In a vast land, there stood a lone mountain surrounded by hills and valleys. The clouds overhead were thick and dark as rain poured from them like water through a sieve, causing the atmosphere to be gloomy and cold. Like all mountains, thick Qi would naturally be drawn to it like a moth to a burning torch but this one was different.

Spiritual Qi was entirely absent from the mountain as if it were forcefully dispersed by an unknown power. That wasn't all that was wrong with it though as it was littered with signs of heavy battle, the tip had been cleanly cut off leaving a shiny surface and craters and cracks littered the base.

At the center of the mountain was the remains of a temple that was burning furiously with strange fire that seemed to use the rain itself as nourishment. The lifeless bodies of men, women and children were strewn about the temple grounds, their faces filled with fear.

Just beyond the temple in a more secluded area, there was a steep rock face in which the mouth of a large cave was formed. Several people wearing black robes and tiger masks stood hesitantly at it's entrance. The auras coming from their bodies were immense and powerful.

"Empress Rong! Give up now and meet your end, you cannot escape!" One of the men in black robes shouted with impatience, his voice was rough and weathered from age.

Deep within the cave came an elegant but pained voice full of rage and resentment. "Come in if you dare! This empress will slaughter you all!!"

The man laughed scornfully and said. "We don't have a deathwish," He continued. "Empress Rong, your sect is in ruins, you've been betrayed by that precious disciple of yours and you yourself are fatally injured. Why do you continue to drag this on? Come out and we'll put you out of your misery quickly."

"Know this sect master of the azure tiger sect, this Empress my be injured but even with my currently impaired strength; I will take you down with me if you keep pushing it!" The woman from within the cave said venomously through gritted teeth.

The man in the black robe was clearly hesitant, after giving a few glances towards the others surrounding him he sighed and shook his head. "Collapse the entrance and set up a barrier formation."

The men nodded before setting about their task, the cave entrance was quickly destroyed and a large formation was placed over the immediate vicinity.

As the group was about to leave, the man looked back towards the collapsed cave entrance with disappointment. "I was hoping to get her treasures, alas, she took refuge in that death trap of a cave."

One of the other black robed men sighed. "The treasures from someone of her cultivation would have been boundless and increased the strength of our sect several folds, it's too bad that disciple of hers didn't know about the hidden teleportation formation.. Our luck today was not good."

Another one of them remarked. "It doesn't matter, with her sect taken care of; the surrounding lands are ours now. It might not be as good as the heavenly treasures in her possession but it will be good mortar for the foundation and growth of our sect!"

The others seemed to agree as they flew off into the rainy sky.

Deep inside the cave, down a long corridor filled with thousands of intricate traps, there was a large stone room.

The room was dimly lit by beautiful crystals embedded into the ceiling, to the side was a garden filled with vibrant herbs which gave off an intoxicating fragrance. In the center of the room was a beautiful woman who laid weakly on one of the surrounding meditation mats.

She clutched a gaping wound on her side which drenched her gown in vibrant red blood. Even with her precarious condition, her temperament remained calm, cold and elegant.

Empress Rong had heard the commotion at the caves entrance but it didn't bother her, she knew that her end was inevitable as not even her powerful soul could survive the damage that had been done to her.

The glittering ring on her finger flashed with a white light, a jade tablet around a foot long and half a foot wide appeared in her hand.

Dipping her finger in the powerful blood that flowed from her body, she began writing on the tablet. The moment her finger touched the jade, it sank into it as if it were putty.

"My origins were humble, a mere village girl I was till circumstances set me on the path of cultivation. I met with countless obstacles as I traversed the heavens and gradually as my strength grew I arrived here and with my own hands alone I built my foundation upon this land, countless people, sects and clans fell under my benevolent rule but all of that has tumbled down like a straw house in a violent storm... "

"I Rong Xiaoman, Empress of the clear Jade Kingdom and master of the plum blossom sect have been plotted against by my own disciple! At the moment of my ascension, when I was at my weakest; a treacherous but fatal blow was dealt to me....I am unresigned..."

Rong Xiaoman coughed violently as blood flowed from her lips, she continued to hastily write on the jade tablet.

"I was naive and perhaps...neglegant, this demise of mine was so easily avoidable..," Rong Xiaoman sighed weakly. "Enough about my own matters, you, reader of this divine jade; I will now inscribe my star blossom technique as I do not wish for it to be lost to the sands of time."

