In the Yu Divine Palace

Jiang Yuyun still sat high on the imperial throne, but at this moment, his face showed not a hint of dignity or arrogance. Instead, it was filled with humility and fear, his body even trembling slightly, giving the impression of being uneasy and restless.

All of this was because in front of him stood a woman in blue.

The woman in blue had an exquisitely beautiful and elegant face. Her expression was calm, and since entering, she had only glanced at Jiang Yuyun briefly before turning her head toward the direction outside the palace gates to the National Teacher's Mansion, gently moving her lips.

Jiang Yuyun's nervousness was not an act.

He did not recognize the woman in blue before him, and the reason for his anxiety was because this woman appeared silently, and he had not even sensed how she came here. Even with his cultivation at the shattered realm, not even Hou Yuxiao could appear silently before him.

The fact that the woman in blue could accomplish this proved one thing only.

This woman was a Martial Dao Saint!

Jiang Yuyun was not foolish; he repeatedly pondered the woman's identity in his mind.

"Hou Yuxiao, pays respects to the Sect Hierarch!"

Hou Yuxiao, who rushed in from outside the palace gates, interrupted Jiang Yuyun's thoughts.

Sikong Yue, Sect Hierarch of the New Moon Cult.

Yes, it's her!

Jiang Yuyun recognized Sikong Yue's identity, and a hint of delight appeared in his eyes, especially upon seeing Hou Yuxiao's humble demeanor before Sikong Yue. A trace of intent flickered in his pupils, his mind calculating something unknown.

"National Master Hou is at the peak of his power now, yet he remains so respectiful to me, rare indeed!"

When Hou Yuxiao entered, he was indeed very respectful, but after hearing Sikong Yue's teasing, he pondered for a moment, an eerie light flashed in his eyes, and he slightly raised his head to gaze directly at Sikong Yue.

To be precise, the first time he met Sikong Yue was twelve years ago.

In the years that followed, he had interacted with Sikong Yue a few times.

But truly facing Sikong Yue like this.

Hou Yuxiao, was doing so for the first time!

A fitting blue attire showcased Sikong Yue's tall and graceful figure vividly, her fair hand slightly lowered, her delicate wrist pure and flawless, her jade-like fingers exposed, eye-catching to the extreme. If her overall outline was already breathtaking, then her exquisitely beautiful face could only be described as a divine gift.

Her skin was white as snow, standing alone in the center of the grand hall, under the reflection of azure-golden light, her appearance was as crystalline as jade, like the new moon blossoming, like snow piled upon flower trees, her graceful demeanor captivating, serene and elegant.

And what was most captivating about her entire face were those moving eyes, like a clear pool of water; in her glance, there was an inherent grace and highborn quality that captured minds, inspiring self-shame, leaving one unwilling to desecrate her presence.

Sikong Yue's appearance was second to none in this world.

Twelve years later, when Hou Yuxiao first earnestly and clearly beheld Sikong Yue's face, only this thought filled his mind.

Bam...

After Sikong Yue struck out with a palm, her expression remained indifferent.

Hou Yuxiao suffered miserably, akin to a stake, directly slammed into the wall.

His cultivation at the peak of the Sub-Saint Realm could not shield him from Sikong Yue's attack.

Splutter...

The cost of seeing this woman clearly was quite severe.

Hou Yuxiao spouted a mouthful of reverse blood, while his heart still held some fear, yet his face showed nonchalance as he walked directly to Sikong Yue, without lowering his head, continuing to gaze directly at her, with a gentle smile, he asked: "Why is the Sect Hierarch angry?"

......

Sikong Yue's serene, beautiful eyes slightly narrowed for a moment.

"Do you truly think, from now on, this Sect Hierarch has no way to deal with you?"

Hou Yuxiao did not answer this question verbally but simply continued gazing at Sikong Yue, this action essentially conveyed his answer to her.

From the moment he secured the capital, Sikong Yue, had no means to deal with him.

To be precise, it's not just Sikong Yue.

The Great Jin, the Alliance, Sikong Yue, none of the three could deal with Hou Yuxiao.

This strategy was devised initially when Hou Yuxiao and Old Fifth planned before leading the troops north.

Securing the capital disrupted Great Jin's plan to start a war on three fronts, thwarting the intention to dominate The World. With the Alliance failing on two fronts, they would inevitably rely on the capital, and thus, the Alliance would protect the capital and himself. Whether it's Great Jin or Sikong Yue, the Alliance wouldn't agree to any harm against him.

Great Jin loathed him deeply but equally dared not strike him down because Jiang Yuyun and the sacred seal of the Divine Sect were in Hou Yuxiao's possession. Although Great Jin was immensely powerful, it was still cautious. If the treasury of the Divine Sect opened, the New Moon Cult would join the battle.

Starting a war on four fronts, Great Jin might achieve this, but failure would be catastrophic.

Great Jin wouldn't take this gamble, so they also dared not to strike Hou Yuxiao down.

Sikong Yue killing him was even more unlikely. Firstly, the Alliance wouldn't agree, and secondly, Great Jin, for the sake of the Divine Sect's seal, wouldn't agree either. The contract between Sikong Yue and the Emperor of Jin was that as long as the treasury of the Divine Sect doesn't open, the New Moon Cult wouldn't join the battle. Losing both the seal and Jiang Yuyun means Sikong Yue would join the fray. To ensure the war's smooth progress, Great Jin would not sit idly by and let Sikong Yue kill him.

Taking the capital and restoring Great Yu, becoming a core figure for all three factions, grasping the intersecting interests of Great Jin, the Alliance, and the New Moon Cult allows one to establish an invincible position.

This was the point Hou Yuxiao found amidst the complex situation to stand firm.