Deep within the Tenth Hall, in a dimly lit and enigmatic secret chamber, the flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the stone walls. Hundreds of bodily spirit lamps lined the chamber, each a silent testament to the life force of an important member of the Tenth Hall.
Tennyson, the ruler of the Tenth Hall, stood alone in the chamber. His dignified yet solemn presence filled the room as his sharp, hawk-like gaze remained fixed on a single lamp-Octavion’s.
From an early age, Octavion had demonstrated exceptional talent and wisdom, surpassing many of his peers. Yet, an unexpected twist of fate had led him to fall in love with a woman from the outside world-an act deemed heretical by celestial law. The strict codes of their kind branded him a traitor, an outcast unworthy of his lineage.
For the sake of his son’s happiness, Tennyson had orchestrated a way out. Under the guise of an important mission, he had sent Octavion and his entourage away from the Tenth Hall, hoping he would use the opportunity to escape -free to elope with the woman he loved, free to carve out a simple yet blissful life away from the shackles of celestial law.
At that moment, Tennyson’s heart pounded like a drum, his gaze tense with anxiety and unease.
He knew that Octavion’s bodily spirit lamp still remained in the Tenth Hall despite his departure. Its presence meant that if Octavion never returned, the Celestial Palace would inevitably take notice. Once they deemed him a defector, they would dispatch enforcers to hunt him down. If that happened, Tennyson understood he would have neither the authority nor the power to intervene.
Thus, he wrestled with a decision-should he relocate Octavion’s lamp or extinguish it entirely? Either way, it was the only means to keep the Celestial Palace from taking notice.
As Tennyson fixated on Octavion’s bodily spirit lamp, it suddenly flickered twice before vanishing without a trace. His eyes widened in shock.
He couldn’t believe it-Octavion was gone. His only son, lost.
Tennyson had merely used the task of finding Jared as a pretext, a way to grant Octavion the freedom to escape the Tenth Hall and be with the woman he loved.
That was why he had insisted Octavion take all his personal guards-so he could protect him from afar. But now, against all expectations, Octavion’s lamp had been extinguished.
“Could that naive child really have gone after Jared?” Tennyson trembled.
After a long moment, he finally managed to suppress the storm raging in his heart. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the secret room, each stride heavy with unspoken weight.
Upon entering the grand hall, his gaze landed on a figure clad in a flowing black robe. The ferocious beast embroidered on the fabric seemed to come alive under the dim light, its eyes gleaming with menace. The man’s face was deathly pale, his sunken eyes hollow, as if he had just returned from the depths of hell.
“My Lord.” The man spoke, his voice laced with dissatisfaction. “Octavion has fallen for a woman from the outside world, breaking the laws. He bears the burden of his crime-how could you have allowed him to leave the Tenth Hall?”
“Quenric, I know you’re doubting me-wondering if I let Octavion go on purpose. But let me make it clear-Octavion is dead. He gave his life for the Tenth Hall.” Tennyson’s eyes burned with barely contained fury.
“Octavion is dead?” Quenric flinched, disbelief lacing his voice. “How did he die?”
“Do you really need to ask? Jared killed him, of course. Octavion’s bodily spirit lamp has already been extinguished. If you don’t believe me, I’ll take you to see for yourself!” Tennyson snapped.
Quenric narrowed his eyes. “Since you insist, I suppose I’ll take a look.”
It was obvious-Quenric wasn’t convinced. He didn’t believe Octavion had died, nor that he had left the Tenth Hall solely for revenge.
Suppressing his growing rage, Tennyson turned on his heel and strode away, Quenric following close behind.
Upon arriving at the secret chamber and seeing Octavion’s extinguished lamp, Quenric finally accepted the truth of Tennyson’s words.
