The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Sang Xingshi is far too domineering and arbitrary."

Another voice fell heavily, carrying a hint of suppressed dissatisfaction.

The sound came from behind, hidden in the shadow of the ancient pine tree.

A figure in a gray robe could be vaguely seen, standing with his hands at his sides. His aura was well concealed, but he could not hide the resentment hidden in his eyes.

"Has this mission been approved by the Palace Master?"

The man in the black cloak didn't stop smiling, and didn't even turn his head.

"This is my decision—"

He paused.

His voice was languid and nonchalant.

"Why should I explain to you?"

The person behind him remained silent for a moment.

That silence contained resentment, forbearance, and suppressed anger.

In the end, he said nothing more.

Sang Tingke is a complete madman!

The figure in the gray robe quietly took a half step back.

"That Beichen Ji is destined to be a solitary star, cursed by heaven."

"The best piece to counter the Imperial Star."

"Smother all his light, little by little..."

His voice gradually faded, becoming as low as if it had sunk into an abyss.

"He'll naturally go mad."

Then he smiled.

"Hahaha……"

The laughter wasn't loud, but it echoed through the quiet forest, startling a few night birds.

The birds flapped their wings and flew hastily into the deeper night, as if fleeing something terrifying.

The laughter was wild and unrestrained, as if the ending was already in sight.

It was as if one could already see that majestic imperial capital collapsing in the flames.

"Hahaha—he thinks he can escape his fate?"

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"Those who live in the abyss of eternal night still dare to dream of holding up a piece of pure white snow..."

He paused, a deep smile curving his lips.

"Innocent."

Those two words, though seemingly light and airy, sounded like a judgment from the depths of hell.

The enemy is the one who understands the enemy best.

Bei Chenji thought he was well hidden.

I thought that those youthful stirrings, those unspoken concerns, and those deepest tenderness were unknown to anyone.

But little did they know.

There was a pair of eyes that were fixed on him.

Stare at the direction he gazes in each time.

I watched his every pause.

She stared at him, unable to hide her excitement.

Staring at his—

Finally, I realized my weakness.

"Only by driving this cursed lone star mad—"

The man's voice suddenly turned cold.

It was as cold as a wind rising from hell.

"Only then can we drag the Chenyao Emperor Star along with us—"

"Go to hell."

"Entering the cycle of rebirth."

He paused.

A deep curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

Within that arc, there was madness, pleasure, and hatred that had been suppressed for too long and could finally be released.

"Hahaha……"

"What a magnificent fireworks display!"

He looked up at the still-warm night sky, his smile so deep it seemed about to burst open.

"The Heavenly Physician of Destiny, the ultimate good in the human world—there should be such heavenly fire burning like this, with heaven and earth as the furnace and karmic fire as the burial."

He paused, then chuckled softly.

"Aren't they a perfect match?"

His gaze remained fixed on the direction of Bai Yujing.

That used to be his home.

His relatives once lived there.

But now, all that's left there is everything he wanted to destroy.

The moonlight fell on him, stretching his dark figure to an extremely long length.

The shadow stretched across the cliff like a black river, slowly flowing towards the distant city.

It flowed towards the sea of ​​fire that he was about to ignite with his own hands.

Meanwhile, at the Star-Picking Tower.

The highest-level star chamber was unlit.

The luminous star map embedded in the four walls glowed with a faint blue light in the darkness, the points of light flickering on and off.

The star-shaped opening carved into the dome let in sparse moonlight, casting shimmering spots of light onto the enormous bronze star disk on the ground.

The light spots flowed slowly, like water.

He Lichen stood alone in the center of the star chart.

The moon-white crane cloak cascaded down like a frozen waterfall, motionless.

The wide sleeves fluttered slightly in the night breeze that swept through the hall.

He looked up at a certain point on the dome.

Those usually aloof eyes were now churning with emotions never before experienced.

There is a star there.

It suddenly went out.

"Thump—"

The astrolabe in his palm suddenly fell to the ground.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent star chamber, like something had shattered.

"Zhizhi's destiny star..."

His voice sounded faint, as if it came from a very far place.

"How did it go out?"

The words fell.

The wisp of white hair suddenly spread out.

Suddenly, the soft sound of wind chimes rang out in the star chamber.

The hundreds of bronze star pendants hanging from the beam swayed gently under the pull of an invisible force, striking each other and producing a clear yet mournful sound.

The sounds were layered upon each other.

He Lichen reached out her hand.

Fingertips lightly traced lines in the air, as if sketching some unseen outline.

His movements were slow and gentle, as if he were touching the most precious thing in the world.

"My lord, you must not perform divination anymore!"

Songjun watched in horror as he picked up the astrolabe, and hurriedly rushed forward to stop him.

"You can't afford the price!"

But his hand stopped the moment it touched the hem of He Lichen's clothes.

He saw—

The wisp of white hair that had been there was now spreading at a visible speed in his master's hair.

