Light Up the Royal Mansion

Lu Yin bid farewell to Shi Wuzhang and, with Xu San and Bronson, returned to True Universe Star. Everyone has their own destiny, and he couldn't, nor did he have the power to, interfere. Whether they would meet again in the future depended on them.

The three of them traveled through the night to True Universe Star. Near the imperial palace, Lu Yin finally saw the Zishan Royal Palace. Only then did he understand why the ministers had so vehemently opposed his residence in the palace hall.

The most magnificent building on True Universe Star was the imperial palace, unmatched in height by any other structure. The next tallest was the Zishan Royal Palace.

"Years ago, His Majesty and King Zishan became sworn brothers. After ascending the throne, His Majesty elevated the Zishan Royal Palace, making it the second most iconic structure after the imperial palace. Even after hundreds of years and the disappearance of the Zishan family, the palace remains, and no one is allowed to enter," Bronson explained.

Lu Yin took a deep breath, "Let's go in."

The capital city was bustling. Even at night, it was as bright as day under countless lights. For many, the nightlife was just beginning.

In the mountains not far from the imperial palace, dozens of aircraft idled, surrounded by cheering crowds.

"Lass, Lass, Lass…" Hundreds of voices shouted, echoing through the mountainside.

Lass was smug, glancing at a nearby man, "Wukai, this is the final round. If you lose, you must bow to me whenever you see me."

Wukai gritted his teeth, "I won't lose. And don't forget your promise."

Lass sneered, "You've never won against me. But if you do, I'll ask my father to plead for General West Kermado. But that won't happen, ha!"

The cheers grew louder.

Elsewhere, in a vast manor, Huo Xiaoling was reluctantly led by a little girl, "Sister, you promised to take Xiaoxiao out to play. You can't break your word."

Huo Xiaoling sighed, "Yes, yes, Xiaoxiao, I won't lie to you. Let go of me first."

The little girl pouted, "No, last time you lied to me. I couldn't catch up with you."

Huo Xiaoling sighed again.

The little girl suddenly smiled slyly, "Sister, Xiaoxiao is helping you."

"Helping me?" Huo Xiaoling was puzzled.

The little girl giggled, "The idiots from Flame Star keep pestering Father to marry you off. Let's sneak away while we can."

Huo Xiaoling rolled her eyes, "Don't even think about it, you little rascal. I know what you're up to."

"Dummy," the little girl huffed.

Meanwhile, in a noisy bar, a scantily clad woman in black boots danced wildly, chugging alcohol and shouting.

Outside the bar, a young man walked in, sat dejectedly at the bar, "A strong drink, please."

Soon, a glass of emerald-green liquor appeared.

He took a large gulp, coughing violently.

His embarrassment drew laughter, especially from the scantily clad woman, who pointed and laughed.

The man was furious, "Shut up, you lowlifes."

Instantly, the bar fell silent. Everyone stared at him, not in anger, but with sympathy and a hint of admiration.

The man felt something was off but ignored it. He was Ian, the strongest at the Imperial Military Academy, far superior to these nightlife regulars.

The scantily clad woman walked over, eyes narrowed seductively, "Little brother, were you talking about me?"

Ian frowned, tempted by her scent but repulsed by her lifestyle, "Get lost."

She laughed, and the entire bar erupted in laughter.

Ian was confused. What was going on?

"Miss Daina, someone insulted you. In the capital, no less. Let's celebrate this rare event. Cheers to the word 'lowlife,'" someone laughed.

"Cheers," everyone shouted.

The bar's excitement soared.

Ian was even more bewildered. Were they insane?

Daina was also delighted, pounding the bar, "Interesting. No one has dared insult me for years. Interesting. Today's drinks are on me."

"Thank you, Miss Daina," everyone cheered.

Ian was furious, "Enough," and suddenly, a suffocating force descended. The bar counter cracked, and Ian's personal terminal shattered. He couldn't breathe.

He stared at Daina in disbelief. This pressure came from her.

No one else reacted; only Ian felt the pressure. He couldn't fathom its level—Fusion Realm? Extreme Realm? Or even—Star Walker?

Daina leaned close, "Little brother, do you know who I am?"

Blood trickled from Ian's mouth. He realized he had provoked someone formidable, "No, I don't."

Daina smirked, licking her lips seductively, "I'm the daughter of Jiqin, the leader of the Sword Armor Mercenary Group."

Ian's confusion turned to horror. The Sword Armor Mercenary Group was infamous, known even to the high ranks of the Daoyu Empire. Their vice-captain was Samu, the captain of the Eighth Squad of the Imperial Court's Thirteenth Squad.

Ian felt his world collapse. He had insulted the daughter of the Sword Armor Mercenary Group's leader. He was in deep trouble.

Nighttime sees many events, many of which can only occur under its cover. True Universe Star's nightlife is rich, with nobles, strongmen, thrill-seekers, and fugitives all emerging, adding to the capital's brilliance. Yet amidst this splendor, one dark spot persisted—the shadow of the Zishan Royal Palace.

The palace covered a vast area, second only to the imperial palace in height. Its shadow always cast a dark spot, unchanged for centuries. But now, in this moment, that darkness lit up.

Lu Yin stepped into the Zishan Royal Palace, illuminating it like daytime. Not only did it brighten the palace, but it also lit up the only dark spot in the capital.

Everyone looked up at the Zishan Royal Palace, the centuries-old dark spot now illuminated.

In the mountains, the aircraft race began. As the Zishan Royal Palace lit up, everyone looked up, except Wukai Maldor, focused solely on winning the race. For him, not even the imperial palace burning down could distract him.

Lass cursed, distracted by the palace. By the time he reacted, Wukai Maldor had disappeared. He had lost.

At the Huo family manor, Huo Xiaoling, about to take her sister out, saw the palace light up. She was surprised, recalling the man who had once held a dagger to her throat—Lu Yin.

The bar, under the palace's shadow, felt the light. Everyone stepped out, shocked at the towering structure.

"Isn't that the Zishan Royal Palace? It's lit up. Could it be the return of the Zishan family?"

"I heard a young man appeared, named King Zishan by His Majesty."

Ian stared blankly, recalling Lu Yin—the man who had robbed him, humiliated him at the academy, earning him the title of the weakest strongest. That despicable King Zishan.

If not for him, he wouldn't have been so miserable, wouldn't have come to the bar to drown his sorrows, and wouldn't have offended the Sword Armor Mercenary Group. That despicable bastard.

"Little brother, how should we settle the score for insulting me?" Daina ignored the palace, her interest fixed on Ian.

Ian hung his head in silence.

Daina sneered, "From today, you join the Sword Armor Mercenary Group, serving me—cooking and cleaning to atone."

Ian wanted to refuse, but under Daina's threat, he had no choice but to agree. He couldn't return to the academy anyway, where only mockery awaited.

In the imperial palace, the Undying Yushan gazed at the distant Zishan Royal Palace, nostalgic, "Old brother, if you were still alive, I'd go with you to explore the Inner Universe, leading our Daoyu Empire there."

The reopening of the Zishan Royal Palace brought joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and anger. But these had nothing to do with Lu Yin for now. His attention was on his personal terminal, where a stranger was contacting him.