Her eyes blazed with a blinding light, a wisp of something transparent floated out from the center of her brows and landed on the tablet causing mysterious symbols to appear on it.

After that happened, Rong Xiaoman seemed to grow noticeably weaker.

She dipped her finger in her blood and wrote above the symbols. "Be warned, anyone related to the people who I deemed responsible for my death will be annihilated upon touching this tablet! My consciousness which is half a step into the realm of celestials! It is not so easily dealt with..."

After Rong Xiaoman finished writing on the tablet, her body slumped to the side as her eyes closed; the beat of her heart had stopped in silence.

Death had finally come for this Empress and she had been embraced by it, albeit, unwillingly on her part.

...

Ariel stood quietly in the dark void of space, her body glowed with a gentle light as if she were a star in the sky. In front of her there was a gigantic golden door, ancient and indomitable.

She eyed up the gate as she thought. "I'll have a look at that other universe and how it's progressing. It has been quite a few years since it formed, I'm interested in seeing how it turned out..."

Flying towards the door, Ariel phased through it as if it never existed.

Billions of lights flashed by in a blur as she flew at inconceivable speeds until finally she appeared above an ancient forest. Although the surrounding scenery was quite dazzling with the cold morning air, dim blue skies, beautiful tall trees; lush plants that inhabited the ground beneath them and the rocky mountains in the distance, Ariel was not interested in it.

What drew her attention was something else which none other than her could grasp.

With her eyes closed, Ariel entered a trance as she hovered above the forest. "So the universe formed like that?...How interesting....Ah!....Hubby was right, it is one of those universes. Hehe." A faint smile formed on her lips as she reopened her eyes.

"I think I'll stay here for a while and interact with the natives. My daughters shouldn't miss me except for Nihilla.." Ariel held her face as she sighed. "That little girl is trouble incarnate, it would do me good to take a vacation away from her."

As if she were convincing herself, Ariel nodded her head. "I don't need to worry about hubby as she can find me anywhere, all that's left are my creations and the 4 heavens...well, they should be fine. If they all manage to get themselves killed....that would be interesting too." An amused glint flashed in her eyes.

While she was lost in her thoughts, a flying carriage approached from the distance.

It was a carriage fit for kings, the outer surface shined from the sheer amount of jewels and gold that adorned it. The steeds pulling the carriage were a pair of white dragons, their scales glittering in the morning sunlight.

The driver was an old man with wrinkles that covered every inch of his face particularly around his eyes and although he was ancient, his clothes were not. A blue silky robe embroidered with bold designs covered his body and a large bamboo hat covered his head, even from the intense wind the hat did not move an inch as if it were glued there.

The carriage's course was originally set to pass Ariel by a gap of several thousand meters but it changed veered towards her stopping several tens of meters away behind Ariel.

As the two dragons stared intently at Ariel's back but hints of confusion clouded their green eyes. They attempted to scan the woman in front of them with their divine sense but nothing could be found, as if there was only air where she stood.

The old man seemed to have come to the same discovery as a serious expression covered his aged face, he looked towards the carriage for a moment before nodding. Getting off the front of the carriage, the old man landed on the air like it was solid ground.

With a brisk pace he walked to the carriage door and the moment he opened it, thick spiritual Qi poured forth from it turning into dragons and phoenixes. He seemed unbothered by the display and simply stood to the side with a half bow.

A handsome man stepped out of the carriage holding a jeweled scepter in his hand, his brows where sharp and his hair long and black. Dragon robes that shimmered with a yellow light covered his body, they were loose and long, fluttering in the gentle wind.

After him came three women who stepped out of the carriage. They were a beautiful trio, like a vase of breathtaking flowers. The women were dressed in delicate gowns, red, blue and purple. The woman in red was obviously of higher status than the other two considering they stood behind her.

Their mannerisms were graceful yet reserved as they took their place behind the handsome man. Occasionally they would fan themselves with the delicately designed fans they held.

The handsome man peered at Ariel's back, from her outline he could tell she was a world toppling beauty with curves that far surpassed any woman he had ever met! As he continued to look his eyes seemed to shine, her body was perfect in every aspect leaving his mouth a little dry.

"Ahem!" The handsome man cleared his throat. "Young miss, what brings you to these wildlands? Are you lost?"

When Ariel heard the voice behind her she snapped out of her little inner monologue and slowly turned around.

