The continent was vast, divided into great empires, each boasting their own proud heritage, powerful sects, and long-standing grudges.

The Desolate Heaven Empire stood proud, boasting of being the strongest in the region.

But it was not easy for the Desolate Heaven Empire to conquer the other Empires because others would join forces if the Desolate Heaven Empire tried to attack another.

Other Empires were also aware of that and hence, even if they had conflict on their own, they made agreements to become allies if the Desolate Heaven Empire attacked.

This made sure to keep Desolate Heaven Empire, the strongest, in check.

But honestly, if the Desolate Heaven Empire utilized their full strength, they could easily conquer the other Empires surrounding them.

However, there was another problem with that.

And it was that the Imperial Family of Desolate Heaven Empire wasn’t absolute and other clans and sects wouldn’t help something that could only benefit the Royal Family and not them.

Unlike Desolate Heaven Empire though, in Falling Star Empire, the Emperor’s word was absolute.

If the Emperor gave an order, everyone must obey or risk getting destroyed.

Compared to other Empires bordering Desolate Heaven Empire, Falling Star Empire might as well be the weakest.

But thankfully, due to a pact made by other Empires in fear of Desolate Heaven Empire, the Falling Star Empire stood.

But everyone knew that this was just a temporary truce and if one didn’t increase their military strength, they could be swallowed whole by another Empire.

However, rather than the outside threat, there was something that threatened the Falling Star Empire’s peace, and it was their own internal problems.

Since Royal Family power was absolute, no one could go against them, and if done, it could be considered treason and your family killed immediately. Because of that, the nobility in this place enjoyed privilege like no other place, while common people had to face unfair justice and tyranny of those with higher status.

***

Falling Star Empire!

The capital’s streets bustled with noise, yet the sound was hollow.

Vendors barked half-heartedly, hawking wares few could afford. The stench of cheap wine and unwashed bodies hung in the air.

A sharp crack split through the din.

“Worthless trash!”

A man roared, his fist striking the frail body of a beggar curled on the ground. The beggar coughed blood, yet didn’t even lift a hand to defend himself. His eyes were empty, resigned.

The man-his robes marked him as a minor cultivator-kicked again, snarling, “It’s all your fault! I lost everything at the tables today because of your cursed face! Bad luck, that’s what you are!”

The crowd glanced over, then turned away.

Some laughed under their breath. Others quickened their pace. No one intervened. Scenes like this were common.

Another kick was about to land when a cloaked figure stepped between the man and his victim.

“Stop!”

The voice was calm, but full of authority.

The cultivator blinked, then scowled, his drunken breath sour.

“What the hell are you? Some nosy bitch? Get out of the way!”

The girl didn’t move. Her eyes, hidden beneath the hood, met him with quiet defiance.

“There is no honor in beating the powerless,” she said softly. “Do you feel stronger, attacking someone who cannot even lift a hand to resist?”

Her words struck like cold water-but instead of shame, they only stoked the

man’s fury.

“You dare lecture me?”

He spat on the ground, face twisting.

“Fine! If you want to share his fate, don’t blame me later!”

He raised his hand, palm glowing faintly with gathered spiritual force. The crowd barely reacted, watching with curiosity.

The slap descended.

But before it could land, the cloaked girl’s arm shot up, slender fingers catching his wrist in a grip that was unyielding.

The man’s eyes widened-then froze as her hood slipped back.

A face of porcelain beauty, framed by hair like flowing ink. Her eyes, clear and steady, carried both nobility and sorrow.

Recognition slammed into him like a thunderbolt. His knees nearly buckled.

“P-Princess…”

He stammered, horror dawning in his expression.

The cloak slipped further as gasps rippled through the bystanders.

The girl let go of his wrist, her gaze cool and distant.

“You shame this empire!”

She said.

The man collapsed into hurried bows, words tumbling from his lips.

“I-I didn’t know! Forgive me! Forgive me, Your Highness!”

Gasps tore through the onlookers. Heads bowed hastily, eyes lowered, as whispers hissed through the crowd.

“It’s her…”

“Princess Sun Yaoqing!”

“The beloved daughter of the Emperor himself!”

“They say His Majesty dotes on her more than his sons…”

“After all, she is a genius unlike other princes and princesses. She is already in the Spirit Severing Realm. You know even some commanders are weaker than

her.”

“They are saying that she will become the next Emperor!”

The murmur spread like wildfire, awe and fear binding the street.

The drunken cultivator dropped to his knees, trembling. His forehead struck

the dirt in frantic bows.

“Forgive me, Princess! I was blind! I didn’t know it was Your Highness before

me-“

“You are apologizing to the wrong person.”

Her words, clear and calm, silenced him as surely as a blade to the throat.

The man froze, then turned stiffly toward the beggar. His lips cracked as he

stumbled through the words.

“I… I was wrong. Forgive me!”

The beggar slowly raised his hollow eyes. There was no anger, no gratitude- only the dull emptiness of a man already ground into dust.

Whether this beating ended or another began tomorrow, it no longer mattered. To him, life itself had long since soured. He lowered his gaze again without a

word.

Princess Sun Yaoqing also saw his eyes, eyes that had already given up on life.

A sharp voice cut across the tension.

“Your Highness!”

A harried attendant hurried through the crowd, bowing quickly before rushing

to her side. His expression was pale with fear.

“Why did you run off alone? Do you know how dangerous this is? What if

assassins were lying in wait?”

The Princess-her hood falling fully now, revealing her ethereal face-inclined

her head faintly, contrite.

“I was careless. Forgive me!”

She bent briefly, pressing a few silver ingots into the beggar’s shaking hands.

“Live… at least for another day.”

She whispered, too softly for anyone but him to hear.

Then, with her attendant tugging urgently at her sleeve, Princess Sun Yaoqing turned and left, her slender back vanishing into the river of people.

The beggar stared at the weight in his palms as if it were a stone from another

world. He didn’t weep. He didn’t smile.

Only silence lingered in his eyes.