Soul fire had no form or substance, so naturally, there was no real sensation.

Yet a tear soon slid down her pale cheek.

Yu Wa stared intently at the soul fire, no longer even glancing at Feng Miaojun, but said: “If you help me find him, I will follow your orders!”

Who else but the Demon King could read her heart and employ soul techniques with such mastery?

Feng Miaojun seemed to know she would say this. She clapped her hands lightly, and the prison door opened automatically. “Come out.”

Yu Wa, cradling the little figure in her palm, slowly walked out. Feng Miaojun watched and smiled slightly: “Let it accompany you.” She pinched out a bit more red smoke from her fingertip, brought it to her lips, and gently blew it toward the small figure, where it filled the form.

The color of the soul fire immediately brightened, even defining the wrinkles on the small figure’s clothes.

Yu Wa’s lips parted slightly, as if in joy.

Upon leaving the Golden City, an autumn breeze swept through the garden, stirring the monarch’s wide sleeves and the delicate ornaments in her cloud-like hair.

She looked as if she might ascend to immortality at any moment.

Yu Wa followed silently behind Feng Miaojun for a while. Looking at the graceful, outstanding figure ahead, she suddenly spoke: “Is there also such a person in your heart?”

Her voice remained cold, seemingly casual, but Feng Miaojun’s steps halted abruptly.

She had already passed a cotton rose, but a lush fallen petal drifted with the wind, coincidentally landing on her high-piled hair.

She didn’t turn around. Yu Wa couldn’t see her expression, but could only hear a few barely audible words:

“Perhaps.”

South of the Forbidden Sea, several rivers spanned half the continent before connecting to the ocean. From here, one could sail south, traveling upstream into the interior.

Two hundred li south of the border between Taoyuan Territory and Yan Kingdom, a peninsula stood by the river, jutting into the center like a blade. It was called Storm Island.

Despite such advantageous geography, it hadn’t developed into a momentarily prosperous port. Even the humans residing there were few. The reason was simple:

Countless underwater currents surrounded Storm Island, making navigation difficult. The entire island had only two or three beaches suitable for docking; the rest were jagged cliffs and precipices.

By now, late autumn had arrived. Large flocks of migratory birds flew from north to south, crossing the Forbidden Sea to spend winter in the warm Taoyuan Territory. This place was an ideal habitat. The usually lonely beaches and high cliffs were bustling, home to thousands of various birds.

At this time, a military camp had appeared on Storm Island.

Strictly speaking, it was a camp built upon the original village. Besides soldiers in bright armor, there were also practitioners with refined cultivation. The total number exceeded four thousand. The camp was orderly, with many specially made carts. Temporary animal pens had been erected around it, housing dozens of giant Molong Duo.

These massive beasts had huge bodies but gentle temperaments, great endurance, and astonishing strength, making them ideal pack animals.

No one knew why the army had been stationed in such a desolate place, until—

Until the last batch of wintering migratory birds arrived at Storm Island.

This flock consisted mainly of plumed cranes, over seven hundred in number. Their flight created an impressive spectacle. However, having traveled a long distance, the crane flock was exhausted upon reaching the beach and rushed to land. This made the two enormous white cranes that stood out especially noticeable.

They circled in the sky several times, taking in the scene below, before flying to the base of the land bridge at the island’s northern end and folding their wings to land.

When the first great crane respectfully lowered itself, a person in blue robes and a veiled hat, with a graceful figure, descended from its back.

All around was quiet, except for the howling wind.

By the sea, the wind was always strong.

She removed her veiled hat, revealing a face that could topple kingdoms and cities—dark eyebrows, red lips, eyes like spring water—a deadly allure.

A woman in black also jumped down from the other crane, her face still pale in the sunlight.

Shortly after they stood still, dozens of people emerged from behind the low shrubs nearby. Leading them was a man in light armor with handsome, heroic features. He was very tall, but not the person one might have expected.

He was too young. His gaze toward Feng Miaojun was full of amazement, and his steps even slowed slightly.

This was the epitome of beauty.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, his voice concealing his nervousness: “Queen of New Xia?” He had seen countless noble ladies—some dignified, some magnificent—but no woman could be so aggressively beautiful that merely smiling and gracefully approaching made everything around her fade.

“Twenty-second Prince?” Feng Miaojun’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces before returning to him. “Where is the King of Yan?”

The young man before her was the twenty-second son of the King of Yan, Zhao Tang.

“Father King was originally here awaiting Your Majesty’s arrival, but five days ago urgent news came from the front lines. He rushed back to handle it, specifically instructing Tang to stay and properly receive Your Majesty!”

Zhao Hui had returned to the front lines? Feng Miaojun showed displeasure. Having sailed across the ocean to arrive here, the King of Yan should have personally welcomed her—this was national protocol.

Her beautiful brows had just furrowed when Zhao Tang sensed it and immediately continued: “I hope Your Majesty understands. It’s not that Father King is being presumptuous, but the front line is in a dire emergency—”

Since Zhao Yun’s death, Zhao Tang had become the eldest of the King of Yan’s sons, now his most relied-upon right hand. The King of Yan sending him to receive Feng Miaojun was acceptable from a protocol standpoint.

He paused, “—We have driven the State Preceptor of Wei and his men to a dead end!”

“Yes!” Zhao Tang said with solemnity. “Our army has trapped him at Xianlong Mountain!”

Feng Miaojun stopped and exchanged a glance with Yu Wa beside her.

Flying from here to Xianlong Mountain would take just a few hours.

Yu Wa could see the eagerness in her eyes, and naturally, so could Zhao Tang, who quickly called forward several people from behind him: “Your Majesty has traveled far and must be tired. Please allow Tang to welcome you with a feast. Also, these financial officials from the Department of Treasury have been carefully selected. Your Majesty can rest assured.”

Feng Miaojun was extremely shrewd. Hearing this, she knew he was bringing up the main business. She suppressed her impatience and pointed to the two cranes: “The feast isn’t necessary, but these two avian demons need proper rest.”

Having come all this way, a few more hours wouldn’t hurt. Besides, the two crane demons had traveled day and night to reach here, resting only three times. They were now exhausted, their forms having thinned by two circles, and likely couldn’t fly anymore.

Accompanied by Zhao Tang, Feng Miaojun walked another five li before waving her hand and saying: “Come.”

In the next instant, a majestic city rose from the flat ground behind her!

The Golden City appeared.

Gazing at the legendary city glittering under the sun, the Yan soldiers stared in awe.