Facing this sudden scene, everyone present was completely dumbfounded.

The next second, Nova was seen spitting out a mouthful of blood, her body collapsing with a heavy thud.

On her chest, there was now a fist-sized, hideous bloody hole. She had directly shattered her own heart with a single punch, committing suicide.

Nova’s suicide left everyone present quiet out of fear like winter cicadas, sighing endlessly.

She was the first wife of the late Emperor Theron, securely sitting on the Empress’s throne of the Heavenly Flame Imperial Family for thousands of years.

All this time, Nova had maintained a disguise, showing people a kind, amiable face that seemed aloof from worldly strife.

It wasn’t until Aurelia fell severely ill that she finally removed her disguise, revealing her true face.

But no one expected that in just about half a month’s time, she would be reduced to the fate of committing suicide.

"Mo... Mother Empress..." Albert’s face was completely blank. He collapsed to his knees before Nova’s corpse with a thud, two streams of clear tears flowing continuously from his eyes.

"Mother Empress, why did you do this? Why did you leave me behind?"

"Without you, your son is all alone. How am I supposed to survive in this world?"

"Mother Empress, Mother Empress..."

Albert’s face was covered in tears, crying so hard he couldn’t speak.

At this very moment, he was no longer the previously ambitious King of the South, but had simply become a child who had lost his mother.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head. Looking at Alex before him, his eyes revealed a beast-like, hideous and terrifying murderous intent.

"Alex... It’s all because of you, you heaven-slaying bastard, forcing my Mother Empress to her death!"

"I want to avenge my Mother Empress! Kill you!"

As he spoke, Albert waved his hand to conjure a sharp short sword. Roaring and disregarding everything, he charged toward Alex.

However, relying on his mere Supreme Realm strength, coupled with his mind being completely in chaos, even his footsteps were staggering.

How could he possibly harm Alex, whose power was like the sun at high noon?

Alex stood with his hands behind his back, remaining completely motionless.

It was only when Albert charged right in front of him that he grasped the Vault of Divine Magatama in his palm, raised his index and middle fingers, and summoned two sword jades.

The speed of the two sword jades was so fast they formed afterimages, linking together to form a golden Grim Reaper’s scythe. Directly, as if cutting tofu, it sliced through skin and flesh, shattering the shinbones of both of Albert’s knees.

Albert let out a miserable, shrill scream. His entire person collapsed to his knees on the ground, completely unable to move another inch.

Facing his continuous screams, Alex’s eyes didn’t show the slightest waver. He said faintly, "Someone come. Bring the Forbidden Magic Stone."

Hearing these words, Cedric, Lara, and the others who were originally eager for action, as well as the people from the Blackwood and Sol families, all revealed bewildered expressions.

Only Lily and Selene understood, their faces becoming somewhat complicated.

The Forbidden Magic Stone was an extremely special material, and also the Heavenly Flame Dynasty’s most mysterious and terrifying torture device.

As long as this device was used to pierce a body, it could permanently cripple a person’s cultivation.

Even a Saint Realm mighty figure, under the shackles of the Forbidden Magic Stone, would be permanently reduced to a cripple.

For cultivators, it was a punishment even more cruel than being torn apart.

And this Forbidden Magic Stone, although a considerable amount was stored in the warehouses of the Azure Phoenix Palace, was an absolute secret of which not half a word could be leaked to the outside world.

Up until now, this item had only been used to imprison the giant demons locked away in the Heavenly Flame dungeon, and had never been applied to any mortal.

Within the entire Heavenly Flame Imperial Family, the only ones who knew this secret were Aurelia and the Four Great Princesses. How did Alex know about it? Moreover, he actually mentioned this item in front of the crowd today.

Could it be he intends to use the Forbidden Magic Stone to deal with Albert?

Selene and Lily looked at each other, then both looked toward the dying Aurelia.

Aurelia was exceptionally weak at this moment, unable to even speak a word. But she still gave them a very slight nod in an extremely weak motion.

"Alright, I understand..." Lily nodded. She instantly chanted an incantation and teleported, disappearing from her spot.

A moment later, she reappeared holding a stone spear in her hand, respectfully presenting it before Alex.

"Saint Lord Alex, if you please."

This stone spear was similar to a normal long spear, slender overall with a sharp tip. However, from top to bottom, it was permeated with a faint blue mist, radiating an ancient, sluggish aura, as if it originated from the distant primordial past.

Alex took the stone spear, looking it up and down and toying with it for a moment, a smile full of deep interest curling at the corners of his mouth.

"As expected of the legendary Forbidden Magic Stone. Its power is indeed extraordinary. With such a good item, it’s no wonder your Heavenly Flame Imperial Family treats it like a treasure and hides it away."

Holding the Forbidden Magic Stone spear, Alex slowly walked up to Albert. Looking down at him from above, he said faintly.

"Albert, as the younger brother of the Heavenly Flame Empress, you committed treason, usurped power, and even intended to kill your own imperial sister."

"Logically speaking, your crimes are already unforgivable. Even suffering death by a thousand cuts would not be too much."

"But you are of the Emberhal Imperial Family bloodline after all, coupled with your merits in guarding the Southern Region over the years. According to both reason and emotion, I should not kill you."

"Therefore, I shall bestow upon you a Forbidden Magic Stone, giving you ample time to properly repent."

With that said, Alex expressionlessly raised the stone spear and, without the slightest hesitation, ruthlessly stabbed it down.

The stone spear pierced straight through Albert’s heart, directly pinning him firmly to the ground.

Albert’s pupils shrank abruptly, and he sharply gasped in a breath of cold air. His mouth opened wide, yet he couldn’t let out the slightest sound.

From the wound on his back, scarlet blood seeped out, along with wisps of faint green smoke.