CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: THE ROAD NOT TAKEN!

DING, DING-DING-DING—

The leaping Feng Ge, the beast’s spattering hot blood, its body that collapsed into black mist in an instant, and the golden Crown that condensed from the black mist.

The Crown fell from mid-air, struck the ice edges a few times, and continued to plummet downwards. In that instant, Wu Wang dashed forward with great speed, but Feng Ge, who was closest to the Crown, had already slammed down hard with her spear!

The State Preceptor slumped in defeat at the entrance of the hall, his eyes filled with despair, muttering, "It’s over... It’s all over..."

The tip of the spear touched the top of the Crown first, but the Crown erupted with dazzling golden light, flinging Feng Ge’s figure far away and directly pushing Wu Wang aside.

In the next moment, the Crown seemed to come to life, shooting toward the hall’s entrance.

Wu Wang looked down and spat a mouthful of blood, shouting loudly, "Stop it!"

Ling Xiaolan’s sword light had already flashed; Ji Mo’s immortal hammer swept across!

But the Crown suddenly accelerated, turning into a stream of light that vanished at the entrance of the hall.

Wu Wang followed swiftly behind. Ling Xiaolan and Ji Mo were about to follow, but Wu Wang turned and yelled, "Fairy, go protect the King!"

Ling Xiaolan, without hesitation, sped up her flight.

Ji Mo’s eyes, however, held a trace of confusion, and he was somewhat dazed.

Did he make the wrong choice? Sacrificing those young girls to maintain this false prosperity, was that right? Or, or, are these matters beyond right and wrong? Should the lesser of two losses be considered instead?

Ji Mo unconsciously followed Wu Wang, flying forward, while the group of Generals swiftly chased after them as well.

But Feng Ge’s figure had disappeared, seemingly having run through another hall entrance.

His Nascent Soul clouded with confusion, Ji Mo knew only to follow the figure ahead, guided by a path of starlight, and charged into the golden hall on the west side of the royal palace.

The Spirit Incubator Hall, the Spirit Incubator Pool.

The Crown left behind by the collapsing beast flew here, hovered above the Spirit Incubator Pool, and showered down strands of hazy Divine Light.

A round disc emerged on the Spirit Incubator Pool, displaying the entire landscape of the Women’s Country: mountains, rivers, city walls, and villages. And beyond the glittering river that protected the country on the edge of the disc, stone sculptures about the size of a fist were almost completely free from their stone chips.

Beasts of the Great Wilderness!

One hundred and eight beasts of the Great Wilderness!

The Spinning Turtle, White Hog, Black Moca, Boping, Fierce Jiao...

Their eyes were already filled with red light!

One after another, signal fires rose from the borders of the Women’s Country. The moment the membrane-like Barrier disappeared, the beasts each unleashed an overwhelmingly vast aura.

With each rotation of the Crown, more of the stone shells on the beasts fell off, and they inched closer to the borders of the Women’s Country!

The surface of the Spirit Incubator Pool showed one scene after another. The aura of the beasts soared into the sky at the borders. Military camps, having lost the protection of the Barrier, were thrown into chaos, struggling to build fragile defensive Formations.

Watching these scenes, Ji Mo sat down on the ground, feeling powerless, his Dao heart nearly shattered...

"Brother Xiong, did I choose wrong?"

"Choose what?"

Wu Wang turned to give him a glance. It wasn’t anything significant, just another idealist facing disillusionment and a blow to their beliefs, something he had seen all too often. Ji Mo thought he could withstand such pressure, but in reality, he had just been carried away by his emotions.

Due to the earlier clash of auras, Wu Wang looked somewhat pale. Sitting cross-legged beside the Spirit Incubator Pool, his hands formed seals one after another, attempting to approach the Crown with Divine Thought, but he was instantly repelled.

Yet Wu Wang sharply sensed that the rotation of the Crown had been hindered for a moment. There’s a chance!

"Brother Ji, strike now! It’s clear that these beasts being awakened is related to this Crown!"

"Brother Xiong..."

"What are you dawdling for!"

Wu Wang gritted his teeth and said, "It’s all within my plan! Stop the rotation of the Crown now. We only need a moment; do not cause unnecessary casualties."

Ji Mo’s spirits lifted immediately. "Really?"

Of course, that was a lie. Wu Wang had actually been mulling over various possibilities for a long time. Although he had realized that the Queen was related to the beasts, he had assumed the beasts were ancient beings that had come back to life.

