The Innkeeper

Lex pursed his lips, but said nothing. Belle? An angel? He'd have been less surprised if he learned that she was a literal demon than hearing that.

"Dad had a fight with grandfather, who was already angry at him for restarting his cultivation, and even more angry at him for marrying mom. Grandpa said he'd come back and take Belle with him, to replace the loss dad inflicted on the family for giving up his cultivation. Around that time, mom was already expecting you. Afraid that grandfather might also want to take you away, they started to think of ways to hide you from him.

"But when you were born... your physique was a lot more special than mom and dad expected. Belle didn't tell me what it was, but apparently mom and dad were so scared of finding out that dad overexerted himself, nearly crippling his sword intent while trying to put inscriptions on you that would hide your physique. It worked, but as a result dad became extremely weak once more.

"Around that time, apparently grandfather sent a message to dad that if he could regain even half of what his strength used to be, he'd let him come back to the family. According to Belle, though, it was mostly because grandfather felt like she might be able to replace dad and follow in grandfather's footsteps of being able to take on the family head position. Even though at that point she was too young to cultivate, the potential of her physique could not be hidden.

"So... as a result, our parents calmed down a bit. After you Liz was born. She also had a physique, and apparently it was great, though not as good as yours. She even got an invitation from a school called Prima Ventura. Apparently it's the best cultivation academy in the universe or something. Even Belle didn't get into Prima Ventura, and had to go to a lower level one. Grandfather was very happy about all of that, though he still didn't know about you. Mum and dad still kept everything about you hidden. They were too afraid to let people find out about you.

"But things were fine. Mom and dad decided to keep you away from the cultivation world until they were strong enough to protect you themselves. Everything was getting better. Even dad was recovering well. Then, I was born."

Moon sighed, and for a long time didn't speak. She just looked down at her hands that held the cup containing the wonderful juice, and Lex didn't pressure her. It felt a little bitter learning about everything that had actually happened. It felt extremely bitter knowing that his parents had been trying to protect him all this while he thought they abandoned him.

But regardless of their intentions, he still felt abandoned. He still felt lied to. He still felt betrayed. He was not ready to forgive them, or even care about them. But this was not about him. Instead, it was about his little sister. By now, Lex could already predict who had done this to Moon. It was their grandfather. Lex was already thinking of the special dungeon he'd design for the man back in the Midnight Inn. A sick, twisted, greedy man who used his children and grandchildren for his own gains deserved no sympathy from Lex.

But before all of that, he wanted to hear all of Moon's story.

"Then I was born, and my physique was apparently much stronger than yours, and everything fell apart."

*****

Across the galaxy on the planet used by the William family as their main headquarters, Damian Arban William was sitting with a frown in his conference room. He'd been like this since he heard of Lex's return. Everything was almost perfect. His plan was a single step away from completion. Well, if he was being technically, just two steps away from completion. Kidnapping Moon and then using her body as the new vessel for the regent.

But then that stupid grandson of his returned and ruined everything. He was on the verge of greatness, and now it was all for naught. But it was fine. It was okay, he told himself, even if he didn't feel like it.

Damian was not a man who bet everything on a single chip, no matter how important it was. Although Moon had slipped from his hands at the last moment, he had thousands of liters of her blood and muscle tissue preserved. He'd have to settle for cloning her.

A hologram appeared in front. Damian did not look at the hologram's face. No matter what he looked like, that did not change that he was a monster hidden underneath - a monster Damian had been working with.

"I heard you need an evacuation," the projection said.

"Yes. My filial grandson returned and kidnapped the vessel I had prepared for her majesty. I think my ancestor might kill me to appease him. I can no longer hold this position. It's too risky."

"This would be the third time your grandson has interfered with our plans. I feel like his future might not be so great once the regent hears about this."

"Jeffery, I don't have time for this. Arrange the evacuation. I've already initiated all the plans leading up to my departure. The Jotun empire will have their hands full, even more than they already were."

"Well, you did get me off earth in a timely manner. I suppose I should return the favor. I'll send someone over momentarily. Also, you didn't comment on your stance about your grandson. Someone has to be punished for this."

"Kill him. Kill all of them for all I care. That stupid son of mine and his family have been a pain in my neck for far too long, anyway. And to think, I had such high hopes for them."

A few moments later, a portal opened up right next to Damian, and he stepped through it. A few minutes after he exited, an explosion rocked the entire building he used to live in. As if setting off a chain, various other places around the planet began to explode.

While everyone tried to understand what was happening, a number of minor realms burst open, and a horde of insects invaded, most of them at the peak of the Nascent realm. The ones that weren't at the peak were already immortals.