The Birth of The Immortal Forst Empress

The following day, Elsewhere...

As the first light of dawn spilled over the Huang family manor, it painted the secluded courtyard in soft, golden hues. The air was cool and mist-laden, rich with the earthy scent of damp soil mingling with the delicate fragrance of blooming moon orchids. Ancient, gnarled willow trees stood sentinel, their long tendrils weeping gracefully over a koi pond that mirrored the awakening day. The water's surface shimmered, lightly disturbed by the gentle breeze and the occasional ripple of a curious koi, embodying the tranquil beauty of the morning.

In the heart of this serene setting, Su Yan perched like a master sculptor whose creation lay before her. Her presence was both commanding and serene, a blend of authority and nurturing that filled the space around her. With sharp, discerning eyes, she observed Huang Min as she traversed a precarious series of thin, wet poles, expertly straddling the koi pond. In her hands, Min balanced a bowl brimming with clear water, steadying her breath with unwavering control.

"Focus, Min'er," Su Yan's voice rang out, firm yet laced with maternal pride that wrapped around her daughter like a warm embrace. "Your power is a tide, Min'er. It rushes to be seen and celebrated. But remember, a true master is the moon that commands the tide, not the wave that crashes blindly on the shore. Today, you must learn to be the moon."

Huang Min's jaw tightened, a ripple of frustration coursing through her as she felt the immense power of her Heavenly Moon Spirit Bloodline thrumming just beneath her skin, clamoring to break free. "Easier said than done, Mother," she shot back, a hint of rebellion coloring her tone. "You make it sound simple, but you've never had to hold back like this. It's exhausting!"

"Exhaustion builds strength," Su Yan replied, her lips curving into a knowing smile as she advanced toward the edge of the pond. "What seems simple often requires the greatest discipline. You hold the potential of storms within you, Min'er. Don't let that power dictate your actions. Show it who's in charge."

As she walked, Su Yan flicked small pebbles at her daughter with the precision of a seasoned archer. Each projectile was aimed to test Min's balance and focus. Huang Min, sweat beading on her forehead, deflected them with subtle shifts of her Qi, her movements becoming a fluid dance that spoke of her growing mastery.

"Can't you at least throw something less annoying?" Min grumbled, rolling her eyes as she dodged yet another pebble with a flick of her wrist. "I get it—control, discipline. But sometimes, a girl just wants to break something!"

"Control is not about destruction," Su Yan admonished, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "It is simply the understanding of your own strength. Remember, raw power is meaningless without discipline. The world is a turbulent sea, trying to break you, to force you into its mold. But you, Min'er, must learn to be the moon. Constant. Unyielding. A guiding force, not one that is merely guided."

With a deep breath, Huang Min steadied herself, centering her focus as she sought to quiet the storm within. "Fine," she said defiantly, "but if I'm supposed to be the moon, then I want to shine like one, not just float around in the dark."

Su Yan's gaze softened, pride shining through her authoritative demeanor. "Then we'll make sure you shine brighter than any moon the world has ever seen. But it starts with understanding the night."

Huang Min nodded, her focus unwavering as she stood poised on the narrow poles. The air was thick with anticipation, and she could practically feel the weight of her mother's words pressing down on her shoulders. The burden of expectation, the legacy of her bloodline—it all coiled tightly within her, a reminder that greatness was not just a gift but a responsibility. Yet, amidst the tension, a flicker of understanding ignited within her: true strength resided not merely in the power she could unleash, but in the mastery she held over it.

After what felt like an eternity, Huang Min reached the final pole. Her bowl of water, a fragile vessel of balance and grace, remained undisturbed. As she exhaled slowly, her muscles unfurling from their taut state, she stepped onto solid ground. Su Yan, her mother, watched with an intensity that seemed to envelop the space between them. A rare, soft smile flickered across Su Yan's lips, a fleeting testament to the pride that made Huang Min's heart swell.

"Well done, Min'er," Su Yan praised, her voice infused with quiet approval that resonated in Huang Min's bones. "You have taken your first steps toward mastery."

