After the fateful meeting between Nymeria and Taranis, the duo began meeting each other every day on the Mountain of Ten Thousand Beasts.

For Taranis, the mountain was only fifty kilometres away from his home, but Nymeria had to travel thousands of kilometres just to play with her friend. It was exhausting for the guards assigned to her to travel such an immense distance every day, but what could they do other than obey the command of their goddess?

Every day, Nymeria and Taranis engaged in fierce duels. They had even begun using their divine Soulforce of snow and lightning in their friendly battles. Each time, Taranis carefully adjusted himself to Nymeria's level to ensure the duel remained meaningful for her. Afterward, the duo would venture into the third layer of the Mountain of Ten Thousand Beasts, defeating any beast foolish enough to attack them.

In just six months, Nymeria and Taranis defeated every beast that roamed the third layer of the forest.

Amid the relentless battles and quiet moments of rest, the distance between them vanished without either realizing it.

They grew closer with every shared danger, every exchanged glance, until both had reached a place in the other's heart that could never be touched—let alone replaced—by anyone else.

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"Nymeria, my mother wishes to meet you," Taranis revealed, sitting atop Zarix—the three-headed lion. "Would you like to come with me to Heaven's First Step?"

"The Queen wants to meet me?" Nymeria exclaimed, her creamy eyes widening as she sat behind him, gently brushing Taranis' ethereal golden hair with a wooden comb. "B-but I'm not wearing proper attire. Moreover, I'm covered in sweat from the duel we just had. I must be stinking."

Taranis turned, leaned closer to Nymeria and took a long sniff near her neck.

The intimate gesture instantly flushed Nymeria's face a deep crimson.

"W-what are you doing, Taranis?" she shouted, pushing him back.

Due to the divinity Nymeria was born with, the intense sparring sessions she had with Taranis, and the brutal battles against the beasts of the third layer, her divine power had grown exponentially. Strangely, the growth of her body and mind was directly proportional to the depth of her divinity. Although she was only fourteen months old, her body and mind had already developed to that of an eight- or nine-year-old child. Each time Taranis came close to her or made physical contact, she felt a sudden flutter in her stomach—something she could not yet understand.

"You do not stink at all, Nymeria," Taranis murmured. "Your scent is sweet, as always."

"Y-you stupid Taranis!" Nymeria shouted, throwing him off Zarix's back.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Taranis asked, rubbing his head, which had struck the ground first.

"Stupid Taranis! Stupid Taranis!" Nymeria exclaimed, her eyes tightly shut and her face redder than ever.

"Fine, fine, I'm the stupid one," Taranis sighed as he rose to his feet. Every day or two, Nymeria would throw tantrums like this out of nowhere. From the young prince's experience, the best way to manage her sudden outbursts was to humbly admit his fault.

"Will you come with me, Nymeria?" Taranis asked again, his voice gentle.

"Hmph, I'm only coming because the Queen requested my presence," Nymeria muttered, folding her arms.

As soon as Nymeria agreed, a smile of relief appeared on Taranis' face.

"I know you are watching me. Take me and Lady Nymeria to Heaven's First Step," Taranis said loudly, his golden eyes locking onto a distant tree.

Moments later, the leaves rustled, and five figures clad in blue robes emerged, kneeling before Taranis.

Both Nymeria and her guards flinched at the sudden appearance of these imposing figures.

Each of them bore different shades of blue in their eyes and hair. At the centre of their foreheads was a black slit-like mark, identical to those of Taranis and Nymeria.

"Your Highness, since when were you aware of our presence?" one of the men asked.

"From the very first day," Taranis replied calmly. The casual demeanor he showed around Nymeria was nowhere to be seen.

The figures flinched at the prince's revelation. For a brief moment, a suffocating silence fell over the area.

"Your powers are unfathomable, Your Highness," the man said, breaking the silence.

"I—I never sensed these people in the forest," one of Nymeria's guards murmured.

"Nor did I. And I always kept myself on high alert for any unforeseen danger," the one beside him added.

"How could they conceal their presence from us when we are all at the third level of the True Sage Realm?" another exclaimed.

"E-even if you were at the ninth level, you still wouldn't have sensed them," Oswin revealed, his eyes wide and lips trembling. "Look at their jade pendants. They are the Five Wardens of the Thunderbanes."

"F-five Wardens?!?" a wave of gasps echoed among Nymeria's guards.

"They're the legendary Five Wardens—the strongest warriors of the Seven Banes, second only to the leader of each Bane family!"

"I have only heard of your epic deeds. It is an honour to meet you, Five Wardens," Oswin said, bowing slightly in respect.

"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Oswin," one of the wardens replied. "Thank you for protecting the Prince for the past six months."

"I-I was merely doing my duty," Oswin replied, still visibly nervous in their presence.

Until now, Oswin and the others had often wondered why the prince never seemed to have guards around him despite frequenting such a dangerous place. Only now did they understand—it was not that the Prince travelled alone, but that his guards were simply too powerful to be sensed by cultivators of their level.

"I summoned you to escort my dear friend Nymeria and her guards to Heaven's First Step," Taranis said, drawing the wardens' attention.

"Prince, you may not be aware that anyone who is not a Thunderbane is forbidden from entering Heaven's First Step," one of the wardens replied. The man appeared to be in his forties, with a short beard and sharp, imposing eyes.

After a brief pause, Taranis spoke, his eyes narrowing and his voice turning cold.

"Zephyron El Thunderbane. I did not summon you here to offer excuses. I gave you an order, and I expect it to be carried out immediately."

The Five Wardens' jaws nearly dropped. No one in the Hundred Sky Mountains knew their true names—except the Voltrex, the king, his elder brother, and his right hand, Aurelion.

"F-forgive me, Your Highness. I shall prepare for the arrival of the esteemed guests at once," Zephyron replied, still shaken.

With that, the Five Wardens vanished in a blur—just as suddenly as they had appeared.

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