Vahn wasted no time integrating the knowledge gained from his first subordinate. He absorbed every piece of information Ezekiel could provide about their current location on the Southern Continent.

​The territory they had landed in was called Oslan. It was a secluded region, far removed from advanced cultivation civilizations. This was a crucial advantage for Vahn.

​The majority of the people in Oslan still lived in primitive ways, both in terms of cultivation techniques and cultural development. This meant they posed little threat to Vahn and were ripe for conquest or assimilation.

Crucially, Oslan was not under any ruler's control or bound by any large faction's sovereignty. This absence of a governing power was perfect for Vahn.

​He could start the foundation of his Immortal Dynasty right here, without immediately drawing the attention of continental powers.

​

​However, Ezekiel issued a clear warning: they needed to be cautious of the local dangers.

​Though low-tier, the surrounding local Clans could pose a minor organized threat if Vahn's presence was discovered too soon.

​Barbarians: The untamed Barbarians running amok in the forests were wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous due to their brute strength and knowledge of the harsh environment.

​Vahn's immediate priority was to establish a secure, hidden fortress to begin utilizing the vast resources of the Divine Treasury.

​Vahn turned to Ezekiel, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Ezekiel, the core of our Dynasty needs to be hidden, defensible, and near a major source of spiritual energy. Where is the most geographically defensible, spiritually rich, and least-used location in Oslan?"

Ezekiel carefully thought about Vahn's demand—hidden, defensible, and spiritually rich. His eyes lit up as he recalled a legendary, untouched locale.

​"Your Majesty, there is indeed a land called the Misty Valley. It's entirely surrounded by three high, impenetrable valleys and jagged hills. These geographical features form a perfect natural defense, and the convergence of the valleys channels the continent's spiritual energy, making the soil incredibly fertile and the spiritual environment rich. It's feared by the locals due to ancient rumors, so it's entirely unpopulated."

​Vahn's calm eyes judged Ezekiel's nature to be genuine.

He decided to trust Ezekiel words in the end.

"Then Misty Valley it is. We set off immediately."

​Lilith and Seraphina had no objection. They were starting small, but even a cub could grow into a full-grown Dragon. They had complete confidence in Vahn and their shared, necessary vision.

They both wished to build a home that would entirely belong to them, a place where they could be safe from the Holy Lands.

Vahn would give his subjects power and resources from the Divine Treasury in exchange for their absolute loyalty.

​As they prepared to move, Eterna suddenly piped up, her phoenix eyes wide and hopeful.

​"Papa, am I going to be a Princess?" she asked cutely.

​Vahn threw back his head and laughed. "Yes, Eterna! You are the first and most important Princess of the Necrotic Dynasty."

​

Seraphina smiled warmly, her hand brushing Vahn's arm. This simple scene of familial affection, however, finally broke Lilith's carefully maintained composure.

​She looked sharply from Vahn to Seraphina, then to the child, who looked so much like a miniature Seraphina but with a strange, fiery golden aura.

​"Vahn, shouldn't you now provide me some explanations?" Lilith said, pointing directly at the little girl in Seraphina's arm.

"Who is this child? And why is she calling you 'Papa'?"

From Lilith's tone, Vahn knew the truth could no longer be avoided.

"Well, It's like this..."

As they made their way to the new base, he explained everything.

He revealed how he and Seraphina had consummated their marriage under the Sky Dragon's blessing to fulfill the pact. And by a twist of fate, the Rite of Dual Cultivation did more than just revive the Phoenix. The combination ritual and Dual Cultivation haf manifested the Phoenix's essence as a new life.

"That's how Eterna became our daughter, by blood, immediately after our union," Vahn said.

​He kept the Dragon Pearl secure as he spoke, but his tone was completely serious.

​

Lilith made no exaggerated reactions, even though every word sounded utterly ridiculous. But she couldn't dismiss the profound, ancient energy radiating from the two-year-old child.

​"Seraphina, you must be so happy aren't you?" Lilith asked flatly while looking at Seraphina's undeniably beaming face.

​Was it jealousy?

With Lilith's expressionless face, Seraphina couldn't tell.

In reply, she just offered a gentle, radiant smile—and that was her answer.

And Lilith realized that while Seraphina might have been the weakest of the Saintesses, she had experienced a depth of profound happiness that no one else had.

​

​Realizing the depth of Vahn and Seraphina's bond, Lilith secretly clenched her fists. She felt the emptiness in her heart clearly.

Looking at Eterna's cute, innocent face, a powerful, protective maternal urge resurfaced. But with her decades-long habit of stoic repression, she couldn't say it aloud.

​She just fixed her gaze on Vahn's back, trying desperately to relay her unspoken message, her longing, with her stares alone.

She needed his touch, his acceptance, and that unique happiness.

​But Vahn, focused entirely on navigating the terrain and securing their future, failed to notice her small hints, leaving Lilith with a resurfacing inferiority complex.

​'My Spider Demon Curse must have repulsed him. How can I hope to feel his touch with this hideous curse still lingering on me?'

She touched her face bitterly.

'Will I always have to use these masks? Why must this fate be so cruel?'

Just then, as if sensing her inner turmoil, Vahn turned back.

"Instructor, if you also want to get married again, I wouldn't mind. I will also be happy to give you a baby if you want." Vahn said in a joking tone.

Still, it made Lilith very happy inside. Her unspoken message was heard by him, and for now that was all that mattered.

But her verbal reply was:

"Humph, you have yet to become a king, and you're dreaming of a harem already? The path of a King is not to be taken lightly, Vahn. There's only blood and wars. You'll have to be serious."

Vahn nodded, becoming serious. "I understand that, Lilith. But with you three by my side, I think I can endure all storms."

"Papa, what is a harem?" Eterna suddenly asked with childish curiosity.

Vahn only smiled awkwardly in response.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.