Before Rowan could react, the ninth princess, Bronwyn, suddenly flew out of her ship, spreading her arms to block his path.
"That girl…" Rowan muttered to himself, shaking his head inside the ship. Ultimately, he opened the cockpit door.
"You actually came!"
Bronwyn's eyes glistened with tears. Seeing Rowan brave the heavily fortified Black Dragon Empire just to protect her and seek justice, her heart surged with love, nearly to its limit. Without caring about the shocked gazes of those around, she leapt into Rowan's arms, holding him tightly.
Tears fell against his chest as she whispered, and Rowan scratched the back of his head, unsure how to comfort her.
"I…"
Before he could speak, Bronwyn lifted her tearful eyes and said firmly, "I won't let you act recklessly anymore. I don't care about the throne. I just want to be with you, forever."
Rowan's heart skipped a beat.
He could feel that Bronwyn's love was genuine. He had never imagined that this cold, seemingly heartless woman would come to love him so wholeheartedly, to the point of renouncing the throne. Her words, brimming with affection, filled his heart with warmth.
He was about to respond when a sharp alarm cut through the air.
Rowan and Bronwyn turned sharply. Dozens of warships, black as shadows, shot through the clouds, surrounding them completely.
The weapons systems on the ships glinted menacingly, ready to strike at any moment.
At the same time, two Domain Masters and a Realm Master radiated immense energy, like tidal waves, descending upon Rowan, enveloping him in a crushing force.
Rowan felt as if Mount Hua itself were pressing down on him. The terrifying power forced him downward involuntarily.
"Rowan!"
Bronwyn gasped, rushing to support him. But when she looked at the emblem on the ships, her face paled.
Atop the largest warship, Bronwyn's elder brother, Burnell, stepped forward in silver-gold armor, flanked by powerful allies. His gaze was arrogant, his lips curled into a mocking smirk.
"Sister," Burnell said, his voice icy, "how could you fall for a native? Look at him daring enough to violate the laws of the Black Dragon Empire and storm the palace. That's a capital offense."
Bronwyn's heart tightened. She knew her brother well. He hadn't come in peace; he intended either to execute Rowan in front of her or use him as leverage to force her out of the succession.
Instinctively, she clenched her fists, a small movement that Rowan noticed immediately. His eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing briefly.
Despite the overwhelming world energy pressing on him, Rowan laughed boldly. His eyes locked on Burnell with mockery.
"Second Prince, your words are off. I am now Bronwyn's husband, even if we haven't formally registered it yet. So going forward, we're family. And you, her brother, meeting your in-law for the first time, and you act like this? No hospitality at all."
Everyone nearby froze, astonished. None expected this seemingly insignificant outsider to mock the Second Prince so brazenly.
Most assumed Rowan was only daring because the ninth princess stood by him, making him a pretender to authority. To them, he was merely mooching.
Burnell's face turned an iron shade of rage. He lunged at Rowan, jabbing his armored finger into the ship's hull.
"Who do you think you are? I've investigated your background. You're just a local planetary lord, a commoner who does not belong to the Black Dragon Empire. And with blood like yours, you dare claim kinship and propose to my sister? Delusional!"
He turned to Bronwyn, a smug smile on his face. "Sister, if you step down from the throne today, I might spare him. Otherwise…"
Bronwyn's fists clenched tightly. Her eyes burned with anger, though her ambition for the throne had long since faded. What truly mattered was being with Rowan forever. The throne, in her eyes, was trivial.
Rowan remained calm, meeting Burnell's gaze. "Second Prince, you really think threats like that scare me? You're underestimating me."
Burnell sneered furiously. "Brave words from a dying man. Today, in front of everyone, I'll reduce you to a slave. You'll learn that in the Black Dragon Empire, no one acts as they please."
Two Domain Masters stepped forward, weapons gleaming, ready to strike.
At the last moment, Rowan vanished from sight.
Both Domain Masters swung at empty air, shocked.
"Impossible!" Burnell spat. He never imagined a mere Stellar-class could evade attacks from two Domain Masters so effortlessly.
Only Burnell's Realm Master noticed the anomaly, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Seize him!" Burnell ordered.
