CHAPTER 1

In the celestial court, a place where peace and justice prevailed, a nefarious aura enveloped the environment on that day.

The heavens seemed to writhe in agony, with sizzling lightning cutting through the dark clouds that veiled the majestic celestial dome. In the center of the gloomy courtyard, a female figure knelt, wrapped in golden chains emitting an eerie luminescence, like cold metal serpents coiling around her delicate body.

Chen Mei, once a goddess of unparalleled beauty, was now disfigured and consumed by affliction.

Her once lustrous black hair hung disheveled around her pale, anguish-ravaged face. Her once vibrant eyes had lost their sparkle, now reflecting only despair and hopelessness.

Clad in a stained and tattered pink dress, she appeared as a nightmarish vision of suffering and decay.

Entering the courtyard with heavy steps, Emperor Qian Sheng was the embodiment of ruthless power. His golden robe, instead of exuding majesty, emanated an oppressive aura, like a cloak of darkness.

His cold, piercing eyes fixated on the haggard figure of Chen Mei with an expression of contempt and twisted satisfaction.

"Chen Mei, what good does it do to fight against the celestial chains?" the Emperor's voice resonated, dripping with sadistic malice.

"These chains are made to subdue even the most powerful beings. No matter how magnificent you once were, now you are destined for eternal servitude."

A trembling, distorted smile slipped across Chen Mei's cracked lips as her body contorted under the cruel grip of the chains. Each movement was accompanied by groans of pain, but she refused to succumb.

"Qian Sheng... You, who pose as the ruler of all beings, cannot understand the truth," Chen Mei whispered in a trembling and hoarse voice.

"These chains may bind my body, but my spirit will remain unbroken. The hierarchy you value so much is but an illusion. True value resides in the heart of every being, and that is what you fear to face."

Emperor Qian Sheng, consumed by anger and wounded pride, narrowed his eyes, dealing a final blow to the already tortured goddess.

With a swift and brutal movement, he pulled the chains hard, throwing Chen Mei to the ground, leaving her lying in a sea of ​​pain and despair.

Sepulchral silence filled the air as the gods, silent witnesses to this macabre scene, stood motionless, their gazes avoiding Chen Mei's gaze, unable to face the terrible reality before them.

Blood seeped from her parted lips, mingling with the tears that ran down her pain-lined cheeks. Her gaze fixed on the celestial ceiling seemed lost, while her ragged breath revealed the deep pain that invaded her being.

The empress, a fragile, ethereal figure, stood silently, watching the scene with eyes brimming with sadness and helplessness. Her face, once immaculate as china, reflected the anguish gnawing at her insides.

Her trembling hands caressed her belly, a painful reminder of her pregnancy which, even in the midst of such disgrace, continued to flourish.

"Qian Sheng..." Chen Mei's weakened voice echoed in the courtyard, filled with a mixture of pain and resignation.

"You, who proclaim yourself the protector of all beings, where is your mercy? What has become of the love and compassion that once dominated the heavenly court?"

The emperor, still wrapped in fury and the desire to quell any sign of rebellion, approached the fallen goddess.

Her hardened countenance reflected the cruelty that permeated her being. With a sudden movement, he lifted Chen Mei by her hair, forcing her to face him.

"Chen Mei, you were one of the most powerful Goddesses in this realm, but you chose to stray from the path of obedience and submission.

Your union with the demon lord is an unforgivable betrayal. And now, everyone will pay the price for their insolence. The demon realm will be destroyed and its existence eradicated."

As the emperor uttered his cruel words, Chen Mei couldn't contain a bitter smile. Her wounded lips curved in a defiant gesture, defying not only the Emperor, but the fate that had been imposed on him.

The instant Chen Mei's eyes turned red as embers, a formidable inner strength manifested.

With a primal roar, the chains that bound her were reduced to mere debris scattered through the air. The discharge of power reverberated through the celestial court, blowing the gods away like leaves in the wind.

Astonished, Emperor Qian Sheng raised his hand, summoning golden magic. But before he could launch it, it was dispersed with a graceful movement of the woman's arms, which now rose majestically.

"You dared to use me as a pawn in your despicable game, in an attempt to capture the demon lord and subjugate all beings with my pure heavenly bloodline," Chen Mei uttered in an echoing, piercing voice. Her eyes shone with unparalleled intensity, reflecting unshakable determination.

"But know that this is impossible."

In a sublime gesture, Chen Mei turned her palm towards herself, summoning a purple energy, as vivid as the dawn.

With fearless resolve, she plucked the icy lotus flower, the source of her unrivaled power, from her own heart. A murmur of astonishment spread among the gods, who witnessed her boldness.

"Don't let her destroy the lotus flower! Attack!" ordered the emperor in his authoritative voice.

In a synchronized movement, the gods unsheathed their spiritual weapons. Glittering swords, enchanted fans and ancient artifacts were brandished with fury as they charged towards Chen Mei.

However, facing the woman, all attacks were stopped by the power of a single hand. The gods, unable to resist the overwhelming force, were immobilized, their weapons powerless in the face of the magnetic aura that surrounded her.

Emperor Qian Sheng stared in disbelief at the scene, his body trembling with indignation. In a last ditch effort, Chen Mei gathered her energy reserves and launched the essence of her primordial spirit into the sky.

The lotus flower, now carrying the power that once belonged to it, crossed the skies at breakneck speed, disappearing over the horizon, heading towards an unknown destination.

Amidst overwhelming exhaustion, Chen Mei finally fell to the ground. Her frail body could no longer bear the burden of combat and suffering.

Her eyes lifted, staring at the gray skies as raindrops mingled with the tears streaming down her face.

In a fleeting instant, Emperor Qian Sheng's indestructible sword pierced her chest, emitting a blazing heavenly flame that voraciously consumed her internal organs.

Chen Mei felt a searing pain go through every fiber of her being, while her body crumbled into ashes, dissipated by the wind.

The solemn moment of her fall echoed through the celestial court, enveloping the gods in a mournful silence.

Raindrops began to fall, washing away the gloomy stage that had witnessed the tragic battle.

It was the first time rain had touched the celestial realm, a dark and disturbing sign. The gods, once proud and majestic, bowed before the cruel reality of loss. Chen Mei's absence was like a void of fear that echoed in every deity's heart, a miserable uncertainty about the future.