A success rate of only forty percent was enough to make her heart race with fear.
Miao Feng Xian’s soul resided in the Soul-Nurturing Wood, and that golden seal was the Golden City—or more precisely, the City Lord’s Seal of the Golden City.
This object was originally controlled by Crown Prince Yao. After Miao Feng Xian’s death, it reverted to this miniature form and was collected by Princess Han Yue, but only someone of Miao blood could use it again. If Feng Miao Jun wanted to become the master of Golden City, she would have to wait until Miao Feng Xian’s son grew up and could personally dissolve his connection to the Golden City.
Now, however, there was no need for that. She only planned to refine Miao Feng Xian’s divine soul into a spirit for the artifact.
Feng Miao Jun looked at her haggard appearance: “Have you made your decision, with no more changes?”
Princess Han Yue responded with a soft “Yes,” though her hand tightly gripped the corner of her sleeve.
Feng Miao Jun then said solemnly: “I will do my utmost.” Regardless, Miao Feng Xian had handed the Kingdom of Yao to her, and Princess Han Yue was her old friend. Both officially and personally, this was a favor she should help with.
At this moment, Chen Da Chang knocked on the door and brought in a high-quality pill furnace. Feng Miao Jun took out the Fire Spirit Core, examined it briefly, and then said to Princess Han Yue: “Wait for my good news.”
The soul-binding process required assistance from true fire of extremely high quality. After much thought, she decided the best method was to borrow the power of the true fire beneath the earth.
Princess Han Yue gazed at the Soul-Nurturing Wood with reluctance, looking back repeatedly as she withdrew from the hall.
As the hall doors slowly closed, Feng Miao Jun turned around and saw the thoughtful expression on Miao Feng Xian’s face:
“It’s not just soul-binding, is it? Soul-binding can only be used when forging an artifact is nearly complete.”
Feng Miao Jun smiled slightly: “What’s the difference? You still have to go through this process.”
She rolled up her sleeves, her fingers slender and nimble, and grabbed Miao Feng Xian’s soul as if it were a tangible object:
“Let’s begin.”
While Princess Han Yue waited anxiously, the sun gradually rose higher, yet the temple gates remained tightly closed.
Her condition was very poor. Her close ministers and maids repeatedly asked her to rest, but she dismissed them all. When Mo Tizhun arrived again and heard what had happened, he suddenly said: “You think it’s as simple as soul-binding?”
Princess Han Yue was greatly alarmed: “What’s wrong?”
“If it were truly just soul-binding, wouldn’t Miao Feng Xian and I have thought of it?”
“But—” Princess Han Yue didn’t understand cultivation and could only listen anxiously.
“She must have another secret technique.” Mo Tizhun pondered for a while, then waved his hand. “Never mind, if she’s confident, let her proceed. Your husband didn’t object either.” Miao Feng Xian must have noticed the truth but was too eager to remain in this world to expose it.
The State Preceptor’s eyes flashed with light, and if Feng Miao Jun were present, she would have sensed the murderous intent hidden within.
In the end, he sighed deeply and sat down to wait with Princess Han Yue.
No matter how time dragged on like years, noon eventually arrived.
Princess Han Yue had waited until she felt numb when she heard a creaking sound as the gates she had been staring at parted in the middle.
She started, took two quick steps forward, and then suddenly felt afraid.
Afraid of hearing bad news.
Her friend emerged, her beautiful face showing signs of fatigue, but she smiled and said: “I have not failed your trust.”
Princess Han Yue covered her mouth with her hand as tears streamed down her face.
Feng Miao Jun had succeeded; her husband had not vanished into thin air. But as the spirit of the Golden City, he had forever lost the chance to be reborn as a human.
Feng Miao Jun opened her palm, revealing the golden seal radiating light, with more spirit than before—having a spirit gave it divine energy. From now on, it deserves to be called a divine artifact.
She encouraged Princess Han Yue: “He’s waiting for you.”
Princess Han Yue picked up her child and unhesitatingly reached out. As soon as her fingertips touched the golden seal, both the mother and child transformed into streams of light and were drawn into the city.
Feng Miao Jun could not make the Golden City reveal its magnificent form, but now that it possessed a spirit, it had developed an independent consciousness and could invite others inside.
Feng Miao Jun had no desire to spy on how the family of three reunited within the Golden City. With a lowering of her hand, the golden seal disappeared.
Mo Tizhun had been staring intently at it, and now his gaze shifted to her face as he said in a deep voice: “The Queen is truly calculating!”
His gaze was like needles, but Feng Miao Jun calmly looked back: “State Preceptor Mo is truly a gentleman.”
She had been at a critical moment in her technique just now. Had Mo Tizhun forced his way in, she would have been in trouble. The great State Preceptor must have understood this, whether he refrained from acting because of Wei’s troops surrounding the city or for other reasons, she admired his magnanimity.
Mo Tizhun’s eyes grew darker, and he suddenly snorted: “You and Yun Ya are truly two of a kind.” Having said this, he left without looking back.
At this moment, the daylight was perfect, with warm sunshine streaming down, driving away all the chill from the temple grounds. Feng Miao Jun tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and slowly absorbed the warm sunlight.
At this point, everyone was exhausted both physically and mentally, and she was no exception. For the people of Wei, the dust had settled, and it was time to send the army back to Wei. For Miao Feng Xian’s family of three, though soul and body took different paths, at least it was a reunited ending.
However, forcibly keeping a soul in the mortal realm was going against heaven’s will. When Feng Miao Jun performed the divine technique, she received a warning from a vast will in the unknown. The practitioner would pay a price, though perhaps not immediately, yet heaven’s net casts wide.
This was expected, and Feng Miao Jun set it aside for now. For her, this far-reaching upheaval was not yet concluded. After all, she was now also the Queen of Yao.
She rubbed her aching temples and stood up, telling the waiting-maid: “To the main hall.”
The maid worriedly said: “Your Majesty, perhaps you should rest a while longer. You look somewhat tired.” The Queen’s lips were pale, and her fair face seemed somewhat transparent.
Feng Miao Jun knew that she had expended a great deal of energy in the ritual. It was her first time performing soul-binding, and given its importance, she had naturally poured all her energy into it. Now that she was relaxing, she felt the exhaustion. But she still said: “It’s fine, lead the way.”
It was noon, and she needed to preside over the final court session of the Kingdom of Yao.
Halfway there, she took a deep breath, forcefully summoning her spiritual power, which made her complexion ruddy again and her eyes regain their spirit.
At least that’s how it appeared to others.
Yanhu Mountain Villa had been designated as a temporary palace. It had suffered heavy damage during the Wei attack on the city, but the core main hall remained intact, and the court session was held there.
The court officials had been waiting there for some time. When they saw a person escorted by more than ten palace servants approaching like stars surrounding the moon, they were all stunned. The Queen of New Xia was famously renowned, but few present had seen her. It was said that her beauty was otherworldly, and seeing her today, the rumors were indeed true.
When General Zhao Ru Shan stepped forward from the crowd and knelt before her, addressing her as “Your Majesty,” the officials had no more doubts. They looked at each other, first five or six followed in kneeling, and within moments the rest followed suit, kneeling in an uneven fashion.