounding them only deepened, leaving her both intrigued and unsettled. 

Before she could voice her doubts, Ling Yuefeng burst out of the rock formation.

Yun Che's gaze turned dismissive. "We'll check on Little Yue. You can decide whether to finish him off or let him go—it's your choice." 

"Gladly… I have a grudge to settle with Ling Yuefeng." Little Fairy said with a cold smile, her profound energy surging as she prepared to deal with him. Her heart belonged to her rascal and any men trying to steal that heart will face her wrath. 

Chu Yueli hesitated for a moment before following her sister, still puzzling over the older sister's willingness to comply with Yun Che's request. Something about this man unsettled her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. 

----------------------

"Hmph, funny… I thought the Sword Saint might be strong enough for me to bother stepping out. What a disappointment," Shin Yue mused, her tone laced with mockery as she hovered above the battered Ling Tianni. The powerful blast had flung him fifty kilometers from the initial battlefield before crashed into the sea, leaving him stunned and disoriented. 

Ling Tianni's eyes widened as he took in her appearance. Cang Yue—or rather, the entity now inhabiting her—looked completely different from the reports. Her long dark hair shimmered like the night sky, and her golden eyes flickered with an otherworldly glow. A sphere of water surrounded her, undulating gently as if alive, yet clearly serving as an impenetrable shield. 

"Who are you? What have you done with the princess?" Ling Tianni demanded, his voice trembling with unease. Before him stood a figure that was no longer the timid Princess Cang Yue. The softness in her demeanor had vanished, replaced by an oppressive aura of authority, one that radiated the majesty of a ruler.

Shin Yue turned her golden eyes toward him, her expression cold and disdainful. "As if this empress needed to sully her name with the likes of you," she spat, her tone carrying an edge sharp enough to cut steel.

Ling Tianni's fists tightened in anger and confusion. "Empress? Don't mock me! What kind of trickery is this?"

Shin Yue's gaze bore into him, unyielding and filled with regal confidence. "Trickery?" she echoed, her voice laced with mockery. "You dare accuse this empress of trickery after your pathetic attempt to steal what you could never hope to possess?"

The words struck a nerve, and Ling Tianni felt his composure begin to unravel. This wasn't the Cang Yue he had captured, nor was it someone he could intimidate. The figure before him exuded an aura of dominance that made even his current strength seem insignificant.

Her golden aura flared, the sheer pressure forcing Ling Tianni to take a step back. This was no mere transformation. This was the presence of someone who had transcended the boundaries of mortality, someone who commanded respect and fear.

"Now," Shin Yue continued, her tone icy and imperious, "kneel, and perhaps this empress will consider leaving your body intact."

Ling Tianni's heart sank as the scene before him mirrored the reports his spies had delivered. This was the same 'Empress' they had spoken of—the mysterious and overwhelming presence that caused natural phenomena to spiral out of control. 

Around Shin Yue, the storm began to take shape, just as described. Rain fell in torrential sheets, yet not a single drop touched her; it was as though the water itself obeyed her will. Above her, the clouds twisted into a dark, rotating mass, forming the unmistakable eye of a storm. Lightning crackled violently within the swirling clouds, illuminating the battlefield with brief, blinding flashes. 

Three colossal water dragons began to materialize behind Shin Yue, their shimmering, liquid bodies coiling and twisting with an air of overwhelming might. Their presence alone caused the surrounding air to hum with energy, the sheer force of their manifestation sending ripples through the ground and sky.

The middle dragon lowered its massive head, its glowing sapphire eyes gleaming with reverence. Shin Yue ascended gracefully, her every movement regal and deliberate, as if the very heavens themselves had cleared a path for her. She seated herself upon the dragon's broad, rippling back as though it were a throne crafted specifically for her divine presence.

The other two dragons flanked her, their forms towering and imposing, radiating an aura of unyielding protection. Their jaws opened slightly, revealing rows of gleaming, jagged teeth, while their eyes locked onto Ling Tianni with predatory focus.

Shin Yue rested one hand lightly on the dragon beneath her, the gesture both commanding and serene. The scene was surreal, as if a celestial ruler had descended upon the mortal plane. Her golden aura intertwined with the azure brilliance of the water dragons, amplifying the oppressive power that saturated the battlefield.

Ling Tianni could only stare in disbelief, the confidence he once had reduced to ashes. Before him wasn't just a foe but a force of nature itself.

"This… this is the power they spoke of. The power of the ancient arts." Ling Tianni muttered, his voice barely audible over the deafening roar of the storm. He clenched his fists, trying to steady his resolve, but his confidence wavered under the oppressive might of the spectacle before him. 

It was the arts he wanted to kill the princess for but instead, he awakened the beast laid dormant.

The Empress floated serenely within the chaos, her golden eyes glowing brighter as if fueled by the storm's energy. "Really? Bringing this empress to the sea where water is abundant to her use?" Shin Yue's voice carried effortlessly through the storm, calm yet resounding with authority as she floats using the water of the sea to her disposal. "You dared challenge this Empress, thinking your strength was absolute? How amusing."

Ling Tianni's body trembled involuntarily as the storm intensified, the sheer pressure of her aura pressing down on him like a mountain. Even in his pride, he couldn't deny the truth before him—this wasn't just profound strength; it was something far beyond what he could comprehend.

"Who… just who are you?" Ling Tianni demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of confusion and defiance. 

"Who do you think you are challenging this empress?" Shin Yue said coldly, her disdainful gaze cutting into him like a blade. She floated effortlessly, radiating an aura of majesty and power that seemed to dwarf the vast battlefield. 