The two Domain Masters, both at Ninth Rank, were infuriated. Capturing a Stellar-class should be effortless, yet Rowan had slipped through their grasp, leaving them humiliated.
The two advanced, encircling Rowan with terrifying energy. He was immobilized under their pressure.
Just as they were about to strike, a flash of light sparked in Rowan's eyes. Time itself seemed to freeze.
In that frozen moment, he dodged their attacks and reappeared a hundred meters away. The temporal effect dissipated immediately.
"Time Law!"
The two Domain Masters gasped. They hadn't noticed the subtle fluctuations before, but now the temporal disturbance was undeniable. They realized Rowan had used the Time Law to evade them.
"This child has mastered the basics of Time Law?" Burnell's mind raced.
He hadn't expected Bronwyn's chosen partner to be a prodigy. A Stellar-class who comprehends Time Law is nothing short of a marvel. Time and Space Laws are among the most difficult for even the strongest to understand. Many fail their entire lives, and generally, only Universe-class or Domain Masters can perceive such laws. Rowan's mastery at his level marked him as an extraordinary genius.
Those witnessing this stared in disbelief. Bronwyn covered her mouth, both shocked and elated. Seeing her man so powerful, her heart soared.
Burnell, however, grew uneasy. Rowan's talent was a direct threat. If married to Bronwyn, he would become part of the royal family. His early grasp of Time Law implied a future beyond even Realm Masters. Once immortal, he would rival the power of his father, the emperor. Burnell's own progress in the Fire Domain paled in comparison.
A deadly thought surged through him.
Rowan sensed the threat, quietly transmitting to his Realm Master ally, "Teacher, take him out. Ten Jun Yuan units upon completion."
Burnell, cruel and calculating, had delegated the task to his teacher, planning to have Rowan killed in front of his sister.
For a Realm Master, Rowan's temporal ability posed no real threat. A Stellar-class could never overcome a Realm Master's comprehension of the laws.
"Agreed," the teacher said, stepping forward. Terrifying energy erupted from his body like a roaring dragon, twisting the heavens.
"Ninth Uncle!" Bronwyn shouted. From her ship, a figure surged forth. Another Realm Master's energy exploded, colliding with the first.
"Gira, don't ignore me. This child is under my protection. Spare him your sister has chosen him. Why engage in fratricide?"
Ninth Uncle wielded the Law of Ice, clashing violently with Gira's Law of Gold. The surrounding hundred miles trembled under the collision, leaving everyone terrified.
Burnell sneered. "Ninth Uncle, this is family business. Stay out. He's a lowly slave, unworthy of the Black Dragon Empire."
"If you interfere, when I become emperor, many matters will be beyond your control!" Burnell added arrogantly, confident in his claim to the throne.
Ninth Uncle's expression shifted. The threat was unpleasant, yet he weighed the consequences carefully.
Rowan laughed. "You talk of emperors as if destiny favors you. Do you truly think it does?"
"Silence, you slave! Kneel!"
Burnell's Universe Level Six power surged outward, pressing on Rowan.
Yet Rowan stood unshaken, defying the overwhelming force.
"Silence! You trash! If you want to decide my fate, then have the courage to duel me. Let's see who's superior and settle this!"
Rowan's challenge drew laughter from the crowd.
"Hahaha! A Stellar-class dares challenge a Universe-class? You've lost your mind!"
"Calling yourself a genius… you're delusional. Our Second Prince reached Universe-class in only two thousand years, mastering the Triple Domain. You can't even compete!"
Voices mocked him endlessly, dismissing Rowan as insignificant.
Even Burnell laughed. "So eager to die? Fine, a duel it shall be. Ninth Sister, he issued the challenge our tradition forbids refusal."
"Rowan, don't!" Bronwyn shouted, clutching his hand. She wouldn't allow him to participate.
"Second Brother, don't go too far. I'll renounce the throne. Let us leave!" she cried, declaring her willingness to abandon all claim.
But Burnell, smug and calculating, would not let Rowan go. Rowan's talent posed a real threat. If he reached immortality in time, today's defeat could haunt him forever. Today, Rowan must die.