Darkness.
Silence.
Lucien stood amidst the oppressive gloom, a chill spreading through his body, leaving him uneasy.
Raising his head, he saw the blood moon hanging high in the pitch-black sky, its eerie crimson glow filling the air with dread.
[Region: Lunar City]
Welcome to the Wasteland.
"The blood moon hangs ominously overhead," Lucien muttered, his expression serious. "A harbinger of ill fortune."
He had read countless stories where the appearance of a blood moon often signaled terrible events—eldritch invasions, apocalyptic disasters, or catastrophic death.
System Stability
"Formation is stable! No irregularities detected."
"[Divine River Visualization] is operating smoothly."
Lucien let out a breath of relief. "It seems there's no immediate danger. Let's explore this new world."
"Yes, Young Master!" his heroes answered in unison.
Checking his watch, Lucien noted the time: 7:40 a.m.
Yet the surrounding mountains and wilderness remained shrouded in an impenetrable darkness.
The blood moon's ghastly light illuminated nothing, instead casting an aura of dread over everything.
"I hope my luck holds out," Lucien murmured, his tone tinged with unease.
Unlike the Beginner's Trial, descending into the Endless Void was not bound by time limits. However, the Void was far from a vacation spot.
The Curse of "Doom"
The origin of this phenomenon was unclear, but it was widely believed to be a unique law of the Void.
The Void rejected life. Anyone lingering too long would inevitably face Doom, a creeping force that escalated daily.
This "Doom" compelled lords to either:
Flee the Void.
Or succumb, becoming one with the Void.
Thus, lords had to move swiftly:
Explore unknown maps to gather resources.
Hunt Void monsters while avoiding total annihilation.
You either fought with all your strength or made a quick exit.
"The environment is too dark, Young Master," Qin Keqing remarked, gripping her Wind and Moon Mirror as her brows knitted.
Lucien nodded. "Split into teams: 150 Great Qin Warriors and 150 Bright Moon Palace cultivators. Form 30 teams with five from each group per team."
"Yes!"
His heroes relayed the orders swiftly.
The troops, already armed and prepared, organized themselves into squads with resolute expressions.
Lucien raised his hand, and the teams dispersed into the shadows.
"Stay out of unnecessary fights. Focus on mapping and avoid reckless behavior!"
In the darkness, the Bright Moon Palace cultivators unsealed their Moonlight Talismans, releasing radiant silver light that pierced the oppressive shadows, igniting a glimmer of hope in the blood-drenched darkness.
Lucien remained seated on a stone wall, his gaze steady.
As a lord, he knew better than to act rashly. A lord's death meant the end of everything: the territory, heroes, and units would be consumed by the Void, leaving behind only monsters.
Lin Daiyu seemed to sense Lucien's thoughts. She gently massaged his shoulders and smiled. "Don't worry, Young Master. Trust in them. Even those decked in golden equipment wouldn't dare defy the military's discipline."
"I get what you mean," Lucien said with a nod. "But I need proper scouts. The Great Qin Warriors excel in combat, and the Bright Moon cultivators are versatile, but neither are suited for reconnaissance."
"Patience," Qin Keqing said with a soft smile, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.
Soon, the first team returned, reporting a forest of withered trees cloaked in the eerie glow of the blood moon.
The forest was teeming with creatures lurking in the shadows.
Then the second team returned, followed by the third.
Lucien had set a strict time limit for exploration. Each team reported their findings and contributed to a rough map of the area.
The emerging map painted a grim picture:
Desolation.
Death.
Monsters prowling the shadows, their bodies healing even as they crawled and clawed.
Great Qin Warriors had killed several of these creatures, retrieving treasure chests from their remains, which they presented to Lucien.
The surroundings featured rugged mountains, forests, gorges, and a dried riverbed.
By the river's edge lay a sprawling city shrouded in deathly silence.
"A city? Signs of civilization mean potential gains!" Lucien's eyes lit up. "I must have some luck today. To find something like this near the landing point is fortunate."
"Let's explore it right away!" Lin Daiyu suggested eagerly.
"I'll go too, but we must be cautious," Lucien replied.
"Young Master, let us lead the way," Jia Yingchun offered timidly, her concern for him evident in her voice.
Lucien smiled and gently ruffled her hair. "That wouldn't be ideal. Only I can uncover special treasures here."
Lords ventured into the Void not to unravel its secrets but to claim its rewards.
The Heart of the Lord granted lords the ability to detect and secure rare items, something their subordinates couldn't achieve.
"Alright, Young Master," Jia Yingchun said with a hint of disappointment. She understood her role was limited—her passive buffs were crucial, but her inability to attack left her unsuitable for combat.
Lucien, noticing her downcast expression, pinched her nose playfully. "Next time, I'll take you to the Universal Forum for a proper outing."
"Really?" Jia Yingchun's eyes sparkled, her gloom vanishing instantly. "I'll hold you to that, Young Master!"
"Of course."
Lucien planted a light kiss on her forehead, making her blush before she turned and hurried away.
Laughing softly, Lucien led his expedition: two heroes, 100 Great Qin Warriors, and 100 Bright Moon cultivators.
As they marched toward the city, the Bright Moon cultivators activated their talismans, weaving a river of moonlight that illuminated their path and broke the oppressive darkness.
The journey was uneventful; no monsters emerged to attack.
They arrived at the city's gates, only to find it steeped in a deathly silence.
Lucien furrowed his brow, his senses heightened by Lin Daiyu's Heroic Power.
Before him lay a desolate, lifeless city, devoid of even the faintest signs of movement.
"This place…" he muttered, his unease growing.