"In the blink of an eye, Dou Emperor experts are reduced to ashes."
"Brother Tianming, your growth has surpassed my expectations."
A moment ago, the uncle and nephew Mu Zhan, who had pushed her Miteer caravan to the brink of desperation, were easily wiped out by Yun Tianming, leaving Ya Fei somewhat in disbelief.
"It's just a few specks of dust, no need to make a fuss."
Yun Tianming waved his hand, scattering the ashes of Mu Zhan and his uncle, casting a glance at the Zhen Gui Pass soldiers below, who were all stunned.
"General Mu Tie and Young Master Mu Zhan are dead?!"
The soldiers were in a panic.
"The Mu family attacked the Miteer Family for their own selfish interests. Now that the main culprits have been executed, why haven't you laid down your weapons and surrendered?"
Ya Fei loudly scolded the soldiers below. Although she was weak in strength, as the successor of the Miteer Family, she still exuded a commanding presence.
Everyone looked at each other and eventually put down their weapons.
"Oh~ Stern Ya Fei, you really have a bit of a queen's aura."
Yun Tianming teased.
"It's just borrowing Tianming's power, pretending to be powerful."
Ya Fei smiled back.
"Indeed, a charming little fox."
Yun Tianming hugged Ya Fei's slender waist and flew down the city wall. "Tell me about the changes in the Jia Ma Empire over the past few years."
"Ah~ A lot has happened in the Jia Ma Empire during the years you were gone."
Ya Fei sighed and began to recount the events in detail.
...
Jia Ma Imperial Capital, the palace.
The eighth emperor of the Jia Ma Empire, Jia Xing Tian, was already over 180 years old. By human standards, this was nearing the limit of lifespan, but he appeared ruddy and his skin was smooth, looking very much like a middle-aged man.
This was the benefit of advancing to Dou Ancestor, extending one's lifespan to over 300 years.
"Ah~ this is what it feels like to be alive, it's simply wonderful!"
Jia Xing Tian sat sideways on his throne, leisurely savoring a glass of red wine.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Princesses Yao Ye and Yao Yu are outside the hall requesting an audience!"
A guard reported.
"Not seeing them! Tell them I'm busy with state affairs and have them return."
Jia Xing Tian waved his hand dismissively.
Outside the hall, upon learning they were refused, the two princesses frowned deeply.
"What! Did you even explain properly? I am Princess Yao Yu, the most beloved granddaughter of the emperor!"
Yao Yu placed her hands on her hips, glaring angrily at the guard in front of her.
"Princess, this is His Majesty's exact words. Please, return."
The guard bowed helplessly.
"You dare to stop me?"
Seeing this, Yao Yu rolled up her sleeves, ready to force her way in, but was blocked by a nearby guard.
"Forget it, Yao Yu."
Yao Ye glanced at the unfamiliar guards and thought to herself: The palace guards used to be under her control, but since Jia Xing Tian's drastic change in temperament over a year ago, she had been stripped of all her duties, and the guards were handed over to Crown Prince Yao Ri.
"Oh~ aren't these my lovely little sisters?"
A young man in luxurious robes, surrounded by numerous ministers, arrived at the entrance of the hall.
"Honorable elder brother."
Yao Ye's eyes narrowed, but she greeted him without showing any emotion on her face.
"Hmph!"
Yao Yu, being straightforward by nature, rolled her eyes and turned away in disdain.
"Hehe!"
Yao Ri appeared friendly, but his smile carried a hint of mockery as he led his entourage swaggering into the hall.
"Damn it!"
"What's going on with Yao Ri?"
"Out of nowhere, he became a Dou Emperor expert and even caused Grandfather to change the heir to the throne."
Despite her anger, Yao Yu was more puzzled than anything.
"On the Dou Qi Continent, strength is always respected."
"Now that elder brother is a Dou Emperor expert, it's only natural for him to become the successor of the Jia Ma royal family."
Yao Ye shook her head, speaking expressionlessly.
The Jia Ma royal family didn't have a tradition of favoring male over female heirs. The successor was always chosen based on individual talent and wisdom. Yao Ye had been intelligent since childhood and was among the top in cultivation talent among the princes and princesses. By her twenties, she had already become a Dou King expert, which had always made Jia Xing Tian value her highly as the next in line for the throne.
Just a year ago, the previously unknown Prince Yao Ri suddenly advanced to become a Dou Emperor expert, astonishing everyone and subsequently usurping Yao Ye's position as the heir.
"Alas, I don't know what Grandfather is thinking. Not only is he opposing the Misty Cloud Sect, but he is also suppressing the Miteer Family and the Nalan Family simultaneously."
"If this continues, it might lead to a civil war!"
Although Yao Yu disliked politics, she could still sense the imminent atmosphere of war.
"The Misty Cloud Sect has two Dou Ancestor experts, and also the empire's top genius, Yun Tianming. Confronting the Misty Cloud Sect head-on is not a wise choice."
Yao Ye frowned, her pretty face full of worry.
In the grand hall.
"Your Majesty, this morning Nalan Jie handed over the Lionheart commander's seal!"
The Golden Lion seal was the symbol of command for the Jia Ma Empire's military forces.
As one of the three major families in the Imperial Capital, the Nalan Family had controlled the empire's Lionheart Legion for generations.
"Well, Nalan Jie, that old fox, knows when to yield."
Jia Xing Tian muttered, then handed the Golden Lion seal to Yao Ri.
"Yao Ri, you are to take over the Lionheart Legion and quickly transform this force into a personal guard under the royal family's direct command."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Yao Ri accepted the seal, his face showing intense joy. With both strength and military power, his position as the heir to the Jia Ma Empire was now unquestionably secure.
"Your Majesty, this morning I went to the Miteer Family to convey your orders, but I was rudely treated by Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong!"
"Please forgive my incompetence."
The commander of the Imperial Guard was a 5-Star Dou Emperor, one of the top powers under the royal family, yet he was still no match for Hai Bo Dong, a 7-Star Dou Emperor.
"Hai Bo Dong, that old man!"
"I originally didn't want to break ties with you out of our past friendship, but since you're seeking death, I'll have to oblige!"
A fierce light flashed in Jia Xing Tian's eyes.
"Rest assured, Grandfather. I've already ordered the Mu family to capture Ya Fei."
"Once we have the Miteer Family's heir, I believe they will quickly submit."
Yao Ri said with a sinister smile.
"Mm, you did well. As expected of my eldest grandson."
Jia Xing Tian waved his hand imperiously. "If there's nothing else, you may all leave."
After dismissing everyone, a mysterious figure in a black robe emerged from the twisted space in the now empty grand hall.
"Protector Tie, you're here."
Jia Xing Tian's domineering demeanor instantly changed. He stood up from the throne with a few ingratiating expressions on his face.
"Jie jie jie~ Jia Xing Tian, have you completed the tasks I assigned to you?"
****
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