The moment she turned around there were many gasps, the handsome man, the women behind him, the old man and even the two dragons; they were all stunned beyond measure.

The handsome man gripped his scepter so tightly that it shattered into dust as he gazed at the woman before him, she was so beautiful that it felt like his soul had been swept away. His breath quickened as the calm appearance he outwardly showed crumbled apart like a sandcastle struck by the approaching ocean tide.

As soon as the woman wearing the red gown saw Ariel's full appearance, an all encompassing feeling of inferiority washed over her; not only that but there was also a sense of danger, not one to herself but to her position!

"Oooh, some natives!" Ariel tilted her head as she observed them with curiosity. It was as if she were looking at a few zoo animals.

Her succulent lips moves as she spoke. "Why am I here you ask? Just taking a little stroll."

The handsome man's eyes seemed to glaze over as he heard her enchanting voice. "Such a heavenly voice!" He thought.

Ariel put her finger on her lip as she asked with a hint of interest. "Why are you out here?"

The handsome man replied in a mesmerized tone. "....We came out here after I heard a report from one of my vassals...he had discovered a mysterious cave full of many traps, I was hoping there may be some treasures there."

Seeing the appearance of the handsome man, the red gowned woman gritted her teeth.

"Oh I see.." Ariel was intrigued. "This cave may be worth visiting." She thought as she turned around to leave.

The handsome man reached out his hand as he said hurriedly. "Young miss wait! Why don't you come inside the carriage for some tea?"

Ariel golden hair danced in the wind as she replied. "No."

"Please stay?" The handsome man asked again.

Ariel ignored the man and continued to stroll away at a leisurely pace.

The old man attending the carriage quickly disappeared and reappeared in front of Ariel, he said in a solemn tone. "Young miss, you should be more respectful for you've been personally invited by Emperor Chi himself! This is a great honor!"

Emperor Chi smiled proudly. Yes, he was the emperor of the Northern Moon kingdom. His cultivation was as vast as the endless sea and his temperament solid and firm like a blade sharpened to the very limit. He was admired by countless commoners and heroes alike, even the oldest sects and clans in the area had to give him face.

Ariel stopped and locked eyes with the old man who then became startled in fright before quickly moving out of the way.

When the old man saw her eyes he was scared silly, an abyss of madness deeper than the deepest abyss shone brightly in her golden eyes. Not even the most evil of demons possessed such a frightening gaze. "It must be some kind of technique!" He thought.

As he watched her continue on while in a daze, he heard Emperor Chi's voice in his head. "Grand Uncle Bai, don't let her go! I must have her no matter what!"

The red gowned woman tugged on Emperor Chi's robe. "Husband, why not let her go?"

It took only a single maddened glance from her husband before she unwillingly gave up. She could see the insatiable desires brewing within him, there was now nothing she could do.

Sighing heavily, she thought. "Such bad luck, no matter what; husband will force me to give up my position as Empress. I'll become just another concubine like the two behind me..." She briefly glanced at the two women behind her. She could see the mocking expressions on their faces.

Uncle Bai appeared in front of Ariel again but he no longer looked directly at her, carefully avoiding her eyes.

"You've stopped me for the second time..." Ariel muttered with a calm look, although it was unnoticeable to the people surrounding her; the surrounding space had began to ever so slightly warp.

Emperor Chi had already moved forward, all it took was one step and he was already just a few feet away from Ariel.

"I must insist you stay, you have no choice in the matter...In fact, I have decided that you will be my wife, my empress!" Emperor Chi said demandingly as he eyed Ariel greedily. No matter what backing she had, he will crush them all! Nothing will stop him from obtaining her.

Uncle Bai sighed as he thought. "Little Zuo, you could at least be a little more tactful."

Turning around once again, Ariel faced Emperor Chi with an enchanting smile. "A non-entity like you?" She covered her mouth as a laugh full of mockery escaped her lips.

Uncle Bai growled coldly. "Junior, to refer to his highness as such....is an unforgivable sin!"

As he was about to send her to death for her offense, he was stopped by a raised hand from Emperor Chi.

"Grand Uncle Bai, please forgive her careless remark." Emperor Chi smiled.

"B-but-"

As Uncle Bai was about to protest, Emperor Chi shook his head and said. "Don't worry Grand Uncle Bai, I will teach this girl thoroughly. She may be a bit feisty right now but when I throw her onto the bed, she shall become obedient and meek like a kitten." He looked Ariel up and down as he licked his lips, just imagining it caused heat to rise up in his loins.

