Xiken Maldo said, "Looks like you've heard something. The Zishan and Yushan clans are the two most important families of the Great Yu Empire. Eight hundred years ago, Undying Yushan ascended as Emperor of the Great Yu Empire and bestowed the royal title upon Undying Zishan. But during an expedition, Undying Zishan died, and for certain reasons, the Zishan clan had to retreat and gradually disappeared. And you... are the last descendant of the Zishan clan."
Lu Yin's eyes flickered, but he said nothing.
Xiken Maldo continued, "I know what you're thinking. Undying Zishan was not killed by His Majesty. Everyone knows that."
Lu Yin was surprised. "Why?"
Xiken Maldo sighed. "Before ascending the throne, His Majesty and the Great Yu Empire were just a minor power in the Canglan Territory. It was only through the combined efforts of His Majesty and Undying Zishan that the empire grew into what it is today. But that wasn't enough—His Majesty's ambition was to lead the Great Yu Empire into the Inner Universe. Without Undying Zishan, that goal was nearly impossible. His Majesty is far-sighted—he wouldn't have killed him at such a critical time."
"Enough. I don't have time for the Great Yu Empire's history. I just want to know—what's my current status?" Lu Yin asked impatiently.
Xiken Maldo solemnly replied, "You are the heir to the Zishan royal title. I've received a direct order from His Majesty himself. From the moment your identity was confirmed, you became the Zishan King—our Great Yu Empire's Zishan King."
Lu Yin was shocked. "That easy? No complex procedures? No re-verification on your Empire's Capital Planet?"
Xiken Maldo shook his head. "No need. All the data from the Perseverance is linked to the Empire. Everything about you is visible to His Majesty, who has already acknowledged you as the legitimate Zishan King. Once you return to the Capital Planet and meet His Majesty, all that is due to the Zishan King will be granted to you."
Lu Yin's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he had hoped for. To defeat Qing Yu, he had used up all his star energy crystals to extend the time-stop space to five days. Everything he had looted during the trials was gone, and he'd been worrying about how to replenish his resources. Now it seemed he didn't need to.
"Oh right, if you need help in the Capital Planet in the future, you can come to the Maldo family. I've already informed them to assist you however they can," Xiken Maldo said, then handed Lu Yin a personal terminal. It looked quite ordinary. "Take it—it'll be convenient."
Lu Yin glanced at him and nodded. "Thanks. If that's all, I'll take my leave."
Xiken Maldo nodded, but as Lu Yin reached the door, he suddenly said, "There's a woman named Mira. If you see her, be very careful."
Lu Yin acknowledged with a grunt and left the command room.
Xiken Maldo's attitude puzzled Lu Yin. Even if he was the so-called Zishan King, at most he'd be a powerless prince without real authority—a mere Explorer. There was no reason for Xiken Maldo to treat him so well. Could he have ties to the Zishan clan?
At the same time, Las met with Sharo Tree.
"What? That bastard is really a descendant of the Zishan clan? And His Majesty actually recognized him as the Zishan King?" Las shouted in disbelief.
Sharo Tree's eyes darkened as he stared coldly at Las.
Las shivered and took two steps back, no longer daring to speak.
"Remember," Sharo Tree said coldly, "don't ever shout at me again. Or I'll cut out your tongue."
Las broke out in a cold sweat and quickly apologized. Though his father was the Deputy Minister of Finance, in terms of power, he couldn't compare to the Royal Court's Thirteenth Squad. Sharo Tree was the Vice-Captain of the Twelfth Squad and wielded far more authority than his father. If his father didn't hold financial influence, Sharo Tree wouldn't even bother acknowledging him.
"From now on, stay far away from that Lu Yin. Even if it's just a title, if he uses it to pressure you, you better take it," Sharo Tree said coldly.
Las nodded hastily.
Sharo Tree snorted, his eyes gazing into the dark cosmos. "Zishan King? Let's see how long you can hold that title. If anything goes wrong, the Empire will be thrown into chaos."
