Back in Summer City at the magnificent colosseum, the many officials and vassals of the Qinxia Kingdom still sat, discussing between themselves the ups and downs of this trial; though it had been more than a week, the ending had shocked them all. No one had expected, His Highness, who had sat firmly in first place, was overtaken, not only losing his ranking but also dropping out of the top ten.

The people from his faction faces turned ugly, knowing the terrible effect this would have on him; a loss could be worked around, but the way he lost was... unsavoury.

One of the officials could not take the ruckus anymore, slamming his hand onto the table in front of him.

"What's there to discuss?!" She said with great authority, "That woman had not only humiliated our prince, she also humiliated the entire Qinxia Kingdom. This sort of humiliation can only be washed away with her blood! So, what are we sitting here discussing?"

This official was a woman with greying hair and hollow eyes, dressed in her bright red robes; people could not help but feel a bit of fear while looking at her - the matriarch of the Sha Clan.

"Who would take advice from the bloodhounds of the Sha Clan?"

One person replied, daring to talk back at her; he was a charismatic man with an upright posture and eyes like lightning - the patriarch of the Lei Clan.

Zhang Zian looked on, sighing. He warned them about her existence, and it seemed the people of the kingdom were already developing negative feelings toward her.

It can't be helped.

As long His Majesty objected, nothing would happen, but he was unsure. No one could ever read him, looking on with an indifferent expression, he had not said a word yet, and Her Majesty seemed to have a small smile, enjoying the show.

It seems not even the power of an entire kingdom can stop one from having marital problems, Zhang Zian lamented, glad to have taken a heavenly promise of celibacy.

Between their misgivings, discussions, and thoughts, the Qin Patriarch maintained a meditating stance, showing his disregard for the situation at hand, and focusing all his attention elsewhere.

You dare defy me, child. He thought, not knowing if she should praise her for her guts or lament her stupidity.

You should've returned on your own. He could feel her resist, moving the opposite way than he willed, but she would eventually fold or die.

Huh?

A foreign aura intercepted his connection, causing his divine sense to fall back, and a regal figure of a man in magnificent blue robes appeared, the stitchings marking them, showing he was someone of great standing.

The laws he relied on seemed to quickly disappear, and the man grinned, his teeth shining with an ominous light, "You dare bother my disciple?"

The man asked, and without giving him the time to answer, he continued, "Next time you do, be prepared to lose your life."

With that, his connection to his daughter disappeared, and so did her master.

Suddenly, the quiet Qin Patriarch's eyes flew open, and a fluctuation appeared in his usually calm demeanour, bringing the attention of the others onto him. "Does the demure Qin Patriarch have an opinion?"

The Sha Matriarch cackled but only managed to elicit a frown from him.

She really did get a powerful master?

Thinking about the power he felt from him, the wariness in his heart increased. Something told him if he wanted to kill him, he would not have so much trouble, so why did he spare him? His thoughts raced, thinking of an explanation, and a plausible explanation came to his mind.

For whatever reason, he can't right now.

No cultivator liked the idea of their disciples being snatched, and it was rare for them to leave with only a warning, so it was easy to guess something was up. He stood up, faint blades of wind moving around him, as he cupped his fists towards the King, ignoring her goading, "Your Majesty, I have matters I must attend to; may I be excused?"

Though he asked, it was nothing more than a formality, so he did not expect his request to be denied, "There's something I must share with everyone, so wait a few more moments."

Pushing down his anxiety, he bowed, took back his seat and wondered what was worth holding him behind. The others were all curious too, and a quiet fall upon the massive colosseum awaiting the King's words.

"That child, Xue Yueliang, is under my protection and is not to be harmed." A shocked silence fell on the crowd as some took sharp gasps of air, with only Zhang Zian and his fellow scholars sighing with relief.

"I understand the concerns of everyone here, but my verdict is final; no one is to harm or encourage harm to her, and those who do will be charged with treason. No matter your relationship with her and what circumstances have led to the situation. The only exception to this rule is the First Princess Yao Niang."

The Qin Patriarch's heart sank, knowing another powerful figure shielded her and one he directly swore fealty to. He was unsure if he imagined it, but he could feel the King's gaze land on him when he said no matter their relationship.

He closed his eyes, meditating as he calmed his heart, "Are there any objections?"

No one spoke out, considering why His Majesty had made this verdict and why there was only one exception - with only a few palace workers knowing the truth. Xing Ye, on the other hand, looked brighter than she had before, knowing this set of circumstances would benefit her daughter.

Though, of course, there are traps.

