"We’ll have to wait for further notice before it’s official."
"Alright." The demigod stood up and said, "No problem. When the time comes, I’ll definitely get you inside."
...
They chatted a bit more, and then the demigod got up and left.
Marcus Xuanchen sat cross-legged and began meditating.
Lucia Lu put away the Clarity Charm and slipped out quietly.
After leaving Evercrest Immortal Mountain, she released Faustin from the Life-pouch.
"Divine Lady, you’ve already found him—why not arrest him and bring him to justice?" Faustin asked.
Lucia Lu shook her head. "I need to see what they’re planning to do in Cangwu!"
"Oh..." Faustin’s eyes sparkled. "I get it now."
"What exactly do you get now?"
Faustin glanced around, then whispered, "Looks like they're targeting Fifth Highness! By keeping Marcus Xuanchen alive, we can cast a long line and reel in bigger fish."
Lucia Lu smiled and asked, "So, what's the name of Evercrest Immortal Mountain's sect master?"
She didn't know much about these lower-realm Celestial Sects.
"Harvey Yule," Faustin replied. "His wife is from the Xuanchen Clan."
"Harvey Yule..." Lucia Lu nodded. "I've got to hurry back to Drake Abyss for training. Faustin, could you do me a favor? Find a top-quality Celestial Coffin, enshrine Lady Lana He, place her in a Storage Pouch, and three months from now, escort her to Cangwu. I still need to track Marcus Xuanchen and see what they're up to."
Faustin nodded. "Rest assured, Divine Lady! I'll make sure she gets the finest coffin possible."
Lucia Lu raced back to her quarters at the Palace Guard Barracks in Drake Abyss. Dawn was just breaking.
Bathed in the first light of dawn, she spotted a splash of green on her windowsill.
It was the Flower Egg gifted to her by Qilin Divine Lord Soren Lann.
It had already sprouted leaves and a flower bud, looking incredibly lively.
She casually watered the little flower.
"I've been so busy lately, I barely remember to take care of myself—let alone you. If Divine Lord Soren Lann found out, he'd definitely regret giving you to me," Lucia Lu joked to the Flower Egg.
"But seriously, this just looks like an ordinary marigold. What's so special about it? What kind of rare breed is this, anyway?"
She wouldn’t find out what kind of breed it was until three months later.
That day, as luck would have it, everything lined up perfectly.
Before morning drills started, Divine Lord Tanya Quinn asked them, "I've got one good news and one bad news—which do you want first?"
Everyone voted for the bad news first.
"Bad news is: you’ve finished phase one of the Ranked Soldier Formation Arts. Tomorrow, I’ll take you into the Southern Maze Array for a competitive trial."
Yep, that was definitely bad news—everyone’s faces fell.
"Four squads—the team that comes in last will lose two members. Who leaves will be decided by me, His Majesty the Celestial Emperor, and all of you, based on performance. The two lowest scorers will be cut from the unit..."
The room instantly erupted in groans and wails.
Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does.
And that’s not all—Divine Lord Tanya Quinn went on: "Plus, this kind of elimination trial will happen at every stage. So, good luck, everyone!"
"Divine Lord, just tell us the good news already!" someone called out.
"Alright! The good news is... after the trial, you’ll get a three-day holiday! You’re invited to my Birthday Banquet at Southcourt Palace!"
"Wow!" Mia Quinn’s face lit up in exaggerated delight—then instantly fell. "That’s not good news! Now I have to spend money on your birthday present!"
"Mia Quinn, I feel you!" Divine Lord Tanya Quinn said with a teasing smile. "You do seem to be the weakest cultivator here!"