In the Falling Star Empire, the peak of cultivation that anyone had publicly achieved was the Great Ascension Realm.
Although there were many, including Bai Zihan's father in the Desolate Heaven Empire, it was very difficult for those in the Falling Star Empire to reach such a realm because of limited resources.
This is the difference between the Desolate Heaven Empire, the strongest and Falling Star Empire, one of the weakest in the region.
The Falling Star Empire also knows that and tries their best not to antagonize their neighbour who can squash them any time.
Anyways, Great Ascension Realm cultivators are considered the most powerful, and very few are able to achieve that in the Falling Star Empire.
Such a realm was considered unreachable for most, a distant dream that could only be worshiped from afar.
Yet Princess Sun Yaoqing had already stepped into the Spirit Severing Realm while still in her youth.
This alone made her future inevitable in the eyes of the empire's people- sooner or later, she would stand at Great Ascension.
And perhaps... even reach beyond, into the Immortal Stage.
For many, she was a hope incarnate. For others, a threat greater than her brothers.
Inside an ornate carriage that rattled softly along the capital's stone-paved roads, the atmosphere was tense.
The velvet curtains muffled the noise of the streets, but not the sharp voice of her attendant, Mingzhu.
"Your Highness, how could you leave without notice again?"
Mingzhu's face was pale with agitation, her voice edged with fear.
She was not merely a servant-she was Yaoqing's personal bodyguard, a cultivator in the Void Refinement Realm.
One can see how much the Emperor loved Princess Sun Yaoqing just by having one of the strongest guards as her personal bodyguard.
"You must understand. Though you are among the strongest in the empire, danger is everywhere. Your royal brothers and sisters would not hesitate to send assassins if they thought it would clear the path to the throne. It has happened before, and it will happen again. We cannot treat such risks lightly!"
Another attendant, Meilin, echoed her words quickly, her voice gentler but no less firm.
"Princess, we beg you. Do not throw yourself into danger. His Majesty treasures you above all. If something were to happen,"
Sun Yaoqing sat quietly, her slender fingers resting upon her lap.
Her expression was calm yet her eyes carried the depth of unyielding conviction.
"I understand your worries," she said, her voice soft but steady.
She knows that two of them are scolding her because they are worried about her, however, there are things that she must do.
"I know well how dangerous the palace is. I know how many eyes watch me, some filled with envy, others with killing intent."
The attendants fell silent.
Sun Yaoqing's gaze turned to the window, where the curtains parted slightly, giving her a glimpse of the capital's streets-the poverty, the despair, the hollow laughter of nobles riding past beggars without so much as a glance. "But if I remain hidden behind golden walls... How will I ever understand the suffering of this Empire? How will I know what must be changed?"
Her hand curled into a fist, the silver-white sleeve tightening around her wrist. "I must see with my own eyes. Only then can I hope to save this rotting empire." Her words silenced the carriage, heavy with the weight of her determination. Outside, the capital's noise faded behind them as the royal procession moved on. The guards riding alongside remained alert, hands always near their weapons.
But inside, Princess Sun Yaoqing sat with her head slightly bowed, eyes filled with both sorrow and steel-already carrying the weight of an empire on her shoulders.
The silence within the carriage lingered, thick as incense smoke. The attendants exchanged glances but dared not press their arguments further. At last, the younger of the two-the one known for her loose tongue and fondness for gossip, Meilin-shifted uneasily, her lips pressing together before she finally blurted out, as though unable to hold the words in any longer:
"Your Highness... have you heard the latest news?"
Sun Yaoqing's eyes slid toward her, bored. Sun Yaoqing doesn't like to gossip and waste her time unlike Meilin.
Meilin lowered her voice, though excitement gleamed in her eyes.
"Everyone in the palace has been talking about it. They say the Bai Clan's Young Master, Bai Zihan of the Desolate Heaven Empire, is coming here to the Falling
Mingzhu's brows drew together sharply.
"Nonsense! What would someone like that be doing in our empire? Don't
spread rumors so carelessly!"
But Meilin only shook her head, her tone quick and insistent.
"No! It's true. I heard that the Emperor and officials are quite confused by this sudden visit from the young master of the Desolate Heaven Empire."
After all, it is the Bai Clan, who is said to rival even their empire in strength alone. They can't carelessly reject it when their heir wants to come.
And Bai Zihan wasn't exactly unknown in the Falling Star Empire.
Some of the rumors regarding him have reached the Falling Star Empire, though most of them only know that he is the brother of the one who is said to
win the Dragon and Phoenix Competition.
But it isn't unknown that the Bai Clan is a very powerful clan, perhaps the
strongest in the Desolate Heaven Empire and that is enough to know the
importance of Bai Zihan.
Princess Sun Yaoqing sat still, her expression unchanging at first. Then, slowly, her lips curved into the faintest of smiles-not of amusement, but of intrigue.
She murmured, as though trying to understand why such a young master of esteemed status would come to their empire.
Her gaze drifted once more to the window, where torchlight flickered across
"The Desolate Heaven Empire is powerful," she said quietly.
"If one of the esteemed young masters is hurt... the empire's peace will not last
If Bai Zihan is killed or even remotely injured, there is a high chance that the Desolate Heaven Empire can use that excuse to invade their Empire.
(Perhaps that is their goal?)
Princess Sun Yaoqing thought.
In any case, she knew that the arrival of such a character was nothing but
trouble for the Falling Star Empire.
"I just hope it isn't for some sinister scheme!"