If Yao Niang were unable to kill her one day if they became enemies, she did not doubt her husband would not mind sacrificing her, "As for the Third Prince Mao Ya, he will be punished by spending three months in the Forest of No Return, not to leave until he identifies what Xue Yueliang had used against him, and how to defend against it."

The Forest of No Return was a man-made realm where the Qinxia Kingdom stored all sorts of oddities, from spiritual beasts to natural resources and all manners of poisons, along with their antidotes. It was both a land of opportunity and danger, but one of Mao Ya's supporters couldn't help but voice his concerns, "Your Majesty, don't you think that's a bit too harsh?"

His plea was met with a cold reply from the King.

"His situation was caused by ignorance, embarrassing me and the kingdom on a world stage. The Forest of No Return allows him to either prove himself or die. Either way, I do not need a useless prince. If you're worried about him, you may as well join him!"

The man kneeled, terrified of his anger, "I do not dare Your Majesty!" He cried, kowtowing to him multiple times.

The King snorted, waving his hand, "You are all free to go."

Turning to the Qin Patriarch, he said, "I hope I didn't take too much of your time."

A forced smile appeared on his lip as he bowed toward him again, knowing he would not dare commit treason to capture a runaway daughter, "Of course not, Your Majesty."

Meanwhile, Xue Yueliang moved, grabbing Zhong Xi, as she jumped off the fan, using wind energy to slow her descent and lend easily on the ground. She turned around, and the princess gave her one last wave before disappearing into thick forestry, marking her end in the Qinxia Kingdom.

"She doesn't seem bad, Your Highness." Mo Luli smiled, watching the increasingly disappearing figure of Xue Yueliang, and asked, "Has your conversation with her settled your doubts?" Yao Niang smiled, "Not only that, but she also gave me confidence for the future."

In her heart, she did not find a shred of doubt that she would get the title of Crown Princess; the assurance Xue Yueliang's support gave her was great.

Between the two of them, there was no possibility both would not achieve their goal, and if one did, then the other would too.

Besides the political benefit this had, Yao Niang knew although Xue Yueliang's intentions may not be pure, the same way hers weren't, their feeling only grew more genuine with time, and there was no doubt they would support each other.

Mo Luli faintly smiled, ready to report these findings to the woman ranked highest in this kingdom.

Xue Yueliang watched on until the fan disappeared far into the horizon, and even with her superior cultivation, she could not watch it any longer and turned around, smiling, as she walked her steps into her new path.

I have been looking forward to leaving the Qinxia Kingdom for so long. She thought. Who knew it would be so bitter-sweet when it finally happened?

"Lady Xue Yuelinag, wait up!"

An irking voice said, wiping the smile off her face; as she coldly looked at the woman lagging behind her; it seemed her usual pace was too fast for her.

Sighing, she closed her eyes, calming her thoughts.

It's only for two months.

She thought, comforting herself, not allowing her positive mood to be affected as she waited for her to catch up.

Seeing her displeasure, the meek Zhong Xi did not dare say anything more, walking faster as she tried to keep up, and the two swiftly left the Qinxia Kingdom, looking out into the brave new world they were just getting the chance to explore.

"Sister Hua, you seem different. What happened?"

Li Yuan innocently asked, and Li Hua bitterly smiled.

"Brother, if you found out your way of life was inherently selfish and self-centred, how would your view of the world change?" Li Yuan was confused, wondering what made her say that as he said,

"How could someone randomly find out? And I don't think you are selfish; you were always so nice to me!"

Li Hua smiled, shaking her head, "We all have to reconsider our at some point."

Li Yuan gave her an odd look, "You are beginning to sound like your master." He commented, making her gaze turn guilty, as she thought, I owe her an apology.

Her master had always put up with her childishness and resentment without complaining, so it was about time she matured. She was no longer a child, nor should she continue acting like one, and her gaze turned determined.

I will be someone the Silver Armour Sect can be proud of.

I will become the reigning Queen of the Qinxia Kingdom.

I will achieve all my goals.

The sun shone brightly in the sky, giving a warm glow as it wrapped around the women, giving them a sense of comfort they hadn't felt in a while. The determination in their hearts seemed to be bolstered by the rays of sunshine.

The birds began their morning tunes, indicating the beginning of a new day and the blessings to come. Now was the time for fresh beginnings, new discoveries and different viewpoints to emerge.

One would either achieve their goal or be consumed trying to do so, and the road to success did not allow one to loiter and waste time. Each would walk their path, whether it had an end or was never-ending.