Immortal of the Ages

Back inside, where the Palace Selection was still being held, the Moon Lemon Valkyrie headed into a secret chamber. Before long, she returned with the Harmony Crown and unveiled it before the 8,000 remaining candidates.

It was a crimson serpent crown studded with seven different colored gems. These currently dim gems were likely the Yin Stars.

Through Feng Yao's eyes, Yun Xiao could not discern the true material of the Harmony Crown; it seemed rather ordinary.

"It might be your limited experience, or perhaps because it's merely a replica, used only for testing one's Corona talents."

The seven stars on the crown indicated that it wasn't the real Harmony Crown. The true Harmony Crown held nine Yin Stars and was a supreme celestial artifact of the Harmony Divine Palace...

"As soon as your name and number are called up, quickly don the crown!"

Only those whose Coronas lit up at least three gems could enter the Harmony Divine Palace!

Inside, tension gripped the 8,000 celestial maidens; each one held their breath, their faces pale, unable to utter a word.

This was the most crucial moment of their lives!

The first phase was ten-person free-for-all, where each individual could defy fate on their own merits. Then, what of the Harmony Crown in the second phase? It depended on innate talent and fate; they could only wait for destiny to reveal its answers...

The first girl in blue stepped forward. Delicate and seemingly fragile, she looked as if a strong wind might carry her away.

Yet, it was said she had shown commendable bravery in the melee of ten, earning her spot from the Moon Lemon Valkyrie.

Under the watchful eyes of all, she took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she gently lifted the Harmony Crown. Closing her eyes, she slowly placed it upon her head.

BUZZ! The crown, like a vortex, settled upon her brilliant white Corona. The Corona intertwined layer by layer with the crown, their powers merging, the Yin Stars on the crown beginning to twinkle with light.

"This should be good!" some murmured, their eyes wide in anticipation.

At last, a dazzling starlight shimmered on the Harmony Crown, illuminating the hall.

"Uh..."

The expressions of the 8,000 celestial maidens instantly grew odd. Some found it tragic, others couldn't help but snicker.

"Chen Ling'er, a 1-Star Corona, unqualified, eliminated!"

A voice, cold, unfeeling, and mechanical, thundered in the ears of the girl in blue, resonating like a storm.

She shivered, tears streaming down her cheeks even before she could remove the crown.

With a sharp intake of breath, Zhao Menglan, a Stellar Sea disciple of the Harmony Divine Palace and sister to Zhao Mengmeng, appeared before the girl in blue.

She held up the Harmony Crown and glared. "How many times must we stress this? Do not let your cheap tears tarnish the sacred Harmony Crown. In the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, no one sympathizes with a woman's tears!"

"Yes..." The girl named Chen Ling'er, heartbroken and despondent, stepped down from the platform.

"Hurry up, what's with the dawdling?"

"You're wasting time!"

"Useless bitch, get out of the way!"

In the harsh light of reality, the notion of women supporting women seemed like a cruel joke. The celestial maidens below the stage scorned Chen Ling'er for her slow descent, almost wishing they could kick her themselves.

And Chen Ling'er, her gaze dim, saw the mocking and indifferent looks directed at her, some from friends she once vowed to make a name with in the Harmony Divine Palace, now strangers.

No one would linger on her any longer.

"Why? I did my best, I was stronger than the others, why..."

No one would answer her.

"How pitiful, it's hard to watch!" Feng Yao murmured from a corner, witnessing the girl's lonely departure. "Such a blow, it must be hard for her to stand again."

"She will keep going," Yun Xiao said.

"Why?" Feng Yao asked.

"Because I hope all who chase their dreams can be a bit braver. Bravery is never shameful," Yun Xiao replied.

"You hope, and she will?" Feng Yao pressed.

"Human envy runs wild, but we must keep faith in human courage," Yun Xiao stated. He didn't know whether she would fall or rise, but he chose to hold on to a hopeful heart.

One by one, the celestial maidens ascended the stage of fate. Some lit up 3 stars, crying with joy. Some failed to light up more than 1 star, weeping in sorrow. Life seemed to fork here, its endpoint almost visible. Yet, who was to say life only had two paths?

Feng Yao watched quietly, carving her own path in this worldly existence.

In this merciless judgment, it was finally approaching her turn.

"Lin Wan, it's your turn!" Zhao Mengmeng nudged the girl beside her.

"Oh..." Lin Wan's voice trembled.

"Believe in yourself!" Zhao Mengmeng clenched her fist, encouraging her.

Lin Wan stepped onto the stage. "I should be fine!"

She mustered her courage, gritted her teeth, and lifted the Harmony Crown. Then, she waited, as if years passed by.

