His Majesty the Celestial Emperor is seriously competent.
He’s got everything planned out so clearly.
Not only did he seal everyone’s cultivation down to the immortal rank, he even prepared outfits that matched their new identities.
Once everyone changed and came out, some people—especially those goddess types who love dressing up—couldn’t even recognize each other.
But some people look good no matter what they wear.
Take Sean Shaw, for example.
He put on a super plain linen Celestial Robe, and just tied his hair up with some random cloth strip.
Any other guy dressed like that would instantly drop a few levels in looks and vibe.
But him? He’s got a whole different flavor.
He’s lost some of that usual untouchable, noble aura—now he just makes you want to reach out and ruffle him up.
Lucia Lu looked at him and just got that feeling.
She walked over and patted his strong arm.
Sean Shaw turned to look at her.
"You really don’t have any experience?" Lucia asked in a low voice.
Sean paused for a moment and asked, "Experience in what, exactly?"
"Fighting, obviously!"
"Nope."
"Oh... Are you nervous?"
"Brother Sean!" Before Sean could answer, Snow Yuan suddenly bounced over between them, sweet and excited. "I’m so happy to be in the same group as you!"
Sean turned away coldly, saying nothing.
"Cousin!" Just then, Jumin Jing squeezed in, looking super excited—exactly like Snow Yuan. "Are you all set?"
"There’s nothing to get ready for!" Lucia Lu said. "Didn’t His Majesty the Celestial Emperor say—no artifacts, no divine powers, just brains allowed?"
"That’s not what I meant!"
"Then what else do I need to prep?"
Jumin Jing was just about to answer when the Celestial Emperor’s voice rang out: "Enough! You may depart now! You have three months to complete your mission! Plenty of time! Go!"
So, everyone split into groups of four and left Drake Abyss.
On the way to the South Wilds, the four of them rode together on a single cloud.
Sean Shaw and Snow Yuan stood at the front; Lucia Lu and Jumin Jing at the back.
Jumin Jing was a real character—he pulled out his storage pouch and actually served up a platter of celestial fruit, handing it to Lucia Lu: "Cousin, have some."
"You even brought fruit?" Lucia Lu frowned.
"I packed tons of stuff you like, plus brand-new bedding and Celestial Robes and all that. I know you like things clean—no way you’d be able to handle the stuff from the lower realm!"
"I’m not that picky," Lucia Lu said. "We’re here for an assessment—a real fight, not a vacation! Why’d you bring food and bedding?"
"...You can eat well and sleep well even in battle...right, Divine Lady Snow?" Jumin Jing grinned.
"Oh, Divine Lady Lucia, Jumin’s really good to you!" Snow Yuan turned back, smiling. "With your cousin putting in all this effort, you can’t just make him stand there holding the plate forever, right?"
"No worries! I’ll hold it for my cousin," Jumin Jing said, hands still holding the platter, waiting hopefully for Lucia Lu to eat.
That look...
Lucia Lu was about to lose it. She took the plate and handed it to Snow Yuan: "Have some, Divine Lady Snow."
Snow Yuan took one, for once giving Lucia Lu a genuinely friendly look.
Lucia Lu patted Sean Shaw: "Fifth Highness, want some too?"
Sean Shaw glanced back at her.
But then he turned away again, ignoring her.
His eyes and aura were icy cold.
Lucia Lu was stunned.