In fact, the entire Women’s Country was supported by two precious treasures: the Spirit Incubator Pool and the Goddess Crown. The crucial point of the Women’s Country’s great Formation was not the fierce beast, but the Crown within it.

Right at that moment, an earth-shattering explosion came from the Queen’s bedroom. A figure enveloped in strange fiery light soared into the night sky, holding another figure in their arms.

"Brother Xiong!" Ji Mo immediately called out in warning.

Wu Wang said resolutely, "Stop the Crown from spinning; I’ll go rescue the Queen."

Ji Mo asked hastily, "Is this, is this part of the plan?"

"Yes!"

Wu Wang rose to his feet, having summoned the Star Wings more times today than he ever had before. He looked at Ji Mo, at first hesitant to speak, then after taking two steps, turned back and said, "You’ll surely think of something, but I’m not asking you to risk your life. Think carefully, what else can we use now!"

With those words, Wu Wang’s Star Wings trembled, and he turned into a streak of light, shooting straight up.

Ji Mo sat cross-legged by the pool, first stunned, then immediately tried to stop the rotation of the Crown, but his Spiritual Sense was also rejected, causing his Primordial Spirit to tremble lightly.

What else can be done? What other methods are there...

"Teacher!"

Ji Mo clenched his fists tightly, his lips trembling slightly and his eyes reddening, but he stood up and knelt down directly.

"I give up, I give up the Human Emperor trial! Help me, Teacher; I implore you to assist me! I truly do not wish to see all living beings here suffer. This calamity is my doing; I am willing to take full responsibility for any blame from the Four Seas Pavilion!"

A slight sigh came from the side. "Have you really thought this through? Your trial is something that the Ji Family has been looking forward to, and it’s an opportunity that isn’t easily come by. If you pass a few more challenges smoothly, you’ll receive support from both the Four Seas Pavilion and the Border Defense Army..."

"I’ve, I’ve made up my mind."

Ji Mo silently bowed his head, prostrating on the ground, his forehead touching the cold floor, but his voice no longer trembled.

"I renounce the Human Emperor trial!"

"Enough."

The middle-aged scholar sighed slowly and walked to Ji Mo’s side. He extended his hand toward the Crown, pressing down. Strands of Immortal Light emitted from his palm lines, forming colorful chains that gently gripped the Crown.

The Crown trembled slightly. The scholar’s eyes widened; he lowered his head and spat out blood but firmly pressed his mouth together, gripping the chains of immortal power with his other hand, holding on tightly.

The process of the fierce beasts breaking free from their stone shells was abruptly interrupted!

Beads of sweat the size of beans covered the scholar’s forehead, yet he stood firm. Suddenly, he cursed aloud, "This damned trial, I’ve loathed it for a long time; it’s even better not to participate!

"Just focus on your cultivation!

"I’ll also leave the Four Seas Pavilion later and become a General at the border. It’s far better than putting up with this nonsense!"

"Teacher?"

"Go help Xiong Ba! That Feng Ge has gone mad, ready to burn her Divine Soul to take the King of the Women’s Country. Xiong Ba might not be her match."

Ji Mo immediately responded, stood up gripping the two Immortal treasures, and flew towards the place where starlight and thunder violently collided.

"Be quick!" The scholar’s voice began to tremble. "I cannot hold on for long!"

"Your disciple obeys!" Ji Mo roared, his figure already soaring into the air.

He looked at Feng Ge. With one arm around the fainting Queen and the other wielding a spear, she continuously fended off Wu Wang’s and Ling Xiaolan’s attacks. Ji Mo couldn’t help but roar, "Feng Ge! What on earth are you trying to do!"

Feng Ge remained silent, her eyes almost blood-red, holding tightly to the Queen, her figure inching closer to the grand Formation of the palace.

She was almost successful. If she could break through the Formation, there would be loyal followers waiting outside; she could then take her away from this cage!

At that moment, Wu Wang suddenly pulled back. Ling Xiaolan, well-coordinated with him by now, launched into a rapid assault with her longsword.

From a distance, Ji Mo joined the fray, but he couldn’t bring himself to strike with the Immortal hammer in his hands, fearing he might hurt the Queen.

Many figures were closing in from afar, also unable to get close, unaware of what was exactly happening.

Feng Ge’s gaze suddenly became distracted as if she had reached her limit in burning her Divine Soul.

’Feng Ge... Feng Ge...’

’Your Majesty.’

