Time flew by.
Day by day, Lucien kept a structured routine, balancing school, family, and his territory responsibilities.
At school, he attended classes, absorbed knowledge, and occasionally visited the Silver Moon Library to study.
However, after becoming a full-fledged lord, his life shifted dramatically, mirroring the challenges of the Beginner's Trial. Exploring the endless Void on one's own opened up infinite possibilities, both wondrous and perilous.
His teacher, Mistdream, was a formidable figure in her own right, and her lessons benefited Lucien immensely.
Yet, during his meditation sessions, she would often gaze at him for extended periods without explanation. Although it made him uneasy at first, her lack of interference eventually allowed Lucien to focus.
At home, Lucien spent little time with his family or friends.
As a transmigrator with clear goals, he had few personal relationships, even in his original life. He lacked even superficial friendships.
As for his parents, they had been estranged from him for years. The financial support they sent remained untouched, stored in an account. Ironically, Lucien's earnings as a lord far exceeded anything they had ever provided.
His time at home rarely exceeded two hours, often just enough to invite a few heroes for conversations or to rest together.
To prevent unnecessary risks, lords were strictly prohibited from summoning heroes or troops on Earth.
Thus, one wouldn't see fantastical creatures roaming the streets, and Lucien couldn't take his heroes outside either.
Most of his time was spent within his territory.
The Great Qin warriors were tireless in their training, often sparring with blunt weapons to mimic full combat. Their strict regimen left many injured daily.
The disciples of the Bright Moon Palace spent their time meditating, practicing cultivation, or simply playing together. Despite their playful moments, they never neglected their training.
The Deer Spirit Maidens, true to their nature, coexisted peacefully with the land, spending entire days in stillness, uninterested in leisure or entertainment.
The three summoned heroes primarily focused on their cultivation. In their downtime, they relaxed, sparred, or discussed techniques with Lucien in the evenings. Life was busy yet fulfilling.
Finally, there was the forum—an endless source of fascination for Lucien.
Whether it was the Trade Forum, News Forum, Silver Moon City Official Forum, or the New Lords' Exploration Forum, countless topics and peculiar posts kept him hooked.
Before he knew it, a month had flown by.
The Simulated Battle was fast approaching, but first, lords could opt for a Descent to enhance their strength and resources.
Lucien, naturally, would not miss this opportunity.
Lucien awoke early, his eyes lighting up as he glanced at the time.
"Get up! Time to prepare!" he called out, throwing off the blanket.
Beside him, Lin Daiyu stirred, her hair cascading down her shoulders as she sat up sleepily, her delicate face tinged with confusion.
"Young Master, why the rush so early?" she asked, her gem-like eyes blinking enchantingly.
"You lazy girl, stop making excuses to stay in bed," Lucien teased.
Meanwhile, Jia Yingchun quickly dressed and began tidying her hair.
Lin Daiyu couldn't resist needling her. "Second Sister, do you always need such an excuse to rush out of bed?"
"W-What are you talking about?" Jia Yingchun's face flushed as she glanced nervously at Lucien. She hurriedly slipped on her shoes and fled the room.
Lin Daiyu chuckled, and Qin Keqing joined in with a soft laugh.
As she helped Lucien into his robe, Qin Keqing remarked, "Young Master, you should go easy on Second Sister. She's already timid enough."
"Hmph, she may seem timid by day, but she's quite bold at night," Lin Daiyu retorted, casting a teasing glance at Lucien. "You're quite the lucky one, aren't you, Young Master?"
"Why am I getting dragged into this?" Lucien muttered, exasperated. Giving Qin Keqing a playful pat, he waved them off. "Hurry and get ready!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Within the territory, Lucien ensured everything was in order.
The Great Qin warriors were already in near-perfect combat condition, though Lucien hoped they would avoid unnecessary sparring that day to prevent injuries.
Raising his hand, he signaled everyone to ready themselves before activating the Five Elements Transformation Array.
With a hum, five small flags appeared, radiating the power of the Five Elements. The energy rippled across the territory, enveloping everything in its protective aura.
Lucien ascended a wooden wall as soldiers snapped to attention, defensive towers awakened, and the three heroes arrived at his side.
"Let's begin," Lucien said softly, opening the Heart of the Lord interface and selecting Descent.
"Detected Region: Lunar City. Will you descend into the Endless Void?"
"Yes," Lucien confirmed.
In an instant, the territory and its inhabitants were pulled into the Void.
In ancient times, people believed the Void was merely another world, plane, or multiverse.
But as lords explored the heavens and worlds, they realized the Void was something far more profound.
The Void isn't a single world or realm.
It is the end, the termination—a place where existence and nonexistence, reality and illusion intertwine.
It is the graveyard of worlds.
The focal point of universes.
The remnants of planes.
Some ancient divine beings once theorized that the Endless Void was the "other side" of creation, akin to the dichotomy of light and darkness.
If the multiverse was "real," then the Void was "false."
Yet, throughout countless eras, no one has claimed to fully understand the Void.
Each journey into its depths could upend one's perception of reality, transforming everything they thought they knew.
As the territory trembled, Lucien steeled his nerves, focusing on the image of a celestial maiden stepping across the divine river. A sense of tension filled him.
Would they face danger?
Perhaps they'd land in the Land of Fallen Gods, encountering some unknown, red-haired being upon arrival.
Or maybe—
"Ugh, come on. Why am I overthinking this?" Lucien laughed wryly.
"I've got a golden finger, after all. With a protagonist's halo, shouldn't I be expecting some heavenly maiden to fall into my lap?"
He shook off his idle thoughts and concentrated on his Divine River Visualization, ready to escape the Void at a moment's notice if disaster struck.
Gradually, the hazy surroundings sharpened, and the world around him became clear.
Lucien's pupils constricted as he took in the scene before him.
"This… is it."