.
.
Morning sunlight bathed the Imperial Capital, yet the Noctis Imperial Palace remained shrouded in an eternal twilight.
The palace had stood for over a hundred thousand years.
Its black walls were stained with the blood of countless enemies.
Its throne had witnessed the rise and fall of emperors, saints, and immortals.
Today...
Its master had changed.
Lucien stood before a massive map of the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Nine Supreme Empires.
Thirty-Six Sacred Lands.
Countless ancient clans.
Secret realms that appeared only once every few centuries.
This world was far larger than the novel he had remembered from Earth.
"So even the original story didn't reveal everything..."
That meant one thing.
The future could change.
And that was exactly what he wanted.
A smile appeared on his face.
A world whose fate could be rewritten was far more interesting.
At that moment, the palace doors opened.
A graceful young woman entered, dressed in elegant black robes embroidered with silver flowers.
She bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness."
Lucien glanced at her.
The moment his eyes met hers, a blue screen appeared.
Name: Elena Ashford
Age: 19
Cultivation: Peak Spirit Gathering Realm
Identity: Captain of the Crown Prince's Personal Guard
Loyalty: 74%
Potential: Saint
Destiny Rank: A
Future: Dies protecting the Crown Prince.
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
"So that's how Destiny Vision works..."
In the original timeline...
She died for him.
Yet the Lucien of that timeline had never trusted anyone.
He had treated loyal people as disposable tools.
"No wonder everyone abandoned him in the end."
Elena raised her head.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Court begins in one hour."
Lucien nodded calmly.
"I know."
She hesitated.
"...There's another matter."
"Speak."
"A young cultivator entered the capital yesterday."
"He defeated several disciples from noble families."
"They're requesting permission to arrest him."
Lucien almost laughed.
As expected.
Lin Tian.
The protagonist never knew how to stay out of trouble.
Everywhere he went, people underestimated him.
Everywhere he went, he found another opportunity.
"What is his current location?"
Elena answered immediately.
"Azure Moon Market."
Lucien's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his throne.
The Azure Moon Market...
If he remembered correctly...
Someone was auctioning an old rusted ring there today.
Everyone believed it was worthless.
Inside that ring slept an ancient emperor's soul.
It would become Lin Tian's greatest cheat.
Lucien's eyes gleamed.
"So the story begins today."
Ding!
Mission Detected.
First Investment
Objective: Obtain the Ancient Void Ring before the Hero.
Success Reward: 100× Return.
Failure: Hero's Destiny increases.
Lucien stood.
"Prepare my carriage."
Elena blinked.
"Your Highness... you wish to visit the market personally?"
"Is there a problem?"
"...No."
Within minutes, a procession of black dragon carriages departed the palace.
Citizens hurried to kneel as the Crown Prince passed.
Some lowered their heads in fear.
Others whispered.
"The Crown Prince has left the palace..."
"What unfortunate soul has offended His Highness now?"
"No one survives after attracting his attention..."
Lucien heard every word.
The previous owner of this body had ruled through fear.
Changing that reputation overnight was impossible.
Nor did he intend to.
Fear...
Could be useful.
Meanwhile...
Across the bustling Azure Moon Market...
A young man wearing simple blue robes stopped before a small stall.
His eyes landed on a cracked black ring covered in dust.
Something inside his heart urged him to buy it.
The old stall owner smiled.
"Young man... you've got a good eye."
Before Lin Tian could speak—
A calm voice echoed through the street.
"I'll pay ten thousand Spirit Stones."
Silence fell.
Everyone turned toward the speaker.
Black robes.
Golden dragon embroidery.
A calm smile.
The Crown Prince himself.
Lucien Draven Noctis.
Lin Tian's expression hardened.
For the first time...
The destined Hero and the destined Villain stood face to face.
Neither spoke.
Yet the invisible clash between their destinies shook the air around them.
The game had begun.
End of Chapter 2