The Moon Orchid Garden...
The gentle atmosphere gradually faded as the Third Elder returned.
"Lucien."
"His Majesty has agreed."
Sylvia looked confused.
"Agreed to what, Elder?"
The Third Elder smiled.
"The Noctis Imperial Library will allow you to study its ancient Moon Dao scriptures for three days."
Sylvia's beautiful eyes widened.
"The Imperial Library?"
It was one of the greatest treasure vaults in the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Even many Saint Realm experts dreamed of entering it.
Lucien calmly nodded.
"Your Moon Dao suits those scriptures."
"They'll help your cultivation."
Sylvia looked at him with gratitude.
"You arranged this?"
"I merely made a suggestion."
The Third Elder laughed.
"A suggestion?"
"His Majesty personally approved it because of you."
Sylvia lowered her head.
"...Thank you."
Lucien only smiled.
"Repay me by becoming stronger."
At that exact moment...
A raven landed on the roof of a nearby pavilion.
Its crimson eyes watched Sylvia carefully.
Hidden inside its feathers...
Was a tiny communication talisman.
Miles away...
Inside an abandoned temple...
A masked elder slowly opened his eyes.
"The target has entered the palace."
Another masked figure asked,
"Should we proceed?"
The elder nodded.
"The Moon Saintess must not be allowed to remain beside the Crown Prince."
"Begin the operation."
That evening...
The palace hosted a welcoming banquet for the Moonlight Sacred Land.
Unlike the grand imperial feast...
This gathering was much smaller.
Only trusted guests attended.
Laughter echoed through the hall.
For the first time in years...
Lucien found himself enjoying a peaceful evening.
Sylvia occasionally smiled.
Elena quietly stood behind Lucien as always.
Luna served tea alongside the palace maids.
Everything seemed perfect.
Too perfect.
Outside the palace...
Several black-robed figures silently climbed the outer walls.
Each wore a silver mask.
No spiritual energy leaked from their bodies.
Professional assassins.
One whispered,
"The diversion begins now."
Another nodded.
"The Saintess is our priority."
"Do not engage the Crown Prince."
BOOM!!
A violent explosion shook the western palace district.
Flames rose into the night sky.
Imperial Guards immediately rushed toward the disturbance.
"The armory is under attack!"
"Protect the civilians!"
Within seconds...
Nearly half the palace guards had left their positions.
Exactly as planned.
Inside the banquet hall...
Cassius suddenly appeared.
He knelt before Lucien.
"Your Highness."
"The western district has been attacked."
Lucien calmly placed down his cup.
"Too obvious."
Cassius looked up.
"You expected this?"
Lucien nodded.
"If I were the enemy..."
"I wouldn't attack the palace."
"I'd attack what the palace is protecting."
His crimson eyes slowly turned toward Sylvia.
Instantly...
His expression became serious.
"Elena."
"With me."
At that exact moment...
The windows shattered.
CRASH!!
Six masked cultivators burst into the hall.
Golden Core Realm.
Peak Stage.
Their leader ignored everyone else.
His sword pointed directly at Sylvia.
"The Moon Saintess belongs to the Black Sun!"
The Third Elder immediately drew her sword.
"You dare?!"
A fierce battle erupted.
The banquet hall exploded into chaos.
One assassin threw a black sphere onto the ground.
BOOM!
Dense black smoke covered the entire room.
Visibility dropped to almost nothing.
The assassins smiled.
This smoke could even block spiritual sense.
Perfect for kidnapping.
One of them grabbed Sylvia's wrist.
"We've got her!"
Before he could move—
A calm voice echoed through the darkness.
"No."
"...You don't."
The assassin froze.
A hand gently rested on his shoulder.
Lucien.
"How...?"
The assassin couldn't understand.
No one should be able to see through the smoke.
Lucien smiled faintly.
"I don't need to see."
His Divine Eyes had already memorized every movement before the smoke spread.
BANG!
One precise punch struck the assassin's chest.
Several ribs shattered.
He flew across the hall.
Sylvia stumbled forward.
Without thinking...
She lost her balance.
Lucien caught her before she fell.
For a brief moment...
She found herself in his arms.
Their eyes met.
The noise of the battle seemed to disappear.
"Are you hurt?"
Sylvia shook her head softly.
"No..."
"I'm alright."
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
Lucien released her immediately.
"Stay behind me."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
Standing behind him...
She felt completely safe.
At the entrance of the hall...
Elena had already defeated two assassins.
She glanced toward Lucien and Sylvia.
Seeing Sylvia in his arms...
Her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly pushed the feeling aside.
"Focus, Elena."
"Protect them first."
With renewed determination, she charged back into battle.
Outside the palace...
The masked elder frowned.
"The first team failed."
Another assassin asked,
"What now?"
The elder's eyes grew cold.
"If we cannot capture the Saintess..."
"Then we'll awaken..."
"...the Hero."
Far away...
In a small mountain village...
A young man practicing with a worn sword suddenly felt a strange golden light descend from the heavens.
His destiny...
Had begun to move.