.
.
The Hidden Spirit Cave fell silent.
The massive corpse of the Emerald Abyss Python lay motionless on the ground, its blood flowing like a crimson river.
The imperial guards efficiently collected the beast's core, scales, and fangs.
Every material from a Foundation Core beast was worth a fortune.
Yet Lucien didn't even glance at them.
His attention remained on Sylvia.
She stood quietly, still holding his hand for a brief moment before realizing it and gently pulling away.
A faint blush appeared on her fair face.
"Thank... Thank you, Your Imperial Highness."
Lucien simply nodded.
"No need."
"I only dislike seeing talent wasted."
Those simple words struck Sylvia harder than any compliment.
Since entering the Moonlight Sacred Land, everyone had praised her beauty or her talent.
Lucien...
Had looked at neither.
Instead, he had judged her by her potential.
For the first time, the terrifying Crown Prince in the rumors didn't seem so terrifying.
Not far away...
Lin Tian watched everything in silence.
His fists slowly clenched.
He had wanted to save Sylvia himself.
Had the Crown Prince not appeared...
He believed destiny would have provided him with an opportunity.
Yet now...
That opportunity had vanished.
Just then, Lucien finally looked at him.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Yet an invisible pressure filled the cave.
The system's notification appeared before Lucien.
Hero Detected.
Current Mental State:
• Confused
• Vigilant
• Fighting Spirit Rising
Hero's Luck: 95,000
Warning:
Do not kill the Hero before discovering the source of his Heavenly Fortune.
"As expected..."
"The heavens won't let him die so easily."
Lucien turned away as if Lin Tian wasn't worth his attention.
That indifference...
Hurt far more than contempt.
Sylvia suddenly noticed the Seven-Star Soul Orchid still growing on the cliff.
She sighed softly.
"What a pity."
"The battle almost destroyed it."
Lucien glanced toward the flower.
Its petals were covered in cracks after the fight.
Without warning, he walked over and gently picked it.
Everyone thought he intended to keep such a precious treasure.
Instead...
He extended it toward Sylvia.
"This belongs to you."
The entire cave froze.
Even Elena looked surprised.
A heavenly treasure...
Worth hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones...
Given away so casually?
Sylvia stared at the flower in disbelief.
"Your Highness..."
"I... I cannot accept something so valuable."
Lucien smiled faintly.
"You discovered it."
"You fought for it."
"Therefore..."
"It is yours."
He paused before adding,
"Consider it an investment."
She blinked.
"Investment?"
"One day, when you've become strong enough..."
"You may return the favor."
Those words settled deep within Sylvia's heart.
She accepted the flower with both hands.
"I swear..."
"I will never forget today's kindness."
Ding!
Investment Complete.
Target: Sylvia Evermoon
Investment Value: Seven-Star Soul Orchid
Critical Multiplier: 18×
Reward Available After Target's Growth.
Lucien wasn't disappointed.
Unlike treasures...
People required time.
The greater Sylvia's future achievements...
The greater his return would be.
A saint...
Could produce unimaginable rewards.
Just then...
The ground shook violently.
BOOM!
A terrifying roar echoed from the deepest part of the cave.
Cracks spread across the walls.
Ancient formations hidden for thousands of years suddenly lit up.
Arcturus' voice sounded urgently inside Lucien's mind.
"Your Highness!"
"This isn't an ordinary cave!"
"It's an ancient inheritance ground!"
Before anyone could react...
A beam of silver light shot toward the sky, piercing through the mountain itself.
Across the entire Eastern Province...
Countless experts raised their heads.
Within the Moonlight Sacred Land...
An old ancestor abruptly opened his eyes.
"An Ancient Secret Realm..."
"...has opened."
Inside the Imperial Palace...
The Emperor of the Noctis Eternal Empire slowly smiled.
"So..."
"Lucien has finally stirred the world."
Back inside the cave...
A colossal stone gate slowly emerged from beneath the earth.
Across its surface were carved four ancient words:
"Palace of the Forgotten Sovereign."
An overwhelming aura swept across everyone present.
The inheritance of an ancient powerhouse...
Had awakened.
And it had done so in the presence of the Hero...
The Heroine...
And the Villain Crown Prince.
The greatest contest of fate was about to begin.