Tsunade's cold voice echoed throughout the palace hall as she released her overwhelming Spirit Power, combining it with the innate power she had been concealing all this time.
She was furious.
The disrespect Zhu Zhuqing's father had shown toward Lev and the others had angered her greatly. Yet despite her rage, Tsunade still maintained enough control to prevent her power from seriously harming Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan.
The same could not be said for the surroundings.
The instant her pressure descended, Zhu Zhuqing's father felt as though an invisible mountain had crashed down upon his body.
His body moved before his mind could even react.
Bang!
He immediately dropped to his knees.
The throne beneath him couldn't withstand the overwhelming force and shattered apart, leaving him kneeling on the floor with both hands desperately supporting his weight.
His eyes were wide with disbelief.
He was a Titled Douluo.
Yet in front of this woman, he couldn't even resist.
He wasn't the only one affected.
Tsunade's pressure spread far beyond the palace.
Everyone inside the Zhu Family Palace felt it.
Even the people living outside the palace suddenly felt an overwhelming force descend upon them.
Fear spread throughout the surrounding area.
Some people immediately fainted under the terrifying pressure, while those who managed to remain conscious desperately held onto whatever they could find, struggling just to remain standing and avoid losing consciousness.
Many believed that the Zhu Family was under attack.
Yet none of them knew what was happening.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Master who had greeted Lev and the others at the palace entrance earlier was trembling violently.
He stared toward the palace with horror in his eyes.
'I'm incredibly lucky...'
He couldn't help but remember his earlier encounter with Lev.
If he had continued refusing to let them enter, he was certain that he would have suffered an even worse fate.
'So this is their true strength...'
As the person who had stood closest to Lev and the others earlier, he had already experienced how terrifying Lev was.
Now, he was beginning to understand just how monstrous the group accompanying Zhu Zhuqing truly was.
Inside the hall, Zhu Zhuqing's father was in an even worse state.
Being the person closest to Tsunade, he bore the brunt of her pressure.
He couldn't even raise his head to look at her.
Blood trickled from his ears, nose, and mouth as his body trembled uncontrollably.
The pressure was simply too overwhelming.
The only reason he remained conscious was because he was a Titled Douluo.
Even then, he was already at his limit.
"Sister Tsunade..."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice suddenly broke through the oppressive atmosphere.
Although she and Dugu Yan had been protected from the worst of Tsunade's pressure, they could still feel some of its effects.
Zhu Zhuqing knew that her father was in the wrong.
She was angry at him for how he had treated Lev and the others.
But seeing him suffer to this extent still made her feel uncomfortable.
She wasn't heartless enough to simply watch him collapse.
After all...
He was still her father.
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's voice, Tsunade turned toward her.
She noticed the worry in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes and remained silent for a moment.
Then, she slowly calmed down.
The terrifying pressure disappeared.
The people throughout the palace and the surrounding area immediately breathed sighs of relief.
Although Tsunade had only released her power for a short period, the damage was already apparent.
Cracks covered the walls and pillars of the palace, while parts of the hall had been damaged by the overwhelming pressure.
Tsunade then turned her attention back toward Zhu Zhuqing's father.
Three elderly men had already rushed over to help him stand.
Their expressions were filled with pain and fear as they cautiously looked toward Tsunade.
None of them dared to underestimate her anymore.
"How careless of you, Tsunade. You almost destroyed the palace."
Lev suddenly spoke with a smile.
He then turned his attention toward Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan and immediately used Nature's Heal on both of them. Wanting to make absolutely certain that they were unharmed, he followed it up with every healing ability available to him.
After confirming that both women were fine, Lev finally relaxed.
"I'm sorry, Master. I just got a little carried away. It won't happen again."
Tsunade immediately apologized, knowing that she had indeed gone too far.
"Anyway, I don't think Zhuqing introduced me properly."
Lev turned his gaze toward Zhu Zhuqing's father, his expression becoming noticeably more serious.
"I am Lev Hendrix, Zhu Zhuqing's lover and the first Emperor of Eternal Divine Empire."
His introduction immediately stunned everyone in the hall.