Huang Min bowed her head, the rush of accomplishment surging through her veins, yet shadowed by the weight of her mother's next words. Su Yan's gaze turned serious, the warmth dissipating like mist under the rising sun.

"But remember, the path ahead is long and fraught with danger. You must remain vigilant. You must be strong. And above all, you must be in control."

That night, as the moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver web across the land, Huang Min retreated to her chambers. The weight of her mother's wisdom echoed in her mind, a relentless reminder of the trials that awaited her. She approached the jade bed—a gift from Long Huang—that radiated a soothing, ethereal glow. Its surface was etched with intricate symbols pulsing with a mysterious energy, drawing her in like a moth to flame.

Exhaustion washed over her as she lay atop the jade, the world around her fading away until all that remained was the ever-present whisper of her own heartbeat.

Suddenly, her vision surged, and the celestial maiden appeared before her, a being woven from the very fabric of moonlight. She stood atop a battlefield illuminated by the soft glimmer of shattered stars, her voice ethereal yet commanding. "Daughter of the Su bloodline, are you ready?" the maiden intoned, her presence heavy with timeless wisdom. "Will you bear the weight of your legacy?"

Before Huang Min could respond as if not caring about her choice, the scene shifted violently, the ground trembling beneath her feet. She found herself facing a towering figure clad in obsidian armor; this time her eyes were not the reflection of twin voids but of nine full moons swirling within her eyes like tempestuous storm clouds. "You are the heir to a legacy of vengeance," the figure declared, her voice reverberating through the air like a distant thunderclap that sent shivers racing down Huang Min's spine.

The vision morphed again, and she stood in a moonlit clearing, the air thick and oppressive, tainted with the scent of bloodshed and betrayal. Her heart raced as she watched her mother, Su Yan, fighting against the ferocious onslaught of Xiao Clan hunters. The desperation etched on her mother's face was raw and unyielding, a testament to her indomitable will to survive. Huang Min's pulse quickened as the scene twisted, revealing her father, fervently battling the ruthless Chi Qide, the weight of their shared fate hanging in the air like a noose. It seemed like the maiden was trying to encourage Huang Min to do her best to be strong enough to help her parents.

Then, just as quickly, the vision shifted once more. Huang Min was plunged into the chaos of a raging battlefield, a cacophony of clashing steel and anguished cries engulfing her. Pain wracked her body, an electric sensation coursing through her veins as she found herself facing a horde of demonic creatures. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent hunger as they swarmed toward her, each growl and screech gnawing at her resolve.

In her mind, the Moon Cradle Scripture appeared it only had a cultivation technique and a Sword art. The Moon Cradle Scripture materialized vividly in her mind, its ancient symbols shimmering with a potent energy. She recognized it as more than just a text; it was a formidable repository of knowledge that held a profound cultivation technique alongside a masterful sword art. Each element was intricately woven together, promising the potential for unparalleled growth and mastery in her journey. The weight of its significance filled her with anticipation and confidence as she contemplated the paths that lay before her. She would not falter; she would embrace the legacy that surged through her blood. The battle was only just beginning, and she would rise to meet it with every ounce of strength she possessed.

At that moment, as the waves of pain and fury crashed over her, Huang Min's fiery spirit was ignited within, urging her to fight.

Huang Min faced off against ferocious beasts and ruthless men alike, each encounter leaving a mark on her soul. She had plunged into the chaos of countless battles, emerging from the fray a war-weary veteran, her spirit tempered yet fractured. The weight of her experiences bore down on her, pushing her to the brink of madness more than once.

The blood-soaked earth beneath her feet witnessed the transformation of a once-innocent warrior into a formidable force. With every clash of steel and every roar of her enemies, she forged her identity through struggle and strife. Nightmares haunted her slumber, echoes of fallen foes weaving through her thoughts, blurring the line between reality and delirium.

Yet, amid the turmoil, a flicker of resilience glimmered deep within her. Huang Min emerged not just as a survivor, but as a force of nature, hardened by her tribulations yet irrevocably changed.

