​"My Queens, you have done well. Now, the real work begins. We will not wait for the Barbarian Union to threaten us, nor will we tolerate a resource shortage."

​Vahn announced a Great Expedition to enrich their resources by opening new trade routes with nearby Kingdoms and Tribes. This was a strategic move to secure external resources and establish the Dynasty's economic power.

​In this way, his accumulated stock of inferior Sky Grade and Saint Grade weapons—which were quickly being replaced by the Dynasty's growing output—could be sold or bartered for essential raw materials like spiritual herbs and high-quality beast cores.

​He also parted weapon crafting knowledge to the newly integrated Frost Giants and Barbarians to allow them to produce more standardized weapons and artifacts, shifting them from simple resource consumers to essential, prosperous contributors to the nation.

​He then issued critical resource orders:

​He ordered a systematic search for new Metal Ores and rich Mana Ores within the Frost Giant territory to meet the demand for their planned exports.

​Ascalon and Golka were assigned to lead the initial exploration teams personally, ensuring loyalty and efficiency in the newly conquered lands.

​Meanwhile, Seraphina visited Vahn in his private workshop, where he was already drafting blueprints for resource processing centers. Her face was etched with worry.

​"Vahn," Seraphina began softly, "Zephya, my little disciple, has been sending me messages through our spiritual link, pleading for me to return. She says she cannot to live without me."

​Zephya was Seraphina's apprentice from her time as the Saintess of Light in the Central Continent of Dalu—now effectively enemy territory.

​"She seeks counsel on what she should do when she is on enemy territory," Seraphina finished, her anxiety clear.

​Vahn paused his work, his expression turning serious. He knew the complex political web of the Central Continent.

​"This could be a trap, wifey." Vahn stated simply

. "The moment you left, the White Lotus Sanctuary would have sought to exploit any connection you still hold. They would know that preying on your relationship with your disciple is the surest way to lure you back."

​He told Seraphina to stay here, emphasizing her crucial role as a stabilizing presence and second-in-command of the Dynasty.

​"That said I know how much you love Zephya. So I will go instead.," Vahn decided. "And Lilith will accompany me. If this is truly a trap, I need power and subtlety. Your Holy Light is too recognizable. Lilith's mastery of shadows and my new capabilities will give us the necessary means to escape unharmed."

​With that intention, Lilith and Vahn set off toward the Central Continent of Dalu, leaving the Necrotic Dynasty in the capable hands of Seraphina and Ezekiel.

​Vahn and Lilith are now traveling toward the heavily guarded Central Continent of Dalu to investigate Zephya's distress signal and the possibility of an enemy trap.

Under Lilith's stunned eyes, Vahn opened a Temporal Void Gate following the spiritual coordinates Seraphina had received to meet with Zephya secretly. This was the first practical use of the powerful new ability Vahn had gained from his recent temporal journey and bonding with Celestine. The ability allowed them to bypass the extensive defenses and watchful eyes of the Central Continent's borders entirely.

​Within just a few seconds, they bypassed hundreds of thousands miles and the heavily fortified frontier, arriving at a Big City in the Central Continent, where it was currently night. The temporal jump deposited them in a dark, secluded alleyway behind a sprawling, ancient temple.

​Lilith, recovering quickly from the shock of temporal travel, immediately activated her Shadow Arts.

​Lilith's plan for entry was swift and based on her expertise in covert operations:

​Lilith immediately shrouded herself and Vahn in deep, form-altering shadows. She used her affinity to give them the appearance of ordinary, unassuming travelers or low-level rogue cultivators passing through. Vahn's domineering aura was completely suppressed by her art, making him appear physically weak and unremarkable. Lilith herself appeared as his quiet, veiled companion.

​They would avoid large thoroughfares and use the Shadow Paths and rooftops (a technique Lilith mastered) to move swiftly and silently through the city, heading directly toward the coordinates Seraphina provided for the rendezvous with Zephya.

​Vahn's primary role would be a powerful, silent guardian and the wielder of the Temporal Void Gate for an immediate emergency exit. Lilith would handle all subtle reconnaissance and interaction.

We will have to move quickly, Husband," Lilith whispered in a low voice. "The Central Continent is saturated with Light and Order energy. Your presence, even masked, will draw attention if we linger too much. I will go in, confirm if it's a trap or not, and then we get out."

​"Alright, I will stand here and keep watch, Lilith. Go find out if the girl is there or not."

"Alright. Stay alert."

