The King's Palace gates closed behind them with a thunderous BOOM.
Golden formations activated across the courtyard, sealing the area from prying eyes and—more importantly—Heaven's immediate interference.
The atmosphere shifted.
What had been shock and awe slowly turned into something heavier.
Suspicion.
Calculation.
Fear.
Xiao Wang felt it instantly.
He rolled his shoulders casually, hands clasped behind his back like he owned the place.
"Well," he said lightly, glancing around, "this is either where I get rewarded, recruited, or poisoned."
The silver-haired girl stiffened. "P-Poisoned?!"
Yun Xi deadpanned. "Stop saying things like that out loud."
Prince Kael laughed, arms crossed. "Relax. If the King wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing."
Xiao Wang smiled sideways. "Good. I hate standing while dying."
The King turned sharply.
"Enough."
His voice echoed with authority, forcing silence.
He studied Xiao Wang closely—far more intently than before. Not like a ruler judging a subject…
…but like a man staring at a variable that should not exist.
"You survived Heaven's interference," the King said slowly."You led others out.""You repelled a Ninth Hunter."
Each sentence fell like a stone.
"And you awakened something inside the Sanctuary that caused it to collapse."
The courtyard trembled faintly, as if remembering.
Xiao Wang tilted his head. "When you say it like that, I sound very impressive."
Yun Xi muttered, "You are impressive."
The King ignored them both.
"Come," he said at last. "All of you."
He turned toward the inner palace.
"The survivors will be treated. Rested. Rewarded."
A pause.
"And you, Xiao Wang… will speak with me privately."
The silver-haired girl grabbed his sleeve immediately.
"I'm going with him."
The King's gaze flicked to her.
"No."
Before Xiao Wang could speak, his second personality surfaced fully, grin sharp and dangerous.
"Oh, absolutely not," he said cheerfully. "She stays."
The King's aura surged.
Prince Kael stiffened.
Guards tensed.
The air thickened.
Xiao Wang stepped forward, eyes glittering.
"You invited me," he continued calmly."And I come with accessories."
The silver-haired girl flushed.
"I—I'm not an accessory!"
Xiao Wang leaned down, whispering loudly, "Of course you are. You're my emotional support weapon."
Yun Xi snorted despite herself.
The King stared at him for a long moment.
Then—
He laughed.
A short, surprised bark of laughter.
"…Very well," the King said. "Both of you. And Yun Xi."
Yun Xi blinked. "Me too?"
"You were there," the King replied. "You heard Heaven speak."
His gaze sharpened.
"And that makes you dangerous as well."
Inside the King's Inner Hall
The inner hall was vast—pillars carved with ancient runes, a domed ceiling depicting the history of the kingdom, ending abruptly at a blank space.
Xiao Wang noticed that immediately.
"Oh?" he murmured. "Someone erased a chapter."
The King's eyes flickered.
Sharp boy.
They stopped before the throne.
The King did not sit.
Instead, he faced Xiao Wang directly.
"You are no longer a normal cultivator," the King said."And you are no longer under ordinary protection."
Xiao Wang shrugged. "I stopped being ordinary the moment Heaven tried to kill me."
The system flickered faintly.
[SYSTEM NOTICE][External Authority Pressure Detected][Source: Royal Bloodline + Heavenly Contract Residue][Threat Level: Moderate]
The King continued.
"Heaven has rules. So do kingdoms.""You broke both."
The silver-haired girl tensed.
Xiao Wang smiled lazily. "And yet… I'm still alive."
"Yes," the King said quietly."And that is why Heaven will not stop."
The room grew colder.
"The Ninth Hunter retreating means something far worse," the King said."Heaven does not forgive anomalies."
Yun Xi clenched her fists. "Then why let him live at all?"
The King looked at Xiao Wang.
"Because killing him now would provoke Heaven into acting openly."
Xiao Wang blinked.
Then laughed.
"Wow. I'm a political hostage."
Prince Kael leaned against a pillar. "Welcome to the big leagues."
The King stepped closer.
"Xiao Wang, I offer you protection."
The system pulsed.
[SYSTEM PROMPT][Major Decision Detected][Choice will affect future hostility, resources, and Heaven's response]
The King raised a hand.
"You will remain in the palace as a Royal Guest."
The silver-haired girl relaxed slightly.
"…But," the King added, eyes sharpening, "you will also become a Royal Blade."
Silence.
Yun Xi inhaled sharply. "You want to use him."
The King didn't deny it.
"Heaven will test us," he said."And when they do… I want the anomaly they fear standing on my side."
Xiao Wang scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Hm."
His mischievous personality leaned forward internally.
Interesting. Power. Resources. Enemies delivered personally.
His other personality murmured:
Careful. Cages can be gilded.
Xiao Wang looked up and smiled.
A dangerous, charming smile.
"Fine," he said. "But I have conditions."
The King raised a brow. "You bargain boldly."
Xiao Wang raised one finger.
"First. My people are untouchable."
He raised a second.
"Second. I move freely."
A third.
"And third…"
He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming.
"If Heaven comes again… I fight my way."
The hall went silent.
The King studied him.
Then—
"Agreed."
The system chimed.
[SYSTEM UPDATE][Royal Status Acquired: King's Guest / King's Blade (Conditional)][Access Granted: Royal Library, Restricted Zones (Tier 1)][Heaven Threat Level: INCREASING]
Xiao Wang exhaled slowly.
"Well then," he said lightly, turning toward the doors, "where do I sleep? I nearly died twice today."
The silver-haired girl smiled weakly. "You're unbelievable…"
He winked at her.
"You love it."
She did not deny it.
As they exited the hall, Prince Kael walked beside him.
"You know," the prince said quietly, "Heaven won't send another Hunter next."
Xiao Wang glanced sideways. "Let me guess."
Kael smirked.
"They'll send a Judgment."
Xiao Wang laughed softly.
"Good."
His grin sharpened.
"I was starting to get bored."
High above the palace—
Beyond clouds.
Beyond stars.
A golden eye opened.
"He has returned to the mortal throne."
A voice echoed.
"Prepare the Edict of Final Erasure."
And far below, Xiao Wang stretched lazily, unaware—or perhaps uncaring.
Because the devil had woken.
And Heaven had just made itself his enemy.