"4 stars, 5 stars..." she whispered to herself.

"Lin Wan, 2 stars!" Suddenly, these words struck her like a knife to the neck.

"Ugh..." She choked on the spot. "Impossible! Impossible! My sister isn't better than me, and she got 3 stars!" Lin Wan's eyes flew open as she turned to Zhao Menglan beside her.

"Step down." Zhao Menglan said nothing more, took the Harmony Crown from her, and then turned to her sister. "Mengmeng, you're next."

"No, no, no, I request a retest!" Lin Wan cried bitterly, reaching out to snatch the Harmony Crown.

"Lin Wan, stop this nonsense!"

A hand grasped hers firmly. Lin Wan looked up sharply and saw it was her dear friend, Zhao Mengmeng.

Zhao Mengmeng glared at Lin Wan and said coldly, "The Harmony Divine Palace is no place for your antics, step down!"

"Mengmeng, I..." Lin Wan cried so hard she almost bit through her lip.

"Step down!" Zhao Mengmeng shoved her away.

Lin Wan staggered and fell to the ground, her heart splitting in two. When had Zhao Mengmeng ever dared to be so rough with her?

She looked up, only to see Zhao Mengmeng already at the center of everyone's attention, not looking at her, but lifting the Harmony Crown to place upon her own head.

Confidence was evident in her demeanor.

BUZZ! The Harmony Crown and her Corona fused perfectly together.

Zhao Mengmeng did not close her eyes; instead, she looked towards her sister.

Zhao Menglan watched intently, her eyes fixed on the crown.

A moment passed!

"How many stars? Why isn't it shining?" Zhao Mengmeng asked urgently.

"Patience!" Zhao Menglan responded.

Two moments passed! Yet, there were still no signs.

"Sister, I heard that the longer it takes for the gems to light up, the more stars there'll be!" Zhao Mengmeng's heart leaped with joy, a smile spreading across her face.

"Indeed..." Zhao Menglan was equally enthralled.

Three moments passed! Then four, and five…

"The suspense is killing me..." Zhao Mengmeng stared upwards, her heart nearly stopping.

The entire Harmony Divine Palace fell into a deathly silence!

Then, six moments, seven moments, eight moments, nine moments...

"Why hasn't anything appeared?" After extreme tension, Zhao Mengmeng suddenly fell into a profound stupor.

Beside her, Zhao Menglan also froze.

"Menglan, it's over, take her down." A voice, icy as lightning, thundered in their ears.

Zhao Menglan's delicate body shivered! She took a deep breath, her voice trembling, "Master, maybe…"

Beside her, Zhao Mengmeng's eyes nearly burst with strain. She clutched her sister's hand fiercely, demanding, "How many stars? How many?"

"Stop it." Zhao Menglan shook her head.

"How many stars?!" Zhao Mengmeng's voice was torn with desperation.

Seeing her sister so hysterical, Zhao Menglan firmly held her down, took the Harmony Crown away, and began to drag her down the steps. Even she dared not lift her head at that moment.

"Mengmeng, haven't you understood yet? You're a 0-Star, the weakest Corona foundation here today, the only one in recent years—a true disgrace to your ancestors." Lin Wan stood up, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Zhao Mengmeng, unable to contain herself at Lin Wan's taunting, wept tears mixed with blood, her whole being seeming to shatter into pieces.

"Take her far away, don't let her disturb the Palace Selection," Zhao Menglan told Lin Wan.

"Fine." Lin Wan gripped Zhao Mengmeng's arm tightly and dragged her away.

Zhao Mengmeng trembled, her steps faltering, as she was pulled along.

"0-Star genius, tsk tsk."

"Now, she's truly bringing dishonor to her family..."

"Just when she was so confident."

"Laughable..."

The Harmony Divine Palace finally erupted in merciless laughter.

That laughter, like a sea of bitterness, overwhelmed Zhao Mengmeng, piercing her like countless swords through the heart.

THUD! The two didn't leave the hall; both collapsed together in a corner, slumping there.

"Why don't you leave?" Lin Wan said, exasperated.

"I-I want to see others laughed at too, there must be someone more ridiculous than me, there must be..." Zhao Mengmeng wailed, clutching Lin Wan's legs, "Lin Wan, I don't want to be the most miserable!"

"Yes, there must be!" Lin Wan, seeing her truly pitiable state, felt her own anger subside, and oddly, felt better for their shared misery.

She had always feared Zhao Mengmeng surpassing her! Thankfully, she was worse off!

With Zhao Mengmeng's outburst, the atmosphere in the Harmony Divine Palace lightened somewhat.

Zhao Menglan, whose heart was aching, was about to call Feng Yao to take the stage next.

