Accepting the Challenge
The Celestial Empress flashed an even more dazzling smile, her tone light and almost teasing: "You all know there's never such a thing as absolute safety in a duel. If something really happens—well, we'll just accept it and move on! No whining, right, Crown Prince, Second Prince?"
"That's right! If Lily Bai accidentally kills my consort, I won't hold it against her—I'll just admit defeat!" Jason Xiao declared, puffing up with mock bravado.
Sean Shaw and Lily Bai locked eyes, a silent, heavy tension passing between them.
The Celestial Empress cocked her head, eyes glinting. "Well? Any objections?"
Sean Shaw leaned in, voice low and gentle: "Don't worry. If things get dangerous, I'll come for you—no matter what."
Lily Bai drew a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and nodded firmly. "Celestial Empress! I accept the challenge!" she declared, voice ringing with resolve.
"Excellent! Then... tomorrow it is!" The Celestial Empress announced grandly. "Tomorrow at noon, right out on the plaza—let everyone come watch this dazzling showdown!"
---
Celestial Empress Palace.
The Celestial Empress pressed the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain into Jenna Summers's hands, her smile brimming with confidence. "This chain doesn't just shackle people—it can tear through the Void and summon Genesis-era Tribulation Storm lightning. With this, you can't possibly lose!"
Jenna Summers’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Mother!”
“Go back and prepare early!” the Celestial Empress said. “You two, go discuss tomorrow’s duel thoroughly.”
Jenna Summers helped Jason Xiao away.
The Azure Dragon Lord, having heard about the matter, entered the palace.
He frowned and said, “Empress, Lily Bai’s cultivation is nowhere near the Second Heir-Consort’s, but she and Sean Shaw aren’t reckless. They must have some trump card, or they wouldn’t accept the challenge.”
“I know!” the Celestial Empress said. “Lily Bai probably has some powerful Spirit Talismans from Bianca Whitefan—like she said, something to boost her cultivation or with other effects.”
“Then why… If she really gets the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain and frees Bianca Whitefan… the consequences will be unimaginable.”
“She can’t win!” the Celestial Empress replied. “Not only will she lose—she’s doomed to die!”
“Oh? What makes you say that?” the Azure Dragon Lord asked.
“I gave the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain to Jenna Summers,” the Celestial Empress said.
“Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain?” The Azure Dragon Lord looked puzzled.
“There’s a miniature Spell Array embedded in the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain. Once Lily Bai is trapped, a barrier will form—Sean Shaw won’t be able to save her!” the Celestial Empress said.
“You want to kill Lily Bai?” The Azure Dragon Lord’s eyes narrowed.
“She must die!”
“But…” The Azure Dragon Lord frowned.
“With Lily Bai, that genius Rune Master, helping Sean Shaw, he’s unstoppable! If Bianca Whitefan joins them… Just think—she’s a master schemer, capable of overturning the world! And we’re her enemies. Can you imagine what would happen?” the Celestial Empress took a deep breath.
The Azure Dragon Lord nodded with a frown. “If that really happens, our whole branch will be finished.”
“Once Lily Bai dies, the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain will be destroyed! Bianca Whitefan will never come out again! And Sean Shaw will be devastated—he’ll be much easier to deal with!” the Celestial Empress said.
The Azure Dragon Lord mused, “Will the Second Heir-Consort be in any danger?”
The Celestial Empress’s expression was indifferent. “That depends on her fate. She’s the one who proposed this duel, after all—not me!”
The Azure Dragon Lord said nothing.
---
Radiant Dawn Palace.
Lily Bai sat on the couch, brush in hand, drawing something.
“I’m drawing the Celestial Empress,” Lily Bai said.
Sean Shaw leaned over to look. Sure enough, the paper showed a lively figure—one that looked remarkably like the Celestial Empress.