As Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin disappeared into the mist, leaving the group of young cultivators lying in the ice, a strange stillness descended over the Forgotten Celestial Valley. The echoes of their defeat reverberated through the valley, a reminder of the legends that had long been forgotten by the world.
The defeated group lay in stunned silence, their breaths shallow as they tried to recover from the terrifying encounter. Mo Tianyu, once so confident in his superiority, was now a broken figure, staring at the spot where the two women had stood moments before. He had heard of the legends, of course, but he had never truly believed them. Now, the weight of their power had crushed all his delusions.
"We... we didn't stand a chance," Jin Wuji muttered, his voice hoarse. He stared at his hands, still numb from the cold. "They're not... human. They're gods."
Xiao Ling'er, her pride wounded, clenched her fists. "This isn't over. I don't care who they are. I will not let this humiliation stand."
But Mo Tianyu, his arrogance shattered, held up a hand to silence her. "No," he said softly, his voice filled with dread. "We've made a mistake. We should have never come here. Those two—no, they're not just legends. They're the Empresses. The Divine Frost Empress and the Everlasting Flame Sovereign. The ones who vanished centuries ago."
Xiao Ling'er's eyes widened. "What? But they... they're supposed to be gone! They—"
"They were never gone," Mo Tianyu interrupted, his voice trembling. "They've been here all along, hidden from the world. And now we've awakened them."
His words sent a ripple of fear through the group. They realized that the legends were not just stories—they were truths that had been buried for far too long. And they had been foolish enough to think they could challenge such power.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the valley, Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin had returned to their peaceful retreat, completely unaffected by the earlier encounter. They sat side by side beneath a large, ancient tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like a protective embrace. The air around them was warm and comforting, untouched by the turmoil brewing outside the valley.
Yuexin leaned back against the trunk, her fiery energy crackling playfully as she glanced at Qingyu. "That was fun," she said with a grin. "I love watching them squirm."
Bai Qingyu's lips curled into a rare, full smile. "You're insufferable," she said, though there was no bite in her tone. "You know they'll spread word of this, don't you?"
"Good," Yuexin replied, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Let them tell the world. Let them think they've found something they can't even comprehend. Maybe it'll make the so-called geniuses think twice before they try to walk on our turf again."
Bai Qingyu's gaze softened, and she looked out at the horizon. "It won't be long before the sects come looking for us. Their arrogance will be their undoing."
Yuexin chuckled. "Ah, yes. The political nonsense. You're right. The Heavenly Imperial Court will start to send their spies, and the Celestial Dao Alliance will no doubt want to 'reclaim' their 'lost' treasures."
Bai Qingyu nodded slowly. "It's been a long time since I've dealt with such matters. The last time I interfered in the world's politics, it was to crush the arrogance of those who thought themselves above the law. I'm not interested in getting involved again... but if they push too far…"
"They won't get a chance to," Yuexin interjected with a mischievous smile. "We'll take care of them before they can even make a move."
Elsewhere, in the imperial palace, the news of the mysterious intruders had already spread. Whispers filled the halls, carried by servants and spies, until they reached the ears of the Emperor himself. His advisors gathered in a large, dimly lit room, discussing the implications of the events that had transpired in the Forgotten Celestial Valley.
"Your Majesty," one of the Emperor's top advisors, Lord Zhang, said as he kneeled before the throne, "there are rumors... disturbing rumors. The legendary Divine Frost Empress and the Everlasting Flame Sovereign—alive and back in the world."
The Emperor, a man in his fifties with a face carved from stone, narrowed his eyes. "Are you certain of this? The Empresses vanished over a millennium ago. Their names are nothing but stories now."
Lord Zhang bowed lower. "Your Majesty, the rumors come from credible sources. The Celestial Dao Alliance's young disciples were humiliated by two women who fit the descriptions of the Empresses. Their powers were beyond anything we could imagine."
The Emperor's lips tightened. "If it is true, then the balance of power is about to shift once again. The world cannot return to the chaos of their time. We must ensure that they are contained."
Another advisor, a man with a silver beard and sharp eyes, spoke up. "Your Majesty, this could be our opportunity. If they are truly the Empresses, their return could shake the foundations of the world. We could use this to our advantage, to control them, or even..."
"No," the Emperor interrupted sharply. "We cannot control them. Do not forget their reputation. The last time anyone attempted to control the Empresses, they were reduced to ash. We must be cautious."
Lord Zhang looked at the Emperor, his gaze filled with concern. "Then what should we do, Your Majesty?"
The Emperor stared out at the grand city from his palace window, his face tense with uncertainty. "We observe. We wait. But we prepare for the worst. If the Empresses return, we must ensure they do not disrupt the delicate balance we've worked so hard to maintain."
Back in the Forgotten Celestial Valley, Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin continued to enjoy their quiet lives, oblivious to the political storm that was beginning to brew outside. They had no interest in returning to the world of sects and power struggles. But as the days passed, they knew that it would be impossible to remain hidden forever.
For now, however, they were content. The world outside could continue to play its games of politics and power, but in the valley, they had all they needed. Together, they were the unstoppable force that had once ruled the heavens—and nothing, not even the world itself, could change that.