Zhuqing's father and the three elders stared at Lev in disbelief.
The name Lev had already spread throughout the continent after the destruction of the Heaven Dou Empire a month ago.
The reports had described the new Emperor as the person responsible for bringing down the entire empire.
Yet they had never imagined that the man standing before them was actually that same Emperor.
They had heard about the similarities between the names, but they had simply assumed they were unrelated.
Now, they finally realized the truth.
Their throats went dry as they subconsciously gulped.
'He's really the Emperor of the Eternal Divine Empire...'
The realization sent another wave of uneasiness through them.
Lev, meanwhile, looked at Zhu Zhuqing's father with a hint of displeasure.
"I don't know why you're so hostile toward me, but I think we've arrived at a bad time. We'll visit again another day."
His voice remained calm, but there was a faint coldness beneath it.
"You'd better change your attitude by then. Otherwise, I don't know whether my subordinate will be as merciful next time."
After saying that, Lev turned around and began walking away.
He knew perfectly well why Zhu Zhuqing's father was hostile toward him.
However, seeing that they could no longer have a proper conversation under the current circumstances, Lev decided that leaving was the better choice.
Tsunade and Dugu Yan immediately followed him.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, remained behind for a moment.
She stared at her father with visible anger before finally turning around and following Lev.
She had actually been looking forward to returning home and introducing Lev to her family.
Unfortunately, the reunion had turned into nothing but disappointment.
After they left, the three elders standing beside Zhu Zhuqing's father finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They immediately turned their attention toward the Clan Head with worried expressions and began taking out healing elixirs to help treat the injuries he had sustained from Tsunade's pressure.
"I-Is that really the person who destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire?"
One of the elders finally spoke, his voice still filled with shock.
After personally experiencing the terrifying power displayed by Tsunade and witnessing Lev's calm reaction to everything, he finally understood that the reports were not exaggerated.
If that group had actually attacked the Zhu Family while they were in their current state, they wouldn't even have the opportunity to resist.
"Clan Head, how could someone of such status come here together with Young Miss?"
Another elder asked, his expression filled with confusion.
He still couldn't understand why the Emperor of the Eternal Divine Empire would suddenly appear at their doorstep.
"Are you not listening, old fool? He said he was Zhuqing's lover!"
Another elder immediately rebuked him, a trace of anger present in his voice.
Their family had never been humiliated to such an extent before, and he clearly regarded the incident as far more serious than the others.
"T-Then..."
The first elder's eyes widened as several pieces of information finally connected in his mind.
"Does that mean that young man was the person Zhuqing followed five years ago?"
The elders fell silent.
They had heard about that incident before.
However, they had never been able to locate Zhu Zhuqing or discover where she and the mysterious person she followed had gone.
Now, the truth has finally revealed itself.
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
Zhuqing's father slowly exhaled before forcing himself to stand.
"Elders, try to suppress the news regarding the visit of the Emperor of the Eternal Divine Empire. I want this matter kept as secret as possible."
The three elders immediately understood what was running through his mind.
They knew how serious the situation had become.
This development was completely beyond their expectations, and the slightest mistake could potentially bring disaster upon the entire Zhu Family.
They needed to think carefully.
They needed a plan.
"I never would have imagined that things would turn out like this."
Zhuqing's father sighed as he recalled what Dai Mubai had told him two weeks ago.
At the time, he had never considered the possibility that the person Zhu Zhuqing had followed years ago and the Emperor who destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire were one and the same.
It had simply seemed too unbelievable.
But after witnessing everything with his own eyes...
He could no longer deny it.
And now, it might already be too late to change anything.
"Then what should we do?"
One of the elders immediately spoke.
"We all know that Zhuqing is already engaged to Mubai. This was established through our family's traditions."
As he imagined the consequences of preventing Zhu Zhuqing from being with Lev, his expression became increasingly troubled.
Yet after weighing the situation carefully, he couldn't help but feel that angering Lev would be far more disastrous.
The other elders gradually reached the same conclusion.
Everyone understood that this matter was now even more urgent than their conflict with Spirit Hall.
Their survival might depend on how they handled it.