Ling Tianni's mind raced as he analyzed her aura. She was undeniably at the Peak of Earth Profound Realm—levels beneath him, even in his current weakened state. His cultivation had been forcibly reduced to the Peak of Sky Profound Realm, yet he remained confident. 

"Peak of Earth Profound Realm?" he sneered, forcing himself to his feet despite his injuries. "Even with your theatrics, you are no match for me. Don't think calling yourself 'empress' can bridge the gap between our levels." 

Shin Yue's golden eyes narrowed, her smirk deepening. "Oh, and you calling yourself 'Sword Saint' without proper backing? You misunderstand. This Empress has the power to back it up. Shall I show you what it means to face this 'Empress'?" 

Before Ling Tianni could retort, the sphere of water surrounding Shin Yue began to ripple and expand, releasing a pressure that made the very air feel heavier. For the first time in his long life, Ling Tianni felt something he had not experienced in decades—fear. 

Shin Yue floated in place, her aura growing denser with each passing second. The roaring tornado of water surrounding her became a whirlpool of power, its force creating shockwaves that sent debris flying in every direction. The three water serpents coiled protectively around her, their translucent, shimmering forms rippling with energy. Each serpent was majestic and terrifying, their eyes glowing with a sapphire brilliance that promised devastation. 

"Only ten percent of Moon Energy left," Shin Yue muttered to herself, her voice calm but tinged with urgency. "I need to end this quickly, or Yue'er might be in trouble." 

Ling Tianni gritted his teeth as he drew his extra sword since he lost his main weapon to Chu Yuechan, the blade gleaming with a fierce light. With a shout, he unleashed a barrage of sword lights, each one radiating enough energy to slice through mountains. The air crackled as the attacks hurtled toward Shin Yue, cutting through the rain like meteors. 

But the water tornado surrounding her absorbed the attacks effortlessly, the sword lights dissipating into harmless ripples. The protective sphere encasing Shin Yue remained untouched, its surface shimmering as if mocking Ling Tianni's efforts. 

"Is that all?" Shin Yue's voice was laced with disdain as she extended her hand. The serpents around her surged forward, their massive forms coiling through the air with terrifying speed. Each one moved as if alive, their jaws snapping with enough force to crush boulders. 

Ling Tianni swung his sword again, trying to deflect the incoming serpents, but their fluid forms proved elusive. They twisted and darted around his defenses, forcing him to retreat step by step. The sheer pressure of their presence made it clear—this was not a battle he could win through brute force alone. The serpent crashed and pushed him into he crashed on a mountain side.

The storm intensified, lightning striking dangerously close, illuminating Shin Yue's serene yet dominating figure. "You call yourself the Sword Saint," she said coldly, her golden eyes locking onto him. "This empress hopes for a battle she can enjoy, not this." 

Shin Yue watched with an air of indifference as Ling Tianni staggered out from the rubble of the shattered mountain, supported by the shimmering figure of his Sword Spirit Doppelgänger. His battered form was a far cry from the invincible Sword Saint that legends spoke of. Yet, despite his dire condition, his eyes burned with unyielding determination. 

"Impossible!" Ling Tianni snarled, glaring at Shin Yue. "She's supposed to be in the Earth Profound Realm! How is she fighting on par with me?" 

Shin Yue said nothing, her golden eyes glinting coldly as she raised her hands. The three water serpents surrounding her responded instantly, their movements synchronized and fluid. From the storm above, water droplets solidified into razor-sharp shards of ice, raining down on Ling Tianni and his doppelgänger with unrelenting ferocity. 

Ling Tianni's eyes widened as he witnessed Shin Yue command the frigid power with such mastery, the ice formations she conjured surpassing anything he had seen even from the Frozen Cloud Asgard's matriarch, Gong Yuxian. The air around them dropped sharply, frost creeping across the ground and crystallizing in intricate patterns of elegance and lethality.

"Ice? Since when have you learned the arts of the Frozen Cloud Asgard?!" Ling Tianni shouted, his voice tinged with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

Shin Yue, seated regally atop her water dragon throne, regarded him with a bemused expression. Her lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Huh? Since when would this empress lower herself to dabble in such lowly arts?" she mused aloud, her tone dripping with disdain.

Her words hung in the air like a slap to the face. If anyone from the Frozen Cloud Asgard had been present to hear their profound arts dismissed so casually, it would have sparked an outrage. But Shin Yue paid no mind to such trifling considerations, her attention solely on the man before her who dared question her abilities.

The frost thickened, the ground cracking under the pressure of her unrestrained aura. The frozen energy she wielded wasn't just an art; it was a force that bent nature itself to her will, as if ice and cold were part of her very essence. Ling Tianni gritted his teeth, realizing that the being before him wasn't bound by the conventional laws of profound arts. She transcended them.

Ling Tianni raised his arms, summoning a profound shield to block the onslaught. The icy projectiles clashed against the barrier, shattering into a cascade of frost, but each impact sent tremors through his body. His teeth clenched as he struggled to maintain the shield. 

"I am the pinnacle of strength in the Blue Wind Empire!" Ling Tianni roared, his voice trembling with a mix of rage and desperation. "The strongest of all, the Sixth Level of the Emperor Profound Realm! My cultivation stolen… to empower a mere princess?!" 

His pride, his very identity, refused to allow defeat. Ignoring the burning sensation in his chest, Ling Tianni extended his arm, channeling his profound energy. His Sword Spirit Doppelgänger mirrored his actions, their movements synchronized as they prepared to unleash a counterattack. 

