Chapter 75: The Fall of Xingluo and the Arrival of Gu Yuena
The border soldier trembled, but what he said next shook the heavens.
"The Xingluo Empire… is destroyed!"
The words struck like thunder.
The Xingluo Empire… destroyed?
The Tiandou imperial court fell into absolute silence. For a long moment, no one moved, stunned by the news that defied belief.
Even Qian Renxue was frozen in shock, her usually composed face filled with disbelief.
"What… did you say?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she stared at the soldier.
She feared she'd misheard.
The soldier raised the battle report high and repeated, "Your Majesty, the Xingluo Empire has fallen. The emperor died in battle, and all three royal bloodline heirs were also killed."
Qian Renxue's body trembled uncontrollably.
"…Is it true?" she asked softly.
She quickly took the battle report and scanned it in detail.
Although many of the ministers had guessed the news from the soldier's earlier words, their eyes still burned with curiosity as they eagerly watched her read.
After a long breath and careful rereading, Qian Renxue handed the report to an old minister beside her. He received it with both hands, face filled with excitement.
More ministers surged forward, clamoring to read it. The tension in the room finally broke, and the council chamber erupted into joyous laughter.
Yet, Qian Renxue did not smile.
She remained seated, her expression troubled and somber.
A court official noticed and asked gently, "Your Majesty, the Xingluo Empire has been destroyed. Why are you not pleased by such great news?"
Qian Renxue shook her head, her voice full of unease. "The report says nothing about His Majesty Qin Chuan's condition. I don't know if… he was injured."
A man who fought through an entire empire alone, facing four Titled Douluo—Qian Renxue could hardly imagine the ordeal.
Was he wounded? Was he still alive?
Thankfully, she had the foresight to send Ye Lingling to accompany him.
But the worry in her heart only grew stronger with silence.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty Qin Chuan is blessed by the heavens. He will be safe," one official tried to reassure her.
"Yes, there's no specific mention of injury in the report. That's a good sign. His Majesty must be unharmed."
"Indeed, to conquer an empire single-handedly… there's no one like him under the heavens."
Their words brought her a little comfort, but Qian Renxue still cast a sharp glance at them.
"Oh, now you speak of heaven's favor?" she mocked. "Weren't you the same ones shouting for me to split from him just yesterday?"
The ministers exchanged awkward glances, speechless.
Qian Renxue stood up, her voice echoing through the hall, regal and firm.
"Pass on my command."
"Marshal Ge Long is to immediately assemble all border forces and march into Xingluo territory. Crush all remaining resistance and seize surrounding cities."
"I want the entire Xingluo Empire incorporated into Tiandou's territory within one year!"
Her tone was decisive—radiating the dominance of a true emperor.
The ministers knelt in unison.
"Long live Her Majesty! Congratulations on unifying the continent!"
Meanwhile, outside Tiandou City.
Once bustling with endless caravans and crowds, the city's entrance was now eerily quiet. Only a handful of bored soldiers manned the gates. Travelers were few, and inspections were half-hearted.
It was then that a girl approached the city.
She was stunning—an ethereal beauty. Pale skin like jade, long silver hair cascading to her ankles, fluttering lightly in the breeze. Her purple eyes gleamed with mystique, framed by long lashes, exuding an exotic charm both wild and elegant.
Yet her hair and eyes weren't the most unusual features.
On her shoulder sat a tiny beast—three-eyed, golden-haired, and oddly adorable.
The Three-eyed Golden Lion—auspicious beast of the Star Dou Great Forest.
It spoke in a childlike tone, "Sister Gu Yuena, I sense a God's murderous aura here."
Gu Yuena's gaze sharpened.
A God's aura?
According to Di Tian, the aura of the Human King had appeared in this city.
Now, even the Three-eyed Golden Lion had sensed divine killing intent.
Was it… the Asura God?
But if so, why didn't the Human King fight him?
The city had suffered greatly—hundreds of thousands had died. Would the Human King have let that happen?
Or perhaps… he hadn't been here at all?
Could Di Tian have been mistaken?
Doubt filled Gu Yuena's heart. Still, she passed through the gates under the curious gaze of the guards.
Inside the city, construction was underway. Yet devastation still dominated the landscape.
"Di Tian's perception wasn't wrong."
She walked along ruined streets while the Three-eyed Golden Lion's eyes flickered, seemingly tracing echoes of the past.
Suddenly, it tugged on her silver hair.
"Sister Gu Yuena, stop here."
They had arrived at a large ruined estate. Dozens of soldiers were working, salvaging broken furniture made from premium nanmu wood.
Gu Yuena looked ahead, puzzled.
"Is something special about this place?"
"I feel a very obscure, ancient aura here. So faint it's nearly impossible to detect unless extremely close," said the lion.
Gu Yuena's eyes lit up.
"Little one, you might've helped me greatly. I'll reward you with a Soft Bone Rabbit when we return."
"Yay! I love spicy rabbit heads!"
The lion rubbed its paws in excitement.
Gu Yuena chuckled, then approached the soldiers.
"Excuse me," she asked softly. "Whose mansion was this?"
A soldier paused, stunned by her beauty. Regaining his composure, he replied, "This used to be the Crown Prince's Mansion. But it's vacant now."
Gu Yuena was taken aback.
"Why is no one living here?"
"You don't know?" The soldier looked confused.
Gu Yuena lowered her head, speaking meekly. "I just came down from the mountains. My family told me to find relatives here… but I wasn't expecting this."
Ah—so she came from the mountains?
The soldier nodded with understanding.
"Well, the old emperor passed away. Naturally, the Crown Prince ascended. He's the new emperor now."
Gu Yuena's eyes widened.
New emperor?
Human King…