Chapter Seventy-Three: The Empress Makes Her Entrance

Within the azure radiance, a figure of incomparable beauty gradually emerged, stepping upon celestial lotus flowers, walking through the void as if it were her garden. With casual elegance, she appeared, and with a single glance, she struck the Elder of Divine Mechanisms back—a battle style so straightforward and forceful that no one could mistake her for anyone but the peerless Empress.

The way she fought made it clear who had intervened; her methods had become Moon Chan’s signature—simple, brutal, every move a killing strike, never showing mercy. Ruthless and domineering, these traits had become her very identity.

“The Empress—it’s the Empress! Wasn’t she supposed to be dealing with the southern barbarian unrest? How did she manage to arrive here?”

“Heavens, to witness the grace of the peerless Empress today—this journey was worth it!”

Moon Chan’s appearance shocked everyone; even the old monsters among the crowd cast startled glances her way.

“Incredible, simply incredible! Who would have thought that in this era, such a peerless genius supreme would emerge? I believed Sword Dust Liu was already astonishing enough, but now—there is another.”

“It seems this calamity, which has spanned several eras, will finally find its resolution in this age...”

“To embody the Dao, to forge a flawless immortal body—she is truly invincible in the mortal realm. No wonder the Elder of Divine Mechanisms was struck away so easily; not only in a surprise attack, but even face-to-face, he could not withstand her…”

“I cannot imagine what laws she cultivates to possess such terrifying power. Even I dare not stand against her…”

Moon Chan’s intervention stunned everyone; even Sword Dust Liu in the heavens was taken aback.

Now, the Elder of Divine Mechanisms was gravely wounded, first suppressed by Autumn Leaf, then ambushed by Moon Chan. He was utterly disheveled; the position of being surrounded by enemies had once belonged to Sword Dust Liu, but now it was his turn.

A classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice, hoisted by his own petard—he was panicked beyond measure.

“Ancestor, are you alright?”

At that moment, Thousand Mechanism Daoist flew over again, his expression furious. He rebuked Moon Chan, “Fairy Moon Chan, our Sacred Tianshan has never borne a grudge against the Celestial Palace. Why do you injure our ancestor today? Please give us a reason…”

“I struck because I wished to. No reason needed.”

Moon Chan replied coldly, stunning the entire assembly.

“My goodness, that’s too domineering! I like it…”

“Heavens, worthy of my goddess—always so bold. She strikes because she wants to, no need for reasons. Just because she doesn’t like you.”

“Haha, that’s true grit. What can you do about it?”

Laughter rippled through the crowd, and under these mocking voices, Thousand Mechanism Daoist’s face turned ashen. With fury, he shouted, “Everyone, obey! Carve a bloody path and escort the ancestor out! Whoever stands in Sacred Tianshan’s way is our enemy!”

At his command, hundreds surged forward, charging at Moon Chan, determined to remove the only obstacle.

Yet, these lesser followers did not even warrant a glance from her; with a raised hand, she subdued them all.

“Girl, don’t go too far! Do you really think I fear you?” The Elder of Divine Mechanisms, facing Moon Chan’s blockade and the successive deaths of his disciples, could no longer remain calm. His voice was icy and menacing.

Moon Chan looked at him with disdain, replying coldly, “In my life, I despise most those who delight in sneaky ambushes and treachery. Whenever I see one, I kill one…”

As she spoke, she cast a casual glance at Autumn Leaf below, making his heart skip a beat.

“Hm? Why do I feel like she’s implying something? Is she coming for me?”

Autumn Leaf was stunned, suddenly feeling guilty. Good heavens… Is she targeting me this time?

Damn, wasn’t it just a stolen kiss back then? After all these years, she still remembers?

And what she said—it’s so obvious! Isn’t she even trying to conceal it?

“Finished. Truly, one should never lightly offend a woman. Even such a small matter, she’ll remember for a lifetime—where can I appeal?”

Autumn Leaf panicked, thinking, “Whenever I see one, I kill one…”—is she just saying this to scare me?

The Elder of Divine Mechanisms, unaware of Moon Chan’s thoughts, only knew she was determined to block his path, and he flew into a rage.

Murderous intent surged, and a power long suppressed within him erupted in an instant.

“Damn it, this old man still held back his true strength?”

At that moment, everyone was dumbfounded. As the Elder of Divine Mechanisms unleashed his real power, a violent gale burst forth, pressing down with overwhelming force.

Those of weaker cultivation were crushed instantly, blood splattering, and even supreme-level experts could not withstand the pressure.

The Elder of Divine Mechanisms withdrew a compass from his robes, which emitted a golden light toward Moon Chan, unleashing terrifying power.

In the moment of crisis, Moon Chan remained calm, shielding herself with a single green lotus, directly enduring the compass’s attack.

At that moment, Sword Dust Liu descended from above.

“Old man, your opponent is me!”

With those words, he drew his brush toward the sky, and a sword aura slashed forth, multiplying instantly into tens of thousands of sword energies.

“Hiss… Turning a brush into a sword? This man’s mastery of the sword has reached an unimaginable realm.”

The crowd was stunned; all were awed by Sword Dust Liu’s technique.

Even Moon Chan cast him a surprised glance, though she paid little mind. Together, they forced the Elder of Divine Mechanisms back once again.

With the elder driven back, Sword Dust Liu did not press the attack, but turned to Moon Chan and said, “Thank you, Fairy, for your repeated aid—Sword Dust is grateful…”

“No need; he’s the one who saved you, not me. I simply found this old man displeasing.”

Moon Chan did not accept Sword Dust Liu’s gratitude; nor did she need it. Her actions were always dictated by her heart—she did as she pleased, without any rules.

If she wished to do something, no one could stop her; if she didn’t, no amount of pleading would sway her. Such was her enigmatic nature.

Sword Dust Liu was embarrassed; he thought to himself, “This Empress is truly difficult to deal with…” But he didn’t mind.

He knew well that his true savior was Autumn Leaf—without Autumn Leaf’s earlier shout, he would likely have perished.

So, Moon Chan’s words did not trouble him. He replied, “Fairy, leave this old man to me…”

Moon Chan glanced at him in surprise, with a hint of doubt, as if saying, “You? Are you really going to duel him? Can you handle it?”

Though unspoken, her gaze was not very aggressive but highly insulting.

Sword Dust Liu was frustrated. “Is she doubting me? Damn it, I, a dignified Sword Immortal, am being questioned by a girl today?”

Truth be told, Moon Chan’s gaze was rather lethal; though she rarely meant harm, she simply lacked subtlety and preferred straightforwardness.

Thus, her meaning often came across just so…