"Haah… Haah…!" Shen Nanyin could no longer hear the tumult around her. In her world, only the sound of her own ragged breaths remained.

Amidst the vastness of the MIllion Starlight Palace, she couldn't fathom how many strange and accusatory eyes were upon her.

Her golden curls hung disheveled, and her battle armor was ripped apart—the lingering traces of the unbearable memories from that nightmarish moment. Her heart felt as if it had plunged into an icy abyss, cold seeping into her very soul.

More than anyone, she knew what fate awaited her from this moment on, as the rare and

esteemed

woman of the Southern Divine Dragon Realm.

"No, no, he'll understand me. I was forced!" Clinging desperately to hope, Shen Nanyin summoned her courage, steadied herself, and ran toward the warm, imposing embrace she yearned for—the truly strong and noble man she revered.

As she lifted her head, her trembling, tear-filled eyes met the gaze of the Young Dragon Lord.

In that fleeting moment their eyes met, Shen Nanyin felt as if 10,000 blades pierced her heart. She faltered, her steps slowing instinctively, her mind a blank void. For in his eyes, she saw only unyielding coldness.

It was a gaze that looked upon her as a drowned rat, as if she were smeared with filth and stench. He not only ignored her but silently warned her to stay away. Otherwise, he might truly slay her on the spot!

Despair and anguish overwhelmed Shen Nanyin because she felt his undisguised intent to kill...

"No, please don't." She felt so cold, shivering uncontrollably. This was when she most needed a warm embrace, but all he offered was the edge of an icy blade.

She knew with absolute certainty that he intended to kill her! But now, with so many eyes watching, and since she had escaped danger, if he killed her now—even if the Young Dragon Lord seized the Extreme Yin Star—both his missions would be utter failures.

Moreover, the Young Dragon Lord would leave the entire Samsara Galaxy with the impression of a man who couldn't accept defeat! So, he restrained himself once again. He suppressed his seething killing intent, choosing to ignore Shen Nanyin.

From this moment on, as long as she lived, she was an indelible stain upon his honor. The shame was too immense. At last, he had reached this pivotal moment.

Confronting Yun Xiao and claiming the Extreme Yin Star was now his utmost priority, surpassing any need to deal with Shen Nanyin. Nothing could halt the raging inferno within him now.

"Come!" The Young Dragon Lord raised his hand, his entire being engulfed in golden flames. He stepped past Shen Nanyin and turned to gaze down upon Yun Xiao.

That was precisely where the Extreme Yin Star lay.

"Charge!"

About 20 members of the Dragon Devil Clan—they were the elite of the elite—gathered beside the Young Dragon Lord. Furious beyond measure, some had already transformed into their dragon devil forms, showcasing explosive killing power at his slightest growl.

Behind them stood around 250 others who still held onto their own Personal Pledges, remaining by the Young Dragon Lord's side.

"Finally, the battle begins!"

"Stay close to the Young Dragon Lord!"

These 250 weren't as enraged as the Dragon Devil Clan members; after all, the Young Dragon Lord's humiliation didn't reflect on them.

In a flash, these prodigies from the Heavenly Deity Stellar River had assembled a force capable of sweeping through the Grand Assembly Arena.

"Ah, the Young Dragon Lord is such a devoted man—willing to forsake his allies to protect the Young Dragon Consort!"

Someone, not too bright, tried to flatter him but instantly regretted it; his words only added fuel to the fire.

After all, the Young Dragon Consort had already been disgraced, and most of the Young Dragon Lord's alliance was temporarily lost. Personal Pledges were even more binding than the Parent Flag and, by the rules, the hardest to break.

But none of that changed the Dragon Devil Clan's frenzied battle intent.

Facing this explosive fury, Yun Xiao—the white-clad youth who stirred up storms—remained remarkably calm. His composure inexplicably eased the nerves of many anxious souls.

"Enter the Extreme Yin Star Barrier," Yun Xiao ordered without wasting words. Through the Personal Pledges, he issued commands to the 250

captives

he had claimed.

Commands via Personal Pledges were even more precise and binding than those through the Parent Flag. This was why Gusu Yan, Jiang Dongcheng, and others had initially refused so adamantly.

