The rare Omega's ritual was a public ceremony, meant to awaken latent powers and mark Yu Zhen's status. The Emperor demanded his attendance, but Lian Xuan insisted on overseeing the entire process personally.
Yu Zhen felt tension coiling in his chest. The System whispered:
[WARNING: HIGH-RISK RITUAL — AVOID EXPOSURE]
[INSTINCT ALERT: Lian Xuan PRE-RUT REACTION POSSIBLE]
As the ritual began, nobles and Alphas crowded the hall, their eyes hungry with ambition and envy. Yu Zhen maintained his composure, as did Lian Xuan, though his hands flexed ever so slightly, ready to act at the faintest hint of threat.
When one particularly audacious Alpha tried to step too close, Lian Xuan's presence darkened the hall. His voice dropped low: "Step back. He is mine."
The crowd froze. Yu Zhen felt the System alert vibrate:
[ALPHA POSSESSIVENESS: MAX]
[INSTINCTUAL DOMINANCE: ACTIVE]
The ritual concluded safely, thanks to their combined strategy and Lian Xuan's protective dominance. Yu Zhen had survived the court's test—and his first memory fragment had fully awakened, leaving a faint glow of power and recognition within him.