CHAPTER 3

During the relentless war that unfolded, the demon realm faced its inevitable fate.

After 24 hours of intense battle, their forces were completely decimated.

The demon lord, Guo Feng, resisted bravely but met his end at the hands of the celestial emperor, aided by the Gods.

The celestial court rejoiced upon realizing that the primordial spirit of Chen Mei, the glorious lotus flower, had been lost.

Thus, they decided to spare the life of the demon lord's son, recognizing that they could no longer regain the same power and authority they once possessed.

One day after the war's conclusion, the empress gave birth to her second child, bringing a sense of relief and hope to all.

The celestial realm now reigned with absolute sovereignty over the three realms, silencing any voice of opposition.

Besides the traditional realms, a new realm emerged: the realm of spirits, a union of various clans. There, those who chose to reside could live in harmony, remaining discreet and avoiding any power struggles.

As the years passed, cultivation became an intrinsic part of life in the mortal realm.

Competition now revolved around spiritual power, where those who reached the top held total influence over others.

At the age of fifteen, all young individuals were obliged to attend the academy in the capital and test their aptitude for cultivation.

It was a crucial moment, where their destinies would be shaped, and their abilities revealed.

Those recognized as talented by the rulers were destined to join one of the prestigious cultivation academies, where they would be trained and enhance their skills.

However, for the rest, a different reality awaited.

If they were men, they would be sent to serve in the king's army in the future, while women would be destined to become consorts.

Each person's destiny was intricately tied to their origin and the power of their family.

Those belonging to families with abundant resources could aspire to even greater achievements.

Where wealth flowed without limits, many nobles had the possibility to secure their place in one of the prestigious cultivation academies.

For them, doors opened more easily, granting them privileged opportunities for development and advancement.

However, for those who lacked such advantages, the path ahead was more challenging.

Returning to their families meant facing a more common destiny, with defined expectations and duties to fulfill.

[TIME SKIP - 15 YEARS LATER]

It was a glorious morning, where sun rays danced delicately across the clear sky.

As the first rays of light caressed the garden of the prime minister's majestic mansion, Jing Hua found herself immersed in her own aura of serenity.

In a gentle gesture, she cradled an orchid between her fingers, feeling the softness of the petals under her touch.

A maid, witnessing such a scene, couldn't contain her admiration:

"This flower, miss, seems to have been created to harmonize with your own essence."

A smile played on Jing Hua's lips as she wore an elegant lilac attire adorned with fine and delicate prints.

Every detail, carefully chosen, seemed to converge into a perfect symphony of colors and textures.

Her rosy lips, precisely outlined, seemed to embody kindness.

There were also large eyes, adorned with double eyelids, radiating a captivating glow, while her subtle yet impeccable makeup enhanced her natural beauty.

On that occasion, Jing Hua opted for a less extravagant style than usual, but still exuded undeniable sophistication.

"Now let's go to my sister," declared Jing Hua, referring to her younger sister.

On that auspicious day, both would reach the long-awaited coming of age and, like the young people of the kingdom, would undergo the cultivation test at the prestigious imperial academy.

Moving with grace, Jing Hua entered Yan Hua's room, accompanied by the maid, who followed in silence, a privileged witness to the complicity between the two.

As she crossed the threshold, Jing Hua was greeted by a dazzling scene: several maids surrounded Yan Hua, holding exotic pieces of jewelry with reverence.

The young girl's hair was skillfully braided and adorned with magnificent golden floral hairpins. A delicate necklace with a small diamond stone elegantly rested on her graceful neck, in perfect harmony with the blue dress that enveloped her like a gentle sigh of refinement.

Upon catching sight of Jing Hua's arrival, Yan Hua quickly approached, eagerly holding her sister's arm.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation and happiness as she asked with a radiant smile, "Sister, what do you think? Do I truly look beautiful?"

Jing Hua, with a mix of pride and tenderness, nodded and gently brought her thumb to Yan Hua's cheek.

She caressed her sister's soft skin, feeling the warmth and familiarity that had always surrounded them.

"You are more than beautiful, my dear. Your beauty radiates from within, like a shining star in the night sky," she praised, as their gazes met in a deep bond of fraternal love.

In an intimate gesture, the two sisters intertwined their arms, sharing a moment of joy.

"Now, let's go to our father. It's time to say goodbye," suggested Jing Hua.

As they walked through the corridors of the mansion, excitement and enthusiasm were palpable.

The maids, who accompanied them in a discreet retinue, seemed enveloped by the aura of nobility and elegance emanating from the two young women.

The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, as the passage into adulthood brought not only the duty to prove their worth in cultivation but also the power to shape their own destiny in a realm where prestige and influence intertwined.

As they advanced through the richly adorned corridors, with each step, the sisters drew closer to the hall where their father awaited with pride. The soft sound of their voices, mingling with the tinkling of jewelry and the rustle of fine fabrics, seemed to echo like a symphony of promise.