Land of the Forgotten

The Crowning of Evelyn and the Rise of the Forgotten Sanctuary

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the entire Luminous Principality was enveloped in a grand and solemn atmosphere—the coronation ceremony of Evelyn was about to commence.

The vast central plaza was already packed with people. Nobles, officials, and countless commoners from across the land had gathered, eager to witness this historic moment.

Colorful banners fluttered in the wind, and fresh flowers adorned every corner of the square. A long, luxurious red carpet stretched from the entrance to the grand coronation platform, where golden decorations radiated an aura of majesty and power.

With poised and graceful steps, Evelyn ascended the platform. As the crowd watched in anticipation, Rowan personally presided over the coronation ceremony. When the crown, the symbol of supreme authority, was placed upon Evelyn's head, an earth-shattering cheer erupted from the crowd, their voices soaring into the heavens.

Standing tall on the platform, Evelyn's face shone with confidence and dignity. She waved to her people, marking the beginning of her reign over the Luminous Principality.

True to expectations, Evelyn swiftly immersed herself in governance. With wisdom and efficiency, she handled state affairs, bringing order and stability to the realm. Meanwhile, efforts to merge the two former principalities pressed forward in full force.

Officials traversed the land, working tirelessly to integrate populations, unify laws, and consolidate resources, striving to fuse the once-divided territories into a single, cohesive nation.

Across the land, academies were being built at an astonishing pace. The blueprints of grand institutions were taking shape in towns and cities, with laborers working tirelessly while teachers were recruited to prepare for the arrival of students. The people eagerly anticipated the opening of these academies, hoping they would cultivate the next generation of talent for the principality.

However, Rowan had an even grander vision. He did not merely wish to establish ordinary academies—he sought to found an institution dedicated to nurturing prodigies.

His dream was to gather the most gifted youths from across the continent, providing them with the finest educational resources and training them with unparalleled methods. His goal was to forge a generation of supreme talents—warriors, scholars, and strategists—who would reshape the world's power structure in the name of the Luminous Principality.

But for now, the timing was not yet right. The faculty, resources, and political environment were still insufficient. The vision required further refinement, patience, and the right opportunity to bring it to life.

The Birth of a Child and an Unexpected Reward

As time flowed by like a rushing river, Alice's due date finally arrived.

Standing anxiously outside the chamber, Rowan paced back and forth.

Then, at last, the crisp, melodic cry of a newborn echoed through the halls—the most beautiful sound Rowan had ever heard. His heart surged with joy.

At that very moment, a long-silent mechanical voice chimed in his mind.

Ding!

"Congratulations! Alice has given birth to a daughter with exceptional potential. As a reward, you have received the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Technique. This technique allows the host to transfer Faith Energy when cultivating with a system-recommended partner, significantly accelerating power growth."

Rowan frowned. "That's it? Just one reward?"

"Alice just gave birth to a top-tier talent, yet this is all I get? Don't you think this is a bit stingy?" he grumbled inwardly.

The system responded coldly. "You should be grateful. This is already a generous reward. Greed leads to ruin—master this technique before you start demanding more."

Rowan scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Wow. You make it sound like you're doing me a favor. You could definitely give me more, but instead, you act like you're doing me a kindness. How stingy."

The People's Devotion

Since Evelyn's coronation, Rowan had noticed a steady surge in his divine faith energy. His name was now legendary throughout the Luminous Principality.

After all, he had led the unification of two warring nations, crushed the Radiant Theocracy, and shaped a new empire in the process.

The people revered and adored him. To them, he was no less than a god walking among mortals.

This growing devotion fueled the power within him. The collective faith of the masses was converging upon him like countless rivers flowing into the ocean, empowering him beyond measure.

And it was this boundless faith energy that would soon allow him to tap into an even greater mystery—the emergence of the Forgotten Realm.

The Awakening of the Forgotten Realm

Time flowed like a river, and before anyone realized it, the prophesied moment had arrived. The Forgotten Realm was about to be revealed to the world.

Not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself, Rowan carefully disguised his appearance. Clad in simple, coarse linen robes, his once-pristine hair was now artfully unkempt, and a humble, unassuming smile graced his lips. No one could have guessed that the unremarkable traveler was, in fact, the fabled conqueror of the Luminous Principality.

Once he had completed his preparations, he set off towards the Forgotten Realm.

Suddenly, a thunderous boom shattered the silence of the mountains.

His head snapped toward the source of the sound. There, at the very heart of the range, a colossal palace was materializing before his eyes—its enormous form pushing through the ground as if awakening from an eternal slumber.

The palace loomed high, its grandeur beyond words. Ancient, cryptic runes and intricate patterns adorned the massive stone walls, glowing faintly as sunlight struck their surfaces. A palpable aura of mystery and power radiated from within.

Rowan's eyes flickered with excitement. So this is the Forgotten Realm? A palace, hidden away for centuries? No wonder I couldn't find it before!

But he wasn't the only one drawn to the scene. The mountains echoed with the hurried footsteps of countless others—adventurers, mercenaries, and power-hungry warriors—each of them rushing toward the palace, their eyes filled with hunger and ambition.

Before anyone could approach, a band of warriors stepped forward to block the way. Towering figures clad in beast hides and adorned with savage war paint stood guard, their weapons glinting under the sun's glare.

One of them, a burly warrior with a scarred face, took a step forward and bellowed:

"Halt! This land belongs to the Wildborn Tribe. Our ancestors have protected the Forgotten Realm for generations. It is not for outsiders to plunder. Turn back now, while you still can!"

A noble in the crowd sneered, his black robes flowing as he stepped forward.

"Your words are meaningless. This palace is unclaimed, and fate will decide who takes its treasures. In this world, the strong thrive, and the weak perish."

The scarred warrior's expression twisted in rage. His muscles tensed as he gripped his axe.

"You dare challenge the warriors of the Wildborn? This is our ancestral land! We have tolerated your presence long enough, yet now you dare to covet what is ours? You leave us no choice!"

The tension in the air was palpable. Warriors on both sides tightened their grips on their weapons, their eyes burning with hostility. A bloody battle was inevitable.

Rowan, still in disguise, exhaled and steadied himself. It's finally happening...

Without wasting another second, he surged forward, disappearing into the fray.

The Forgotten Realm had emerged.And Rowan was ready.

— To Be Continued...