’I am so afraid,’ the young girl curled up in a corner of the bed, her eyes reddened from crying late into the night. ’I am so afraid of becoming a monster, I am so afraid... save me, Feng Ge... save me...’

’Okay, I will definitely save you.’

I must!

The flames on Feng Ge’s forehead blazed ever brighter!

"Why must you obstruct me! Close down the Barrier!"

Feng Ge stamped her foot, shattering the flagstone. Ignoring the Sword Qi Ling Xiaolan sent out, she leapt straight toward the palace gate, causing the great Formation of the royal palace to dissipate in an instant.

But Wu Wang appeared swiftly from the side and stood in her way right before the Formation. He opened his right hand, a trace of reluctance in his eyes, yet he still pushed his palm forward.

Suddenly, silver light pillars burst forth from every corner of the palace; the Crystal Balls Wu Wang had hidden everywhere rapidly released the power of the Stars within.

A light screen spread from Wu Wang’s palm, instantly sealing heaven and earth, completely enveloping the entire royal palace.

Feng Ge’s body collided with it and was gently pushed back by the Divine Light, her eyes full of unwillingness...

"Fairy Ling!" Wu Wang let out a light shout.

Feng Ge instinctively looked to her side, only to feel a numbness in her left elbow, as the sleeping figure in her arms quickly slipped away. Before she could catch hold of her, she was pushed back by the repulsive force from the Formation of Star Light.

At that moment, Fairy Ling finally arrived, a little late. Forcibly restraining her own discomfort, she caught the Queen and retreated swiftly.

"Her Majesty!"

The thunder-wreathed hammer crashed down. Feng Ge’s figure smashed straight through the roof of a palace, tumbling down amidst the rubble. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, yet she still glared defiantly, eyes wide and neck straight...

"Give her back to me..."

The voice of the State Preceptor, tinged with anger, ordered, "Take down Feng Ge!"

Half of the Martial Artists who had been following Feng Ge immediately surged forward.

「A little while later, inside the Spirit Incubator Hall.」

The State Preceptor was anxiously calling out as a large army fully surrounded the place, warily watching the outside.

After taking the antidote Ji Mo provided, the Queen slowly opened her eyes. She saw the exhausted faces before her, marked with ashes and scars, and a tear slid from the corner of her eye.

Wu Wang’s fingers slid, and the necklace wound around the Queen’s wrist quietly melted away; it had been used for tracking purposes. When Feng Ge had tucked the blanket around the Queen, her gaze had seemed off. Wu Wang hadn’t collected much useful information at the time but intuitively felt that Feng Ge might try to take the Queen away. After setting up a Formation outside, Wu Wang had adorned the Queen with a necklace formed by the Praying Star Technique when he returned to the sleeping palace. Now it appeared to be unnecessary.

The Queen immediately struggled to sit up.

Yet the State Preceptor was already kneeling before her, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, the Great General Feng Ge has rebelled, invaded the Earth Palace, and has... has..."

"I am aware," the Queen said calmly. Looking at the Crown, wreathed in Immortal Light and constantly trembling, she said no more and walked quickly towards it, head lowered.

"Your Majesty," the State Preceptor cried out desperately, "You still had decades..."

"Feng Ge was too capricious, causing trouble for everyone." The Queen paused, turned around to look at Wu Wang, and then at Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan, bowing slightly. Then she turned and was about to step into the Spirit Incubator Pool.

"Your Majesty!" Wu Wang immediately said, "There’s no need to rush. This True Immortal senior can hold on for a while longer."

The Queen paused, carefully discerning the scene revealed in the Spirit Incubator Pool, and also seemed a bit relieved.

The middle-aged scholar glared at Wu Wang but said nothing, clenching his teeth and standing firm. This Young Master really orders people around without a care!

The Queen quietly asked, "Can I see Feng Ge one more time?" Immediately, a General bowed his head and withdrew.

Wu Wang asked softly, "Isn’t there a way to lift it? I mean, a way for the Women’s Country to continue existing without this Barrier."

The Queen shook her head slightly, whispering, "The Great Wilderness world actually cannot accommodate a true paradise. The price paid here is already very small. You should be able to understand that, Xiong."

"What’s the specific process?" Wu Wang asked without leaving any room for evasion.

The Queen softly replied, "The royal family carries the Goddess’s bloodline. By donning that Crown, one can become an incarnation of the Goddess. When my soul is completely eroded by Divine Power, I will fall into what you have seen before... my mother’s state. This is the destiny I have accepted since I was a child; there is no need for you to be saddened on my behalf. To be able to guard my own kingdom and protect my subjects, as a Queen, I am actually quite content."

