"Crap! Crap! Crap!! Quickly, take it off!"

While Feng Yao was basking in the adoration of the crowd, the Mortal Dust Devil Seed within her heart panicked.

"Why?" she asked, puzzled yet compliant. She reached out and snatched the Harmony Crown from her head.

As soon as the Harmony Crown was removed, the brilliance of the seven Yin Stars dimmed, and the dazzling starlight that filled the hall abruptly vanished. The awe it had inspired, however, continued to ripple through the air.

"If you'd worn it any longer, it would've cracked," Yun Xiao remarked casually.

"Cracked? Really?" Feng Yao, holding the Harmony Crown, gave it a cursory glance.

But a closer look revealed fine cracks within the seven Yin Stars.

"What if it had exploded? Would that count for nothing?" Feng Yao flicked her tongue in mock horror, smiling sheepishly.

"From what I've seen, people always find excuses for what they can't accept," Yun Xiao observed.

"Thank goodness..." Feng Yao quickly covered the stars with her palm, her face wearing an awkward smile that, to outsiders, seemed brimming with confidence.

"Seven stars, seven stars shining bright, a Valkyrie Queen is born!"

Soon, suppressed voices sprang up like bamboo shoots after the rain, echoing from every corner of the Harmony Divine Palace, swelling into a tidal wave of excitement.

"She'll become a 7-Star Valkyrie Queen!"

"She's even surpassed Dantai Mo and her Extreme Yin Divine Physique…!"

"In the history of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, no female devil has ever had such a Corona heritage!"

"The greatest devil of all times?"

Clearly, the stir Feng Yao caused was at least ten times greater than that of Dantai Mo. The carefully crafted debut of the Sea Storm Valkyrie for her daughter was foiled, and the Extreme Yin Divine Physique had merely become a backdrop!

A tempest was brewing in the Harmony Divine Palace!

"This, this..." Zhao Menglan stood beside Feng Yao, gazing up at the devilish beauty of this young girl, feeling a seismic shift within her.

Previously, she thought Feng Yao was just a pretty face, which was a dime a dozen in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. But now, as this vase bore the potential of a Valkyrie Queen, her beauty became the crowning jewel…

The image of this young devil was perfected in an instant, as if ascending to the heavens, untouchable.

This left Zhao Menglan momentarily uncertain about what to do. Should she make the announcement? She didn't dare. She felt she lacked the right to declare the birth of the 7-Star Corona.

Thankfully, her savior appeared.

A figure in a blue and white long dress emerged between her and Feng Yao, her white hair cascading down like snow, revealing her identity to Zhao Menglan.

"Moon Lemon Valkyrie."

Zhao Menglan bowed and stepped back, remembering how the Moon Lemon Valkyrie was always understated, peaceful, and kindly—a character of such nature appearing in this context only underscored that the brilliance of the seven stars was no illusion!

In the center of all attention, Feng Yao looked down at the older woman with weathered features by her side.

Her trembling eyes, soft yet firm, glanced at Feng Yao and then at the Harmony Crown in her hands.

She spoke softly but firmly, "My dear, wear it once more."

Feng Yao shook her head. "No, it can't be worn again."

"Wear it once more!" the Moon Lemon Valkyrie implored sincerely.

"Wear it! Wear it!"

Indeed, within the Harmony Divine Palace, there were many doubters. They seized this moment to collectively shout, trying to pressure Feng Yao.

However, what they truly desired was to see her luminescence shatter, to tear down the radiance that Feng Yao had unwittingly formed.

"Wear it once more to convince everyone," the Moon Lemon Valkyrie said, gripping her hand earnestly.

Despite being an elder, the Moon Lemon Valkyrie seemed somewhat diminutive before Feng Yao, making the scene almost appear as if a child was tugging at an adult's hand...

"Act quickly." Yun Xiao, seeing no escape from this predicament, decided to take a gamble.

This demand to wear it once more would also confirm the risk of the Harmony Crown exploding.

"Fine!" Feng Yao then lifted the Harmony Crown with both hands, ready to be crowned once again.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

This time, the reaction was even quicker!

The moment the Harmony Crown and her Sanguine Spirit Dragon Corona merged, the seven Yin Stars shone in unison, their dazzling brilliance once again lighting up the Harmony Divine Palace, filling every pair of eyes.

Whether those eyes held doubt or denial, they were overwhelmed by the starlight, forcing the looks to change to respect and reverence.

WHOOSH!

Feng Yao did not let it shine for long; in just a fleeting moment, she removed the Harmony Crown and smiled at the Moon Lemon Valkyrie. “Senior, is this satisfactory?”

The Moon Lemon Valkyrie's eyes swirled with a snowy tide, seemingly moved.

"Give it to me."

She took the Harmony Crown and placed it upon Zhao Menglan's head, whereupon it merged with her Corona.

Soon after, the Harmony Crown quietly shone with three Yin Stars, a contrast as stark as the heavens and earth compared to when Feng Yao wore it.

Feng Yao shone like the light of the bright moon, while Zhao Menglan merely glimmered like the light of a grain of rice.

