Chen Fan stepped into the grand hall, guided silently by a waiting maid. As he crossed the threshold, his gaze swept across the elegantly adorned room. At the far end, seated at a long dining table carved from ancient mahogany, were the King and Queen, both already awaiting his arrival with serene expressions.
Across from them sat Celestia. Her head was slightly bowed, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall to shield her face from view. Yet, even from a distance, Chen Fan noticed the crimson hue blooming across her ears. She was avoiding his gaze entirely, and though her movements were composed, they carried a nervous stiffness that made Chen Fan inwardly amused.
He approached the table and offered a respectful bow to the monarchs.
"You may take a seat there," the King said, gesturing toward the empty chair beside Celestia. At the King's words, she flinched almost imperceptibly, her eyes still fixed on the table. Chen Fan gave a slight nod and moved to sit beside her, the tension in the air not lost on him.
Once he was seated, the King addressed him in a tone both composed and sincerely grateful. "Once again, we extend our deepest gratitude for uncovering the demon's scheme and ensuring the damage remained minimal. It could've been far worse, had you not acted with such foresight."
"You've already spoken with Alex regarding your request, and we've approved it," the King continued. "However, in our eyes, your contribution far exceeds what you've asked for. Therefore, I wish to offer you something more—one of the treasured artifacts of our kingdom. What say you?"
Chen Fan studied the King's face carefully, trying to peer beyond the calm veneer for any hidden motives. But the King's expression remained composed and sincere, and the Queen mirrored that same calm poise. After a pause, Chen Fan nodded politely. "Then, I would be honored to accept, Your Majesty."
"Very well. I shall personally escort you to it later," the King said. "But for now, let us enjoy the meal."
At his signal, the maids began to bring out the dishes. Chen Fan immediately sensed that these weren't ordinary meals. Each plate exuded a subtle yet powerful spiritual energy—clearly crafted with cultivators in mind. These were rare delicacies, enhanced by alchemical herbs and spiritual beast ingredients. Just breathing in the aroma made his meridians stir.
The dinner passed in relative silence. Neither the King nor the Queen asked questions or made conversation. Celestia, too, seemed to have regained her composure, eating quietly by his side. Her earlier flustered demeanor had melted into a collected stillness, though she still avoided looking directly at him.
Once the final plate was cleared away, the Queen turned to Chen Fan with a gentle smile. "And? What did you think of the meal?"
Chen Fan returned the smile, placing his hand lightly over his chest in a show of courtesy. "It was truly exceptional, Your Highness. Quite possibly the finest meal I've ever had the pleasure of tasting."
"I'm sure the chefs will be delighted to hear that," the Queen replied with a gracious nod.
Her tone shifted slightly, adopting the casual warmth of a mother rather than a monarch. "And how have you found your stay here so far? Is there anything you might need or wish to request?"
As she spoke, her eyes flicked briefly to her daughter. She hadn't missed the reddened cheeks Celestia had sported upon entering the hall, nor the way she continued to avoid eye contact with Chen Fan. It was only their third day together—far too soon, by any conventional measure. And yet, there was something different in her daughter's demeanor.
The Queen found herself both surprised and somewhat pleased. For years, Celestia had been consumed entirely by her duties, her world revolving around work and responsibility. Seeing her daughter caught off guard like this—perhaps even flustered in a way she hadn't seen since childhood—was oddly reassuring.
If Chen Fan could offer her daughter even a moment's reprieve from the burden she carried, the Queen would not object. Tonight's dinner, in truth, was more than a formality. It was a quiet assessment. A chance to see for herself what kind of man had left such an impression on Celestia.
His demeanor had been composed throughout. He was respectful, intelligent, and capable. The Knight Commander had even reported how Chen Fan had disguised himself upon arrival to better survey the situation, a move that showcased his adaptability and sharp mind. The way he had handled the demon infiltration only solidified the Queen's impression—Chen Fan was a man of rare competence. And in times like these, someone like him was not just an asset, but a necessity.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness," Chen Fan replied, breaking her train of thought. "But I'm already more than satisfied with how I've been treated."
The Queen offered a warm, approving smile. "Very well, but don't hesitate to tell us if anything comes to mind."
"I will do so, Your Highness," Chen Fan replied with a courteous nod and a faint smile.
The king leaned back slightly, his gaze calm as he regarded the young man before him. "What are your plans for the future?" he asked. "If you do not wish to fight on the front lines, we will not force you. Should you prefer, you may assist us in devising war strategies during your free time."
Chen Fan nodded respectfully. "Thank you for the opportunity, Your Highness. If I come up with a plan, I will certainly present it. However… I do wish to fight on the front lines. If possible, I would like to operate independently."
The king's eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity. "May I ask why?"
As he spoke, he stole a glance at his daughter, whose face revealed a hint of worry at Chen Fan's words. It bothered him more than he was willing to admit. Until now, Celestia had shown little to no interest in men—focused solely on her duties. Yet in just a few short days, her expression betrayed concern for this outsider.
He turned his attention back to Chen Fan, attempting to gauge the young man once more. The surface politeness Chen Fan displayed throughout the conversation felt practiced, almost deliberate. There were no tells, no cracks in his composure. A mask, perhaps—but a well-crafted one.
