Never Returning to the Southern Realm

"Since it's a divine artifact of the Phoenix Clan, I'll hand it over to someone from the Phoenix Clan another day," Grace said. "But aren't you from the Scarlet Clan, Princess Luminia? Why would I give it to you?"

"The entire Southern Realm is under the rule of the Scarlet Clan," Princess Luminia replied. "The Phoenix Clan is subordinate to us, so their divine artifacts naturally belong to the Scarlet Clan!"

Grace shot back with three words: "Shameless!"

Princess Luminia's eyes turned cold as she reached out to grab Grace.

Grace released Benny.

Benny spat a burst of fire straight at Princess Luminia.

With a flash of golden light, the fire was instantly extinguished—Princess Luminia was completely unharmed.

A god is a god, after all.

Their powers are beyond anything someone like Grace could imagine.

Their way of thinking is just as unreachable for Grace.

Princess Luminia eyed Benny with a spark of interest. "Wait, do you actually have a Sanctum Artifact? And it can even store living beings?"

Grace frowned, but said nothing.

"Princess, what's a Sanctum Artifact?" Wendy Zhu asked instead.

"A Sanctum Artifact is a separate space created by the power of a divine artifact," Princess Luminia explained. "They're rare enough, but one that can support living beings... that's practically unheard of!"

Wendy Zhu's eyes burned with envy. "Princess, Grace is just a low-level spirit user. How could she possibly deserve a Sanctum Artifact?"

We're deep in Elderworld—it's deserted, not even a blade of grass grows here. The Verdant Order won't ever know you killed her.

So just kill her! Once she's dead, whether it's the Sanctum Artifact or the Celestial Mirror, they'll all be yours!

Princess Luminia's expression didn't change. Suddenly, she grabbed Grace and vanished from sight.

Benny was startled and searched everywhere, but Grace was nowhere to be found.

Grace was dragged to a hidden spot by Princess Luminia, who smiled and asked, "Grace, you sure talk big. You actually dared to insult me—don't tell me you thought that pathetic Flying Demon Drake could save you?"

Grace said nothing.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what she thought.

She figured that if Princess Luminia had lost her divine powers, she might not be able to defeat the Flying Demon Drake in a head-on fight.

But... Grace was still a total newbie in the Divine Realm!

Most of the Divine Race's skills and spells were way out of Benny's league—he could barely even fly straight!

...

Seeing her silent, Princess Luminia leaned in and whispered, "Or maybe... is it because you're the Phoenix Maiden's daughter, and seeing me fills you with so much resentment you can't help but lash out?"

Grace's eyes narrowed.

She actually knows?

Isn't House Drake supposed to keep that strictly secret?

How did she know?

Princess Luminia just smiled. "But even if you're angry, it won't help! No matter what happens, you and your mother will never, ever return to the Southern Realm! Never! Ever!"

"Who told you that?" Grace demanded.

"Why does a dead girl need to know so much? In your next life, pick a better family—don't end up in a clan of fugitives again!" Princess Luminia sneered, then suddenly struck Grace's core.

Bang!

Grace was sent flying, crashing to the ground and coughing up blood.

Grace turned her head and saw Evan Xiao standing nearby, his face dark—but she smiled at him in delight.

He got here so fast!

Evan Xiao strode toward Princess Luminia, a sword appearing in his hand.

Princess Luminia's face changed dramatically.

It was the supreme artifact of Drake Abyss: the Chun Jun Sword.

In ancient times, House Drake used it to slay demon spirits.

It can even destroy the Divine Race's soul!