Wu Wang asked, "The stronger one’s personal strength is, the longer they can withstand it, isn’t that so?"

The Queen hesitated for a moment, then slightly nodded.

"Wrong, it should also be related to the resilience of one’s will. If you offer yourself now, won’t the royal bloodline be broken?" Wu Wang muttered to himself, as though he had grasped some reason.

"Such a situation is not unforeseen by my predecessors; I have a royal sister who was secretly raised outside the palace... Thank you, Xiong. It’s alright."

The Queen opened her hands. With a hint of anticipation in her eyes, she softly said, "Could you fulfill one wish for me?"

Wu Wang paused, then stepped forward, still maintaining the Ice Armor around him, and spoke in a low voice, "I might... be quite cold to the touch."

The Queen gently shook her head and slowly circled Wu Wang’s waist; Wu Wang hesitated several times before finally resting his hand by his side.

She slowly tried to rest her head in Wu Wang’s embrace, listened quietly for a while, and then curiously took two steps back.

"Feels like... there’s no sensation at all."

Wu Wang forced an ugly smile; he couldn’t make direct contact with her, and therefore couldn’t let her feel his warmth.

"Thank you, though. I had wanted to experience what ancient books described, to know the taste of being someone’s wife. Now, it seems there’s no chance."

"Protecting the country can rely on one’s own strength..." Wu Wang found himself unable to continue, bit his lip, and whispered, "I... I respect your decision."

"Brother Xiong," Ji Mo called from the side, grabbing Wu Wang’s arm, "What about the plan? Brother Xiong, don’t you have a plan?"

"I!"

Wu Wang shook off Ji Mo’s grip and walked to one side, looking at the Spirit Incubator Pool.

"Your Majesty!"

The frail voice of Feng Ge came. Brought forth on a wooden frame, she struggled to stand up by the poolside but was pressed down by a Martial Artist beside her. "Your Majesty..."

The Queen smiled gently, softly shaking her head at Feng Ge.

She didn’t say much, but Feng Ge seemed to understand everything. Tilting her head back, Feng Ge gnashed her teeth in a low growl, shattering them. Yet, she couldn’t find a shred of strength to stand and fight again; even her temples had started turning gray.

"Why, why won’t you listen to me? They are not worth it; they don’t know anything, they know nothing...

"Your Majesty, come with me, please come with me..."

The Queen gently shook her head, her eyes moistened with tears, yet she turned and walked toward the Crown.

Perhaps it was a life of joy, perhaps a lifetime of splendor;

Perhaps a solitary shadow, or a companion in dreams.

As a child, unable to withstand her fear, she had pleaded with Feng Ge to save her. Only later did she understand what responsibility meant, while Feng Ge had engraved everything deep in her heart.

Jiayi walked forward, her footsteps seemingly blossoming small white flowers;

Feng Ge kept stretching out her hands in struggle, held firmly down by the Martial Artists beside her.

Ling Xiaolan sighed softly, murmuring, "What exactly have we changed by coming here?"

"What did you say?" Wu Wang suddenly turned his head to look at Ling Xiaolan, eyes fierce as if ready to devour her. "What did you just say?"

Ling Xiaolan immediately replied, "We came here, changed..."

"Right! Why did I come here? What can I change? Why was I sent here? There must be something I haven’t thought of yet!"

Wu Wang subconsciously clenched his fists, and suddenly, a bolt of lightning lit up behind him.

’If you wish to take action, use your Praying Star Technique to help them.’

Why did Senior Shen Nong specifically mention the Praying Star Technique? Praying Star Technique, Praying Star Technique... Power borrowed from a God... the Crown, a Divine Artifact... the Sun Ritual... Star God Cult...

With a sudden realization, Wu Wang looked up. He rushed forward, watching the Queen who had reached the edge of the pool.

"Your Majesty! Jiayi! I have a plan."

The Queen stopped, slightly astonished, and looked at Wu Wang. The middle-aged scholar’s forehead bulged with veins, glaring at Wu Wang. This brat is treating a True Immortal like a pack mule!

Wu Wang took a deep breath. His gaze filled with determination, and his mouth broke into a wide grin. He even used words not of the Great Wilderness, in the same tone he used to joke with his companions in a past life, "Comrade Jiayi, interested in learning about ’Gathering Thoughts to Ascend to Godhood’?"