Chen Fan met the king's gaze calmly. "I'm curious about this world. I doubt I'll be able to follow orders too rigidly while I'm still exploring its intricacies. For now, I'd like to move freely and learn more."
The king gave a quiet nod. "Very well. I will have Alex prepare a token for you, granting passage in and out of the battlefield. If you wish for a knight to accompany or guard you, feel free to request one from him."
He didn't doubt Chen Fan's capabilities. The young man didn't seem like the reckless type—and that, in itself, was reassuring.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Chen Fan bowed slightly. He appreciated the gesture. It seemed the king was not trying to control him, but to cultivate a respectful, equal relationship.
"Then I won't take more of your time," the king said, motioning for the maids to clear the table. "If there's nothing else, let us visit the treasure vault now. Follow me."
Chen Fan gave another courteous bow to the queen, and then one to Celestia—choosing not to tease her with the king present—and followed after His Majesty.
They walked in silence through the long corridor, the only sounds coming from their quiet footsteps. Only a handful of guards stood watch, their armor faintly gleaming under the enchanted torches.
Eventually, they arrived before a massive sealed door. The king pressed his palm against its surface, injecting mana. A low hum echoed as ancient formations lit up, and the heavy door slowly opened. Chen Fan stepped inside, watching as the entrance sealed behind them with a deep thud.
What unfolded before him was a grand chamber, vast and filled with countless treasures encased in protective glass. Each one shimmered with faint energy, and with his Magic Eye, Chen Fan could see the intricate formations engraved into the displays, guarding the artifacts within.
"You may choose whichever suits you," the king said.
Chen Fan began to explore, carefully examining each weapon and treasure. Even the least remarkable piece here surpassed the finest weapons he had seen in the Jade Spirit Sect. There were weapons of every kind—swords, spears, bows, staves, even mystical artifacts whose purpose he couldn't yet decipher. Easily over a hundred.
The king quietly observed him from behind, curious about what choice Chen Fan would make. Among all the treasures in the vault, five stood out—peerless artifacts that vastly outclassed the rest. The king wondered if Chen Fan would be able to recognize them. And even if he did, the king wouldn't mind. He himself possessed a superior weapon, and such artifacts had lain unused for decades. Better to gift one to someone with promise, and perhaps, earn their loyalty in return.
Chen Fan noted that each treasure was labeled with a nameplate and brief history—former owners, how long it had rested here—but no details about its power. Still, with his Magic Eye, he could see elemental traces within the weapons. A blade radiated red mana, likely tied to fire. Another glowed faintly blue—ice, perhaps. The inscriptions varied in complexity, and five weapons in particular stood out with intricate formations woven into their cores: two swords, a bow, a staff, and a dagger.
"Hmm. That one's quite something," Ao Xue suddenly commented from within, drawing his attention. "It's reached the Heaven Tier."
"Heaven Tier?" Chen Fan blinked. This was the first time he'd heard of such a classification. Most people simply labeled weapons as low-tier, mid-tier, or top-tier.
"There are seven weapon tiers," Ao Xue explained. "Mortal, Spirit, Earth, Heaven, Sacred, Divine, and Primal. Each divided further into low, middle, and high sub-ranks. The one in front of you is likely at Heaven-Middle Tier. For comparison, the strongest weapon in the Jade Spirit Sect was only at Spirit-High Tier."
Chen Fan's eyes gleamed with interest. "That powerful?"
"You could say it's among the finest weapons even in your world," Ao Xue replied. "The ones above it—Sacred, Divine, Primal—are mostly found in the upper realms."
Fueled with renewed curiosity, Chen Fan began examining the five high-tier weapons more closely. But just as he was scanning the last of them, something in the corner of his eye drew his attention.
A black scythe.
It stood silently in the farthest corner of the room. Unlike the others, it had no inscriptions, no radiant glow, no aura of power. In fact, it seemed… lifeless. Forgotten.
Yet for some reason, Chen Fan's gaze lingered on it. Something about that scythe unsettled him, not in fear, but in wonder. Why was it so plain? Why did it seem invisible, even among all these treasures?
And why did it feel like it was watching him back?
"That scythe once belonged to the First King," the king said as he stepped beside Chen Fan. His eyes followed the young man's gaze, which had drifted away from the five prominent weapons to the seemingly unremarkable black scythe resting in the corner.
"Curiously enough, even the First King never discovered its true capabilities," he continued, his voice thoughtful. "There's no record of where he obtained it—only that he kept it close. Its presence in the vault is more a matter of legacy than power. For all our efforts, it has never displayed anything extraordinary."
Chen Fan's brows drew together, his curiosity deepening. There was something about the weapon—something that stirred a subtle, inexplicable pull in him. "May I touch it, Your Highness?"
The king gave a single nod. "Go ahead."
Chen Fan stepped forward and reached out. The moment his fingers brushed the shaft, a strange sensation pulsed through him. He lifted it easily—it felt… weightless. Hollow, almost. Like holding a shadow made solid.
Yet just as he registered that odd emptiness, a voice—foreign, neither Ao Xue's nor the king's—rang out in his mind.
"Empty, you say? How amusing."
Chen Fan's eyes widened.
Ao Xue stirred within him, clearly startled. "This presence… it spoke?"