"This ends now!" Ling Tianni bellowed. He activated his domain—a desperate move, one that consumed energy at an alarming rate for someone now relegated to the Sky Profound Realm. The air around him shifted, crackling with oppressive energy as his domain surged to life, a manifestation of his unwavering resolve. 

But Shin Yue remained calm, unfazed by the sudden burst of power. The serpents circled her protectively, their forms glowing brighter with a translucent sheen. Her lips curled into a faint smirk. 

With a flick of her wrist, the serpents lunged forward, crashing against his domain with a force that shook the battlefield. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, testing the limits of Ling Tianni's defenses. The storm above raged on, a testament to Shin Yue's unyielding control over the battlefield. 

Ling Tianni steadied his trembling hands, gripping his sword tightly as the domain he activated surged with wild, razor-sharp sword energy. Blades of profound light danced erratically in the air, seeking their mark, as he funneled every ounce of his diminished strength into maintaining control. His mind raced with one goal: create an opening to eliminate either the princess or this enigmatic "Empress" who had taken over her.

His confidence, however, faltered as he watched the storm surrounding Shin Yue intensify. The water serpents dissolved, only to reform into a swirling vortex around her, coalescing into an armor-like layer that clung to her body, shimmering with a crystalline brilliance. The protective water seemed alive, flowing and shifting with her every movement, guarding her from harm.

Ling Tianni's eyes widened in disbelief. "What is this…?" he muttered under his breath.

Shin Yue smirked, raising her hand as the water swirled upward, forming a colossal, translucent fist that hovered menacingly beside her. The storm above roared louder, lightning illuminating her commanding figure.

"Predictable." she taunted, her voice carrying a regal authority that seemed to echo through the very air. The water fist surged forward, moving with speed and power that defied belief.

Ling Tianni gritted his teeth, summoning all his skill to counter. He swung his sword in an arc, releasing a barrage of sword energy blades to intercept the incoming attack. The clash was thunderous, sending shockwaves that tore through the surrounding terrain.

Yet, Shin Yue's expression remained unfazed. The water fist shattered into countless droplets, only to reform instantly, undeterred by his assault.

"This is getting dull," Shin Yue remarked, her tone icy.

As she stepped forward, the water around her grew more turbulent, shaping into additional serpents, each larger and more menacing than the last. Ling Tianni's domain trembled under the relentless pressure, his mind reeling as he realized that he was no longer in control. Ling Tianni wasn't fighting the princess, he was fighting the ancient Empress herself.

"Heavenly Sword of Extreme Lightning!" Ling Tianni roared, unleashing hundreds of lightning-charged sword beams toward Shin Yue in a desperate gambit. 

"Sigh… you do realize this is futile?" Shin Yue's tone was laced with disdain as she raised her hands. The swirling water around her transformed into a massive, shimmering shield, absorbing and deflecting every strike with ease. 

"Universe!" Ling Tianni bellowed again, summoning a colossal sword light, sixty meters long and over a meter wide, to cleave down upon her. But Shin Yue simply smirked, her shield morphing into a serpentine dragon of water that coiled around the attack. With a casual squeeze of her hand, the dragon constricted, crushing the sword light until it shattered into harmless fragments of energy. 

Within the crumbling domain of sword lights, Shin Yue stood unshaken, her aura unyielding. Ling Tianni's knees began to buckle under the strain, his once-mighty energy reserves dwindling rapidly. Every attack burned through what little profound strength he had left after being forcibly reverted to the Sky Profound Realm. 

"Radiant Skies!" he shouted, desperation clear in his voice. Thirty-meter-long sword lights materialized around him, launching toward her in a final attempt to turn the tide. 

Shin Yue's water serpents responded with unnerving precision, shrinking in size as they shot forward, intercepting the sword lights mid-air. The serpents coiled around each beam, twisting them apart before hurling the remnants back at Ling Tianni. The impact erupted around him, scattering debris and profound energy in every direction. 

"Funny… this Empress is starting to get bored," Shin Yue mused, her tone tinged with mockery as she observed the battered Sword Saint. "I don't understand why Yue'er would find this thrilling." 

Ling Tianni lifted his head, his vision blurred but still focused on the figure before him. The water tornado surrounding Shin Yue spun with relentless ferocity, while the serpents poised themselves for another assault. Around him, countless ice needles began to materialize, their sharp, crystalline edges glinting ominously. 

Ling Tianni swung his sword with practiced precision, unleashing a flurry of radiant sword lights to intercept the barrage of attacks coming his way. Many of them collided mid-air, dissipating in bursts of light and energy, but a few managed to slip past his defenses. The impacts sent shockwaves through his body, forcing him to retreat several steps, his face grim with effort.

Shin Yue, still seated on her aquatic throne, raised her hand with deliberate grace. A water dragon serpentine figure of shimmering, frosted energy began coiling around her arm. Its translucent scales gleamed like shards of ice, and its glowing eyes locked onto Ling Tianni with predatory intent.

With a flick of her wrist, she released the water serpent. It slithered through the air with impossible speed, its movements fluid and hypnotic, before homing in on its target. Ling Tianni braced himself, channeling his profound energy to block the strike, but the serpent was relentless. As it reached him, it coiled tightly around his defending blade, compressing with incredible force before detonating in a deafening explosion of frost and energy.

The shockwave sent him hurtling backward, his sword trembling in his grasp as cracks spread along its once-pristine blade. Frost clung to his armor, biting into his skin and sapping his strength. He gritted his teeth, glaring up at the ethereal figure on the dragon's back.