​Lilith moved with silent efficiency toward the coordinates. She went to the designated spot, an abandoned and crumbling structure, and indeed saw a little girl with silver hair waiting.

Lilith's voice broke the silence. "Are you Zephya?"

The girl blinked, taking in Lilith's veiled appearance. "Y-yes, I am Zephya," she replied hesitantly. "Who...who are you?"

"I am someone who was sent to find you," Lilith said softly, though her eyes scanned the surroundings, never fully trusting her environment. "Do you recognize me?"

Zephya's eyes narrowed as she tilted her head. "No, I've never seen you before... but you seem familiar. Are you... a friend of my master?"

Lilith remained still, watching Zephya intently. "You were told no one would follow you, correct?"

The girl nodded, looking over her shoulder nervously. "Yes. I-I came alone. There's no one... I swear." Her voice trembled slightly. "Please, I need to go to my master. I miss her."

"I don't detect anyone nearby... no cultivators," she muttered under her breath, though her suspicion remained. "But I will still need to be sure."

​Lilith was still suspicious. She meticulously scanned the whole City using her untraceable Spirit Sense, but still, she found no powerful cultivators lurking in the vicinity.

​

"Follow me."

Somehow convinced by the lack of direct ambush, she told Zephya to follow her.

​Outside:

The girl blinked in surprise when she saw her master's husband, Vahn. "You... you came? For me?"

She seemed taken aback, as though not expecting this kind of reception.

Vahn nodded, offering a small smile. "Of course. You're Seraphina's favorite disciple, after all. She would never forgive me if I let you wander among our enemies. Plus, I didn't want her coming here herself."

Zephya lowered her heard. "I didn't think I still meant so much to her... I thought she already forgotten me after she chose you," she muttered bitterly.

"You're more than just a disciple to Seraphina." Vahn assured her, his tone firm. "Now, let's get you out of here before things get worse."

Lilith glanced at him sharply, her expression unreadable. "Can we trust her, Husband? She's been alone for too long. It's hard to believe there's no trap."

"I'm trusting my senses. But we still need to be quick."

Lilith nodded, though her hand hovered near the dagger at her side. "Very well. Let's leave."

​After the awkward reunion, Vahn just opened the Temporal Void Gate to leave.

​WHOOM!

​As soon as he did, his senses screamed DANGER. The dimensional tear, though momentary, served as a hope.

​But before Vahn could pull them away through the Gate, a heaven-shaking RUMBLE echoed throughout the City. The ground trembled as immense spiritual power erupted from previously hidden formations.

Zephya gasped, her hands trembling as she fell to her knees. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen!" she cried, looking mortified. "I didn't know!"

Lilith's eyes narrowed to slits, her lips curling into a disgust. "It's a trap. This whole thing was a trap."

Vahn maintained his calm. He was not the same weakling who had to rely on his wives to save him. The past few days of life-and-death struggle against the Void Worm and the Earth military had forged him into a more formidable King. He readied himself for the inevitable confrontation.

​"Hahaha, I didn't think we would be able to catch a big fish so easily."

​With a mocking laughter, several figures quickly floated through the night sky, their forms illuminated by the blinding light energy they wielded. They were old men and women radiating the overwhelming aura of cultivators far beyond the Soul Transformation realm. Vahn instantly recognized them as the Supreme Elders of the White Lotus Sanctuary. They were experts of the Void Shattering Realm.

The terrifying level of power couldn't be imagined.

​But Vahn's sharp eyes saw through their facade. Their bodies were slightly translucent, and their power felt disconnected from the environment. They were in their Projection Form, similiar to clones of their power, not their true bodies.

​So, there were still some chances to escape.

​"Still thinking about fleeing, boy? Kneeel!"

​One of the Supreme Elders barked domineeringly, releasing his full, crushing Void Shattering aura onto Vahn. The pressure was immense, designed to utterly incapacitate his Soul.

​Vahn's knees buckled instantly under the raw force, but he held fast with his sheer, unyielding will. He immediately activated his Black Hole Core, instinctively opening a small, focused aperture to absorb the hostile aura itself.

​The Black Hole Core spun frantically, greedily devouring the foreign energy as if it had been fed the most delicious meal. The immense pressure eased significantly. Vahn felt the raw power, intended to shatter his soul, being neutralized and converted into pure energy for his recovery.

​He regained his composure and stood coldly, meeting the gaze of the Supreme Elders without flinching. The move shocked the group of cranky old men.

​"..." The Supreme Elders remained silent, their projections flickering slightly in disbelief.

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