Uncle Bai's eyes seemed to brighten as he nodded his head in agreement. He smirked towards Ariel as he thought. "Just you wait, Little Zuo will teach you proper manners and turn you into a fine empress."

While listening to their conversation, Ariel could no longer hold back as she laughed loudly while slapping her thick voluptuous thigh.

Emperor Chi frowned as he asked. "What's so funny?"

Ariel wiped a tear from her eye which disintegrated into mist on her finger as she replied contemptuously. "As much as I enjoy watching you silly baboons clown around, my amusement has it's limits...and currently; all you're doing is boring me."

"What?! a Ba-babo-" The Emperor was interrupted by Ariel before he could finish his sentence.

"But I do know what would amuse me right now..." Ariel's eyes curved into two crescent moons, her enchanting smile growing wider.

Suddenly, Emperor Chi felt an unfathomable sense of danger which paralyzed his body in fear.

Behind Ariel, above Uncle Bai; space shattered like a broken window.

Uncle Bai didn't even know what hit him before he was engulfed by the spatial cracks. His body was torn apart like paper being thrown into the shredder, even his mighty soul evaporated like a drop of water landing on a red hot frying pan.

The empress and concubines behind Emperor Chi covered their mouths in shock, expressions of fright appearing on their beautiful faces. The two white dragons screamed in fear as their instincts told them of the immense danger coming from Ariel, both undid their reins before fleeing into the distance at insane speeds.

Inside the crack, a scene appeared; it was like a movie but it was so clear and crisp that it looked no different from reality. It showed a vast garden and much to his disbelief; Emperor Chi knew exactly where this garden was as it was his home! The garden was situated within the Northern Moon capital's grand palace; the place of his birth and where he currently reigned as Emperor!

Another Ariel appeared in the garden, the scene followed her as she hummed a tune while strolling through the garden admiring the scenery and the various marble sculptures.

Emperor Chi couldn't move as he was being held by some mysterious power, he could only watch the strange scene before him with many questions running through his mind. "Is that her clone? How could she be there?" The thoughts in his mind multiplied as the scene continued.

Eventually, the Ariel in the scene came upon a maze in which the laughter of children could be heard.

The moment Emperor Chi heard that laughter, his heart tightened and his eyes opened wide in terror. "I-Impossible!" He muttered in a trembling voice.

At the entrance of the maze the Ariel in the scene waited patiently, it was only a few seconds later when a young child came running out. He was around 4 years old and was wearing loose comfy silk robes.

Beads of sweat dripped down Emperor Chi's face, a fear induced insanity began to consume him.

The child in the scene was hypnotized by Ariel's appearance, he remarked in an immature voice. "Big sister, you're so pretty!"

Ariel smiled beckoned the little boy to come closer.

"NO! DON'T GO! DON'T GET CLOSER TO HER, RUN!!!" Emperor Chi shouted madly at the little boy in the scene, but his voice did not reach him like he had hoped it would.

The concubines and the Empress where shocked at the Emperor's outburst, they had never seen that boy before so they didn't know why he was so agitated. "Could it be an illegitimate child?" The Empress in the red gown thought curiously.

The child in the scene walked towards Ariel with his arms outstretched. "Carry!" He said eagerly.

Much to the Emperors terror, the Ariel in the scene picked the young child up in her arms.

"Why aren't you a little cutie!" The Ariel in the scene remarked as she pulled the little boy's cheek.

The little boy giggled as he said. "Stop! it tickles!"

"Please...no.." Tears began to leak from Emperor Chi's eyes as he pleaded towards Ariel who was standing in front of the scene quietly.

The Empress had never seen the Emperor cry before, that state he was in was so pathetic; it made her body shiver fearfully.

It was then that the Ariel in the scene turned around while holding the young child in her grasp, she was looking directly at Emperor Chi!

Both the present Ariel and the one holding the boy smiled eerily towards the frightened Emperor.

The Ariel in the scene pointed her finger towards the child's cheek as her finger nail transformed into a vicious looking blade like claw.

The child was startled and scared, with a thrust of her finger the Ariel in the scene ripped open the little boy's cheek.

"AHHH!"

Both the little boy and Emperor Chi screamed in pain, shockingly a scar formed on the Emperor's cheek.

