The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The sea of ​​clouds surged, and molten gold was splashed.

The morning light painted the clouds at the end of the Tianqu waterway into a brocade carpet, spreading from beneath the boat to the horizon beyond sight.

The fierce winds were blocked by the ship's shields, leaving only the occasional gentle breeze brushing against the ship's side.

The wind, carrying the moist scent of the clouds, was as gentle as silk gauze, slowly caressing my face.

"Ah Xue, look!"

Feng Zhuo gripped the gunwale, leaning slightly forward, his crimson outfit fluttering in the wind.

His eyes reflected the magnificent silvery-white expanse below, and he was filled with pride.

"That's the Nine Dragons Waterfall in Xingze!"

Tangxi Xue looked in the direction he pointed.

The magnificent Suspended Star City has gradually faded into the distance, its sprawling palaces becoming a pale blue silhouette on the horizon.

"I never expected to see such a spectacular view."

Jiulong Waterfall is the most famous scenic spot in Xingze.

Nine silvery-white waterfalls cascade down from the towering mountain peak, like nine white dragons plunging down, their heads held high and their tails whipping into the sea of ​​clouds.

The water was powerful and turbulent, splashing like pearls and jade.

The splashing water droplets, illuminated by the morning light, shattered into countless pearls, dispersing with the misty fog and condensing in mid-air to form a rainbow bridge spanning the sky.

Seven colors overlap, like a dream.

Spring awakens the mountains, and azaleas ignite the valleys.

Cut red silk into pieces, and adorn the rosy clouds over a thousand valleys.

A white ribbon hangs in the sky, like a waterfall cascading from the heavens.

On the mountain walls on both sides of the waterfall, green pines are layered and vines hang down like a green waterfall.

Birds circled among them, their clear calls soaring into the clouds, mingling with the roar of the water to create a magnificent symphony between heaven and earth.

"I have long heard that Xingze Jiulong Waterfall is the most beautiful in the nine provinces."

Tang Xixue stood with her hands behind her back by the ship's side. The morning breeze ruffled her long hair, causing her flowing, wide-sleeved, crimson begonia-red dress to flutter in the wind.

A silver tassel belt hangs down from her waist, while a begonia jade pendant and a rose sachet sway gently.

She looked down at the nine silver dragon waterfalls below, her peach blossom eyes reflecting the mist and rainbow light.

His expression was calm and composed, yet he possessed an air of quiet authority and domineering presence.

It was as if this vast land was nothing more than a painting in her dressing case.

"Ranzhi, do you know where the source of the Nine Dragons Waterfall is?"

Her voice, carried by the morning breeze, was clear and melodious, like a spring, with a touch of distant contemplation overlooking the mountains and rivers.

Feng Zhuo was taken aback, then honestly shook his head.

He scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"I don't know. I only know that it's within Xingze territory, and you can't see it from the northern border. When I was fighting in the northern border, I heard from veterans that the Nine Dragons Waterfall is the lifeblood of Xingze, and ordinary people are not even allowed to get close to it."

"The Nine Dragons Waterfall originates from the underground veins of the Xuanxing Mountain Range."

Tang Xixue's gaze shifted from the waterfall to a more distant view.

Xingze is a range of mountains, with fertile fields stretching for thousands of miles and cities scattered like stars in the sky.

Smoke rises gently from chimneys, fields are crisscrossed with paths, and rivers flow like ribbons.

The magnificent landscape unfolds before our eyes.

"Sourced from the power of the stellar veins, it flows endlessly for millennia. It passes through nine counties of Xingze, irrigating millions of hectares of fertile land and nurturing tens of millions of people."

"A waterfall nourishes a land and its people, bringing blessings that last for generations; this is the lifeblood of a nation."

"No wonder this place is heavily guarded and has military camps stationed here."

Feng Zhuo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the rows of military tents below.

The camp was neatly arranged, with banners fluttering and patrolling soldiers in bright armor, clearly elite troops of Xingze, far from ordinary garrison forces.

He squinted, instinctively estimating troop deployments, his professional habit flaring up unexpectedly.

"This kind of military stronghold is heavily fortified, with at least seventeen or eighteen hidden sentries. Ordinary airships would not be able to pass through, and would probably be shot down before they even get close."

"We have obtained a special permission from Emperor Xingze."

A steady voice came from inside the cabin.

Yue Zhongtian walked out slowly.

Today he was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, with a sword at his waist. He had handsome features and a tall, straight posture.

He stood three steps behind her, his gaze sweeping over the waterfall below.

"The Nine Dragons Waterfall is located in the heart of Xingze, and even princes and nobles are not allowed to enter without permission. This time, the Emperor of Xingze not only granted us passage, but also specially ordered Chu Yi to deliver the passage documents, and even withdrew half of the hidden sentries along the waterway."

A hint of confusion flashed in his calm eyes.

"Zhiyue and Xingze have never had much of a relationship. The two countries are not adjacent, have no diplomatic relations, and have no marriage alliances. Yet this time, the other party has not only taken the initiative to show goodwill but has also provided many conveniences, which makes me somewhat puzzled."

"What is Chung-Tien worried about?"

Tang Xixue's smile was extremely faint, yet it conveyed a profound understanding of everything.

"It's not that I'm worried. It's just that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Si Xingzhou is the Emperor of Xingze, and emperors never do anything that doesn't benefit them. The more conveniences he gives us, the more he'll have to pay back in the future. I'm wondering what he really wants."

Tang Xixue chuckled softly.

"It's alright."

She looked away, her tone nonchalant.

"The shortcut is faster. Since they're willing to make things convenient for us, we'll accept their kindness. We were indeed unrelated to Zhiyue and Xingze before, but that may not be the case in the future."

Yue Zhongtian raised an eyebrow slightly.

In the future, things might not be so certain.

These words, if spoken by someone else, might just be polite formalities. But coming from her, they are like a move in a game of chess.

He knew Her Majesty the Empress; she never spoke without certainty.

"Your subject understands."

Yue Zhongtian bowed slightly, a gesture of respect from a subject to his monarch.

"Since Your Majesty is aware of the situation, I will not say any more."

Feng Zhuo looked at Tang Xixue and suddenly felt that Ah Xue standing here was even more imposing than the Nine Dragons Waterfall.

No matter how magnificent a waterfall is, it is ultimately constrained by the mountain's terrain.

But his Ah Xue stood at the bow of the boat, the morning light spreading golden-red behind her, her long hair cascading like an ink waterfall, her peach blossom eyes reflecting the vast landscape.

That demeanor clearly exuded an air of confidence that the entire world was at one's feet.

"The vast landscape unfolds before my eyes, and the beauty of the nine provinces embraces me."

He felt that this was exactly how it looked.

He was about to say something when, before he could utter a word, a sudden change occurred.

The fairy boat passed through the mist of the Nine Dragons Waterfall and sailed into an open airspace.

Just moments ago, the weather was fine and the sky was clear, but suddenly, the sky changed color.

Dark clouds, as black as ink, surged in from the horizon, covering the entire sky in an instant.