Chapter 35: The Empress’s Grand Entrance and Ahoge Dragon’s Grand Destruction

“Your Majesty, we have arrived at Star-Moon Academy.”

Her Imperial Majesty’s retinue, vast and imposing, descended upon the foot of Star-Moon Academy’s mountain, much like an army laying siege.

As the ruler of this nation, she herself had graduated from this very institution.

She held the academy in profound reverence.

Though already a six-star magic tool user, she still adhered to the academy’s regulations.

Stepping down from her carriage, she prepared to ascend the mountain on foot.

“We respectfully welcome Your Majesty!”

The Dean of Star-Moon Academy appeared to be a middle-aged woman in her thirties.

Dressed simply, she awaited the Empress’s arrival at the base of the mountain, her demeanor radiating profound reverence.

The Empress’s appearance bore some resemblance to Yue Guangyao, with her striking black and white hair.

Her golden pupils, meanwhile, radiated an aura of boundless majesty.

She offered a slight nod to the Dean, then prepared to begin her climb up the mountain.

However, she habitually cast her gaze upwards.

Given her current formidable strength, the statue of the former king atop the mountain was entirely within her discerning gaze.

She was a pragmatist, harboring immense respect for the former king who had, in ages past, carved out a dominion for them on this continent.

That carved figure served as her unwavering paragon!

She was destined to forge an even grander realm, and for that ambition, she was prepared to undertake any action, make any sacrifice.

Those trailing behind her also followed the Empress’s gaze skyward, recognizing this as one of her ingrained habits.

Yet, in the very next moment, a towering blue pillar of light surged forth, leaving everyone bewildered.

Was this a welcoming ceremony orchestrated for the Empress?

If so, it would truly be splendid, perhaps even earning them the Empress’s commendation.

But the next instant, no one dared to utter a sound.

That pillar had toppled! It had cleaved the former king’s statue precisely down the middle!

To commit such an act directly before the Empress’s eyes—it was likely that anyone involved would face the annihilation of their entire clan!

The Empress’s countenance, at that moment, was ashen, as grim as if she had swallowed several dead flies.

She spoke no words, nor did she display any overt anger, yet she ascended the path step by deliberate step.

The suffocating pressure emanating from her, however, rendered those around her utterly speechless.

With bowed heads, they simply followed the Empress up the mountain.

Yao Yueli was among them, her heart pounding erratically.

She was all too familiar with that blue beam of light!

It was, in all likelihood, the handiwork of that foolish Ahoge Dragon again.

No wonder Ahoge Dragon was nowhere to be found this morning; she had evidently been wreaking havoc here all along!

****

Meanwhile, on the mountain.

“Oh my god! We’re truly doomed! Truly doomed! If the Empress sees this—no, no, when the Empress arrives and assigns blame, ten lives wouldn’t be enough to atone for it!”

“I’m out, I’m out! This has nothing to do with me!”

Once Ahoge Dragon retracted her divine power, everyone around her was stunned, then scattered, fleeing as if from a plague god!

Ahoge Dragon’s head still felt a bit woozy, as though she had overindulged in something potent.

Seeing the others flee, she merely felt a profound disdain.

“Hmph hmph hmph! Now you know how mighty I am, don’t you?! How dare you look down on me! Next time, I’ll use this thing to poke your butts! A toothpick, you say? Your toothpicks are that big?!”

“Little Ahoge, it’s bad! It’s really bad!”

Mao Yuxia clutched Ahoge Dragon’s arm, her body trembling with fear.

“What’s bad about it? Look how amazing I am, I scared them all away!”

“Hehehe! It must be because they saw I was holding a real gold-tier magic tool, and now they’re too scared to bet with me!”

“Hahaha! Hahaha! Now I can calmly wait here for the toads and big fat pigs to arrive!”

Ahoge Dragon was utterly oblivious to the impending danger!

Suddenly, she noticed a large procession of people approaching from below.

She also spotted Yue Guangyao and the Qian family members.

And Big Sister Yao Yueli, too.

