After hanging up the Messenger Charm, Soren Lann transmitted to Ethan Lu: "Mobilize a hundred thousand Divine Soldiers, keep your movements hidden, and shadow me!"
Ethan Lu's gaze sharpened. "Divine Lord..."
"No need to say anything else," Soren said. "Go."
Ethan nodded, turned, and left.
Soren arrived outside the entrance to Drake Abyss, where Ryan Lu was already waiting with the Sigil Sect Leader and Young Master Faustin.
"How did it go?" Soren asked.
Ryan Lu looked furious. "I tried to reason with them for ages, said we needed to see the First Prince, but they just wouldn't let us in!"
"Did you find anyone?" Soren asked via spiritual transmission.
"I reached out to Adrian Drake. He said the First Prince is in seclusion again—no one can get through."
Soren glanced at the guards, walked over, and said, "Excuse me, Soren Lann from the Lumina Palace, requesting an audience with the First Prince."
"By order of the Celestial Empress, to prevent the witch from—"
"Go report!" Soren's pressure suddenly intensified.
The Divine Soldiers under his pressure didn't dare lift their heads, nervously glancing at each other.
"Divine Lord Soren!" At that moment, Leo Li appeared.
"Young Master Drake, could you please report for us? We request to see the First Prince," Soren said.
"The First Prince is in seclusion again."
"It's urgent. Please report anyway."
"What could be so urgent, Divine Lord?" Leo Li asked. "Our First Prince's cultivation is at a critical juncture—ordinary matters shouldn't disturb him."
"Why should our Divine Lord have to explain anything to you? Who do you think you are!" Ryan Lu said through gritted teeth.
Leo Li looked at Ryan, then at the Sigil Sect master and disciple beside him, and smiled. "Sorry, but as Young Master, I'm stationed here by decree—it's my duty to question everyone thoroughly."
Ryan Lu shouted angrily, "You planted a sigil on my big brother! My sister only said those things because of it! Let us in to see the First Prince!"
Leo Li glanced at the Sigil Sect pair, drawling, "Everyone knows Lucia Lu is close with your Sigil Sect. Who would've thought you'd even lie for her?"
Faustin snapped, "My master is highly respected—he would never give false testimony!"
"Highly respected? How respected, exactly?" Leo Li sneered. "Here in Drake Abyss, mortal reputation means nothing! You need evidence! Words alone won't convince anyone!"
Faustin gritted his teeth.
Leo Li switched to a serious tone. "How about this—I’ll summon the Five Great Drake Clans. Can you pull the sigil out and show them? If they see it for themselves, maybe they'll ask the First Prince to come out of seclusion."
Faustin glanced at his master.
But the Sigil Sect Leader shook his head.
The sigil inside Ethan Lu is invisible.
He can barely see it, but he can't remove it.
"My... my master can see the sigil, but he can't remove it!" Faustin said.
"Can't remove it... then cast a spell so we can see it inside him!"
Faustin looked miserable and glanced at his master again.
The Sigil Sect Leader still shook his head.
Only a Rune Master can see the sigil.
And only someone of his cultivation can see this invisible sigil—not even Faustin can.
"Also, you claim Lucia Lu's testimony is suspect—do you have proof?" Leo Li pressed. "If you do, show it, and we'll ask the First Prince to come out! But if all you have is the word of a dying old man... why don't you try flying to heaven instead!"
"Leo Li! You bastard! I'll cut you down today!" Ryan Lu struggled to rush him, but Soren held him back.