Shin Yue lowered her hand, her expression impassive, yet her golden-black eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "Pitiful," she remarked, her voice cold and unyielding.

Shin Yue's golden eyes gleamed with disdain as she raised her hand, a wry smile playing on her lips. "To think someone dared to raise a hand against this Empress… You amuse me, but insolence comes with a price. For your transgression, the punishment is death." 

Ling Tianni's body tensed as Shin Yue effortlessly summoned a colossal water serpent, its form glistening with menacing energy. In desperation, he sent his Sword Spirit Doppelgänger to intercept the attack. 

But Shin Yue's response was swift and devastating. The serpent burst into a torrent of water, scattering the doppelgänger's assault. From the cascading water, five sleek water sharks emerged, each larger and more menacing than the clone itself. 

The sharks attacked in unison, their movements precise and relentless. They juggled the clone into the air with rapid strikes before one surged upward, jaws snapping shut with terrifying force. The explosion that followed sent the clone skyward, leaving it to plummet into the waiting formation of four circling sharks below. 

Ling Tianni could do nothing but watch as the sharks converged on their target. 

BOOM!

A massive water explosion erupted, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The profound energy was overwhelming, and the remnants of the doppelgänger were obliterated in the wake of Shin Yue's ferocious attack. 

Not a trace of the clone remained. 

Shin Yue's chuckle echoed ominously through the air. "Sending your clone to die?" she taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. "Hardly the move I'd expect from the so-called Sword Saint." 

Shin Yue's golden eyes narrowed as she raised her hand once more, her voice carrying an icy finality. "Now... for the price of trying to harm Yue'er." 

With a flick of her wrist, she sent another water shark hurtling toward Ling Tianni. The massive predator slammed into him, dragging him deep into the turbulent sea. 

"Oh, I'm not done yet," she said with a smirk, extending her index finger. A small sphere of water materialized at her fingertip before she launched it into the water below. 

The sphere burst upon contact with the sea, releasing an army of smaller, hand-sized water sharks—hundreds of them. Each shark locked onto Ling Tianni, swarming like a living missile barrage. 

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! 

Underwater, the explosions echoed like thunder, each detonation as devastating as a Heaven Decimating Orb. The relentless assault pummeled Ling Tianni, the sharks converging with terrifying precision. 

Shin Yue turned her back on the chaos, her expression indifferent. Behind her, the calm surface of the sea erupted into a massive explosion. Water soared hundreds of feet into the air, the shockwave rippling outward for kilometers. The force of the explosion was enough to annihilate an entire city, a display of raw power rivaling even Retsu's infamous Tailed Beast Bomb—though it lacked the full destructive capacity of the latter. 

----------------

The towering column of water rising into the sky painted an awe-inspiring, almost apocalyptic scene. The force of the underwater explosion had sent a shockwave so massive it could be seen even from where Yun Che and Retsu were. 

"What in the world happened over there?" Yun Che said, his eyes wide as he stared at the towering plume of water and mist. 

"Let's go, Yuu-kun!" Retsu urged, her voice sharp with urgency. 

Farther away, Little Fairy and her sister Chu Yueli were locked in a heated battle against Ling Yuefeng. Despite their dominance, the sudden and enormous water explosion caught their attention. 

"What in the…" Little Fairy murmured, her gaze locked on the distant explosion. The distraction, however, gave Ling Yuefeng the opportunity he needed. A smoke bomb detonated in front of them, momentarily obscuring their vision. 

By the time the smoke cleared, Ling Yuefeng was gone. 

"Onee-san! He ran away!" Chu Yueli exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice. 

"That fiend…" Little Fairy gritted her teeth, her eyes scanning the area in vain. Ling Yuefeng had slipped through her fingers again, leaving her long-held grudge unresolved. 

"No matter," Little Fairy said, her tone resolute. "Let's head there!"

"Yes!" Chu Yueli replied, steeling herself as they advanced together. 

Yet, as they fought, Little Fairy couldn't shake the sight of the massive explosion in the distance. "What in the world happened over there?" she thought, the image of the towering plume still lingering in her mind.

-----------------------

As the deluge of water rained down, Shin Yue glanced over her shoulder, her gaze cold and unimpressed. "So, this is the might of the so-called Sword Saint," she mused, her tone tinged with disappointment. "I guess that ends the threat." 

She paused, sensing her Moon Energy reserves dwindling. A faint sigh escaped her lips. "Running out already…" she muttered, her golden eyes dimming slightly. Even in her weakened state, she remained a force of devastation, her aura radiating dominance.

Shin Yue's golden eyes flickered with mild curiosity as she watched Ling Tianni burst from the still-raining seawater, landing unsteadily on the ground. He was panting heavily, his once-pristine robes torn and soaked, his elegant demeanor shattered. 

Her gaze shifted to the faint shimmer of energy surrounding him—a fading remnant of a powerful treasure. "Ah, so that's how you survived," she mused. 

Ling Tianni gritted his teeth, glaring at her with a mixture of hatred and fear. "You demon…" he spat, his voice hoarse. 

Shin Yue tilted her head, the faintest smirk gracing her lips. "Demon? How amusing. After all that, you're still standing. Though, I must say, you no longer resemble the Sword Saint. More like a beggar crawling from the ashes." 

Ling Tianni's chest heaved as he tried to steady himself. The Heavenly Sword Charm, a one-time-use treasure gifted by the sacred ground, had saved him. Its shield was designed to protect against attacks matching his cultivation, but using it now—against a foe he had underestimated—stung his pride deeply. 

"If she launches another attack like that…" His thoughts trailed off as despair settled in. 