Ahoge Dragon was overjoyed, thinking that with their distinguished attire, these people must surely have money to bet with her!

Hehehe…

She decided the ‘big sister’ walking at the very front looked promising.

She quickly peeled her betting slip from the pillar by the gate, then clutched it as she dashed down the mountain.

“Hey, hey, hey! You’re all so slow! Are you giant turtles who haven’t eaten?!”

“Toads, big fat pigs, come and bet with me! I’ve wagered a gold-tier magic tool that my big sister will become champion! If you’re real men, hurry up and bet with me!”

Seeing Ahoge Dragon’s blatant disrespect towards the Empress, some people couldn’t help but curl their lips into a smirk.

This little one was surely destined to be flayed and hung on the city gates!

Yao Yueli’s expression darkened. That girl! She had caused such immense trouble, and now she was still swaggering around here!

She was truly infuriatingly heedless! This time, ensuring Ahoge Dragon’s safety would be an ironclad impossibility.

Just as Yao Yueli moved to quickly pull Ahoge Dragon away, Blood Granny, standing beside her, gently grasped her arm.

Blood Granny shook her head softly. “There’s no need to worry, I’m here.”

If a six-star powerhouse like Blood Granny were to intercede, Ahoge Dragon might still be saved.

However, now was not the time to plead on Ahoge Dragon’s behalf.

At this moment, Ahoge Dragon was not far from the Empress.

Unaware of the Empress’s identity, Ahoge Dragon addressed her as if promoting an item.

“Big sister, care to make a bet? Win against me, and you can take home a gold-tier magic tool. I promise you won’t lose out.”

“Don’t worry! This is a real gold-tier magic tool! You were climbing up from below just now, right?”

“Did you see that sky-piercing blue light pillar? That’s what I created with this gold-tier magic tool!”

…

Everyone was speechless. Had she just incriminated herself like that?

What a foolish lizard.

‘*Clack!*’

The Little Li Flying Dagger in Ahoge Dragon’s hand was drawn by an inexplicable force into the Empress’s grasp.

“Hey! Don’t steal my stuff!”

Ahoge Dragon erupted in fury. It was the first time she had ever encountered someone who dared to snatch her belongings.

“Is this truly a gold-tier magic tool? Where did it come from? Who are you?”

Holding it in her hand, the Little Li Flying Dagger also emitted a blue pillar of light, though compared to Ahoge Dragon’s, it was merely two meters long.

Yet, its instant transformation to two meters attested to her formidable control over magic.

“Hmph hmph hmph! You don’t even recognize me. Listen closely, then. My name is Gudou Juetian, and Gudou Toutian is my best buddy! I advise you to return my belongings, or else I’ll have the Kidney-Deficient Man come and chop you to pieces!”

Ahoge Dragon’s childish words were truly unrestrained!

Below, Gudou Caotian’s face instantly changed!

That damned lizard! If she was going down, why drag their Gudou family into it?!

He was about to step forward and explain to the Empress.

However, the Empress waved her hand, signaling him that no explanation was needed.

“King Gudou, you certainly have a fine son and a fine… daughter.”

As she spoke, she tossed the Little Li Flying Dagger back to Ahoge Dragon.

Then, she looked up at the ruined statue, now reduced to rubble.

Her eyes were as profound as a starlit sky.

“Out with the old, in with the new! This Empress ought to set her sights on horizons ever more distant and elevated!”

“Issue the command! This hunting expedition shall be more perilous than ever before, yet its rewards shall be even more abundant! The champion’s prize will be a gold-tier magic tool, and they shall simultaneously be conferred the title of Eastern Expedition General!”

“From this day forth, this Empress shall lead the Glorious Moon Kingdom towards an even more powerful, more glorious future!”

“Your subjects heed your decree!!”

Those below swiftly bowed, heeding her command.

They dared not delay the Empress’s orders.

“Only two stars? Yet her audacity is considerable, and her potential promising. Include her in this hunting expedition as well!”

“Eh?”

The Empress spoke with keen discernment as she regarded Ahoge Dragon, whose namesake ahoge curled into a colossal question mark.

?