Chapter 313 A Broken Bond of Love: Some Rejoice, Some Sorrow.
In the illusion, Dai Mubai finally lowered his proud head.
He closed his eyes, his voice hoarse yet clear, each word like the sharpest blade piercing Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
"I... I promise you."
"I will marry your daughter as my empress and abandon Zhu Zhuqing."
"..."
The air fell into a deathly silence.
Zhu Zhuqing stood there, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning, her face ashen white.
Those eyes, which were always clear and resolute, completely lost all their luster at this moment.
She staggered back a step, a heart-wrenching pain shooting through her chest, her whole body trembling slightly.
So... this is your true nature.
It turns out that when it comes to the throne and power, I am always the one who can be abandoned.
She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again!
All the grievances, reluctance, lingering feelings, and obsessions vanished at this moment, leaving nothing behind, without a trace of lingering attachment.
That last thread of affection, which had lasted since childhood, has completely vanished.
She suddenly came to her senses.
This is not the past; this is a trial of one's true nature within the realm of destiny.
Dai Mubai's choice was the deepest and truest answer from his soul.
"The trial... is over."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was eerily calm, devoid of anger or tears, only a deathly stillness of relief.
Just then, the voice of destiny descended mercilessly, without a trace of pity, resounding throughout the trial space:
[Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, Trial of Fate: Follow Your Heart, Sever All Ties]
[Zhu Zhuqing's obsession dissipated, and their love affair was completely severed.]
Trial Result: Failure
[Punishment Descends: All blessings from the Destiny Marriage Ranking are stripped, marital bonds are permanently destroyed, cultivation is slightly reduced, soul imprint is erased, and there is no possibility of marriage in this lifetime!]
"boom!"
A flash of red light, and the power of punishment descended instantly.
Zhu Zhuqing felt a sense of lightness throughout her body, and the shackles of fate that had bound her for many years completely disappeared.
I felt more relaxed, clear-headed, and free than ever before.
She looked up at Dai Mubai, her gaze calm and unwavering, as if she were looking at a stranger.
Dai Mubai, at the moment the illusion shattered, was suddenly awakened from his dream of imperial power!
He looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who had a blank expression, and saw the complete disappearance of affection in her eyes.
Then recall the words he had just uttered in the illusion: "Give up Zhu Zhuqing."
He felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his whole body was ice cold, and his face was deathly pale!
"No...no! Zhuqing, let me explain! That was an illusion! That wasn't my true thought!"
"I will never give up on you! I never wanted to give up on you!!"
Dai Mubai rushed forward like a madman, trying to grab Zhu Zhuqing's hand, but was violently repelled by the power of space.
His face was filled with remorse, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face. He knelt on the ground, pounding his fists and screaming in agony, his voice hoarse and desperate.
He finally understood.
The illusion was never false, but rather the weakness and choice deep within his soul.
He himself severed the last glimmer of hope for reconciliation.
Zhu Zhuqing simply looked at him quietly, without the slightest emotion, and spoke softly:
"Dai Mubai, from now on, we are even and have nothing to do with each other."
As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of light appeared in the space.
The two figures were forcibly sent out of the trial realm and returned to the pink ancient tree of marriage.
Just then, a faint ripple spread across the entire space of marriage.
And these ripples instantly pierced through the sky.
It was reflected before the eyes of every living being on the Douluo Continent.
In the illusion just now, the scene of Dai Mubai giving up Zhu Zhuqing for the sake of imperial power was presented to everyone in its entirety and without any omissions.
The outside world was instantly in an uproar!
"My God! That was... Dai Mubai's true nature?"
"To abandon Zhu Zhuqing for the throne? That's so disappointing!"
"No wonder Zhu Zhuqing was completely heartbroken. Anyone would have been utterly disheartened in her shoes!"
"The trial has failed, the marriage is severed, and from now on, the two of you will have no further connection!"
"..."
Exclamations, sighs, discussions, and lamentations rose and fell, sweeping across the entire continent.
Everyone witnessed the choice made in that illusion and understood Zhu Zhuqing's despair and relief.
...
In the main hall of the Star Luo Empire's imperial palace.
