It was a radiant Sunday morning, sunlight spilling across the peaceful neighborhood. The gentle scent of milk flowers drifted in the breeze as birds chirped merrily from the garden trees. Yet, in front of C?u D?ng’s gate, a crowd of reporters, YouTubers, and curious onlookers still lingered sleepily after an all-night stakeout — frustrated that not a single image had been captured. Erion’s spatial energy had cloaked the entire mansion like an invisible barrier, rendering every camera completely useless.

  Inside Mr. Tài’s villa, the morning was calm and quiet. As he walked into the kitchen, he saw C?u D?ng leisurely preparing coffee, thin trails of steam rising from a porcelain cup.

  – “You’re up early, Mr. D?ng?” — Mr. Tài asked, still half-asleep.

  C?u D?ng smiled:

  – “Getting old makes it hard to sleep. Besides, my youngest daughter and her two friends from Canada are coming home tonight, so I have to get things ready early.”

  Before he could say more, screams suddenly erupted from the crowd outside the frozen villa’s gate.

  – “Oh my God! Everyone, look! The cosmic sky from yesterday — it’s gone! It’s… it’s turned into an ocean!”

  Startled, Mr. Tài and C?u D?ng looked at each other:

  – “Did you hear that?” — Mr. Tài stammered. — “An ocean? What do they mean by that?”

  Just then, Professor Charles came running down from the mezzanine, his face pale with panic. The three of them rushed out to the garden — and froze at the sight before them.

  Above the villa, the sky over a wide radius had completely transformed. Instead of clouds and sunlight, a vast ocean floated in midair. Colorful coral reefs shimmered like living carpets, and schools of radiant fish swam gracefully, forming luminous trails that danced like rippling waves.

  In the distance, a giant octopus drifted slowly, its massive tentacles swaying with hypnotic grace through the crystal-blue water. Sunlight filtered through the water, casting rippling reflections over the frozen mansion below, creating a breathtaking display of shifting light and color — a surreal, living masterpiece.

  Yet the phenomenon existed only above the mansion’s boundaries. Beyond its fences, the sky remained perfectly normal — bright blue and filled with sunshine. The contrast was so stark, it looked as though a colossal aquarium had been suspended in the middle of the earth.

  Meanwhile, in his penthouse apartment in Th? ??c, Deep was still sound asleep when his phone suddenly rang loudly. He squinted at the screen, grumbling as he answered:

  – “What’s the emergency? It’s Sunday — I was planning to sleep in.”

  Professor Charles’s voice blared through the speaker, urgent and breathless:

  – “Deep! Mr. D?ng’s mansion has turned into an ocean!”

  Deep shot upright, eyes wide, hair disheveled.

  – “An ocean? What the hell are you talking about? This is land — how could there be an ocean?!”

  Charles’s tone was deadly serious:

  – “I’m looking at it with my own eyes! Call the other two right now — something huge is happening!”

  Deep jumped out of bed, half-running toward his closet.

  – “Damn it… who’s behind this crazy stunt this time?”

  As he hurriedly changed clothes, he dialed his friends:

  – “Guys, get to Mr. D?ng’s place right now! His house turned into an ocean — I’m not kidding. The professor just called me. You’ll see when you get there!”

  Morning sunlight poured over the seaside villa, casting a golden hue across the garden lined with swaying palm trees. The rhythmic crash of waves mixed with the faint scent of sea salt, creating an atmosphere both luxurious and serene. On the marble table beneath the veranda, Erion, Trang, and Chen were enjoying breakfast in relaxed harmony.

  At the center of the table lay the Black Crystal Mirror — a jet-black magical mirror shimmering like midnight itself. Within its depths reflected the frozen mansion, now crowned by a surreal oceanic sky that rippled with shifting light and color.

  Erion took a bite of his garlic-butter toast, his tone casual yet deliberate:

  – “Since we’re staying by the sea… today’s theme will be the ocean.”

