I alone am the Honoured One!

The long dining hall was bathed in a soft glow from the radiant crystals embedded in the high-vaulted ceiling.

At the dining table, a man was sitting in the head chair eating his food.

Long Xuan, the sovereign of Azure Star, dined alone.

He cut his food into delicate bites, chewing thoughtfully, savoring the peace of the moment.

Around him, a dozen servants stood silently.

Suddenly, the heavy silence was broken by hurried footsteps.

The tall double doors to the hall burst open, and a breathless guard dropped to one knee.

"Your Highness!" the guard called and bowed his head.

Long Xuan's eyes slowly lifted from his meal, "Something important?"

The guard swallowed nervously and nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. The Clan Leader of the Rui Clan, Rui Guzhi, has arrived. He says it's an urgent matter."

A flicker of surprise crossed Long Xuan's face and he pushed back his chair before standing up "Rui Guzhi? Why didn't you say so sooner?"

He turned and hurriedly left the dining hall.

The servants bowed and parted silently as he passed, and the guards fell into formation behind him, though none dared to speak.

Long Xuan's footsteps echoed down the corridor as he made his way to the palace's Reception Pavilion, a sanctum reserved for matters of high importance.

When he entered, he found Rui Guzhi sitting alone with his elbows resting on his knees and he looked like he is thinking about something.

"Guzhi..." Long Xuan muttered as he entered in.

Hearing his name, Rui Guzhi stood and turned to face him. "Your Highness," he greeted with a respectful bow.

But Long Xuan stepped forward and pulled him into a brotherly hug.

They had fought side by side in their youth. The bond between the Royal Family and the Rui Clan ran deep, sealed not only in duty but in blood and honor.

After a long moment, Long Xuan stepped back and his brow tightened with concern. "I heard it's urgent. What happened?"

Rui Guzhi exhaled softly "Word from the Matriarch,"

Long Xuan's eyes widened in shock "From the Matriarch herself?"

The Rui Clan, guardians of the seal has been holding back a Paragon for a long time.

Though the truth was hidden from the common folk, the Royal Family of Azure Star had long known about the sacrifice and burden the Rui Clan bore.

Because of this, Long Xuan and his ancestors held the Rui Clan in the highest esteem... equal, if not greater, in spirit than the throne itself.

Long Xuan leaned in slightly. "What did she say?"

Rui Guzhi looked him in the eye and spoke "It is time."

He paused, then added, "The Matriarch says... she has found someone who can kill the Paragon."

Long Xuan stared at him in shock, and his eyes quivered.

"W-What?" He took a step back in disbelief.

"But… that's impossible. That thing is immortal. The Matriarch herself said there was no way to kill it. And it's been like that for centuries!"

Rui Guzhi gave a small nod. "Yes. That was true. Until now."

"She has met someone. She believes- no, she is certain that he is capable of doing what no one else could."

Long Xuan ran a hand through his long hair, staring into the air with narrowed eyes "This... changes everything. A chance to finally end the nightmare…"

Looking back at Rui Guzhi, he asked, "And what do you need from me?"

Rui Guzhi did not hesitate and replied "We need to begin immediate evacuation of the regions surrounding the Seal Site. Once the seal is undone, the Paragon will awaken. The Matriarch and others will contain it for a time, but there will be destruction."

He continued, "The Jade Eclipse High Star is willing to assist. Their Sect Master, Ji Shuang, is already coordinating with us."

Long Xuan's jaw slackened slightly. "Jade Eclipse? An Apex High Star… willing to help a High Star like Azure?"

He almost laughed in disbelief "That alone tells me how real this is."

His expression sobered. "Very well. I'll mobilize the Guards and send word to the Dukes. We'll clear the southern provinces first. I'll also reach out to the Stellar Envoys... they owe us a favor from the Xie War."

Then he added, more softly, "You don't even need to ask, Guzhi. You've given everything to protect this Star. If this is the moment to end it all… then we stand with you."

Rui Guzhi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Long Xuan placed a hand on his shoulder. "No need for that. This time… we end it. No more sacrifice. No more seals."

His voice dropped "The next generation… will not live under that shadow again."

---

A strange hum pulsed through the sky in Azure Star and across every region, be it the bustling capital of Skyreach, the deep mining colonies of the Verdant Belt, or the academies scattered across the continents.

People paused in confusion as the skies began to glow.

Massive, circular devices stationed in high orbit flickered, and enormous holographic screens appeared, showing their Sovereign's face.

The people knew that it must be something very important for the Emperor himself to come to the front and address the people.

Long Xuan's voice amplified and broadcasted across the entire star.

"People of Azure Star… hear me."

"I am Long Xuan, your sovereign."

"For centuries, you have known peace. You have built homes, families, and futures, free from the shadow of great wars and calamities."

"Today, I will give you one truth."

People stared up in silent awe, some with worry in their hearts.

Long Xuan's projection continued, "Beneath the lands we stand on, for over thousands of years, there is a being of unfathomable power, a Paragon."

"A creature sealed away at the cost of countless lives."

"It was the Rui Clan, not soldiers, not kings, but one clan alone... that made that sacrifice. They stood between us and the end."

"Generation after generation… they sacrificed their own family members to keep the seal intact. They bore the burden we were too weak to face. They bled in silence while we thrived in ignorance."

"The Matriarch of the Rui Clan, Rui Yuying, has guarded that seal for centuries. Her bloodline became the lock that kept the apocalypse at bay."

"And now… the seal is breaking."

A collective gasp rippled through every corner of the star.

Children clung to their parents, merchants looked up with pale faces, and cultivators at distant sects froze mid-training.

"But… this is not the end."

"A warrior has come forward. Someone powerful enough to kill the Paragon. For the first time in centuries, we have a chance to end the nightmare permanently. But the battle will shake the heavens."

"We cannot guarantee the safety of the surrounding regions. Once the seal breaks, the Paragon's awakening will be catastrophic. The earth will tremble, the skies may rupture, and everything nearby will fall into chaos."

"That is why I ask for a complete evacuation of all territories within a five-thousand-mile radius of the southern continent. You have ten days. Use the Skyships and the rivers, whatever you must. The crown will provide everything."

"I know this will be difficult. I know some of you have built your entire lives in these lands. But I will not let your sacrifices be in vain."

"As your ruler, I will walk among you if I must. I will pull the carts, guide the children, and carry the sick."

"The Jade Eclipse High Star has pledged aid. The Rui Clan stands at the frontlines. And I… your king… will not abandon you."

Then, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes "Bow your heads not for me... but for the Rui Clan. For Rui Yuying, who gave everything without asking for a single word of thanks. For every soul lost to hold back this beast."

"And pray for the warrior who dares to stand before the Paragon, not for glory... but for us."

"Prepare. In ten days… we fight for our future."

As the final words echoed into silence, the projections began to slowly fade, leaving streaks of silver-blue light across the sky.

The people stood frozen, stunned by the revelation and the truth they had never been told.

Sitting under the pavilion, Zhao Tian, Yan Zijin and Ji Shuang looked at the projection dimming.

The world now knew.

And there was no turning back.