Shin Yue raised her hand, and a bright orb of water began to form above her palm, its glow illuminating the battlefield. Her voice was calm, almost mocking. "This attack should be enough to end you for sure." 

Ling Tianni froze, staring at the growing sphere. A thought crept into his mind: "Is this truly the end? Am I, Ling Tianni, destined to fall here?"

Before the orb could be unleashed, a massive sword light materialized above Shin Yue, descending with alarming speed. 

She glanced up, her expression unbothered, even amused. "Oh?" 

The sword crashed down with a deafening explosion, water erupting skyward in a spectacular display. For a moment, the battlefield was obscured by mist and debris. 

Ling Tianni's eyes widened as he saw a battered figure emerge—his son, Ling Yuefeng, bloodied and worn from battle. "Father!" Yuefeng shouted as he staggered toward him. 

"Yuefeng!" Ling Tianni gasped. 

"We can't stay here! That won't hold her for long!" Yuefeng said urgently, throwing his father's arm over his shoulder. 

Ling Tianni didn't protest, his pride giving way to the instinct for survival. Together, they vanished into the distance, their figures fading into the mist. 

As the dust settled, Shin Yue stepped forward, untouched by the attack. She stared after them with an air of mild disappointment. "Running away so soon?" she murmured, her tone as casual as if commenting on a passing breeze. Then, with a flick of her wrist, the glowing orb of water dissipated into mist. 

She turned, the faintest of smirks lingering on her lips. "How dull." 

The aftermath of the water explosion revealed Shin Yue, completely unharmed, sitting regally atop the head of a massive water dragon serpent. The serpent's sinuous form raised her high above the turbulent surface, its glowing eyes a reflection of her own golden gaze. She surveyed the scene with an air of detached boredom. 

"They escaped," she muttered, her tone a mix of disdain and satisfaction. "Good… saves me the trouble of killing them." 

As the water dragon carried her higher, Shin Yue tilted her head thoughtfully. "I suppose they won't mind if this empress pays their villa a visit," she mused aloud. She was prepared to act on her intent, but suddenly, her body trembled slightly. Her Moon Energy reserves had finally run dry. 

"After Yue'er tops up more energy, of course," she said softly to herself. 

The water dragon began to dissolve beneath her, its form dissipating into mist and rain. As it vanished, Shin Yue gracefully descended, hovering just above the water's surface. 

In the distance, two figures rapidly approached. "Little Yue!" Yun Che's voice echoed as he and Retsu flew toward her. 

The residue of her earlier attack lingered in the air, creating a steady rainfall that veiled the sea in a shimmering mist. The sheer scale of the explosion was still visible, even from afar. Yun Che and Retsu paused mid-air, their expressions a mixture of awe and curiosity. 

"Shin Yue…" Yun Che began cautiously as the two halted a few feet away from her. 

Shin Yue turned toward them, her expression softening as her gaze fell on the pair. A gentle smile replaced the sharp disdain she had shown Ling Tianni moments before. She approached them with slow, deliberate steps. 

"Ah, you two," she said with a wry smile. "Too late, by the way. He escaped. Tsk…" She clicked her tongue in mock irritation, though her demeanor remained calm. 

"It looks like you had quite a battle," Yun Che observed, his eyes scanning the soaked battlefield and Shin Yue's composed figure. 

Shin Yue chuckled softly, brushing a strand of damp hair away from her face. "You could say that. Though calling it a 'battle' might be too generous. It was more… entertaining." Her golden eyes flickered with faint amusement.

Shin Yue stood tall for a moment longer, her golden eyes flickering faintly as she surveyed the aftermath of her battle. "The Sword Saint is nothing much," she said, her tone tinged with disappointment. "I thought he might provide a challenge, but he didn't even count as a warm-up." She let out a soft sigh. "Still, his cultivation gave Yue'er the edge she needed."

Her gaze shifted to Retsu, and a small smile formed. "You must be Unohana Retsu?"

"Yes?" Retsu tilted her head slightly, her expression puzzled.

"I've seen you through Yue'er's memories," Shin Yue said. "And you saved Yue'er's attendant. My thanks for taking care of my other half. She's sometimes a timid one, that Yue'er."

Retsu nodded in acknowledgment, her concern evident as Shin Yue suddenly faltered, losing her balance. Her expression turned weary, and her steps became unsteady. 

"Good timing," Shin Yue murmured. "I leave Yue'er in your care. The Sword Saint managed to escape, so do repay them on my behalf when the time comes." 

She paused, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "I need a little rest… and Yue'er might chew my ears off for using so much of her power—or rather, all of it." 

With those words, Shin Yue closed her eyes and relinquished control of Cang Yue's body. Yun Che swiftly stepped forward, catching her in a cradle as her hair began to revert to its original color and length. The regal aura around her faded, replaced by the familiar presence of Cang Yue.

"Is she going to be okay?" Retsu asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"She'll be fine," Yun Che replied, glancing at the now-unconscious Cang Yue. "But she won't be too happy when she wakes up. Shin Yue used up all the power Yue'er spent two nights painstakingly gathering." He let out a small, sheepish laugh. 

With a nod to Retsu, the two of them took to the skies, flying back toward safety with Cang Yue cradled securely in Yun Che's arms.

---------------------

Cang Yue let out a weary sigh as she lay on Retsu's lap, feeling the toll Shin Yue's intervention had taken on her. Despite her exhaustion, her newfound strength was undeniable, and the expressions of disbelief from Little Fairy and Chu Yueli only emphasized the magnitude of what had just occurred.

