"Little One, Lu!" The Empress felt a sea of lightning surging toward them. With a gasp, Gan erected a defensive barrier, enveloping the Empress and the others. Then, she covered Bai Bai completely, shielding the girl in her embrace, ready to use her own body as protection.

The Empress’s face turned pale. If she had the support of the Sea of Primordial Force, she could exert the power of a Limit Level Four existence. But without it, she was merely a Lower Level Four entity, and the oncoming ocean of lightning far exceeded her imagination—even borrowing the power of the Sea of Primordial Force wouldn't suffice.

"No need to worry, the arrivals are friends," Yang Ying’s voice reached their ears.

Simultaneously, the eight figures forming the encirclement desperately unleashed their most potent defensive spells, only to be instantly submerged by boundless spheres of lightning.

Like a lone boat on a stormy sea, they faced imminent destruction under the threat of the tempest.

Under the direction of the three Luminaries, the sea of lightning deliberately parted, flowing around the two Supremes and sweeping away into the distance.

The two Supremes sensed the presence of the eight surrounding figures vanish one by one, almost hearing their death wails ringing in their ears. Their spirits were deeply shaken. Though these eight Upper Level Four existences were not equal to Sangdewo, or the peak powerhouses like Yasowen or Milleru, they had enjoyed immense renown within the Empire for at least ten thousand years. Seeing them perish so abruptly in the lightning sea gave the Supremes a sense of unreality.

"Mother, those three purple figures are likely also Limit Level Four existences," the Empress communicated to the Empress Dowager via telepathy.

"Indeed. Even if Sangdewo manages to return alive this time, the losses will be substantial," the Empress Dowager replied. "When the sea of lightning passes, you must be careful not to put on airs in front of them. Do not offend them."

"I understand, Mother. Didn't you used to criticize me for lacking the bearing of an Empress? Why must I refrain from showing it now?" The Empress let out a laugh. She felt that despite being surrounded by mortal peril in the lightning sea, this was the happiest day of her life.

She paused, then added, "If we can secure their help, we can stabilize the restive regional lords and buy us time to quell the internal instabilities within the Imperial Domain."

"It is good that you realize this." Seeing the smile on her eldest daughter's face, the Empress Dowager felt immensely relieved; it was a smile she hadn't witnessed in many years. She released Bai Bai, who poked her head out and watched the swirling spherical lightning pass by as if watching a film, her eyes widening in awe.

Time seemed to stretch for an eternity, yet pass in a flash.

When the final wave of lightning orbs swept past them, they looked out to see that the encirclement had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a pristine starry expanse.

In the distance, Sangdewo and his six subordinates disappeared into a wormhole, leaving behind a final message: "I will not forget today!"

Sangdewo bore a hideous gash on his right shoulder, a wound so deep it had nearly severed his entire right arm. His six subordinates were equally scarred, most bearing scorched marks from the lightning attacks.

Yang Ying retracted the lightning weapon in his hand. Pursuing them into the Empire held little meaning. Sangdewo’s influence was deeply rooted there; it was his home turf. The True Human Empire had existed for hundreds of thousands of years; Sangdewo alone commanded a cadre of experts comprising over a dozen Upper Level Four powerhouses. The Empire was filled with high nobility, many of whom were Level Four beings, and how many were Sangdewo’s allies? Rashly pursuing him into the Empire with only five Limit Level Four entities would be woefully insufficient.

Approaching the two Supremes, Yang Ying said, "Regent Sangdewo is indeed formidable. He employs endless secret arts. Even within the ocean of spherical lightning, where Blade and I held positional advantage and employed every means possible, we still failed to keep them."

"Leaving Regent Sangdewo alive was always an extreme difficulty. To kill his eight Upper Level Four helpers and send the rest back wounded and defeated surpasses even my highest expectations," the Empress Dowager stepped forward, performed a formal bow, and said, "Thank you for your assistance."

Seeing their mother bow, the Empress and Bai Bai followed suit, and Landon, naturally, did the same.

The Empress Dowager turned her gaze toward Kas and the other two Luminaries, about to speak, when Kas tore open a wormhole and stepped directly into it, leaving not a single word behind.

"Who were they?" The Empress Dowager could only turn to Yang Ying to ask.

"They are the leaders of the Protoss race. I have some acquaintance with them," Yang Ying briefly introduced the Protoss.

"To think such a potent race exists in the Orion Arm, possessing three Limit Level Four entities within their ranks," the Empress Dowager shook her head slightly. "It’s a pity they left so quickly; it would have been beneficial to meet them."

