Chapter 342: Lyra’s Resolve

Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Lyra’s Resolve

Chapter 342: Lyra’s Resolve

The colossal armored skiff belonging to the Valdris Royal Academy tore through the clouds, leaving the towering golden spires of the Imperial Capital far behind in the distance.

On the deck, the moment they were safely out of the Royal Court’s airspace and isolated by the skiff’s soundproof arrays, the stifling and oppressive atmosphere that had clung to them in the Royal Court finally broke with an explosive surge of frustration.

"Are you completely out of your mind?"

Dean Qaylus exploded, pacing the deck furiously. His sharp features were plastered with profound exasperation as he glared at Rhain standing calmly near the railing. "We had him! Emperor had stepped back! All you had to do was lower your head for a single second and take that Heavenly Vow! Why did you have to be so stubborn and choose the three-month suicidal option?"

Sect Master Wexian crossed his arms, "Boy, I respect your unyielding spine, but bravery without logic is just stupidity! Sunless Umbral Basin is a graveyard for Domain Masters. Staying there for three months is a guaranteed death sentence!"

Vaelstrum Patriarch let out a heavy sigh,"If you die in that place, Emperor still wins, and all our efforts today will have been for absolutely nothing. Our dying Ancestor’s life is tied to yours. How could you be so reckless?"

The three undisputed titans of Valdris City, men who rarely showed their emotions, were practically ripping their hair out over Rhain’s stupid recklessness.

They risked the lives of their disciples, their clans, and their thousand-year legacies to march into the Imperial Court to save this boy, only for him to voluntarily accept a trip into a graveyard.

Rhain turned his head, his dark grey eyes sweeping over the three frustrated leaders.

"Dean Qaylus, Sect Master Wexian, Patriarch Vaelstrum," Rhain spoke, his calm voice cutting through their exasperation. "I sincerely thank you all for standing by my side in the Imperial Court. You have fulfilled your end of the alliance perfectly."

Rhain turned fully toward them, a confident smile gracing his lips.

"But you do not need to worry about my survival," Rhain stated, "I made the decision to refuse the vow and enter the basin after thinking everything through. Emperor Haldrion believes he has handed me a delayed execution. In truth, he has only given me exactly what I wanted."

Qaylus stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. "What you wanted? You wanted to walk into a death land filled with mutated beasts?"

"I have my own objectives there," Rhain replied evenly, offering no further explanation.

Looking at the youth’s confident gaze, the three titans exchanged helpless glances.

They had all realized that trying to reason with this boy would be always futile.

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A few hours later, the massive skiff breached the boundary arrays of Valdris City and descended gracefully into the Valdris Royal Academy.

The moment Rhain stepped off the deck, he headed straight for his secluded guest courtyard.

As he pushed the doors open, he saw the four beautiful figures sitting on the stone table.

As soon as they heard Rhain’s footsteps, all four heads snapped toward the entrance.

They stood up, walking hastily toward him.

"Husband, what happened?" Seris asked, her eyes darting nervously across his unmarred frame.

Rhain offered a faint, reassuring smile as he wrapped his arm gently around Seris’s slender waist.

"Our alliance held perfectly," Rhain announced softly. "The immediate execution order has been pardoned, and the Royal Court backed down."

A wave of relief simultaneously hit the four girls.

Seris buried her face into his chest, tears of joy threatening to spill. "Thank the heavens... It is finally over."

"However," Rhain continued, his tone turning slightly serious.

"To save face for the Royal Family, and because I refused to swear a Heavenly Vow binding me from harming Lucius, the Emperor issued a modified sentence," Rhain explained calmly. "I have been banished to the Sunless Umbral Basin. I must survive there for three months."

The relieved smiles on the girls’ faces froze instantly.

"WHAT?!" Liana shrieked, all color instantly draining from her face.

"Sunless Umbral Basin?"

Elara’s blue eyes widened with fear. "Young master Rhain, that is a forbidden death zone! The toxic miasma there rots a cultivator’s meridians, and the beasts are uniquely mutated! To stay there for three months..."

Seris’s joy from a moment ago vanished hearing Elara’s words.

"No... Husband, don’t go!" Seris sobbed, her hands clutching his robes even tighter. "That’s the same place that poisoned Dean Carmilla! It’s too dangerous! I won’t let you!"

Looking at Seris’s tear-stained face, Rhain felt his heart soften.

He raised his hand, gently stroking her magnificent silver-blue hair to calm her trembling.

Do not cry," Rhain murmured softly, "It sounds dangerous to the outside world, but to me, it is merely another training ground."

"No—" Seris tried to argue.

"I promised I would come back to you without a single scratch, didn’t I?" Rhain smiled warmly, "Since Azure Cloud Sect, how many times did we face the dnagers that were considered impossible before, and came out unharmed. It’s going to be same this time. Just trust me."

While the other girls exchanged incredibly worried glances, a figure suddenly stepped forward.

"I am going with you."

Rhain blinked, slightly surprised.

He turned his head.

Lyra was standing there, her crimson eyes blazing with a fierce determination. She had dropped her usual haughty demeanor completely.

"Lyra?" Seris looked at her in shock.

"You?" Rhain also raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Yes, me!" Lyra declared, "You said you were going to the Sunless Umbral Basin. That is the exact place where aunt Carmilla was struck by that venomous fire python decades ago."

Lyra glared at Rhain. "Aunt Carmilla had taken that hit because she threw herself in front of a beast to save my mother’s life. My Emberford Family owes her an unpayable debt."

Lyra’s crimson eyes burned with a stubborn resolve, "If you are going into that place to find the source and the cure for her poison, then I am coming too. It must be me who will save aunt Carmilla’s life."

Rhain looked at the stubborn girl.

He was slightly surprised.

Beneath her arrogant, pampered exterior, she actually harbored a deep sense of familial loyalty and gratitude.

He had no problem with her tagging along.

With his current strength, protecting her in the basin wouldn’t be a burden. In fact, her True Heavenly Flame could prove useful against the miasma.

"I don’t mind the extra hand," Rhain replied, "But I will not take responsibility for kidnapping the Matriarch’s daughter. If you want to come, you must ask Matriarch Seraphine and secure her permission first. If she says yes, you can follow me."

Lyra’s eyes lit up with a fierce light. "Fine. I will get her permission. Don’t leave without me."

Rhain gave a brief nod.

He had exactly ten days before the Emperor’s deadline to enter the basin expired.

He rapidly planned his route in his mind.

The path to the Sunless Umbral Basin passed directly through Stormveil City.

’It is the perfect opportunity,’ Rhain calculated calmly. ’I can visit Stormveil Academy one last time, check on Dean Carmilla’s condition, and bring Lyra to Seraphine.’

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For the next few days, Rhain completely shut out the worries of the outside world.

He spent his time entirely with Seris.

They walked through the moonlit pathways of the Valdris Royal Academy, sat by the serene spiritual ponds, snuggling warmly under the stars, and shared quiet affectionate moments in their courtyard.

Sometimes, he would guide her in her cultivation, offering gentle pointers while savoring the sweet, warm tranquility of her presence.

He knew that for the next three months, he would be isolated in a barren wasteland, so he cherished every single second of peace.

Finally, the day of departure arrived.