"You all right?" Yun Che asked, his tone laced with concern.

"Yes, but Shin Yue really used up everything again," Cang Yue murmured, rubbing her temples. "Not even a speck of energy left for me."

Yun Che raised an eyebrow. "I thought you needed Moon Energy to break through? How did you manage that without it?"

"She didn't," Cang Yue explained. "Yuyun used the Profound Extractor Formation's absorption power and the Mirror of the Moon God to amplify my cultivation instead. She also refined my body to sustain the power of the Sky Profound Realm, which is why my strength is now at Grand Perfection Earth Profound Realm. My level hasn't technically changed, but I can fight as if I were Peak Sky Profound Realm."

Retsu's eyes widened in astonishment. "Sugoi! Your body is refined to withstand power ten levels beyond your own? That's incredible!"

Yun Che shared Retsu's shock. Cang Yue now possessed the power as if she had Beginner's Profound Realm of her own. "Wait… so your foundation is now strong enough to handle all that power as if it were natural?"

Cang Yue nodded. "Sort of. Yuyun—said I needed the Moon Energy to refine my body, but now that's done. She mentioned I'll need even more Moon Energy to refine it further, so I can eventually support Emperor Profound Realm powers. If I succeed within the next month, I'll be ready to break through."

"No wonder Xuyi needed only two years to enter the Sovereign Profound Realm," Yun Che mused, his tone contemplative. "She refined her body, poured all her power into it at once, and then moved to the next stage. Rinse and repeat, over and over." 

Cang Yue sighed, her weariness evident. "But Shin Yue used 10% of the Moon Energy I'd gathered just to fight the Sword Saint. I'll need at least a month of uninterrupted gathering before I can even begin refining again." 

"The Mirror of the Moon God can't generate Moon Energy yet?" Yun Che asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"No," Cang Yue replied, shaking her head. "Yuyun said I need to reach the Half-Step Divine Origin Realm before the Mirror of the Moon God can fully activate. That'll probably take me another two years. The energy required to break through each massive realm increases exponentially. Reaching the Profoundhood will take time." 

"Profoundhood?" Retsu tilted her head in curiosity. 

"It's what Yuyun calls the later stages," Cang Yue explained. "Emperor, Tyrant, and Sovereign Profound Realms. Where we are right now, from Elementary to Sky Profound Realm, we're considered mortals. As for Profoundhood, they can be considered half-immortals." 

Yun Che smirked knowingly. "You're right about that part. The Nine Stages of the Mortal Realm are well-known on this continent. Though technically, minus this Profoundhood, the mortal stages are only six here." 

"Six?" Cang Yue frowned, her confusion growing. 

"Seven, if you're one of us," Yun Che said with a grin, glancing at Retsu, Nemu, and Mio. 

Cang Yue blinked. "Seven? What do you mean?" 

"We never told you this," Yun Che replied, his smirk widening, "but for Spirit Cultivators like me, Retsu, Nemu, and Mio, there are seven stages in the Mortal Realm. While the people of this continent only recognize six, we have one more." 

Cang Yue's eyes lit up with intrigue. "What's the seventh stage?" 

Retsu gently patted Cang Yue's head, a playful smile on her lips. "Ufufu… our strength really is 10 levels above yours, Little Yue. We mastered the Beginner's Profound Realm, which is the base stage before Elementary. If you can detect our aura, it feels like Grand Perfection Sky Profound Realm, but we're actually on par with Grand Perfection Emperor Profound Realm. And don't forget, we can amplify it further with our hollow powers." 

Cang Yue let out a tired sigh, her hand resting on her forehead. "I don't even have the energy to be surprised anymore." She glanced at Yun Che and his companions, a mixture of awe and exasperation in her expression. "No wonder you're all such monsters. It's taking everything I have to refine my body just to match your base form." 

She paused, her lips curving into a smile. "But at least now, my level can finally match yours. It feels like I'm catching up… even if only a little." 

Yun Che grinned as he opened the system interface in his mind. With a few mental commands, he adjusted Cang Yue's level to align with their base form levels. Now, instead of being displayed with a constant deficit of ten levels compared to the people of this continent, her level would read the same way as theirs. 

"Well," Yun Che said with a teasing tone, "you've officially joined the monster club, Yue'er." 

Cang Yue chuckled softly. "About time."

"Little Yue, are you okay?" Little Fairy approached quickly as she flew to Cang Yue's small ark, her expression a mix of concern and relief, with Chu Yueli following closely behind as they easily fend off the remaining men from the villa and Burning Heaven Clan. 

Cang Yue exhaled deeply, steadying herself. "Yes… It took some effort, but I managed to refine my Peak Earth Profound Realm body to match the power of a Peak Sky Profound Realm practitioner." 

Chu Yueli's gaze lingered on Cang Yue, disbelief evident in her eyes. The princess can match the power of a Peak Sky Profound Realm expert? she thought. The revelation brought a flood of questions, especially about the mysterious being that had taken over Cang Yue's body during the earlier battle. 

"Incredible, Sister Yue!" Chu Yueli finally spoke. "But… is your true level really Peak Earth Profound Realm?" 

Cang Yue hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I trust you with this, Sister Yueli, since Sister Yuechan already knows. My true level is not Peak True Profound Realm but Peak Earth Profound Realm." She held up a delicate necklace that shimmered faintly. "I used this necklace to seal my cultivation." 

