The decrepit palace stood tall despite the passage of time. On either side of its entrance were two statues, untouched by ruin.
The left statue depicted a god holding a spear and shield, roaring into the heavens. The right statue was shrouded in starlight, its figure vague and mysterious.
A Step Forward
Lucien led his troops forward, ascending the palace's grand staircase.
At the main entrance, two creatures emerged—monsters wielding swords and shields, draped in tattered black robes.
Their faces bore the features of the Nightstar Clan, but they had long since lost their humanity, consumed by the void.
Upon sensing the presence of the living, the creatures turned and charged toward Lucien's party.
An Icy End
"Just two of them?" Lin Daiyu sighed, her tone tinged with disdain. "How disappointing."
"Let me handle this, Young Master," Qin Keqing said with a smile.
She exhaled softly, and a wave of blue frost spread outward, freezing everything in its path.
The staircase, the palace doors, and the two creatures were encased in ice within moments.
With a wave of her hand, the ice shattered, and the monsters crumbled alongside it, their lifeless remains scattered in the wind.
Unlucky or Fortunate?
Lucien couldn't help but reflect on his circumstances.
He had avoided the extremes of luck—no divine treasures or artifacts had fallen into his lap, but neither had he been thrust into a battle with a primordial evil.
He recalled a tragic tale from the World Forum about a lord who had arrived near the corpse of a fallen elder god.
The lord, tempted by the promise of forbidden knowledge and treasure, ventured into the corpse's vicinity. While he did gain some cursed artifacts, his greed doomed him.
The corruption spread throughout his territory, transforming it into a nightmarish wasteland upon his return to Earth.
In an unprecedented disaster, his domain collided with a major city, causing chaos and destruction.
Such tales served as a grim reminder of the dangers lords faced.
Lucien sighed, shaking off the thought.
"Let's head inside," he commanded, waving his hand.
The Palace Interior
The group entered the palace, swiftly eliminating the scattered monsters within.
The enemies were largely Elite Guards and Mounted Knights, with only a few notable threats.
Despite their numbers and moderate strength, they were no match for the Celestial Qin Soldiers, who dispatched them with ease.
Within minutes, the entire palace was cleared—save for the central hall.
Lucien approached the hall's entrance, activating the Lord's Heart to glean information.
[Mystic Monster Nest]
Description: The hall harbors a nest of monsters suppressed by the light of civilization. Clear the nest to claim substantial rewards.
Lucien narrowed his eyes, surveying the hall. It was approximately 400 square meters—not particularly large.
"A monster nest in such a small space?" Lucien mused. "Unless… it's a dimensional space."
Preparing for Battle
With a wave of his hand, Lucien issued orders.
The Celestial Qin Soldiers set up a defensive formation, while the disciples of the Bright Moon Palace activated their protective seals.
Satisfied, Lucien approached the civilization's light and absorbed it.
The radiant energy surged into his body, and the hall's heavy doors creaked open, revealing its interior.
The Hall of Decay
Inside, a grand throne sat atop a raised platform. Seated upon it was a Nightstar Clan king, crowned and cloaked in regal attire.
Flanking the throne were rows of officials, their noble bearing marred by decay.
Each figure had been transformed into a void creature, their hollow eyes filled with malevolence as they stared at Lucien.
"Intruder!"
The king's voice resonated through the hall, his words inexplicably intelligible.
"Kneel!"
A burly figure beside the king—a former Nightstar Clan champion—snarled. "Those who disrespect the king shall die!"
Lucien raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"I don't kneel," he said coldly, stepping forward.
Suddenly, the world shifted.
Lucien found himself transported to an alternate dimension, the surroundings transforming into a surreal battlefield.
"Just as I thought—a dimensional space," he muttered, unfazed.
The vast hall now bristled with soldiers, the remnants of the Nightstar Clan's army, as seen in the earlier illusion.
The champion bellowed, "Kill the insolent outsider!"
At his command, two heavily armed soldiers stepped forward, their blank expressions hinting at void corruption.
[Elite Guard Captain]
Level: 20
Abilities: ???
A Swift Demise
Before the guards could close the distance, the disciples of the Bright Moon Palace raised their hands.
"Blood Moon Descent!"
Scarlet spheres of light rained from the sky, each one detonating upon impact.
The elite guards managed to block a few blasts but were quickly overwhelmed, reduced to ash before they could take another step.
"Traitorous invaders!"
"For the king!"
"Slay them!"
The nobles in the hall roared in unison as the champion raised his weapon, summoning the Nightstar Army to his side.
[Nightstar General]
Level: 30
Abilities: ???
Lucien smirked as the enemy forces assembled.
"Come," he said, his tone calm but commanding.
"Advance!"
Crushing the Resistance
The Celestial Qin Soldiers surged forward, their movements synchronized and precise.
Spears tore through enemy lines with devastating force, while the disciples unleashed waves of moonlight, reducing the opposition to dust.
Despite their higher levels, the void-corrupted soldiers were no match for the golden-ranked might of Lucien's forces.
The battlefield quickly tilted in his favor, the enemy forces collapsing like a house of cards under his relentless assault.