All of them turned toward Zhuqing's father, waiting for his decision.
Zhuqing's father remained silent.
He was thinking about the same problem.
After personally experiencing Tsunade's terrifying power and witnessing Lev's calm demeanor, he had already made one decision.
He absolutely did not want Lev to become an enemy of the Zhu Family.
But there was still the matter of their family's traditions.
Zhu Zhuqing's engagement to Dai Mubai was not something that could simply be ignored without consequences.
The situation was far more complicated than he had initially imagined.
"Let me talk to him tomorrow and see what happens."
Zhuqing's father finally sighed.
"I also need to discuss this with the rest of the family and hear their thoughts before we make any decisions."
The three elders nodded.
They could only hope that tomorrow's conversation would go smoothly.
After discussing the matter for a little while longer, the elders eventually left the hall.
There were still many things they needed to deal with, especially the damage that had been done to the palace.
None of them, however, could shake the feeling that the situation surrounding Zhu Zhuqing had become far more complicated than they had ever anticipated.
**********
—Night—
Hotel,
Wanting to put the unpleasant incident at the Zhu Family Palace behind them, Lev and the others returned to the city where they had stayed the previous night.
They spent the rest of the day wandering around and exploring the city, taking their time to enjoy the sights before eventually returning to the hotel to rest for the night.
"Lev, Sister Tsunade, YanYan, I'm really sorry about my father's behavior earlier. I never thought he would act like that after seeing me."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, her expression filled with disappointment toward her father.
"I'm really sorry."
Although she had a vague idea of why her father had reacted that way, the manner in which he had handled the situation had still crossed the line in her eyes.
"Stop thinking about it. Let's just get some sleep."
Lev smiled gently as he reached over and caressed her head.
He didn't take her father's actions particularly seriously.
After all, it wasn't unusual for a father to be protective—or even hostile—toward the man who had suddenly appeared beside his daughter after years of being apart.
Tsunade and Dugu Yan nodded in agreement before closing their eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, looked up at Lev for a moment.
She leaned closer, gently kissed him, and then closed her eyes as well.
Seeing the three women settle down, Lev smiled before closing his own eyes.
Soon, the room became quiet as the four of them drifted into sleep.
**********
—The next day—
Restaurant,
Morning soon arrived.
Lev and the others were having breakfast at a relatively ordinary restaurant when the sound of a luxurious carriage arriving outside suddenly attracted everyone's attention.
The carriage was so extravagant that the surrounding people immediately began whispering among themselves.
"A noble must be visiting the city."
"Who could it be?"
"Look at that carriage..."
The discussions continued as people curiously watched.
Not long afterward, the man Lev and the others had encountered the previous day stepped out of the carriage.
He briefly looked around before entering the restaurant.
His eyes quickly found the table where Lev and the others were eating.
He walked over and stopped before them.
"Your Majesty, Young Misses, would it be convenient for you to spare some time and return to the palace?"
Lev continued eating without even looking particularly concerned.
"Wait for a while."
His response was completely nonchalant.
Zhu Zhuqing, Tsunade, and Dugu Yan likewise continued eating as though nothing had happened.
They had already agreed to visit the palace again.
There was simply no need to rush.
The man understood that he could do nothing but nod.
"Understood."
He then returned outside and waited patiently for them to finish.
An hour later, Lev and the others finally finished their breakfast.
Only then did they leave the restaurant and board the luxurious carriage.
The carriage soon departed, carrying them toward the Zhu Family Palace once again.
As soon as they left, however, the atmosphere around the restaurant became lively.
The people who had witnessed the entire exchange immediately began discussing what they had seen.
"Who was that young man?"
"Did you hear what that person called him?"
"Your Majesty... Could he really be an Emperor?"
The incident quickly became the center of attention, especially because so many people had witnessed it firsthand.
However, among the crowd, there was one particular person who wasn't interested in gossiping.
Someone had been watching Lev and the others from nearby.
The moment the carriage departed, that person quietly turned around and left the area.
Whatever their purpose was...
It was clear that they had no intention of simply watching from the sidelines.