"Peak Earth Profound Realm?" Chu Yueli repeated, her eyes widening further. Realization struck—Cang Yue had been at Grand Perfection Earth Profound Realm all along. No wonder she had aced the tournament. And now that she's broken through… 

Chu Yueli's thoughts turned to Wu Xuexin's upcoming fight. It seemed futile now. With Cang Yue's amplified power potentially rivaling a Heaven Profound Master, Wu Xuexin didn't stand a chance. And Yun Che and Unohana Retsu's earlier displays of Grand Perfection Sky Profound Realm strength only added to her uncertainty about Frozen Cloud Asgard's chances in the tournament. 

Cang Yue continued, her voice steady but thoughtful. "The formation allowed my body to absorb the Sword Saint's energy. It refined and amplified my prowess. But I'm not a Heaven Profound Master yet, despite my current strength feeling comparable. In truth, I still feel tethered to my old cultivation." 

Chu Yueli remained silent, her mind racing. Cang Yue's humility, despite her newfound strength, only added to the growing respect she felt for the princess. However, she couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of defeat looming over Frozen Cloud Asgard.

"Heaven Profound Master?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow. 

Little Fairy nodded. "You don't know? Sky Profound Realm Masters were once referred to as Heaven Profound Masters in ancient times. Back then, before the current classifications of small levels and realms, they had a different naming system. In the era of the Moon Empress, they were known as Heavenly Layers." 

"Sounds familiar," Yun Che murmured, a flicker of recognition crossing his face before he shook his head to refocus. "Back to your strength, Cang Yue. You can take the Stabilization Pill to help control your powers." 

"Yes, I was able to manage my Throne powers much better after using it," Little Fairy said, her calm demeanor exuding confidence. Chu Yueli nodded in agreement, adding her silent endorsement as someone who had benefited from the pill as well. 

Cang Yue sighed softly. "I'll try it, but I still need to get used to this newfound power. Tomorrow's fight is crucial, and I don't want to accidentally injure Wu Xuexin because I can't control it." 

"You'll manage," Yun Che said with a reassuring smile. "You've already refined your body and overcome so much. This is just one more step forward." 

"It is true. When both Yueli and I advanced to the Throne level, it took time and effort to refine and control our new powers," Little Fairy acknowledged, her voice calm yet tinged with the memory of her struggles. 

Yun Che smiled and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you both for assisting us. Your presence made a difference." 

Little Fairy sighed softly. "You didn't actually need us. Even without our help, you and Retsu could have easily handled them. But I admit, we did give Cang Yue the time she needed to refine the energy taken from Ling Tianni." 

Yun Che chuckled. "True, but you did more than you realize. Weakening Ling Tianni before Cang Yue's mysterious Empress personality emerged was crucial. It allowed her to match him and achieve her breakthrough. For that, we're grateful." 

Retsu clapped her hands gently. "Now that this is done, shall we head back? Little Yue has gained a lot today, and rest will do her good." 

Little Fairy glanced at Yun Che, her eyes narrowing. "Rascal, when this is over, you and I are going to have a long talk." 

Hearing the ominous tone in her voice through their mental connection, Yun Che felt a bead of sweat form on his temple. "Y-Yes," he replied through Tenteikura, already imagining what she meant by "talk." Retsu turned her face away, pretending to whistle, while Cang Yue kept her expression neutral, feigning ignorance. 

With that, the group prepared to leave. The Chu sisters escorted Yun Che, Retsu, and Cang Yue back to the Main Imperial Family Ark, ensuring their safety before quietly returning to their villa. Whatever they had witnessed and learned tonight would remain their secret, for now.

-----------------------------------

Ling Tianni's face was twisted with fury and disbelief as he staggered back, barely holding onto his remaining cultivation after the relentless assault by the Chu sisters and the Princess Cang Yue's mysterious persona. His cultivation as a throne is lost reducing his powers back to Peak Sky Profound Realm. His voice cracked with rage as he bellowed, "Impossible… How come the formation didn't work?! How?! It even stole my throne cultivation! Do you know how long it takes to regain those levels?! My whole life!" 

The once-proud Sword Saint of the Blue Wind Empire now stood battered and humiliated, his strength shattered by the overwhelming might of the Chu sisters. Two cultivators at Half Step Tyrant Profound Realm—it was a nightmare scenario he could never have anticipated. 

Two individuals at the level of Half-Step Tyrant Profound Realm—or Grand Perfection Profound Emperor—was an unimaginable phenomenon within the Blue Wind Empire. Such a cultivation level was unheard of, as no one in the Empire had ever managed to achieve that height. Even Ling Tianni, the Sword Saint who had cultivated diligently his entire life, had only reached the Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm.

The revelation of Xue Ling as a Fourth Level Throne had already sent shockwaves through the Empire. But to learn that not one, but two Grand Perfection Profound Emperors had been hiding in plain sight all along was beyond belief.

It shattered the existing understanding of power within the Empire. These two individuals, the Chu sisters, were not just anomalies—they were forces that defied the very structure of the Empire's cultivation hierarchy. For generations, the Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm was regarded as an apex only a select few could achieve. The existence of beings beyond that threshold was something out of legend.

The revelation of the Chu sister's cultivation and the events tonight sent a clear message to Ling Tianni: the Blue Wind Empire's power dynamics were changing, and him who thought themselves untouchable were no longer safe from the storm.

The trap had been perfectly set. Lured by the sight of Princess Cang Yue, Yun Che, and Unohana Retsu traveling alone in a small ark far from the Main Imperial Ark, they had assumed an easy victory. Their arrogance blinded them to the possibility of interference, let alone the presence of such overwhelming power. 

