"Who's up there?"

Wei Geng and his dozen companions immediately raised their heads, shielding the Moon Lord and Yue Feiyan behind them.

On the rooftop sat a man dressed in a flowing white robe, one hand propping his chin, watching them with a faint smile.

Beside him stood a masked woman, and another with her head wrapped in cloth.

The sudden appearance, coupled with their leisurely demeanor, gave them a mysterious and unfathomable aura.

"Luciel? Didn't you already return to the inn?" Yue Feiyan exclaimed in shock.

They had just been thinking about him moments ago—and now he appeared before them. The feeling was surreal.

"I saw it was getting lively over here, so I came to take a look." Luciel spread his hands with a relaxed smile, as if to say I'm just here to watch the fun.

"Moon Lord, are they acquaintances of yours?" Wei Geng asked cautiously.

The man gave him an overwhelming sense of danger—far stronger than facing even a high-tier beast.

"Yes, a friend." The Moon Lord's aqua-blue eyes lit up with joy.

With Luciel here, she and her daughter might finally escape the Moon Lake Tribe.

"You're in quite a mess right now."

Luciel rose and leapt down from the roof. His long robe billowed as he landed gracefully beside the Moon Lord and Yue Feiyan.

"Lord Luciel jests." The Moon Lord's beautiful face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

Not long ago, she had even thought of letting Luciel succeed her as Moon Lord. Now that such turmoil had broken out, she felt she had only disgraced herself.

"Do you want me to help deal with them?" Luciel tilted his head toward the courtyard gate, his tone almost playful. "Just give me a beast spar, and I'll clean this up for you."

He looked a little eager, itching for a fight. Ever since his recent strengthening, he hadn't had the chance to really test his power.

"No…" The Moon Lord shook her head bitterly. "Even if it's handled once, it can't be solved forever."

The hearts of the Moon Lake Tribe were already gone. Most longed to merge with the Thousand Trees Tribe, where water was plentiful.

From tonight's confrontation, it was clear—the Moon Lord had already given up on her tribe. She was utterly disheartened.

"So, what do you plan to do?" Luciel raised a brow.

He wasn't surprised. The woman in front of him wasn't foolish. From the moment Yue Feiyan had stepped out to question everyone, he had been watching from the rooftop.

Even if the Moon Lord managed to endure tonight, the Moon Lake Tribe could never return to what it once was.

A flicker of confusion crossed her aqua-blue eyes.

"I haven't thought that far ahead," she admitted bitterly. "For now… leaving the Moon Lake Tribe is the only option."

Indeed, but what then? Where could they possibly go?

"Would you like to come to Black Tortoise City?" Luciel invited casually.

"To… Black Tortoise City?" The Moon Lord blinked in astonishment.

"Mm. Black Tortoise City needs talents like you." Luciel spoke frankly.

The Moon Lord's expression turned serious. "Is Black Tortoise City far from here?"

"Not far at all," Luciel replied, the corners of his lips curving into a mysterious smile.

"Not far? But I've never heard of such a place nearby." The Moon Lord frowned. "Was it established only recently?"

"Something like that." Luciel forced a light cough and looked away, his smile stiffening.

He couldn't very well admit that Black Tortoise City didn't even exist yet—that he was recruiting people first, then planning to build it.

If he said that, she would probably think he was insane.

"Strange… I should've heard some word about it." The Moon Lord murmured, suspicion clouding her thoughts.

Yue Feiyan stayed silent, standing quietly by her mother's side. She knew some choices could only be made by her.

"It doesn't matter if you don't want to join." Luciel said lightly. "I won't force you. Just pay me with a beast spar, and I'll escort you safely out of the Moon Lake Tribe."

Of course, he didn't mention the rock tortoise.

Because in truth, the rock tortoise was Black Tortoise City—it just hadn't been furnished with homes yet.

"No, I still have another question." The Moon Lord's expression grew solemn.

"Go ahead," Luciel said, curious about what this shrewd woman wanted to ask.

"If Feiyan and I join Black Tortoise City… what would be expected of us?"

What she cared about most was her role.

The Thousand Trees Tribe wanted to treat her and her daughter as breeding tools, forcing them into marriage to pass on their bloodline. It was the thing she despised most.

She had never known love, yet they wanted her to bear children for the Thousand Trees Tribe's leader? Unthinkable.

"That's entirely up to you," Luciel replied without hesitation. "You won't be forced to do anything."

In truth, he hadn't even finished planning the structure of Black Tortoise City. Naturally, he had no specific role in mind for her yet.

But once the city was established, she would find her own place naturally.

"…He really is too shameless." Liyue, standing nearby, let her silver-white eyes curve with amusement. Luciel was practically fooling them into joining a city that didn't even exist yet.

"So much freedom?" The Moon Lord was startled.

He was treating her like any ordinary person—was he really not interested in exploiting her powers?

She was a sixth-tier awakener, a powerhouse of great renown!

"Is freedom such a bad thing?" Luciel chuckled.

"No… it's wonderful." The Moon Lord shook her head slowly, stunned. Wonderful to the point it felt almost unreal.

"Why don't you decide after seeing Black Tortoise City with your own eyes?" Luciel suggested, glancing at Yue Feiyan.

He knew the Moon Lord's concerns. If she were alone, perhaps she would have agreed right away. But with her daughter, she had to be cautious.

"…Very well." The Moon Lord nodded gently. "I'll visit Black Tortoise City first. If it feels right, Feiyan and I will join."

This way, she left herself room. If she agreed now and later found it unsuitable, going back on her word would violate her principles.

"Mother, we're really going to Black Tortoise City?" Yue Feiyan's eyes sparkled with excitement.

She was already dreaming of newspapers, delicious lunches, and the sacred tree that produced star tea.

"Yes," the Moon Lord smiled, her burden seeming lighter at last. "We'll go and see first."

"Lord Moon, please allow your subordinates to follow you." Wei Geng suddenly stepped forward and bowed.

Behind him, more than a dozen hunters knelt as well.

"You… also want to go to Black Tortoise City with us?" The Moon Lord asked in surprise.

"Yes." Wei Geng stroked his beard bitterly.

There was no longer any place for them in either the Moon Lake Tribe or the Thousand Trees Tribe.

"This…" The Moon Lord turned to Luciel. Taking so many along was no longer her decision to make.

"You may all come," Luciel said with a bright smile.

He had already observed Wei Geng's men carefully from the rooftop. They were courageous, loyal, and skilled—a perfect foundation for building his city.

It was an excellent start to have such elites as the first residents of Black Tortoise City.

"Thank you so much, Grodt_7216, for the golden ticket and the ice cola. That was really kind of you—I truly appreciate it!"

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