*****
Zhu Family Palace,
After traveling for some time, Lev and the others finally found themselves back inside the Zhu Family Palace.
They were seated in a luxurious living room that was undoubtedly beautiful—at least if one ignored the cracks still visible across the walls and various parts of the room from the events of the previous day.
They were not alone.
Sitting opposite them were three members of the Zhu Family.
One was Zhu Zhuqing's father, while the other two were beautiful women—one mature and elegant, and the other around Zhu Zhuqing's age, perhaps slightly older.
"Your Majesty Lev, I sincerely apologize for the rudeness I showed you yesterday. I hope you won't take it to heart."
Zhu Zhuqing's father suddenly stood and bowed deeply.
Although he was a prominent figure within the Star Lou Empire, he couldn't afford to make another mistake, especially when dealing with the very man who now sat before him.
The other two women also stood and respectfully greeted Lev, clearly already aware of what had happened the previous day.
All three appeared calm on the surface.
Internally, however, they were far more nervous than their expressions suggested.
"I understand your feelings and your concern for your daughter."
Lev's voice was calm but serious as he looked at the three people who would soon become part of his family.
"But don't you think you should focus your hatred and actions directly on me instead of involving the others?"
His eyes briefly narrowed.
"My subordinate was merely responding to what you did yesterday. So, I hope you won't blame her for it."
Hearing Lev's words, the nervousness within Zhu Zhuqing's father intensified.
A bead of sweat slowly formed on his forehead.
He couldn't help but glance toward Zhu Zhuqing before finally sitting down, using the moment to regain his composure.
He then introduced the two women sitting beside him.
Lev already knew who they were, even without relying on the system.
The mature and beautiful woman was Zhu Zhuqing's mother.
The other was her older sister, Zhu Zhuyun.
The introductions didn't last long.
Lev immediately got to the point.
"I don't know what you think of me right now, but I've come here for one reason."
His expression became serious.
"I want to formally break the engagement between Zhuqing and Dai Mubai."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"I hope you've prepared yourselves for that decision, because I'm not accepting a refusal."
Zhuqing's father and mother already knew this was coming.
In fact, it was precisely what had been troubling them since yesterday.
Zhu Zhuyun, however, was completely stunned.
She stared at Lev in disbelief.
She hadn't known the entire story, and hearing him casually announce his intention to break the engagement between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai left her utterly shocked.
For a moment, an awkward silence filled the room.
Zhuqing's father exchanged a glance with his wife before giving her a small nod.
He then turned toward Lev.
"Your Majesty... could we speak privately?"
Lev stared at him for a moment before calmly nodding.
Zhu Zhuqing and the others then left the room, following her mother to another part of the palace.
Lev wasn't worried about leaving them alone.
He knew that the Zhu Family wouldn't be foolish enough to attempt anything.
Soon, only Lev and Zhu Zhuqing's father remained in the room.
The two men stared at each other in silence.
After a while, Zhuqing's father finally broke the silence.
"Your Majesty, you may already know this, but the Dai and Zhu Families have a tradition that we've followed for generations. Breaking it isn't something that can be done easily."
His voice was somewhat nervous.
This was precisely the issue he had been worrying about, and he wanted to make the situation clear before anything else happened.
"I don't care about your tradition."
Lev's response was casual and decisive.
"I only care about Zhuqing. Nothing else."
Of course, Lev had known about the tradition for a long time.
But none of that changed his decision.
"B-But if we do this, the Zhu Family will inevitably come into conflict with the Dai Family."
Zhuqing's father frowned.
Lev's indifferent attitude irritated him somewhat, but there was nothing he could do.
In the end, strength was what determined how far one could go.
"If that's your concern, then it's easy to solve."
Lev smiled.
"Our original destination was the Dai Family in the first place. I only came here so I could discuss this matter with you and allow Zhuqing to return home for a while."
His expression gradually became colder.
"Depending on how the Dai Family responds, this matter may not be resolved peacefully."
He paused.
Then he smiled.
"Well, I've already destroyed an empire once."
His eyes gleamed with confidence.
"Destroying another one wouldn't make much of a difference."