No words were needed! Such contrast spoke volumes all by itself.

"How could this devil, without any notable background, achieve the Fourth Dao Tribulation at the age of 17 if not by sheer fate?"

"A heaven defying Valkyrie Queen of the Samsara Galaxy is born…"

"Truly enviable."

The celestial maidens who had earlier wished to see Feng Yao's downfall now felt like they'd been struck by lightning, clenching their fists and bowing their heads.

A feeling of jealousy overwhelmed them. They could not compete with Feng Yao in beauty. Nor could they match her in grace. Nor could they rival her in charisma!

And that was not all. To be surpassed in the depth of their Coronas by a devil was even more galling, a suffocating blockade in their hearts.

“Why not wear it one more time? Every time she rushes to take it off, there must be a problem!”

A sudden voice arose from the crowd.

All eyes turned to see that the speaker was none other than Zhao Mengmeng, the one who had just made a fool of herself…

Startled by the sudden attention, Zhao Mengmeng quickly shrank back behind Lin Wan.

But to her surprise, instead of mockery, fragments of agreement emerged from the crowd, urging Feng Yao to test the crown a third time.

“It must be fake, that’s why it’s causing such outrage, right?” Zhao Mengmeng babbled on.

“Right…” Lin Wan said, her gaze darkening.

The ripples they stirred quickly began to ferment, with more and more people joining the call to expose the fraud…

Just then, two figures appeared at Feng Yao’s side, like three stars around the moon!

The newcomers were none other than two other Valkyries—Bing Xuanqing and Dantai Hailan.

"My dear." The Frost Valkyrie, usually as cold as ice, now strained to offer a smile, aiming to appear approachable as she spoke to Feng Yao, “From the first phase, I knew you were extraordinary. I didn’t choose you then because I was certain that the Moon Lemon Valkyrie would pass you, giving others a chance.”

“I understand,” Feng Yao nodded, her inner sneer icy.

“Mhm.” The Frost Valkyrie smiled slightly, then gazed deeply at Feng Yao, speaking earnestly. “You may come and cultivate with my Ice Lineage. I, representing our lineage, promise to provide all necessary resources to ensure you become a true Valkyrie Queen!”

Her words caused a stir throughout the assembly. Even the Frost Valkyrie herself was two ranks away from being a Valkyrie Queen. This promise was undoubtedly the greatest commitment she could make.

Feng Yao, currently only a potential Valkyrie Queen, had a long road ahead to truly achieve that title. This pledge represented the utmost sincerity and determination of the Ice Lineage!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengmeng and Lin Wan's hearts shattered once again. They collapsed to the ground, complete clowns. The embarrassment and frustration, unforgettable for a lifetime! The aggressive pursuit of Feng Yao by the Frost Valkyrie was a dagger to their hearts.

As Zhao Mengmeng's face metaphorically split with embarrassment, the Frost Valkyrie leaned closer to Feng Yao and spoke earnestly, "You should be aware that within the Harmony Divine Palace, our Ice Lineage is paramount."

"Just so you know…"

At that moment, the Sea Storm Valkyrie representing the Sea Lineage, chuckled softly and moved closer to Feng Yao.

She gently took Feng Yao’s hand, her smile far more tender than that of the Frost Valkyrie, like a dearly close elder whispering, “My dear, come join our Sea Lineage. You are a devil, inclined towards the path of a Martial Immortal. Our lineage, with its reserves of celestial weapons and techniques, suits you best. And whatever promises the Ice Lineage can make, we can match them.”

Her counteroffer made the temple buzz with envy, and the eyes of the other celestial maidens nearly bled green.

As for those women who had demanded a third test for Feng Yao, they now felt like clowns, wishing they could disappear into a crack in the floor.

Did a talent recognized by the three Valkyries really need a third test?

"Don’t overdo it." The Frost Valkyrie's face turned cold upon hearing this.

The two, jovial moments ago, now turned against each other.

The Sea Storm Valkyrie, determined to have her way, no longer cared about her friendship with the Frost Valkyrie.

With a wave of her hand, a young girl with dark green hair approached the Sea Storm Valkyrie's side. It was none other than Dantai Mo!

Prompted by her mother, the young girl drew closer.

Today her spotlight had been stolen, yet she seemed utterly unconcerned, instead smiling at Feng Yao. “Join our Sea Lineage. We entered the palace together today, which must be fate. I know everything about the Harmony Divine Palace. We can cultivate together and grow together.”

She spoke gently! Though not previously a disciple of the Harmony Divine Palace, she had grown up here.

In terms of connections and background, she was well-endowed.

And Feng Yao, new to the Harmony Divine Palace, needed a peer to introduce her to the high circles of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, to make friends and flourish on all sides.

Even the strongest talent faltered without friends, their ends were seldom pleasant.

Dantai Mo’s offer was key to bolstering the weakest link in Feng Yao’s future prospects.

“You stole her thunder today, yet she graciously extended an olive branch. If you accept, everyone is happy. But if you refuse, do you understand what that means for her?” Yun Xiao said.

“A double slap in the face?” Feng Yao replied.

JustLivingJL's Thoughts