The Imperial Army marched with precision through the Forgotten Celestial Valley, a sea of soldiers and cultivators moving like an unstoppable force. The distance between them and Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin seemed to narrow with each step, their footsteps echoing like the ticking of a clock counting down to an inevitable collision. General Wu, a seasoned strategist with countless battles behind him, led the charge. His expression was grim but resolute. He was prepared for the fight that loomed ahead, or so he thought.
The valley around them was eerily quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the faint sound of distant birds. It felt unnatural, as though the very air was holding its breath. The closer they came to the heart of the valley, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. There was an energy in the air that prickled the skin—a silent threat hanging over them, waiting.
"Hold steady," General Wu commanded, his voice low but steady. "We are here to ensure the Emperor's command is carried out. The Empresses will understand the power of the Heavenly Imperial Court. There will be no more room for negotiation."
The soldiers behind him nodded, but their faces were filled with uncertainty. The stories of the Empresses' power were legendary, and many of them had never encountered such strength in their lives. The thought of facing these mythical figures sent a chill through the ranks.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them seemed to hum with energy. The temperature dropped sharply, and a biting wind began to swirl around the army. It wasn't natural—this was something else. Something powerful. It was as if the very valley had come alive, and the Imperial Army was intruding on something far beyond their understanding.
Then, from the mist that surrounded them, two figures emerged—Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin. They stood tall, unbothered by the thousands of soldiers before them. The contrast between them was striking: Bai Qingyu's cold, serene elegance radiated a calm strength, while Li Yuexin's fiery energy crackled in the air, a playful grin dancing on her lips. They were a living embodiment of ice and fire, their combined presence enough to make the most seasoned warrior hesitate.
General Wu didn't flinch, but his heart beat faster as he looked at them. It was impossible not to feel the weight of their power—the sheer magnitude of it was overwhelming.
"You've come," Bai Qingyu's voice rang out, cold and crisp like a winter breeze. "To what end?"
General Wu took a deep breath, his posture straight as he stepped forward. "Empresses, we come on behalf of the Emperor. His will is clear: stability must be maintained in the empire, and you are a threat to that balance. The Emperor demands your submission. If you refuse, we will take action."
The wind whipped around them, but Bai Qingyu remained unmoved. Her eyes, icy and unblinking, met his with a quiet disdain. "The Emperor's 'balance' is a fragile illusion, built on fear and arrogance," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Tell him that his attempt to control us will fail."
Li Yuexin, standing beside her, laughed softly. "You can't seriously think you'll intimidate us into submission, can you? The more you threaten us, the more you show how little you understand of true power."
General Wu's jaw clenched. He had expected resistance, but not this. The Empresses' confidence was unnerving. "The Emperor's word is law. You will respect it, or face the consequences."
"The Emperor's law means nothing to us," Bai Qingyu replied coldly. "We are beyond his reach."
Li Yuexin stepped forward, her fiery aura igniting the air around her. "And I'm getting bored of this talk. General Wu, you seem like an intelligent man—why not save yourself the trouble and turn back? You can't defeat us, and your Emperor will only regret making an enemy of us."
General Wu's fists clenched at his sides. He had heard of their power, but now, standing before them, he realized how futile this mission truly was. Yet he couldn't back down—he was bound by his duty.
"Attack!" General Wu shouted, his voice commanding. The signal was given, and the Imperial Army surged forward, charging with all their might. Thousands of swords, spears, and magic powers were unleashed in a coordinated assault, a flood of power aimed directly at the two women.
But Bai Qingyu's gaze was unbothered as she raised her hand, a subtle flick of her wrist. The air seemed to freeze, and in an instant, a massive wall of ice erupted from the ground, blocking the incoming barrage with ease. The soldiers who had been closest to the ice wall froze in place, their bodies encased in thick layers of ice. They fell to the ground with a crash, unable to move or defend themselves.
Li Yuexin raised her hand, and the flames that danced around her intensified. With a single motion, the fire surged forward, sweeping over the remaining soldiers. The flames were not just destructive—they were precise, controlled, and devastating. Within moments, the front lines of the Imperial Army were in disarray, their forces scattered and burning.
The army's morale faltered. Some soldiers faltered in fear, while others struggled to break free from the ice and flames. General Wu watched in disbelief as his forces were decimated with such ease. His mouth went dry as he turned his eyes back to the two women, who were still standing calmly amidst the chaos they had unleashed.
"How... How is this possible?" General Wu muttered, his voice filled with awe and dread. His soldiers, once so confident, now looked like helpless children in the face of this overwhelming power.
Bai Qingyu turned her gaze to him, her eyes like frozen steel. "You still don't understand," she said, her voice quiet but filled with an eerie certainty. "You can't fight us. The power of the Heavenly Imperial Court is nothing compared to ours."
Li Yuexin stepped forward, her fiery energy flaring in her hands. "Your Emperor is foolish to think he can control what he doesn't understand," she said, her tone amused. "We are not his to command."
General Wu, battered and unable to hold his ground, dropped to his knees. "Please... Spare us..."
Bai Qingyu's gaze softened ever so slightly, but the coldness remained. "We are not interested in your lives," she said. "But if you continue to challenge us, you will face the consequences of your arrogance. Go back to your Emperor and tell him: We are not his enemies, but we will not bow to him."
With a final gesture, she raised her hand once more, and the remaining soldiers who had managed to survive found their movements frozen in place. General Wu's heart pounded in his chest as he realized the sheer power before him was not something his forces could withstand.
Back at the Heavenly Imperial Court, the news of the Imperial Army's defeat reached the Emperor swiftly. His face grew pale as he listened to the report, his hands trembling as he processed the gravity of the failure.
"Is this how it ends?" the Emperor muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lord Zhang, ever cautious, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we must reconsider our approach. The Empresses... they are unlike any force we have faced."
The Emperor's hands clenched into fists. "I will not be made a fool of. We must act, and we must act now."