The Empress and concubines all collapsed, they now understood why the emperor was so afraid; why he was a sniffling mess...and it caused them to despair!

This woman before them....her power was far beyond them. What she had just done, not even the strongest beings in legend could do; not even with their profound cultivations!

The Emperor's heart was now beating like crazy, he had never been this afraid in his entire life! He had fought countless foes, been in thousands of life and death situations but they could have never prepared him for this terrifying woman. Endless regret filled him as he thought. "What kind of demon have I provoked.."

The Ariel in the past seemed satisfied, she gripped the young child's arm and then began to pull causing the boy to scream even louder.

"AHHH MOTHER HELP!"

With a sickening tearing sound, the little boy's arm detached from his shoulder like a claw would from a lobster. The young boy fainted from the pain as blood gushed from his stump.

"ARGH!"

Emperor Chi shivered in pain as his right arm disappeared, tears ran down his cheeks as snot flowed from his nose. He asked in a weak voice. "Please...have mercy...I..beg..you."

Present Ariel's smile grew as amusement flickered in her golden eyes. Clearly, the Emperor's whimpers had fell on deaf ears.

Past Ariel took two of her fingers plunged them into the child's eye. With a skillful movement her two fingers latched onto the eye like they would a cigarette, with a pull the eye was ripped from it's socket; The eye's undeveloped cord snapping like a twig.

The child was now convulsing as foam left his mouth. The Emperor himself stared vacantly with his remaining eye towards Ariel, he no longer thought about anything but the sweet embrace of death.

"I think it's time to finish up this little game." Present Ariel remarked as she crossed her arms, the enjoyment she derived from this baboon of an Emperor had now dried up.

The past Ariel's mouth stretched open beyond normal limits, it was a freakish sight! With a chomp, she devoured the boy's head. The crack in space and the scene within faded away shortly after.

Emperor Chi's head had vanished leaving a healed scar on his neck, the power restricting him lifted as his lifeless body fell to the forest below.

*Burp*

Ariel covered her mouth shyly as she looked towards the listless Empress and concubines. "Pardon me."

She winked towards them while smiling. "Well that was fun, I've got to go now so I'll see you girls later."

Ariel began humming as she casually walked away, her feet taking her further and further away with each step.

The Empress and concubines could only stare at each other absentmindedly, not uttering a single word.

...

On a mountain which was overgrown with vegetation, nestled between a tall forest and a steep rock face there laid the ruins of a temple.

Ariel walked through the temple ruins and stopped in front of the rock face, there was a newly excavated cave there. On her way here, she had come across several groups of soldiers patrolling the area. Of course they didn't notice her as her speed was too fast, to them she was just a winds breeze passing by.

Ariel entered the cave, the dangerous traps which littered the corridor did not activate in her presence as she phased through them like they were air.

She finally reached the end of the corridor which was a room caked in dust, the crystals embedded in the ceiling were dim and flickering weakly. The garden to the side was overgrown with precious herbs that had gained intelligence.

The little herbs stared at Ariel vigilantly, they decided not to move considering this mysterious woman bypassed all the dangerous traps which had killed many of their brethren who attempted to escape. They would be no match for her as far as they could tell.

As Ariel was inspecting the room she noticed a jade skeleton laid in the center of the room giving off a powerful aura, it was tightly clutching a jade tablet. The gown covering it's body had long fallen apart.

"Ah! Just what I was looking for." Ariel walked over towards the jade skeleton and looked it up and down. Nodding her head, she reached down and picked up the tablet.

She gave the tablet a brief glance before muttering. "Junk." And throwing it over her shoulder, it landed on one of the intelligent herbs causing it to grumble in pain.

"Hehe..you will do just fine." Ariel mumbled as she reached towards the skeleton.

The herbs were curious. A large beetroot looked at the woman with a perplexed expression. "What the hell is that woman doing? The treasures are obviously the jade tablet and the ring on that skeletons finger." He thought.

As soon as Ariel's finger touched the skeleton, it shivered and rattled. Blood vessels covered the skeleton, and then moist tissues and muscles came; organs eventually followed and then skin.

The herbs looking at this crazy scene had their eyes nearly popping out!

Soon a beautiful woman appeared with a new gown covering her body, her eyelids trembled before slowly opening.

With her brows furrowing she looked confusedly at Ariel.

Ariel gave a cheeky smile as she said. "Welcome back to the land of the living my new maid!"