"She's that devil girl who came with Mengmeng and Lin Wan," Zhao Menglan remarked.

She knew that devils were known for their low Corona talents, with the Fourth Dao Tribulation being a common stumbling block for them.

"Ugh, right after my sister, here comes the third laughingstock, and they're all associated with me…" Zhao Menglan grimaced, but she was helpless. The order could not be changed.

What she hadn't anticipated was that someone else would suddenly appear beside her, effortlessly taking the Harmony Crown!

"Who?!" Zhao Menglan turned to look.

Standing beside her was a girl as cold as the deep sea itself, her presence enough to instill a sense of falling into the depths. It was the girl with the Extreme Yin Divine Physique, Dantai Mo.

"I'm busy, just let me cut in line," Dantai Mo said calmly.

"Of course." Zhao Menglan didn't dare to object. This was the Sea Storm Valkyrie's own daughter, after all.

In an instant, all eyes were on Dantai Mo!

Most looked on with envy and admiration.

Yet, a few scoffed inwardly, "You're that confident? Be careful not to end up like Zhao Mengmeng—the Harmony Crown spares no pride!"

While people were busy with their thoughts, Dantai Mo, holding the crown with both hands, placed it upon her head. Her gaze was intense, regal as an Emperor during a coronation.

Time seemed to stand still! Nothing moved! As time passed, six breaths long, the crown showed no sign of life.

"Just as I thought..." some began to curse under their breath.

Suddenly, on the Harmony Crown, out of the 7 Yin Stars, 6 lit up with dazzling, intense light that illuminated heaven and earth!

The Harmony Divine Palace shook to its core!

Within the starlight, Dantai Mo appeared as a sovereign of stars, unparalleled and majestic.

She had anticipated all of this, her expression as serene as a gentle breeze.

It was clear to everyone that her confidence was of a different caliber than that of Zhao Mengmeng—one was celestial above the clouds, the other, earthly.

This was the true nobility of the Extreme Yin Star Realm!

"6 stars shining, a talent worthy of a Valkyrie Princess!"

Applause erupted.

The Frost Valkyrie clapped and smiled, for this outcome had been anticipated.

The Extreme Yin Divine Physique deserved no less than 6 stars. It naturally commanded a status above even the Valkyries.

It was as if the Sea Storm Valkyrie had birthed a daughter with talents surpassing her own—a phoenix rising from a mere chicken. Congratulations was obligatory.

The sound of clapping filled the Harmony Divine Palace.

In that moment, Dantai Mo was the center of glory.

"Sigh..."

Even Zhao Mengmeng, usually brimming with confidence, felt inferior before this true nobility, sighing and bowing her head, a new scar forming in her heart.

"Thank you." Dantai Mo returned the Harmony Crown and turned to leave.

"You're welcome." Zhao Menglan watched the young girl, her heart sinking into deep reflection. "An unparalleled figure indeed..."

She knew that today's pinnacle had passed.

Everyone still basked in Dantai Mo's brilliance.

Zhao Menglan, still professional despite being captivated by Dantai Mo, managed to call Feng Yao's name.

"She must also face humiliation!" Lin Wan remarked coldly.

"Yes, she's the worst one, definitely..." Zhao Mengmeng straightened up, leaping to her feet, her eyes fixed on Feng Yao's long, shapely legs as she ascended the stage.

In terms of beauty, grace, and stature, this War Princess was truly without equal in the Harmony Divine Palace.

Even Dantai Mo, about to leave, couldn't help but give this devilish girl a second look, a flicker of interest in her eyes.

"Is it that devil girl again?"

"She must be with those two fools!"

"That's her!"

Memories of Zhao Mengmeng and Lin Wan prepared the crowd for mockery.

Yet, the Harmony Divine Palace fell eerily silent.

The focus was intense.

"Take it!" Zhao Menglan, not tall enough, let Feng Yao reach for it herself.

Feng Yao was a bit nervous, took a deep breath, and placed the Harmony Crown upon her head.

"It suits you well," Yun Xiao said.

He was mid-sentence when the crown immediately began to shine.

"This early shine must mean 1 star..."

Just as everyone began to think this…

FWOOSH! The Harmony Crown suddenly flashed with 7 stars!

It was the light of completion, naturally illuminating the entire Harmony Divine Palace, engulfing every face in starlight.

"What?" Zhao Mengmeng rubbed her eyes seven times, then slowly collapsed to the ground.

The entire Harmony Divine Palace, including the three Valkyries, stood up in unison!

A long, dead silence fell over the hall...

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Unnoticed by all, fissures began to form inside the crown's Mysterious Yin Stars...