An Illegitimate Child and a Witch

Leo Li sneered, and suddenly several glowing rings appeared out of the void, locking onto them.

Those were prison rings made specifically for locking up criminals—once you're caught, there's no escape.

The gods glanced at each other, silent as the grave.

The Guardian Drake Lady—Adrian Drake’s Mother Goddess—was also present.

She frowned, clenched her fists, but in the end said nothing—just sat there, expressionless.

"Anyone else want to shield this little demon?" Leo Li crowed. "The Undersea Divine Prison is nice and empty!"

The Palace Guard Barracks crew had grown close—tight-knit and loyal.

If any of the other units tried to bully one of them, everyone would jump in to help, full of righteous fire.

But now, hearing Leo Li’s taunt, they just glanced around at each other, faces full of hesitation, and stayed put.

Only Mia Quinn stood up, ready to go forward.

But someone grabbed her and pulled her back hard.

She turned to see it was two other Phoenix girls.

Both held her fast, whispering, "Bianca Whitefan slaughtered the entire Radiant Palace! Every family in the Divine Realm sees her as public enemy number one! Get involved and you’ll be ruined!"

"Bianca is Bianca! Lucia is Lucia! They're just looking for any excuse to pin crimes on her!" Mia Quinn struggled, protesting.

"Mia! The Divine Lord’s already under so much stress because of Lord Noctis—don’t make things worse!" one girl scolded. "Besides, what can you even do if you go over there?"

Mia Quinn clenched her fists, eyes red, and finally sat down slowly.

Adrian Drake looked around, saw no one stepping up, and roared, "Leo Li! Lucia exposed your son! She toppled the whole Xuanchen Clan nest! You’re just out for petty revenge! Lay a finger on my senior sister and see what happens!"

Leo Li sneered, "Take them all away!"

The Palace Guards moved to drag all three of them off.

At that moment, Brandon Xiao frowned and called out, "Hold it! Leo Li, let’s wait for Father to decide this!"

"Your Highness! You may not know, but Lucia visits Bianca Whitefan all the time. It’s seriously suspicious! We really need to interrogate her properly!" Leo Li said.

"No matter what, Father needs to decide." Brandon Xiao said. "Someone, go invite Father here."

The attendants looked to the Celestial Empress, who nodded.

There was no way around him.

But facts were facts.

His Majesty the Celestial Emperor arrived, heard the story, and was deeply shocked. He studied Lucia from head to toe, lost in thought.

"Father," said Second Prince Zane Xiao, "I say we absolutely cannot let Lucia go! Her mother and she must be plotting to break Bianca Whitefan out! If that demon escapes, her thousand years of pent-up rage could burn down all Three Realms!"

"Exactly, Your Majesty! She needs a thorough interrogation." The crowd chimed in, all in agreement.

The Celestial Emperor said nothing.

Whenever he goes silent like this, it means he’s tacitly agreeing.

Zane Xiao, looking pleased, ordered, "Guards! Take Lucia away!"

In front of the Celestial Emperor, they still didn’t dare drag Sean Shaw and Adrian Drake off with her.

The Palace Guards tightened the prison rings and began dragging Lucia out.

"Stop!" Sean Shaw barked, cold and deadly.

His aura was terrifying.

Two Palace Guards flinched and stopped in their tracks.

"Sean Shaw! Want to go with her?" Jason Xiao said with a sour edge. "One illegitimate prince and one witch—what a perfect match! Why don’t you go keep her company!"