Chapter Twenty-One: The Upheaval in the Kingdom of Women

After returning empty-handed from Heaven Evil Valley, Han Tianyue and his companions headed toward the Kingdom of Women. As they neared the northern city wall, the Four Great Protectors and the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers suddenly came to a halt.

"What is the matter?" Han Tianyue asked, stepping forward.

Guan Tian, one of the Four Great Protectors, stared intently at the sky above the Kingdom of Women. "The Kingdom of Women has been seized by the Star of Malice!"

At these words, Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, and Fang Zhe looked toward the kingdom. They saw that the territory was now shrouded in a powerful, malevolent aura, with the harrowing shrieks of women echoing from within.

"The Star of Malice has been plotting this for a long time," said Ping Huang, another of the Four Great Protectors. "She never dared to act while relying on the divine power of the Old Goddess. But now that the Old Goddess is dead, the Star of Malice has become completely unbridled!"

"The Star of Malice was not originally this formidable," added Zhen Tian Shu, one of the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers. "However, there was a potent source of malevolent energy within our prison. Once released, it bolstered her power, even though that same energy is devastating to us."

"Indeed," continued Zhen Tian Hu, another of the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers. "Even if the Old Goddess were still alive, she could not hope to break through unscathed."

"Then we have no choice but to wait and see," Guan Tian concluded.

Following the advice of the Four Great Protectors, Han Tianyue and his companions settled in to wait. As night fell, Mao Xuanzi asked gloomily, "How long are we going to stay here?"

They all knew that this place was not their home, but because of the ambiguous connection between Fang Zhe and the woman in white, they remained. Unaware of Feng Shang’s whereabouts, Han Tianyue suggested, "Should we go and look for Feng Shang?"

From their previous encounters with the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers, they had learned that Feng Shang had been carried away by a man with lightning-based abilities. The group had tracked them to the Purple Bamboo Forest, but were blown back by the vortex storm Feng Shang had unleashed. It was highly likely they had reached the Hanlin Academy.

Han Tianyue looked toward Fang Zhe, and Mao Xuanzi followed suit. After some contemplation, Fang Zhe decided, "Then let us go and find Feng Shang."

Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, and Fang Zhe bade farewell to the Four Great Protectors and the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers, saying, "We shall meet again." The protectors and the flower warriors offered no response.

Unable to elicit a reply, the trio turned and bypassed the Kingdom of Women, heading toward the Hanlin Academy located southwest of the Purple Bamboo Forest.

While Han Tianyue’s group set off to find their friend, Lei Dong had decided to return to the Kingdom of Women. Having lost touch with Han Tianyue, Feng Shang followed him, hoping to reunite with their companions there. Upon arriving, they found the kingdom shrouded in malice. Lei Dong landed, and Feng Shang followed, observing him cautiously.

"It seems something has happened here," Lei Dong said warily.

Feng Shang looked on, bewildered.

"It has been occupied by the Star of Malice," Lei Dong continued. "I doubt those women even realize that the very entity they harbored has usurped their home."

Concerned, Feng Shang asked, "With the Kingdom of Women in this state, I wonder what has become of Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, and Fang Zhe?" Despite his anxiety, Feng Shang did not dare to rush in, choosing instead to wait on the outskirts with Lei Dong.

While they waited, Han Tianyue and his party were already traveling southwest. As they approached the Hanlin Academy, they spotted a group of people rushing toward them. Exercising caution, they moved to intercept, realizing they were teachers and students from the academy.

"Who goes there?" a voice called out from the crowd before they could even draw near.

Han Tianyue stepped forward. "I am Han Tianyue, and these are my companions, Mao Xuanzi and Fang Zhe. Are you the faculty and students of the Hanlin Academy?"

"We are. We do not know you. Why are you heading toward our academy?" Seeing them traveling in that direction, the group was naturally suspicious.

"A companion of ours went to the Hanlin Academy, and we are looking to reunite with him," Han Tianyue replied candidly.

"You mean Feng Shang and Lei Dong?" The person who stepped forward was none other than Teacher Xia Zhi, who had previously spoken with the pair.

Hearing the names, Han Tianyue felt a surge of hope. Given that the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers had mentioned a man with lightning powers, he bowed politely. "Yes, we are looking for them!"

Teacher Xia Zhi shook her head. "They have already left. We do not know where they have gone."

"What?" Having finally caught a trail, Han Tianyue and his companions were once again plunged into uncertainty. "Where exactly has Feng Shang gone?"