Ling Tianni had fallen straight into their carefully orchestrated ruse. While Yun Che and Unohana Retsu engaged the Burning Heaven Clan's master and other high-ranking members, Ling Tianni, confident in his strategy, focused his efforts on Princess Cang Yue. His son, Ling Yuefeng, joined the fray to delay Yun Che and Retsu, ensuring his father could apply the Profound Extractor Formation on the seemingly helpless princess. 

Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Ling Tianni initiated the formation, his aura surging as he prepared to drain Cang Yue's cultivation. But just as he felt the energy flow stabilizing, the trap was sprung. 

The formation backfired spectacularly, absorbing his cultivation instead. Panic set in as he attempted to sever the connection and strike the princess down to stop the process. Before he could act, the Chu sisters intervened. With their Half-Step Tyrant Profound Realm strength, they overwhelmed him, tossing him around like a ragdoll. 

The princess's transformation reached its climax as the absorbed energy refined her body, awakening a mysterious persona that radiated immense power and mastery. This being fought with an elegance and ferocity that utterly humiliated Ling Tianni, who could barely muster resistance with his drastically reduced cultivation. 

His son, Ling Yuefeng, managed to reach him in the chaos, fending off further attacks long enough to drag his father away from the battlefield. The Chu sisters allowed their escape, confident that the damage had already been done. 

Bruised and humiliated, Ling Tianni was left reeling. His reduced cultivation was a devastating blow—not just to his pride but to the reputation of the Heavenly Sword Villa. They had underestimated their enemies, and now they were paying the price.

Now, surrounded by the carnage of their fallen Earth Profound Realm men, Ling Tianni and his son, Ling Yuefeng, barely managed to escape the deadly domain of the Chu sisters. Their sheer power turned the battle into a merciless display of dominance. 

"No wonder they were so confident," Ling Yuefeng gasped, his face pale with shock. "They knew we would come. They knew we would fall for it." 

Ling Tianni gritted his teeth, his mind racing to pinpoint the betrayal. "How… Father… We were the only ones who knew about the plan. No one else knew," Ling Yuefeng said, panic creeping into his voice. 

"No," Ling Tianni growled, his suspicion crystallizing into certainty. "There is one. I relayed the details to you, yes, but I also entrusted someone else to test the formation while we prepared the men." His eyes narrowed as he realized the truth. "It was meant to test her loyalty… but instead, she turned it against us." 

The air around them crackled with tension as the Chu sisters stood nearby, their presence a stark reminder of their overwhelming failure. Ling Tianni's anger burned, but beneath it lay the cold, bitter sting of betrayal.

Ling Yuefeng's face twisted in anguish as his father's accusations solidified his worst fears. "Father… no. She couldn't… she doesn't even have the knowledge to tamper with the formation." 

Ling Tianni sneered, his fury blazing. "She might know far more than she lets on. I knew she was a liability from the moment she became distant. The Eternal Love Potion's effects are gone, and now she acts like a stranger—a stranger who despises you and everything we stand for!" 

Ling Yuefeng's mind raced, recalling his wife Xuanyuan Yufeng's uncharacteristic behavior since the potion's influence faded. She had become colder, more calculating, as if she were deliberately pulling away from the life they'd built together. Still, he clung to disbelief. "There must be some mistake… She would never—" 

Ling Tianni's voice cut through his son's denial like a blade. "Mistake? The Profound Extractor formation was sabotaged. Instead of empowering us, it drained my cultivation and transferred it to Princess Cang Yue. Tell me, who else but her had both the motive and the cunning to orchestrate this?!" 

A bitter smirk crept onto Ling Tianni's face. "She's no ordinary woman, Yuefeng. She created a formation capable of stealing cultivation. Do you have any idea what that means? If she's truly betrayed us, she's far more dangerous than we ever imagined." 

Ling Yuefeng hesitated, his voice trembling. "Did she… really betray us? Betray the villa?" 

Ling Tianni's rage erupted. "Yes! She has condemned us all to ruin! I should have ended her the moment I suspected she might falter!" 

"Father, let me deal with her!" Ling Yuefeng pleaded, desperation in his tone. Despite everything, he couldn't believe the woman he once loved could turn against him so completely. 

"No," Ling Tianni barked, his resolve unshaken. "Make haste to the villa. If she's already begun her preparations to escape, we must stop her before it's too late. If she reaches the Sacred Ground and convinces them we've failed, we'll lose their support. We cannot allow that to happen!" 

The father and son set off at once, their minds filled with dark suspicion. Ling Tianni's thoughts were consumed by fury and ambition. If Xuanyuan Yufeng had indeed modified the formation to drain his cultivation, she held knowledge that could make or break their power. 

"Xuanyuan Yufeng," Ling Tianni growled under his breath, his teeth clenched in fury. "You will pay dearly for this treachery. And when I capture you… I will make you reveal your secrets. If you can steal cultivation… I will use your knowledge to steal the power of others and rise again!" 

Ling Tianni's eyes gleamed with unrestrained greed as he remembered upon the tampered formation on Cang Yue. The subtle yet insidious modifications made by Xuanyuan Yufeng were more than a mere curiosity—they were an opportunity. A formation that allowed the theft of cultivation? Such a forbidden power was beyond tempting. 

"If I can master this..." Ling Tianni mused, his voice low and filled with ambition. "With this knowledge, I could ascend to realms beyond even my current imagination."

The thought of unparalleled power sent a shiver of anticipation through him. However, to unlock the formation's secrets, Xuanyuan Yufeng was essential. Her life—and the twisted ingenuity she had poured into the formation—was now the key to his future.

He smirked, his resolve hardening. "Alive. I need her alive."