The moment the prisoner’s words settled over the group, Kaien’s expression changed.His calm demeanor vanished, replaced by an overwhelming fury that everyone around him could m feel.His eyes locked onto the bound man with unmistakable hatred.Then, through clenched teeth, he finally spoke the name he had remembered.“Prince Rong Xuan… of the Chiyaan Empire.”The entire group fell silent.Han Seojun looked between them in confusion, while the merchants exchanged nervous glances without understanding why Kaien’s reaction had become so intense.Rong Xuan lifted his head before breaking into a cold, mocking laugh.“So, you finally remembered who I am.”His laughter echoed across the quiet road.“I was beginning to wonder whether the great Crown Prince had forgotten one of his oldest enemies.”Kaien’s fists tightened. The memories came flooding back all at once.He remembered the burning villages left behind wherever Rong Xuan’s army marched.He remembered countless innocent families mas

Just as the royal escort finished announcing the invitation, Li San shook her head and prepared to decline the offer.“I appreciate His Royal Highness’s kindness, but I—”Before she could say another word, a calm voice interrupted from behind the royal escort.“I was hoping you would at least allow me to ask personally.”The crowd parted on both sides.A handsome young man dressed in magnificent royal robes slowly walked forward, surrounded by elite royal guards whose spiritual pressure alone commanded respect.The moment the guards recognized him, they knelt.“Greetings, Your Royal Highness!”Whispers spread rapidly throughout the entrance.“The Crown Prince himself actually came here.”“Why would His Highness personally greet someone at the city gates?”“Who exactly is that young woman?”Crown Prince Hwan Dojin paid no attention to the growing commotion.His eyes rested upon Li San. A warm smile appeared across his face.“Li San. I have waited a very long time for your arrival.”Li

Kaien spent several long moments trying to convince Princess Hwan Yeon that she had misunderstood everything about him, insisting that he was not someone born into royalty and had never lived the privileged life she seemed convinced he had experienced.Princess Hwan Yeon only smiled while shaking her head with amusement, making it obvious that she did not believe a single word that had just left his mouth.“I may not know exactly who you truly are yet, but I know enough to recognize that no ordinary commoner carries himself the way you do.”Kaien remained let out a slow breath, realizing there was little point continuing that argument.Just as Princess Hwan Yeon turned toward the door to leave the room, Kaien spoke again, deciding to ask the question that had been lingering inside his mind ever since he entered the Ash Moon Kingdom.“What is the Royal Selection Festival?”Princess Hwan Yeon stopped walking before glancing back over her shoulder with a small smile resting across her fa

The appearance of the black dragon shattered every ounce of confidence the Ash Moon Kingdom had built over centuries. Its enormous wings stretched across the sky like living storms, casting an endless shadow over the royal capital while every beat of those monstrous wings unleashed gusts that ripped banners from buildings, overturned market stalls, shattered rooftops, and sent terrified civilians running toward whatever shelter they could find.The dragon lowered its massive head as its crimson eyes swept across the kingdom with unmistakable intelligence. It was not behaving like a wild beast driven only by instinct because it was searching, judging, and waiting as though deciding where to strike first.Then it released an earth-shaking roar that rolled across the heavens like divine judgment, causing countless weaker cultivators to collapse onto their knees while blood slowly trickled from their ears under the unbearable pressure.Complete panic instantly consumed the capital.Peo

The great black dragon continued circling the royal castle without pause, its enormous wings blotting out the crimson sky as it repeatedly unleashed torrents of black flames against the shimmering barrier protecting the palace. Every blast struck with enough force to shake the entire capital, causing the shield to ripple while new cracks slowly spread across its glowing surface.Again and again, Rong Xuan hurled himself against the barrier with overwhelming force, determined to tear it apart through sheer power alone.The Royal Archmage gritted his teeth as blood continued flowing from the corner of his mouth.The shield still stood.Barely.Each collision drained more of his remaining life force, yet he stubbornly refused to let the barrier collapse.“It… must hold…” the old man whispered painfully while forcing more spiritual energy into the enormous formation.High above the battlefield, Rong Xuan released another deafening roar before gathering a massive sphere of abyssal flames