The tension in the air was palpable, even in the quiet corners of the Forgotten Celestial Valley. Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin, who had long been accustomed to the weight of the world's gaze, felt the shift in the atmosphere as the Heavenly Imperial Court made its next move. The news of the failed Celestial Dao Alliance mission had reached the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor, now fully aware of the power these women wielded, had ordered an unprecedented response.
Beneath the grand banners of the Imperial Court, a vast army had been mobilized. Thousands of soldiers, cultivators, and high-ranking generals were sent to deal with the threat that Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin posed. Their mission was simple: crush the Empresses before they could destabilize the empire.
But even as the Imperial Army began its march, there was an undeniable sense of unease. In the court, the advisors and ministers spoke in hushed tones, aware of the incredible power the Empresses possessed. Some questioned the wisdom of confronting them, but the Emperor's decision was final.
"I've given them every chance to make peace," the Emperor declared as he gazed out over the grand courtyard of the palace. His voice was cold, but his resolve was clear. "If they will not bow to us, then we will show them the consequences of defying the Heavenly Imperial Court."
His advisors stood in silence, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The Emperor's fear was evident, not of the Empresses themselves but of what their return signified. If Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin were allowed to remain unchecked, the balance of power in the entire world could shift. The Celestial Dao Alliance, weakened by its failure, would need time to recover, but the Imperial Court could not afford to wait.
Meanwhile, in the Forgotten Celestial Valley, Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin were once again basking in the tranquility of their secluded existence. As the sun set over the valley, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the two women sat on a large stone at the edge of the lake, their presence an oasis of calm amidst the rising storm.
"Well, it seems they didn't take our 'peaceful refusal' too kindly," Li Yuexin remarked, her playful tone betraying a hint of excitement. "The Imperial Army is on the move, and from the look of things, they're coming for us with everything they've got."
Bai Qingyu's lips curled into a faint smile. "Let them come," she replied softly. "They'll be no match for us, as always."
Yuexin tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You always sound so calm. I love how unbothered you are, even when entire armies are marching to their doom."
Bai Qingyu's expression softened, her icy demeanor breaking for just a moment. "It's not a matter of being unbothered," she said quietly. "It's simply that we have no need to fear them. They are beneath us."
Yuexin chuckled. "You know, I still don't understand why they even bother. They could be doing anything else, and yet here they are, marching toward certain defeat."
Bai Qingyu glanced at her, her eyes flashing with a cold intensity. "The Emperor is a man driven by fear. Fear of losing control, fear of those who defy his authority. But fear only fuels his arrogance. It blinds him to the truth: there is no power in this world that can challenge us."
Yuexin grinned, leaning back on the stone. "Well, I guess it's time to remind them of that. Should we wait for them to arrive or go out and greet them? I do love a good show."
Bai Qingyu's eyes gleamed with amusement. "We'll let them come to us. No need to rush. They've already made their move, and now they will reap the consequences."
The Imperial Army marched relentlessly toward the Forgotten Celestial Valley. Led by General Wu, one of the Emperor's most trusted commanders, the army was a sight to behold—an intimidating force of warriors, cultivators, and strategists, all converging on a single target.
"Prepare yourselves," General Wu commanded, his voice booming over the ranks. "The Empresses will not be easy to defeat, but we have the numbers. We will show them the might of the Heavenly Imperial Court!"
His words were met with a chorus of agreement, the soldiers rallying behind him with pride and anticipation. General Wu was confident in the strength of his army, but even he could not shake the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. The stories of the Empresses' power were not to be taken lightly, and the thought of facing them head-on filled even the most seasoned generals with trepidation.
As the army neared the valley's entrance, the air seemed to grow heavier, the silence of the valley stretching before them like an ominous curtain. General Wu signaled for the troops to halt, his eyes scanning the horizon.
"Are they here?" one of his aides asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"They're here," General Wu replied, his tone grim. "But they're not coming to meet us. We will have to go to them."
The order was given, and the Imperial Army advanced cautiously into the valley. The very ground beneath them seemed to hum with power as if the valley itself was alive and watching. The soldiers moved forward, their steps heavy and measured, but there was no sign of the Empresses.
Just as they reached the heart of the valley, Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin appeared before them, as if they had materialized from the very air itself. The sudden appearance of the two women was like a shock to the soldiers, the air crackling with an unmistakable force.
Bai Qingyu stood with her arms crossed, her icy gaze sweeping over the army. "So, you've come," she said, her voice as cold as the mountain winds. "But what is it you seek? To fight? To die?"
Li Yuexin stood beside her, her fiery energy flickering playfully. "I'm guessing it's the first option," she said with a grin. "It's always the first option."
The army hesitated, the weight of their powerlessness against these two women sinking in. General Wu's heart pounded in his chest as he met their eyes. He had heard the legends, but standing before them in person was a different experience altogether.
"We've come to ensure the stability of the Empire," General Wu said, his voice firm despite the fear in his eyes. "The Emperor cannot allow anyone to disrupt the balance. You will not be allowed to roam freely, unchallenged."
Bai Qingyu's expression remained unchanged. "The balance?" she repeated, her voice filled with quiet amusement. "Tell your Emperor, then, that his balance is nothing but an illusion. We are the true power in this world, and it's time he learned that."
Before General Wu could respond, a gust of wind swept through the valley, carrying with it a chill that froze the very air. The soldiers around them began to tremble, not just from the cold but from the sheer weight of the power the two women exuded. It was like being in the presence of a storm they could not outrun.
General Wu swallowed hard, realizing that this would not be a battle he could win. But his duty to the Emperor and the Imperial Court was clear. He could not retreat—not now.