Feng Jiu halted her steps, watching them with a cold gaze. Yet the oppressive aura weighing down upon them did not recede. Not only did it not recede, but she flipped her palm, sending a ball of her innate heavenly flame hurtling toward the soles of those monarchs' feet. "Let you taste this death roasted over flames. Perhaps you'll find it to your liking." Her indifferent voice carried a chill as she watched coldly, her eyes devoid of any warmth. Yet among these monarchs, she spared only the Nancheng Monarch. But even without Feng Jiu's direct intervention, witnessing the pitiful state of his fellow rulers left him too stunned to speak. Who could have imagined Feng Jiu would return? Who could have imagined Feng Jiu would ever come back? Clearly, clearly, for tens of millions of years, none who ascended had ever returned. How had she managed it? Had he known Feng Jiu would return, even with ten times the courage, he would never have dared commit today's act. Now, regret and terror twisted within him, his body trembling uncontrollably. Yet he could only stare wide-eyed in horror, watching the rulers beside him endure agony worse than death. "Arghhhhh!" "Arghhhh..." Once mighty rulers, in this moment, were nothing but endless screams, regret, and terror. Some, unable to bear this agony worse than death, attempted to abandon their physical forms and flee. Yet the moment their divine souls transformed into a halo of light and fled their bodies, Feng Jiu seized them with a single hand. "Did I allow you to escape? Do you truly believe you could get away?" Feng Jiu's indifferent voice echoed. Without moving a muscle, she stood there, her hand grasping at the void. The halo of divine soul light fell into her palm. "Now that you're in my grasp, you won't even get the chance to be reincarnated." As she spoke, flames surged from her palm. She closed her hand, crushing the soul's halo between her fingers. Amidst piercing screams, ashes scattered in the wind, drifting into the sea. Watching this scene, the Nancheng Monarch froze in terror. He tried to beg for mercy, but overwhelming fear rendered him speechless. He could only stare helplessly as Feng Jiu tortured the rulers of various realms to death before his very eyes—leaving not even their divine souls behind. "Do you know why I spared you?" Feng Jiu turned to the Nancheng Monarch, asking coldly. "Feng... Feng... Phoenix Empress, spare my life!" His entire body was limp, unable even to stand, yet a force dragged him forward. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖 Feng Jiu watched him, her lips curling into a faint, cold smile. "You should know that those who touch my reverse scales have no chance of survival." "I kept you alive merely to learn what had transpired here during my years of absence." " As she spoke, she stepped forward, coming to stand before him. Under his terrified gaze, she extended her index finger and pressed it against his brow, beginning the soul search. After a long moment, she withdrew her finger. The once-terrified Nancheng Monarch now had eyes that were vacant and lifeless. With a flick of her sleeve, a ball of flame ignited, reducing him to ashes. She turned, her gaze falling on the umbrella Leng Hua clutched tightly nearby. It was a Primordial Treasure Umbrella, now forced shut by her oppressive aura and held firmly in Leng Hua's grasp. Walking over to the blood-soaked Leng Hua, she offered a faint smile. "You still lack a proper weapon. This Primordial Treasure Umbrella is yours."