Zhuqing's father's eyes widened.
He couldn't believe how casually Lev had said it.
Yet there was no doubt in his mind that Lev was serious.
Lev had already destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire only a month ago.
If he truly decided to destroy the Star Lou Empire as well, would anyone actually be capable of stopping him?
The answer was becoming increasingly obvious.
It all came down to one question:
Could Lev do it again?
After making his position clear, Lev waited.
Zhuqing's father remained silent for a long time.
Seeing that he still hadn't responded, Lev suddenly smiled.
"Should I call you Father from now on, then?"
"You can call me whatever you want, Your Majesty."
Zhuqing's father answered helplessly.
After witnessing the terrifying power of Lev's subordinate the previous day, he already understood that there was no easy way out of this situation.
Either the Zhu Family would oppose Lev and potentially be destroyed alongside the Dai Family...
Or they could accept him and risk becoming enemies with the Dai Family.
Neither choice was something he had ever wanted.
But after thinking about it throughout the night, he had reached a conclusion.
Siding with Lev offered the Zhu Family far greater benefits.
The only condition was that Lev had to be capable of overcoming the Dai Family.
And after everything he had witnessed, he was beginning to believe that Lev was more than capable.
Afterward, Lev and Zhuqing's father continued their conversation for some time, discussing various matters concerning the empire and the situation on the continent.
There were many things they needed to discuss.
However, they decided to set most of them aside for now.
Today was not about politics.
It was about family matters.
*****
Zhu Family Garden,
While Lev and Zhu Zhuqing's father continued their conversation in the main hall, the women had their own reunion in the palace garden.
The beautiful garden was filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery, creating a peaceful atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the tension that had filled the palace earlier.
"Zhuqing, how have you been all these years?"
Zhu Zhuqing's mother asked worriedly as she looked at her daughter.
It had been so many years since she had last seen Zhu Zhuqing.
Seeing her daughter standing before her safe and healthy brought immense relief to her heart. The thought that Zhuqing might have been in danger all these years had constantly weighed on her, and seeing her now finally allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm fine, Mother."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled warmly.
"Lev has been the best man I've ever met. I've already decided that I'll follow him for the rest of my life."
Her words were filled with certainty.
Seeing her mother again also filled Zhu Zhuqing with happiness. Only now, after finally returning home, did she realize just how much she had missed her.
"Then follow your heart."
Her mother smiled gently.
"But always remember to take care of yourself."
After speaking with her husband the previous night and learning about Zhu Zhuqing's current situation, she had immediately weighed the advantages and disadvantages of their family's circumstances.
After considering Lev's overwhelming strength and the background he possessed, she had quickly reached her own conclusion.
She had even persuaded her husband to consider siding with Lev.
Whatever the future held, opposing someone like him was simply too dangerous.
Zhu Zhuyun, meanwhile, remained quietly beside them, listening to their conversation.
Her mind was still in complete turmoil after everything she had learned that day.
Yet there was also a strange sense of relief within her.
If Zhu Zhuqing was no longer competing for the position of heir, then there would no longer be any need for the two sisters to fight each other over the throne.
Still, she couldn't help feeling somewhat bitter.
Her younger sister had disappeared for years, only to return with a lover who was already an Emperor.
And not only that...
He was incredibly handsome.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'm strong, and my sisters are strong too."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled as she looked toward Tsunade and Dugu Yan.
Of the two, she felt especially close to Tsunade, whom she had long since regarded as a sister after spending so much time living together.
Zhuqing's mother and Zhu Zhuyun followed her gaze.
They looked at Tsunade and Dugu Yan carefully, immediately recognizing that both women were extraordinarily beautiful in their own ways.
They were somewhat surprised that Zhu Zhuqing didn't seem to mind sharing Lev's affection with other women.
However, neither of them questioned her about it.
It was Zhu Zhuqing's life.
As long as she was happy with her decision, they would respect it.
Afterward, Zhu Zhuqing began telling her mother and sister about everything that had happened during the years she had been away.
She talked about the people she had met, the experiences she had gone through, and the memories she had created.
