.
.
The black dragon carriage rolled through the streets of the Imperial Capital.
Inside, silence reigned.
Lucien rested his chin on one hand while the cracked black ring lay on the table before him.
To everyone else...
It was nothing more than a worthless antique.
To him...
It was a treasure that could shake the world.
The ancient soul inside the ring remained completely silent.
He had once been a supreme emperor who ruled countless cultivators.
Yet in front of Lucien's bloodline, he felt an instinctive fear that came from the depths of his soul.
Finally, Lucien spoke.
"Tell me your name."
After a long pause, an old voice echoed.
"...This old one is Arcturus."
"I was once known as the Void Emperor."
Lucien's expression remained unchanged.
"Once?"
"...Yes."
Arcturus let out a bitter laugh.
"I trusted my own disciple."
"He poisoned me during my Heavenly Tribulation."
"My body was destroyed."
"My soul escaped into this ring."
"For eight thousand years..."
"I waited for someone worthy."
"And today..."
"I met Your Highness."
Lucien looked at him quietly.
"If I restore your body..."
"Will you betray me?"
The old emperor laughed.
"With your bloodline?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Besides..."
"You possess something no emperor before you has ever possessed."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"The aura..."
"Of someone who isn't bound by fate."
The carriage stopped before the Imperial Palace.
Lucien stepped down.
Thousands of guards immediately knelt.
"Welcome back, Your Imperial Highness!"
Without responding, he walked toward the Crown Prince's private cultivation hall.
Only Elena followed.
She stopped outside the massive black doors.
"I shall stand guard."
Lucien nodded.
"No one enters."
"As you command."
The doors closed.
The cultivation hall was filled with countless ancient formations.
Every wall was engraved with mysterious runes.
In the very center floated a black crystal platform.
Lucien sat cross-legged.
Then he placed the Ancient Void Ring before him.
"The system."
A familiar blue panel appeared.
Villain Investment System
Investment Target Detected
Item: Ancient Void Ring
Investment Possible: Yes
Recommended Investment: Restore the Emperor Soul with high-grade spirit stones.
Estimated Return: ????
Lucien smiled.
"So that's how it works."
The system didn't simply reward random actions.
It rewarded wise investments.
Without hesitation, he waved his sleeve.
One hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones appeared in the hall like a mountain.
Pure spiritual energy flooded the room.
Even Arcturus was stunned.
"Your Highness..."
"Are these all for me?"
Lucien answered calmly.
"Absorb them."
"I expect results."
The old emperor bowed deeply.
"I shall never disappoint Your Highness."
He immediately began absorbing the spiritual energy.
His transparent soul gradually became more solid.
The cracks covering his spirit slowly disappeared.
Half an hour later...
The system rang.
Ding!
Investment Successful!
Calculating Return...
10×
25×
48×
72×
100×
A dazzling golden light exploded throughout the hall.
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
The reward wheel finally stopped.
Congratulations!
100× Critical Return Triggered!
Rewards Obtained:
Eternal Void Scripture (Mythic Rank)
Void Dragon Physique
One Million High-Grade Spirit Stones
Ten drops of Primordial Immortal Essence
Arcturus's Absolute Loyalty
Even Lucien's usually calm expression showed a hint of surprise.
"A hundredfold..."
"The system truly lives up to its name."
At the same moment—
Arcturus slowly opened his eyes.
His once-aged appearance had changed.
His soul now radiated an overwhelming imperial aura.
He knelt on one knee.
"From this day forward..."
"My life belongs to Your Highness."
Lucien accepted the oath with a slight nod.
"Rise."
"I have much work for you."
Far away...
Within a modest inn on the eastern side of the capital...
Lin Tian sat alone in meditation.
Yet no matter how hard he cultivated...
His heart refused to calm.
He could not stop thinking about the ring.
Something precious had slipped through his fingers.
Suddenly—
He coughed.
A drop of blood fell onto the floor.
His aura weakened ever so slightly.
At the same time, a cold notification echoed in Lucien's mind.
Hero's Luck: 97,000 → 95,000
Villain Value: +2,000
Lucien looked toward the distant eastern district through the palace window.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"So..."
"Destiny isn't invincible after all."
Outside the palace, dark clouds silently gathered.
The heavens had noticed.
For the first time in countless ages...
Someone had stolen a destined opportunity from Heaven's Chosen.
And Heaven...
Never forgave those who defied its will.
End of Chapter 4