"You''re truly beautiful, my granddaughter. Let me take a closer look at you," udia, the Phoenix Empress, said softly, gesturing for Be to crouch down.


    Feeling a mix of embarrassment and pride, Be knelt down to her grandmother''s level, her transformation shimmering faintly as she moved.


    The sight of a petite girl examining a fully grown woman like an elder was aical yet heartwarming moment to onlookers, though none dared tough in the gravity of the situation.


    udia gently touched Be''s face, her small fingers tracing over her features with a grandmother''s tenderness. "Good, good," she murmured, nodding in satisfaction. "You also carry the Eternal Phoenix bloodline with pride. Your beauty may trulyst a lifetime, my dear."


    Turning her gaze to Aengus, who observed quietly with a calm demeanor, udia continued. "I can sense it... You are an existence beyondprehension, my Grandson-inw. I will honor my promise to you for my freedom. But you must vow to protect Be and cherish her as she deserves." Her voice was gentle but held an air of seriousness, her small brows raised slightly in anticipation of his answer.


    Aengus inclined his head with a reassuring smile. "That''s a given, Phoenix Empress. Be is my wife, and it is my lifelong duty to protect her from any harm." His eyes softened as they locked with Be''s, radiating unwavering love and determination.


    Be''s heart swelled with emotion at his bold deration. Her cheeks flushed, and she felt her love for him deepen. She knew, without a doubt, she had chosen the right man.


    Gradually, Be reverted to her human form, and Aengus dissipated the veil of shadows that had enclosed their private moment.


    Outside, an enormous crowd of citizens and Phoenix bloodline warriors in millions had gathered, their numbers stretching across the ruined streets of the capital.


    They stared in stunned silence at the aftermath of the battle. The remnants of the shattered imperial pce, the oppressive aura of destruction, and the still-standing figures of Aengus, Be, and udia spoke volumes. The scale of what had transpired was beyond theirprehension.


    None dared to speak. All they could do was watch in awe and trepidation.


    "Hey, look! The Phoenix Empress is safe!" a female warrior eximed, her voice brimming with joy as she pointed toward the figures emerging from the rubble.


    "Oh, thank the heavens," another murmured in relief, though her gaze lingered on the regal man standing beside the Empress. Her cheeks flushed slightly. "But... who is that handsome young man with her?"


    "That—that''s the Ruination Emperor!" a nobleman interrupted, his voice trembling slightly. "Did you not see what happened? He''s the one who fought against her! You didn''t witness his terrifying ck Dragon form?"


    The woman''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh, lord! He''s the one who defeated the Phoenix Empress?"


    "Unbelievable, isn''t it?" another chimed in, shaking his head, though his tone carried both awe and indignation. "She must have been weakened after her rebirth. Otherwise, how could a newly risen Transcendental possibly defeat our Empress?"


    "That must be it!" someone else snapped, clearly fuming. "Our Empress couldn''t have lost otherwise. This man... he must have taken advantage of her weakened state!"


    Despite the murmurs of doubt and spection among the crowd, the atmosphere was thick with a mix of reverence, awe, and disbelief.


    Some stared at Aengus with a newfound fear, while others admired his overwhelming presence.


    Unbothered by the whispers, Little Empress hovered over the gathered millions, her calm gaze scanning the crowd. Aengus was behind her, equally dominant.


    Your next journey awaits at empire


    A sudden silence fell over the massive crowd as the Phoenix Empress raised her hand, hermanding presence enough to subdue even the faintest murmur.


    With anticipation bubbling inside, All eyes turned toward her.


    "To all the subjects and warriors of the Phoenix Empire," udia began, her voice unwavering and resonating with regal authority. "I, the current ruler of the Phoenix Empire, hereby dere, under my imperial authority, that henceforth the Phoenix Empire will submit to the Liberation Empire, joining their grand purpose of freedom and unity."


    With that she handed a magical Phoenix Feather that emanated powerful Divine energy, as mark of the true ruler of Phoenix Empire from now on.


    "What!"


    A collective gasp rippled through the masses. Faces reflected disbelief, confusion, and astonishment. Whispers turned into muted roars as millions processed the shocking promation.


    Undeterred by the growing unrest, udia continued, her gaze steely and unyielding.


    "He—the Ruination Emperor, who is also my Grandson-In-Law—will now take control of all the bloodline warriors and the subjects of this Empire. This is not a request or an appeal. It is an imperial decree. Any who resist will be dered traitors and face execution!"


    Her crisp, thunderous voice echoed across the capital, reverberating for miles, silencing the crowd once more. The weight of her words left no room for doubt or dissent.


    The people stood frozen, their emotions swirling. Awe, fear, and uncertainty painted their expressions as they exchanged looks, hesitant to move or speak out. Some began kneeling instinctively, overwhelmed by the sheer dominance of their Empress and the imposing presence of the Ruination Emperor standing beside her.


    "We disagree!"


    "We disagree!"


    Surprisingly, a group of men stood up defiantly, their collective voices bold and resolute.


    "And why is that, Dragonblood Warriors?" the Phoenix Empress asked coldly, her eyes narrowing dangerously.


    The men, exuding a noble air of confidence, stood firm.


    "Because the Dragon Emperor won''t like it!" one man among them smirked confidently, his words dripping with defiance.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    More and more Dragon-blooded men, married into the Phoenix Empire, began standing, emboldened by their leader''s courage.


    Chrystia, Vira, and the female Phoenix Blood Warriors were visibly shocked by the sheer unity of the men, whose numbers now grew to epass half the city.


    "What''s going on, darling?" one female warrior asked her husband, her voice filled with confusion.


    "Go away, bi*ch!"


    "Yes, husband, why are you rebelling against our Empire?" another woman pleaded desperately.


    "Shut up!"


    "Don''t do it, husband. You''ll be killed!"


    "Come back!"


    Despite the desperate pleas of their wives, the men only smirked mockingly, their confidence unshaken.


    They began gathering together, tens of millions strong, united in defiance against the Empress and the Ruination Emperor. Their solidarity reassured them that together, they could resist any force that sought to oppress them.


    The Phoenix Empress and Aengus exchanged sharp nces, their eyes narrowing as they assessed the growing rebellion.


    "So," the Empress began, her tone icy, "you men from the Dragon Empire have indeed held disloyalty toward the Phoenix Empire since marrying into ournd. Is that it?"