Having finally returned home, she couldn't help but share everything with her family.
Her journey hadn't been perfect.
She had spent five years alone at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, an experience that had been difficult in many ways.
But those years had also helped shape her into the person she was today.
The hardships she endured had strengthened her body, her spirit, and most importantly, her heart.
She was no longer the same Zhu Zhuqing who had left her family years ago.
She had grown stronger.
She had found people she loved.
And she had finally found the life she wanted.
The peaceful conversation continued until two people eventually appeared in the garden.
Seeing them, the women decided it was time to prepare for lunch.
They continued their conversation as they made their way toward the dining hall.
For the moment, the Zhu Family Palace was finally peaceful.
The problems surrounding the family, the Dai Family, and the Eternal Divine Empire could wait.
For this brief moment, they simply enjoyed being together as a family.
**********
—Night—-
Zhu Zhuqing's Room,
As time passed, Zhuqing's father eventually convinced Lev and the others to stay at the palace for the night.
Lev and the others readily accepted.
After all, they were too lazy to travel all the way back to the city where they had been staying.
"Lev, what are we going to do now that we've finished visiting Zhuqing's family?"
Dugu Yan suddenly asked.
From her perspective, the main reason they had come to the Zhu Family had already been accomplished. She naturally assumed that they would soon return to the Eternal Divine Empire.
"Let's visit the main city of the Star Lou Empire tomorrow and formally break the engagement."
Lev answered casually while gently caressing her head.
For some reason, he felt slightly excited about going there.
He already had a rough idea of how things would unfold.
"Thank you, Lev."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled happily as she snuggled into his arms alongside the others.
For the moment, everything seemed peaceful.
However, it didn't take long before Lev's old habits resurfaced, and the four of them spent the rest of the night enjoying each other's company.
By the time midnight arrived, they had finally settled down and rested.
**********
—The next morning—
Star Lou Empire Palace Hall,
It wasn't even past seven in the morning, yet Emperor Dai was already sitting in the main hall with a deep frown on his face.
Five elders stood nearby, each wearing a complicated expression after hearing the latest report.
The atmosphere was noticeably heavier than usual.
After listening to the messenger's report, Emperor Dai waved his hand, dismissing him from the hall.
"Give me your thoughts on the report, Elders."
He turned toward the five elders.
They already knew that Lev had entered the territory of the Star Lou Empire, but until now, they hadn't known the full details of his movements.
The latest report has changed that.
"The Emperor of the Eternal Divine Empire actually visited the Zhu Family."
One of the elders stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"It is most likely related to Zhu Zhuqing."
"I can't believe that Prince Mubai's fiancée actually followed that young man."
Another elder frowned.
"This situation has become far more complicated than we initially expected."
"Indeed. This is difficult."
A third elder spoke with a solemn expression.
"We still don't know the true extent of the new Emperor's strength. We also have no idea whether he has some powerful backer hiding in the shadows."
It had already been a month since the destruction of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Yet despite their efforts, they had obtained very little useful information about Lev.
Most of the people they had sent to investigate had simply disappeared.
"What difficulty are you talking about?"
Another elder suddenly snorted.
"Even if he's an Emperor, he can't simply disregard our traditions. The Dai and Zhu Families have followed this tradition for generations. We cannot abandon it simply because some inexperienced Emperor is threatening us."
His words immediately caused the atmosphere in the hall to become heated.
"Don't call him inexperienced when he destroyed an entire empire!"
"You haven't even seen what he can truly do!"
"Neither have you! Everything we've heard is merely rumors!"
"Enough!"
The elders continued arguing until Emperor Dai finally slammed his hand down and silenced the entire hall.
"If that is truly the case, then they will most likely come here soon."
His gaze became solemn.
"That will be when we find out what kind of Emperor he truly is."
He paused before continuing.
"Until then, we wait."
Emperor Dai had already made his decision.
There were still countless matters demanding his attention, especially the growing threat posed by Spirit Hall and the aftermath of their attacks.
But for now, those matters would have to wait.
The arrival of Lev—the Emperor who had destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire—had become the Star Lou Empire's most immediate concern.