The crimson sky of the inheritance realm gradually faded.
Countless stars dissolved into streams of light.
The Palace of the Forgotten Sovereign trembled as ancient formations began to collapse.
The Forgotten Sovereign looked at the three young cultivators before him.
"My mission has ended."
His voice carried neither joy nor regret.
"For ten thousand years, I waited for someone worthy."
His gaze rested on Lucien.
"Do not disappoint me."
Lucien gave a respectful nod.
"I won't."
The Sovereign smiled faintly.
With a wave of his sleeve, a spatial vortex appeared beneath them.
The world spun.
Outside the Hidden Spirit Cave...
Hundreds of cultivators had gathered.
Representatives from the Moonlight Sacred Land.
The Blazing Sun Sect.
The Azure Sword Pavilion.
Noble clans.
Imperial officials.
Everyone had been waiting for three days.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The ancient stone gate burst open.
Three figures emerged.
Lucien.
Sylvia.
Lin Tian.
The crowd instantly erupted.
"They're back!"
"Who inherited the Sovereign's legacy?"
"Who became the chosen heir?"
The Third Elder of the Moonlight Sacred Land immediately rushed to Sylvia.
"Are you injured?"
Sylvia shook her head.
"I'm fine, Elder."
"What happened inside?"
Before Sylvia could answer—
A cold voice interrupted.
"The inheritance belongs to the Noctis Empire."
Everyone turned.
It was the Forgotten Sovereign's guardian spirit.
His enormous projection appeared above the cave entrance.
"I hereby announce..."
"The sole Heir Candidate of the Palace of the Forgotten Sovereign..."
"...is Lucien Draven Noctis."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then—
The entire mountain exploded with shock.
"The Crown Prince?"
"Impossible!"
"How could House Noctis obtain another supreme inheritance?"
Even the Third Elder's expression stiffened.
This inheritance had attracted countless geniuses.
Yet it had ultimately chosen the most feared young man in the Eastern Region.
The guardian's gaze swept over the crowd.
"Any who attempt to seize the inheritance..."
"...will be regarded as enemies of the Palace."
With those final words...
The projection vanished.
Not everyone accepted the result.
A sharp laugh echoed across the mountain.
"So what if he became the heir?"
"It still depends on whether he can keep it."
The speaker was Zhao Feng.
His eyes burned with greed.
A Divine King's inheritance...
It was enough to make even great sects lose their minds.
Several elders frowned but remained silent.
None wished to offend House Noctis.
Yet...
None wished to let such an opportunity pass.
Lucien looked at Zhao Feng calmly.
"You seem dissatisfied."
Zhao Feng took a step forward.
"I challenge you."
The crowd gasped.
"A duel?"
"Has Zhao Feng lost his mind?"
He proudly raised his crimson spear.
"If you lose..."
"Hand over the Sovereign's inheritance."
Lucien's expression remained indifferent.
"And if you lose?"
Zhao Feng sneered.
"I won't."
Lucien chuckled.
"A foolish answer."
He took a single step.
His terrifying imperial aura descended upon the entire mountain.
The wind stopped.
The trees bent.
Many younger cultivators instinctively fell to one knee.
Even Zhao Feng's breathing became difficult.
Lucien looked into his eyes.
"Do you know..."
"...why people fear House Noctis?"
Zhao Feng remained silent.
"They think it's because we're villains."
Lucien slowly shook his head.
"They're wrong."
His crimson-gold eyes glowed like molten suns.
"They fear us..."
"...because we never make empty threats."
The Void Emperor Sword appeared in his hand.
Its black blade hummed softly.
Without warning—
Lucien swung.
A single arc of black sword light crossed the space between them.
Zhao Feng's instincts screamed.
He thrust his spear forward with all his strength.
BOOM!
The mountain shook violently.
Dust covered the battlefield.
When it settled...
Everyone froze.
Zhao Feng's spear had been cut cleanly in half.
The sword slash had stopped less than an inch from his throat.
A thin line of blood slowly appeared on his neck.
One step closer...
And he would have died.
Lucien lowered his sword.
"You challenged the Crown Prince of the Noctis Eternal Empire."
"I spared your life."
"Not because I am merciful."
He turned away.
"But because today..."
"...your life isn't worth my time."
No one dared speak.
Even Zhao Feng stood frozen, his legs trembling.
For the first time in his life...
He understood the terrifying gap between a true imperial genius...
And himself.
Lucien walked toward the Sky Dragon Ship without looking back.
Elena followed silently.
Behind them, Sylvia watched the Crown Prince's departing figure.
The rumors had described him as a cruel tyrant.
Yet today...
He had won the inheritance fairly.
Defeated every challenge.
And spared a defeated opponent who had insulted him.
For the first time...
She wondered if the world had misunderstood the Crown Prince of House Noctis.
High above the clouds, hidden from mortal sight, a page within the Heavenly Script slowly turned.
A new line of fate appeared.
"The Moon Saintess's destiny has begun to diverge."