Loyalty Test

It was deep into the night, with the moon being at it's pinnacle, shinning over all creation.

Deep into the palace, into the forbidden zone where the third prince resided, there was a cultivation chamber, in which sat cross legged a devilishly handsome youth, everything about him was reaching perfection, and the crimson pupils that were as deep as the cosmos were adding some mystery to the charm.

It was Lucien, who was currently training in his new Soul Attack method.

He finally got a proper Soul Attack method from All Existence, it costed him 10 000 existence points, since it was not a simple basic attack, it was a complicated diagram that was executed outside of the body, which then condensed into a blade, that existed between reality and illusion, that could potentially extinguish the Soul of an opponent.

Since it was executed outside of the body, it was meant for a Rank 2 practitioner, which put that method on a higher price level, but for Lucien it was still okay, existence points were meant to be used when needed.

It took Lucien almost a month to be able to execute the attack, he was sure that anyone below Rank 2 wouldn't be able to draw that diagram even on paper, it would make the person seeing it dizzy, if his cognition was not strong enough.

He just made it for the seed release of the Rank 2 Darkness Herb.

Sitting on the rock with his legs hanging into the abyss below, Lucien looked at the 1 square meter of soil in front of him, it was just levitating in space, with a beautiful flower on top.

The Darkness Particles that were being emitted by the flower were in striking amounts. It was a beautiful sight when all those black little specs mixed with the crimson light that was shinning from the moon above.

'I can't train here right now, it would slow down the release of seeds.'

'And I don't have the Darkness Manual from Rank 2 to Rank 3, following the usual increment in price it would be worth 100 000 existence points, I guess breaking through the Vampire and Ghoul Paths first is not a bad choice.'

Looking calm after obtaining some protection in this world, Lucien waited calmly while making sure he was not surrounded by the field where the time was sped 10 times, he didn't want to waste his lifespan like that, he was not even training.

It didn't take long till there was a change.

The flower started blooming, and at the peak of it's cycle, small seed were released and shot into the soil around.

Lucien finally realized that 100 times more is not that much, normal Rank 0 Herb probably never released another Rank 0 Herb in it's 10 cycles before Rank 1.

This Rank 2 Herb released only 10 Rank 0 Herbs.

It was still amazing, but while being happy Lucien saw that one of the seeds was already being absorbed by the Rank 2 Herb.

'Collect all the seed, don't let them be absorbed.'

The seeds magically flew out of the soil and out of the field where time was sped.

'Lower the speed of time to normal in that area.'

'1 squire meter of peak soil cannot accommodate anything further than 1 Rank 2 Herb.'

'Anything else would either absorb the Rank 2 to grow or be absorbed as nutrient for the Rank 2.'

'I need more soil if I want to have a rich Darkness Particle environment.'

'It's time to see the attitude of the SilverMoon family.'

Leaving the Crimson World, Lucien reappeared in his cultivation chamber, where he took out his communication device and contacted Elena.

"Do you need something?"

"You remember the deal?"

"I mentioned how I would need all the gold spare gold from the business would be used to increase my strength."

"I want it now, all of it."

"I'll prepare it for you."

"I'll come pick it up tomorrow."

Lucien cut off the connection.

'By my calculations, at least 50 000 gold should have been amassed over the last 6 years, to attract the attention of that Rank 2, they let it pass last time when 5 000 disappeared, so it was not worth their trouble.'

'Of course that is for a bandit Rank 2, a true noble Rank 2 wouldn't care about that amount of money, if they reveal to their families they are Rank 2.'

'It was through the SilverMoon family that she avoided the fall in his hands.'

'It seems they are also a bit interested in the business.'

The night passed quietly and the sun replaced the moon. Lucien gave them some time to make their plans and choose sides, he wanted to see the real faces of his henchmen, it didn't matter to him what they did, it was the confidence in his power.

Leaving and entering the palace as a Rank 2 became much easier, but Lucien still choose the less complicated method with his disguise, he needed it anyway since he would meet the crew today.

Walking in front of that same door he walked through 6 years ago, Lucien knocked.

This time Elena made sure they wouldn't make him wait, they recognized him without asking any questions and led him to a large room where a group of people were gathered.

Some of these people were giving off shrewd aura, obviously merchants while other were a bit more savage, clearly the guards of the caravans. There were 2 youths that were giving off noble aura and there were currently chatting and laughing with Elena.

Lucien walked in as if he owned the place, he didn't care about the people inside.

He didn't even glance at anyone, he just walked towards the bank notes that were on a plate on the table.

Just as he was about to take a note to check it, one of the youths noticed him.

"Wait, who are you? What are you doing?"

Lucien didn't even turn toward him.

"It doesn't matter who I am, speak to me again and I'll drain you, vermin."

Noticing the crimson eyes of his opponent, the youth was shocked.

'So this is that pure-blood one.'

Looking at Elena that already had starry eyes while looking towards Lucien, the youth got angrier.

'It doesn't matter who he is, this is the SilverMoon family capital branch, he is going to die today.'

"Hehehe, you are pretty arrogant, no?"

"I should teach you a lesson, before you stray of your Path."

"Elena, are you on the side of this dog of your?"

"Do you think the same as him?"

"I.."

"Doesn't matter what she thinks, me and my bro here will take care of the aftermath later."

The other youth interrupted her first.

"Well, Elena?"

"I'm yours, you know that, stop the two of you, the gold is his."

'Well she still has a head on her shoulders.'

"What about the rest of you?"

Nobody liked their stuff being taken by someone who didn't even do anything to earn it, they were seeing him for the first time. While the smart ones kept their mouths shut, from the dozen of people 3-4 stepped forward.

'So 1/3 of them are idiots.'

"Is this all?"

"Lucien, please, let me talk to them, they are just confused."

"It's okay, I'm a practical person."

All of a sudden there were 6 diagrams forming at an incredible speed around Lucien, in a blink of an eye they were already blades that hovered around Lucien, pointing at each person.

"The practical way to get rid of a poisoned limb is to cut it off."

The blades flew towards their targets before anyone could say a word.

No defenses managed to stop them as they plunged in the heads of the targets.

They stood motionless for a second, before simultaneously dropping like bags of flesh, their eyes dim.

"Ra....Rank 2..."

People around could barely contain their fear, Elena was looking at Lucien in a shocked fashion as well, she was wondering if she took their side, would she be a corpse like them by now.