Under normal circumstances, even if the Young Dragon Lord forced them to hand over their Personal Pledges, they would find it hard to agree.

After all, they were allies on the surface.

But now, under another's roof, they knew exactly how Yun Xiao would use them. Even though their faces showed discomfort and helplessness, before the countdown ended, they all followed Yun Xiao into the frigid, surging Extreme Yin Star Barrier.

Once they pledged to Yun Xiao, the benefit was that the Taiyin Immortal Formation would not attack them but would protect them instead.

What slightly surprised Yun Xiao was that the first to respond to his command was Bai Ao—the younger brother of Bai Lu from the Gu God Star.

His face was still wrapped in bandages, yet an inexplicable excitement gleamed in his eyes.

It was his lead that prompted the other

captives

to enter the Extreme Yin Star Barrier one after another.

"A Personal Pledge doesn't equal true loyalty; there's still a long way before they fight wholeheartedly for me." Yun Xiao knew well.

Although he had set the stage with Bai Ao and the humiliation of Shen Nanyin, breaking their alliance entirely wouldn't be so simple.

Even with the 11 Empyrean Emperor Sects banding together, figures like Bai Lu and Gusu Yan still held a wary respect for the Young Dragon Lord.

"But once the seeds of distrust are sown, the rift will only widen!" Yun Xiao smirked coldly to himself.

Amid the roaring blizzard of the Extreme Yin Star Barrier, Yun Xiao stood before the 250 prodigies of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River. Borrowing their momentum, this

celestial slave

inexplicably appeared graceful, transcendent, and poised—almost matching the furious Young Dragon Lord across from him.

It was like a little white rabbit boldly challenging a true dragon, both astonishing and awe-inspiring.

"Big Bro Yun Xiao!"

A voice suddenly called from behind.

Turning, Yun Xiao saw it was the young Bai Ao—a fearless lad with unbending character.

Though bandages still wrapped his face, his spirit allowed him to see. While his combat abilities were impaired, his daily life remained unaffected.

He sidled up to Yun Xiao, winking and giving a thumbs-up. Whispering, he said, "You're incredible! I'd call you the number one Master of Humiliation in the Samsara Galaxy! You've really helped me vent my frustrations."

Connecting his own plight with Yun Xiao's actions, it did seem like Shen Nanyin had hoisted herself by her own petard.

If the kid knew that even his situation had been orchestrated by Yun Xiao, he'd probably spit blood.

"'Master of what?'" Yun Xiao blinked.

"Don't get me wrong—humiliation as in shaming, not cucking!" Bai Ao chuckled.

Their exchange was overheard by many nearby. Some couldn't suppress their laughter, but realizing it was inappropriate, they quickly stifled themselves.

"Bai Ao!" Not far away, Bai Lu heard and approached with a face ashen with anger. Grabbing his ear, she scolded, "You never learn! What nonsense are you spouting? A gentleman behaves with propriety; only then does he align with the Heavenly Dao. Don't imitate shameless people!"

Clearly, as a woman, she empathized with the Young Dragon Consort.

"I don't care. Shen Nanyin used her beauty as a weapon to kill, and the Young Dragon Lord still wants to destroy us. They deserve the backlash," Bai Ao continued to mutter under his breath, chattering incessantly, even as he was being dragged away by the ear.

The others watched this sibling spat with mixed feelings.

They all knew Yun Xiao had deliberately exploited the Young Dragon Lord's arrogance to sever them from his alliance. Setting aside their own positions and any disdain for a celestial slave, the fact that Yun Xiao had achieved this on his own was admirable in both courage and audacity.

In contrast, the Young Dragon Lord, despite his immense power and influence, was being led by the nose!

"Still, resorting to threats and coercion can only gain small advantages. Now, the Young Dragon Lord doesn't need to worry about saving face. His overwhelming advantage can't be overturned by anyone..."

Such thoughts circulated in the minds of Gusu Yan, the Bloodvine Young Master, Ah Jiao, Jiang Dongcheng, and others. They watched on with a cold detachment.

"Yun Xiao!"

At that moment, eight captivating figures approached the crowd.

Whether it was Feng Yao or Wan Ji's seven daughters, their beauty, elegance, and ethereal aura were unmatched, instantly drawing countless admiring gazes!

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