Elsewhere, Jennie Ona was furious. "Why is it like this? A foreign prince title isn't something to be handed out lightly. Why should some backwater native inherit it?"
Tolle Ona smiled bitterly. "Miss, please calm down. The matter is settled. Captain sent word—you're to stay away from him from now on."
"Why? So what if he's the Zishan King?" Jennie Ona said indignantly.
Tolle Ona was helpless. He wanted to tell her certain things but didn't dare. If she knew, she would definitely lose control. Best to leave that to the patriarch.
For two days straight, Lu Yin stayed in his room, recovering and studying star maps. The fourth star's explosive power was nearly double that of the third. He looked forward to manifesting a fifth star. If that happened before his battle with Qing Yu, he wouldn't even need a Fusion Realm powerhouse—he could crush Qing Yu himself.
Unfortunately, the Celestial Star Technique was only at the basic level, allowing up to eight stars. Once he reached the Fusion Realm, its effectiveness would likely decline, especially against geniuses with powerful battle skills. The Celestial Palm would eventually fall behind—what a pity.
"You stare at star maps every day—is it related to your technique?" a pleasant voice suddenly rang out behind him, accompanied by a faint fragrance.
Lu Yin's eyes widened. He abruptly turned around—and saw a woman with pure features, long white hair trailing to her ankles, and a small tuft tied at her forehead. She looked at him with interest.
"Who are you?" Lu Yin didn't move recklessly. His first instinct was that this woman couldn't be fought. She had approached him completely undetected—even the Celestial Star Technique hadn't reacted. She was terrifying.
"I'm Mira," the white-haired beauty smiled, her twin pupils locking onto Lu Yin. A faint red glow could be seen within them.
Mira? Lu Yin's heart stirred. He remembered Xiken Maldo's warning two days ago—to be careful of a woman named Mira. "What do you want from me?"
Mira smiled again, walked past him, her hair flowing as she sat gracefully down. One smooth white leg crossed over the other, her bare foot playful, toenails painted a dazzling red. She looked at him. "Can you tell me why you look at the star maps every day?"
Lu Yin looked at Mira, his expression heavy. "I lost my memory. I'm trying to find the way home."
Mira twirled a strand of her white hair. "Do you know who I am?"
Lu Yin shook his head.
"I'm from the Inner Universe—a member of the Cosmic Youth Council."
Lu Yin's pupils shrank. The Cosmic Youth Council—an overwhelmingly powerful organization capable of judging the entire younger generation of the universe. They legally possessed military force. The Great Yu Empire's Youth Council was merely a subordinate branch.
"I was the one who ordered the dissolution of your Great Yu Empire's Youth Council. Now do you understand?" Mira continued.
Lu Yin took a deep breath. "And what does that have to do with me?"
Mira rose and walked toward him, lifting her hand and gently tilting his chin with her finger. A seductive aura radiated from her. "I admire you. I can recommend you to the Outer Universe Youth Council—on one condition. You must join the Tenth Courtyard of the Stars and prove yourself."
Lu Yin stared into her eyes. That red glow became more distinct. She stirred up a heat in him, an irresistible allure wrapped in invisible danger that made his whole body cold. "Why me?"
Mira's lips curved into a stunning smile that could steal souls, her eyes like whirlpools pulling him in. "Your talent is extraordinary. Care to tell me what it is?"
Lu Yin stepped back. "Just because of my talent?"
Mira withdrew her hand. "Any talented cultivator may join the Youth Council—that's the Ten Decisions' promise. But the Council spans the entire universe. Ordinary talents can only enter lower-tier branches like the Great Yu Empire's. Only extraordinary ones can join the main Council directly. So… which one do you think you are?"
Lu Yin had never planned to join the Council through talent. His gift was too shocking—his dice's six-point ability could shake anyone. If possible, he didn't want to expose it. But during his fight with Qing Yu, it had been seen. Xiken Maldo didn't press him, but surely had suspicions. This woman was the first to ask directly.
"My talent speeds up healing. That's all it's good for," Lu Yin replied calmly.