The warden asked no questions.

With practiced ease, he inserted the key into the lock and opened the cell door.

"Hey, Rego, wake up! Her Highness the Princess wants to speak with you!"

At the sound of the warden's shout, the middle-aged man slowly opened his eyes.

A flicker of lightning seemed to flash through his pupils.

"What do you want?"

His voice was hoarse—one that had clearly been sealed away for many years.

Lilith stepped up to him and asked directly:

"Do you know of the Unknown Land?"

The man nodded slightly.

"Right now," Lilith continued,

"an alien army from the Unknown Land is pressing upon us. Their goal is to devour our entire known starfield."

"So the noble Princess wants me to act?"

He let out a disdainful laugh.

Lilith nodded.

Rego responded with a cold snort, "So now you come looking for me when trouble arrives? Where were you before?"

"I, Rego, command the power of thunder. I rule destruction and judgment—

I am no gentle sheep with a good temper!"

"The way you treated me back then, and now you still expect—"

His words froze.

His gaze locked firmly onto the crystal that had suddenly appeared in Lilith's hand.

Within that crystal, a raging storm of thunder was sealed—

pure, overwhelming, origin-grade thunder essence.

"You… how do you have the Heart of Thunder?!"

His voice trembled with disbelief.

Lilith remained expressionless.

"Enough nonsense. I'm asking—

is this enough for you to fight the enemy?"

"Enough! More than enough!!"

Rego's attitude flipped instantly, his face now full of righteous determination.

"Those damned aliens! How dare they invade our homeland?!"

"I, Rego, shall not hesitate—

I will wipe out those filthy creatures completely!!"

The speed of his change left Lucio and Fiona twitching at the corners of their mouths.

Such shameless pragmatism—

he didn't even try to hide it.

"Unseal him," Lilith ordered calmly.

The warden hesitated.

"Uh… will this be safe—"

"Do it. There's no problem."

The warden looked at Rego, uncertain, but after a long internal struggle he finally extended a trembling hand and unlocked the sealing shackles.

Crack—!

A violent surge of energy exploded from Rego's body, and the very air in the cell trembled.

"Your Highness, step back!"

Lucio and several guards immediately moved to shield Lilith.

But Lilith only waved casually.

"Stand down."

Rego stretched his limbs and stepped closer to Lilith.

"You're the Empress' daughter?"

Lilith nodded.

"No wonder you could bring out such a treasure…

Looks like she kept it aside specifically to save your life if needed."

Makes sense—

she likely intended for Lilith to come recruit them.

That woman was as cunning as always.

Rego smirked and added:

"Let's be clear—I won't fight to the death.

If I die, how am I supposed to enjoy this treasure?"

Thus, Lilith successfully recruited her first powerhouse.

And Rego did not disappoint—

his strength had reached the peak of Supreme Sanctuary rank, even stronger than several of the weaker generals of Zisen Sacred Empire.

Lilith casually tossed the Heart of Thunder toward him.

"A promise is a promise.

If it's not enough, ask me for more."

Rego froze completely.

Not enough… ask for more?

He couldn't believe his ears.

He looked at Lilith again, and suddenly this princess seemed incredibly kind and pleasant.

All the resentment he had accumulated during his years of imprisonment evaporated in an instant.

What a wise and benevolent ruler!

Watching his touched and grateful expression, Fiona whispered to Lilith with a grin:

"Miss, you're becoming more and more like Mr. Leo."

So extravagant, so free-handed—

the aura of a nouveau riche was strong.

Lilith's eyes dimmed slightly at the mention.

"My father…"

Seeing her expression shift, Fiona quickly said:

"Miss, I'm sure he'll return soon."

"Oh? How do you know?"

Lilith looked at her suspiciously.

Fiona cleared her throat, then proudly lifted her chin.

"Dragon instinct."

Lilith rolled her eyes.

"If your instinct is wrong, no star-honey mead for you for a whole year."

"Eh??!"

Fiona let out a miserable cry.

At that moment—

A loud, grating laugh erupted from another cell.

"Ahahahahaha—!!"

"Rego, you bastard, you actually gave in that easily?!"

Hearing the mocking tone, Rego stopped walking.

He turned toward the voice and snorted.

"Hmph, Demore, you're just jealous."

"WHAT did you say?!"

The voice inside instantly sharpened.

Rego repeated flatly, "I said—you're jealous."

"Bullshit!"

"Hehe. Then stay in that cage of yours.

When I break through to the next rank, I'll come visit you."

"You shameless bastard!!"

Before their bickering grew even louder, Lilith spoke coldly:

"Enough. Both of you, shut up."

She walked toward Demore's cell.

"You want to come out?"

"Yes."

The response came immediately—

fast, decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

The entire room went silent.

Everyone exchanged glances.

This was… almost too easy.

Even Lilith paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.

She had expected a tough, unyielding warrior inside.

Instead…

Well, after being imprisoned for so long, who would refuse freedom—especially with benefits involved?

"And are you willing to stand with us against the alien invaders?"

Lilith asked out of formality.

Inside the cell, the voice answered instantly:

"Of course! Those half-man, half-ghost abominations have irritated me for ages!"

Lilith nodded and gestured for the warden to unlock the door.

Moments later, with a creak, the cell door opened.

A long-haired man in tattered clothing but with a proud bearing stepped outside.

He inhaled the relatively free air with intoxicating delight, as though savoring every breath.

"Oh? Demore, after all these years, do you still have any skill left?"

Rego crossed his arms and mocked mercilessly.

Demore's eyes flashed with killing intent.

"Rego! I just walked out—don't make me beat you into the floor!"

BOOM!

A surge of violent energy erupted from him—

the unmistakable power of yet another Supreme Sanctuary peak cultivator.

The entire Divine Prison trembled, dust falling from the walls.

Rego sneered and released his thunderous aura in response.

Rumble—!

Two immense forces clashed mid-air, causing the space between them to twist and groan under the pressure.

"STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!"

Lilith's voice cut through the explosive tension, now edged with fury.

"Are you two done yet?!"

Both men frowned simultaneously, clearly displeased at being interrupted.

Seeing this, Lucio's expression darkened.

A wave of oppressive dragon might erupted from Fiona.

Lilith's face turned icy cold.

"Lock them both back inside."

Her voice was frigid as winter steel.

Rego and Demore stiffened.

Then they looked at Lilith—

at her chilling aura, the unquestionable authority in her eyes—

And in that instant, they both felt the same jolt of fear.

For a moment, it was as if the invincible Empress Hathaway herself stood before them.

A surge of anger welled up within their chests—

But neither dared to act rashly.

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