Hee... ehh... horses neighing filled the air.

Several strong-looking men stood in formation, their heavy armor gleaming with a dark metallic luster.

Each carried an intimidating aura, the kind that would make even the proudest warrior in Solara feel small.

The armor they wore bore a crest, a sun with a sword piercing through it.

At the forefront stood a woman, tall, beautiful, and well-proportioned, her armor made entirely of gold.

The sunlight reflected off her like she was born to command it.

Her golden breastplate bore the same insignia, but the sword on hers cut across the sun diagonally, like a rebellion against conformity.

Behind them, the horses stamped their hooves and whinnied, their breath misting in the forest air.

The group's attention was fixed on a massive crater that looked wildly out of place in the serene woods.

Smoke rose faintly from its edges.

At the center of that crater lay a man, or what was left of him.

Half of his body was charred black, as if he'd been roasted alive.

Bone glinted where flesh had been burned away, yet his chest still rose and fell ever so slightly.

"Take him and treat him," the golden-armored woman ordered calmly.

"Princess, I advise against it," one of the knights said immediately.

"We don't know what that thing is, or who he angered to end up like this."

"I agree with Kamal on this, Your Highness," another knight added. "You're already going against your brothers for the throne.

This could be easily be one of their ploy to take you out of the running."

He crossed his arms and frowned. "Besides, no being below the Foundation Establishment Realm could've survived an explosion like this. For a mere human who hasn't even stepped into the Dao? It's extremely fishy."

The princess didn't answer right away.

She stood in silence, her gaze fixed on the half-dead man lying in the crater.

Aron's chest rose and fell at a sluggish rhythm, the only proof he was still alive.

After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice steady.

"Kahir, I appreciate your advice." Her eyes never left Aron's mangled form. "But tell me, do you really think I can take the throne from my brothers with an army that isn't even up to a hundred?"

"Princess…" Kahir began, his tone hesitant.

"Let's be realistic, Kahir." Her eyes finally shifted to him and Kamal.

"i know you don't actually believe I can win the throne. The only reason you're still following me is because of my mother."

Both men lowered their heads in silence, their expressions tense.

Seeing their reaction, the princess just shook her head and turned back toward the crater.

Her gaze softened slightly as she looked at Aron.

"Humans may be mediocre in cultivation talent," she said quietly, "but they're unmatched in adaptability and body refinement.

Which only requires resources, something I have plenty of. In a hundred years, I believe I can raise him to the Blood Qi Realm."

Her lips curved slightly. "Anyone who can survive such an attack is far from ordinary.

He could become a valuable asset to my cause.

As for risk…" She smiled faintly. "I've lived with it since the day I was born. Adding another won't change anything."

---

Six Months Later

"Uhhhhh…"

Aron groaned, blinking as he slowly regained consciousness.

His eyes opened to a brown wooden ceiling.

For several seconds, he just stared, his mind foggy and unfocused.

Then, as his memories scrambled to catch up, his expression sharpened.

He suddenly sat up, only for a splitting headache and wave of dizziness to slam into him.

The world spun, and he almost collapsed right back onto the bed.

At that moment, the door burst open, and two women rushed into the room.

"###&&#&#&&&###!" one exclaimed in a strange language Aron didn't recognize.

The other nodded quickly and ran back out.

The woman who remained turned to him and spoke again. "###&&#&#&&&###," she said, staring at him expectantly.

Aron blinked.

Her words made no sense to him. She looked like a maid straight out of a medieval play, apron, dress, the whole deal.

"Where… am I?" he asked, voice hoarse. It was the only thing that came to mind.

The woman frowned. "###&&#&#&&&###," she said again, this time pointing firmly at the bed.

Aron followed the direction of her finger, then looked back at her blankly.

(Is she crazy?)

He stared for a moment longer before sighing and deciding he'd had enough weirdness for one day.

He took a shaky step toward the door, legs heavy as if weighed down by a mountain.

His steps were shaky and heavy, like he was carrying a mountain on his back.

"###&&#&#&&&###!" the maid said sharply, her tone clearly scolding him.

Aron ignored her and kept moving.

But just as he passed by her, the woman grabbed his shoulder.

[Claimable Ability Detected... Talent Socket (Special Mode) Activated.

More than one ability detected in host.

Do you wish to remove Rebate?]

Aron didn't even bother to read the notification.

His expression darkened the moment her hand touched him, though he restrained himself.

Whoever had saved him didn't deserve to lose an arm.

Still, his thoughts turned cold.

My goal isn't complete. I need to return…

The maid spoke again, but it was still gibberish to his ears.

Aron tried to push her hand away carefully, not wanting to hurt her with his newfound strength.

To his surprise, her arm didn't even move an inch.

He frowned. No energy signature… not awakened?

He increased his strength bit by bit, then more, until he was using all of it.

Yet the result stayed the same. Her arm didn't budge.

(What is...)

Before he could finish his thought, the maid suddenly released his shoulder.

Her hands moved in a series of intricate motions, faster than his eyes could follow.

The next instant, Aron's entire body went limp. He collapsed, his limbs refusing to obey him.

"###&&#&#&&&###," she said softly, her tone calmer this time.

The maid easily lifted him and laid him back onto the bed.

Then, she placed one hand on his forehead.

Aron's mind buzzed in confusion, but before panic could set in, a cool sensation spread through his body.

(Just what kind of place… did I end up in?)

...

..

.

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