"What are your plans now?" Yang Ying inquired. "Your Majesties, having been away from the Empire for so long, it is time you returned to your capital."

"Indeed, we should return," the Empress Dowager stated. "Perhaps you two would care to join us? I wish to invite you to be guests in the Empire. I hope you will grant me the opportunity, as a mother, to thank you for protecting my children."

"I will prepare the finest banquet in the Imperial Palace," the Empress added in support. "And I think Sophie would also welcome your visit." She looked at Bai Bai, who was vigorously nodding her head like a chick pecking rice: "Mmm-hmm, Brother Yang Ying, Brother Blade, you should come too..." She paused, a little shyly, "I am Mother and Sister's Sophie. I am also your Bai Bai."

The True Human Empire, territory of the Regent. Sangdewo and his six subordinates emerged from the wormhole, materializing directly within the core garden of the Regent’s Palace. This area was exceptionally tranquil; normally, only Sangdewo himself, or his subordinate Upper Level Four experts, could enter and exit freely. The garden was encased in a barrier personally set by Sangdewo, impenetrable to anyone below Upper Level Four.

"Abili," Sangdewo called out.

"Yes." Abili knew exactly what to do. He raised both hands towards the heavens, as if gathering sunlight. A fountain of light descended from above, transforming into fine silver rain that seeped into everyone's bodies.

During their escape, they had managed to tear open a wormhole at the edge of the battlefield, but the effects of the battle had partially affected the portal's calibration. Fortunately, their destination on the other side was a barren nebula, not the vicinity of a black hole; otherwise, they would never have returned.

After the treatment, everyone felt significantly better. The wound on Sangdewo’s right shoulder had healed, leaving no trace of abnormality, and the scorched marks from the lightning on the others had also vanished.

Next, Sangdewo instructed everyone to retire to their quarters for final recovery and conditioning.

About half a standard hour later, Sangdewo, fully recovered, entered the core garden to find several figures gathered there.

"This time, we truly suffered a devastating blow," Yasowen sighed. "To lose eight people at once—in the ten thousand years since the fall of the Great Galactic Empire, today is likely our most bitter defeat."

"That ocean composed of spherical lightning was terrifying beyond measure—endless lightning orbs. Were those three purple fireballs that appeared later truly all Limit Level Fours?" Feimude ground out through clenched teeth.

"Undoubtedly, they were," Sangdewo stepped forward.

"My Lord."

"Regent!"

The figures bowed respectfully to Sangdewo.

Sangdewo nodded and spoke in a low voice, "I never expected the little Princess to be accompanied by so many powerful beings. It was my oversight. Looking back now, the moment the little Princess advanced to Level Three and the Sea of Primordial Force spontaneously found her, and I pursued... all of this was likely their calculated trap from the very beginning."

"Limit Level Four. I always believed only Regent Lord, and those old fossils, possessed such power. Who knew that in that small Orion Arm, five would suddenly appear!"

Milleru coughed several times. His chest had been pierced twice by Blade's lightning spear. Before fully recovering, he had endured a baptism of lightning. His physical condition was the worst among them, though Abili's treatment had been effective enough to pull him back from the brink of death.

"Milleru, you haven't fully stabilized your body, you shouldn't be out," Abili warned.

"Heh, I'm not going to die anyway. What's the difference between sooner or later?" Milleru cared little. "I'll take another period of recovery tonight, and that should suffice."

"This whole affair is extremely strange. The appearance of even one Limit Level Four entity is a rare occurrence throughout history, let alone five!" Yasowen frowned. "Regent Lord, this matter demands extreme caution. We know nothing about the identity of our opponents. I suggest sending people to investigate thoroughly."

"Very well. You will be responsible for this matter," Sangdewo stated.

"My Lord, what should we do about that mother and daughter now?" Dunleavy asked. "With the support of those five Limit powerhouses, their strength has likely increased dramatically. Combined with their existing resources, forcing submission through military might will probably be very difficult."

"No rush. Contact Duke Siko and Duke Dingel..." Sangdewo rattled off dozens of names. "Tell them I request a meeting to discuss urgent matters. You can leak a small portion of the intelligence: that the mother and daughter have found the little Princess and gained the assistance of five Limit powerhouses."

"Yes, my Lord," Dunleavy confirmed.

My brain is severely stuck today; Chapter Three must be postponed again. To find out what happens next, please log on to Jibashan. There are more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading! D