Inch by inch.

One strand at a time.

It felt like something was flowing out of his body.

He Lichen ignored it.

He simply looked down at the astrolabe in his hand.

His fingertips traced the surface of the disc, starlight swirling around him as he searched for her.

Searching for that extinguished star.

Searching for the person I can never find again.

The light on the astrolabe grew brighter and brighter, almost burning one's eyes.

His hair turned white, inch by inch.

From the roots to the tips, from the temples to the forehead.

But he couldn't find anything.

Nothing can be found.

"Thump—"

This time, it was the Imperial Advisor who fell to the ground.

The moon-white crane cloak spread out, like a flower that had suddenly withered.

His face was as pale as paper, and his hair was as white as snow, scattered on the cold bronze star disk.

"grown ups!"

Songjun exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward.

No matter how he called out to him, the man never opened his eyes again.

Only those bronze star-shaped pendants still sway gently in the wind.

Ding dong.

Ding dong.

It's like saying goodbye to something.

Deep within Kunlun Ruins, on the shores of the Ash Sea.

The water mist was thick and hazy, like smoke or gauze.

A thousand-year-old lotus pond lies quietly within, where thousands of blue lotuses stand gracefully.

Azure hues stretch to the sky, jade petals layered upon each other, each bloom in its full glory.

At the heart of the lotus, tiny golden flames flicker, an inextinguishable fire that shines eternally, illuminating the entire lotus pond as if it were a divine realm.

The water rippled gently, reflecting the sky and clouds, as well as the countless bright flames.

When the wind blows, the lotus leaves sway gently, and the golden flames tremble slightly, making it hard to tell whether it is the human world or heaven.

Beside the sea of ​​embers, halfway up the mountain.

Qixueyun Pavilion stands quietly.

The silk gauze draped down, fluttering gently in the breeze. On the white jade carved canopy bed, Tang Xixue lay asleep peacefully with her eyes closed.

She slept very soundly and quietly, as if she had just had a long dream.

Xie Jinlian sat upright in the rosewood chair beside the bed, as straight as a pine tree.

Those eyes, once veiled in white, now shone brightly again, staring fixedly at the person on the bed, motionless.

Yun Boyan stood beside him, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on that pale face.

There was a third person beside the bed.

Her long, silvery-white hair cascaded down like moonlight, adorned with cherry blossom beaded tassels that swayed gently in the night breeze.

The pearly shimmer is dreamlike and ethereal, as if the entire Milky Way has been crushed and scattered on the hair.

When she looked up, her pink crystal-like eyes seemed to hold the entire Milky Way within them.

With a glance, the gentle breeze, drifting clouds, and scattered starlight all seem to pass through her eyes, captivating anyone who looks at her and immersing them in her brilliance.

"Eldest sister."

Yun Boyan finally couldn't help but speak.

Why hasn't Zhizhi woken up yet?

Upon hearing this, the snow-haired woman slightly turned her head.

She glanced at Yun Boyan with a puzzled look, her pink eyes holding a hint of amusement.

"Hmm? You are... Ah Lian?"

Yun Boyan: "..."

He took a deep breath, looking annoyed.

He and his brother did indeed look exactly alike, and their temperaments were completely identical.

But Yunmian is their half-sister, so how come she can't even recognize her younger brother?

"...Elder sister, I am Ayan."

He gritted his teeth and spoke slowly and deliberately.

Yunmian blinked.

A mischievous smile flickered in those pink eyes.

"Oh—it's Ayan."

She chuckled, her voice ethereal, as if she had floated down from the clouds.

"You seem quite concerned about this pretty girl; I thought it was Ah Lian."

She paused, her gaze shifting between Xie Jinlian and Tang Xixue, her smile deepening.

"This is Ah Lian's beloved moon, isn't it?"

She glanced at Xie Jinlian.

The younger brother, who was always aloof and cold, was now slightly lowering his eyes, and his earlobes were faintly tinged with a thin blush.

Yunmian couldn't help but laugh again.

"I thought she was your sweetheart!"

Yun Boyan: "..."

He decided to stop talking.

Yunmian withdrew her gaze and gently placed her fingers on Tang Xixue's wrist.

"You guys had such an exciting time this time."

She spoke, her tone tinged with a hint of teasing.

"The life lamp almost went out several times, so I came here specifically to check on it."

She paused, a meaningful glint flashing in her pink eyes.

"What a pleasant surprise!"

She glanced at Xie Jinlian again.

The usually aloof younger brother's earlobes turned even redder.

"Please, elder sister, save Zhizhi."

Xie Jinlian spoke, her voice deep and mellow, carrying a rare sincerity.

Yunmian withdrew her hand.

Those pink, crystal-like eyes now appeared deep and mysterious.

"Her three souls and seven spirits are not complete."

Her voice was soft, yet it was like a boulder crashing into the silent night.