She died, over and over again, each death more brutal than the last. But each time she died, she learned. She adapted. She grew stronger.

In one death, she was impaled by a spear, her blood spilling onto the ground. In another, she was torn apart by claws, her screams echoing in the void. Each death was a lesson, a brutal reminder of the cost of power.

Huang Min refused to succumb to despair. She recalled her mother's words and the lessons learned in the training courtyard. She focused on control, channeling her power with precision and discipline.

The visions continued, each one testing her will and resolve. She faced her deepest fears and greatest doubts. She saw visions of her father, Huang Peng, dying in battle, his body broken and bloodied. She envisioned herself standing over his corpse, her heart shattered.

But she also saw visions of triumph—her mother and father reunited, Long Huang by her side. She saw herself wielding the power of the Moon Cradle Technique, her enemies falling before her like flies before her sword.

In the end, it was her mother's voice that guided her through the trials. "Remember, Min'er," Su Yan whispered, her voice a soothing balm amidst the storm of visions. "The moon does not waver. Neither will you."

Huang Min clung to those words, her resolve strengthening with each passing moment. She died again and again, but each death only fortified her determination.

After what felt like an eternity, the visions faded, and Huang Min awoke, her body trembling with exhaustion. The jade bed's glow had intensified and then started to dim, its surface—once etched with symbols pulsing with a faint, silver light—began to fade.

She sat up, her mind racing with the knowledge she had gained. The Moon Cradle Scripture was now hers etched into her very bones, a legacy of power and vengeance that she would wield with the discipline her mother had instilled in her.

The first light of dawn bathed the courtyard in a soft, golden glow, illuminating Huang Min as she practiced her techniques with newfound grace and precision. The jade bed rested quietly in her room, its runes pulsing gently in the morning light as if recharging.

Huang Min's eyes, once filled with uncertainty, now burned with fierce determination. She was no longer just the daughter of Su Yan and Huang Peng; she had become a warrior, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Her Temperament colder than winter now.

The path was long and fraught with danger, but she was prepared to walk it, her heart steadfast and her spirit unyielding.

The Martial Competition arena buzzed with activity as the competition continued. The previous day's air was filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and the shouts of combatants, creating a boisterous and competitive atmosphere. But today it was even more intense as the semi-finals approached.

Elders and Core disciples of the Azure Lotus Sect observed from a raised platform, their expressions ranging from stern to approving. Among them was Fu Heng, his eyes sharp and attentive. Long Huang stood among the other spectators below, his gaze fixed on Huang Min, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

Huang Min stepped into the arena, her demeanor calm and composed. Her first opponent was Xin Fei, whom she had faced in yesterday's match, but this time he seemed more on edge. He charged at her with powerful, straightforward attacks, his movements swift and forceful.

Huang Min danced around him with calculated ease, her footwork a masterpiece of precision. She "stumbled" just out of reach, parrying his blows with what looked like great effort. In reality, she was using his own momentum against him, subtly guiding him off balance.

The fight ended with a "lucky" trip and a light tap that sent Xin Fei sprawling outside the ring, his expression a mix of shock and embarrassment. The crowd murmured, some impressed, others skeptical.

Next up were the siblings Zhao Xue and Zhao Ming. Zhao Xue was fast and nimble, her daggers flashing like silver lightning. Huang Min dodged Xue's attacks by a hair's breadth, ultimately causing Xue to fall off the platform herself, making it seem like an accident.

Zhao Ming, on the other hand, was a heavy-handed tank, employing a defensive style.

Huang Min appeared winded and on the defensive, her movements a blur of desperate evasion as she blocked Ming's attacks with a grimace, letting her arms tremble from the "impact." She dragged the fight out, making it seem like a desperate battle of attrition.

But then she saw it—the opening she had been waiting for. With a deft maneuver, she exploited an opening he created by underestimating her—a cleverly engineered opportunity that looked like a desperate, last-ditch effort. Caught off guard, Zhao Ming fell victim to Huang Min's decisive blow, securing her victory.