Emperor Xingluo sat upright on the dragon throne, his face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.
His terrifying aura raged wildly, frightening the civil and military officials below into silence, not daring to even breathe.
He watched as his son, Dai Mubai, was tempted by imperial power in the illusion and abandoned Zhu Zhuqing without hesitation.
"Useless! What a complete waste!"
Emperor Xingluo slammed his hand on the armrest of his dragon throne and roared.
"If you can't resist the temptation of imperial power and can easily abandon your own Daoist partner, how can you shoulder the great cause of my Star Luo Empire in the future!"
In his view, Dai Mubai's weakness and selfishness not only disgraced the royal family.
It also destroyed the foundation of the generations-long marriage alliance between the Star Luo Empire and the Zhu family!
Beside him, the head of the Zhu family also looked grim, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with dissatisfaction.
In his eyes, this was nothing more than a test of illusion, so why should Zhu Zhuqing take it so seriously?
Why stand by and watch Dai Mubai fail the trial, causing the generations-long marriage alliance between the two families to end?
"Zhu Qing is such a willful child..."
The head of the Zhu family murmured softly, his tone full of helplessness and resentment.
The Dai and Zhu families have been intermarried for generations, sharing both prosperity and adversity.
The severing of ties between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing is undoubtedly a major blow to the alliance between their two families.
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, who were standing in the corner, exchanged a glance.
They both saw undisguised elation and pride in each other's eyes.
Davis's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Hahaha, Dai Mubai, Dai Mubai, you've finally met your match!"
"You have failed the trial and your marriage is severed. From now on, you are no longer qualified to compete with me for the throne!"
Zhu Zhuyun stroked her hair, the jealousy in her eyes vanished, replaced by schadenfreude.
"So what if Zhu Zhuqing is so talented? She still ended up with a broken love life."
"Dai Mubai is completely crippled. The two of them can no longer threaten us!"
The two were extremely happy.
Previously, Zhu Zhuqing's talent had skyrocketed, placing her on the genius list, while Dai Mubai had also distinguished himself with his strength, posing a significant threat to them.
Now that their relationship has broken down and they have failed the trial, they have completely lost the blessing of the Heavenly Canopy.
This was incredibly good news for Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
...
Beidou Academy.
Those who had not yet entered the marriage space looked up at the sky, their expressions calm.
They had long been aware of the complicated relationship between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
They also understood Zhu Zhuqing's cold exterior but warm interior and her absolute intolerance of betrayal.
"I had expected this outcome."
Li Bai gently shook the wine pot and spoke softly.
Ao Yin nodded, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing's relaxed and carefree figure in the sky.
"For her, this is not a failure, but a relief."
"That shackle of fate that had bound us for so many years has finally been broken."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
In their eyes, Dai Mubai's weakness was not worthy of the resolute and clear-headed Zhu Zhuqing.
Now that their relationship is over, Zhu Zhuqing is completely free.
From now on, focusing on cultivation and striving to become stronger might not be the worst possible outcome.
...
Just as everyone was discussing this, the light in the sky shifted again.
The illusionary realm for the second pair of trial participants has officially begun!
[Ning Rongrong and Oscar - The Trial of Love Begins!]
With a flash of light, the two instantly fell into a magnificent, golden, and illusory divine realm.
Two majestic and awe-inspiring divine figures floated in the sky.
A figure of dignified elegance, none other than the Nine-Colored Goddess.
A gentle and dignified presence—that is the essence of the God of Cookery.
Two divine auras suppressed the entire scene, and an irresistible allure swept over everyone.
A clear, ethereal trial voice rang out:
This was your predetermined destiny.
[If they follow their predestined fate, Oscar will inherit the position of the God of Food, and Ning Rongrong will inherit the position of the Goddess of Nine Colors, both becoming gods and living together for eternity.]
[Choosing to follow destiny grants early guidance and divine inheritance; choosing to abandon it severs your divine connection, forcing you to seek another path.]
The entire illusion was irresistibly tempting the two of them.
They both became gods, immortal for all time.
This is the ultimate opportunity that countless Soul Masters pursue their entire lives but cannot obtain!
(End of chapter)