  Chen burst out laughing, slapping his thigh with a loud smack.

  – “The General truly is a genius! No one else could’ve come up with such a move!”

  Trang smiled softly, spreading peanut butter on her sandwich, her voice smooth yet purposeful:

  – “After breakfast, let’s stop by Dinh C? Temple, then swing by that girl’s place from yesterday.”

  Erion nodded.

  – “Alright. Eat quickly then — we need to be back by noon.”

  Chen grinned playfully, raising his coffee cup for a sip.

  – “Back early so we can welcome those apprentice sorcerers returning too, right?”

  All three laughed heartily, their laughter ringing through the peaceful seaside morning — simple, yet faintly threaded with the sense that new games were about to begin.

  ---

  Meanwhile, at the Bình Chánh Headquarters, the grand dining hall glowed under the towering arched ceiling. Hand-painted Baroque frescoes depicted the eternal war between light and darkness, while an enormous Swarovski crystal chandelier bathed the room in cold metallic light. The black oak-paneled walls were carved with spiral horns and crowned flames — the royal insignia of Satan’s monarchy.

  The long banquet table stretched over twenty meters, crafted from solid walnut with ornate silver inlays. Velvet chairs in deep crimson lined both sides, each high-backed and carved with a regal crown motif.

  To the right, stained-glass windows in Gothic style illustrated the chronicles of the Lord Satan; when moonlight touched them, a haunting violet glow spilled across the room. On the left, a black marble fireplace loomed beneath a golden frame holding Satan’s portrait — his eyes cold and piercing, as if capable of seeing through the soul.

  In every corner stood ancient English suits of armor — silent guardians radiating the aura of eternal vigilance. The atmosphere was both aristocratic and infernal, a fusion of nobility and dread that could make even the bravest mortal tremble.

  On the table were exquisitely plated bowls of Vietnamese noodles (Mì Qu?ng) — golden strands bathed in a fragrant turmeric broth, topped with scarlet prawns, quail eggs, tender pork, roasted peanuts, and lotus-shaped greens — a royal breakfast infused with Vietnamese essence.

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  As the meal proceeded in calm silence, a royal operative entered briskly, bowing deeply.

  – “My Lord, the system has detected a hacking attempt between 1:45 and 2:45 AM. The intruder tried to breach the military firewall of the Satanic Royal House — the target was… Princess Lita.”

  Lord Satan calmly set his chopsticks down, a faint smile curling his lips — as though he had foreseen this moment.

  – “My… that girl My never learns. To think she’d stir trouble with my daughter, all because of Trúc Di?n.”

  The Royal Grand Matron gracefully lifted a crimson prawn into her bowl, her tone laced with quiet sarcasm:

  – “Bold indeed. Last time she provoked Princess Trang over that fool Tu?n, and now she’s after Princess Lita because of Trúc Di?n. Some women really do need reincarnation to get over their obsession with men.”

  Din took a sip of the clear, fragrant broth, then chuckled coldly — his eyes glinting with frost.

  – “Looks like we’ve gone too easy on her before. This time, we should make sure that shameless little mistress learns her lesson — one she’ll never forget.”

  Yin nodded gravely, his deep voice resonating like thunder from the abyss:

  – “The military firewall of the Satanic Royal House and the Black Diamond Royal Organization is built with a fusion of advanced technology and ancient magic. It’s the highest level of encryption in existence. No one — no mortal — can breach it.”

  The air in the dining hall seemed to drop a few degrees colder. A peaceful breakfast — yet beneath it, a silent storm was already forming in the world of those who command life and death across the universe.

  Inside the royal dining hall of Satan’s Palace, the light from the crystal chandelier shimmered faintly across the silver-inlaid table. At that moment, Trúc Di?n, Lita, and Master V?nh entered, still showing traces of drowsiness.

  Lady Grand Thái S? cast a stern yet teasing glance at the couple:

  – “So you’ve finally decided to show up? Planning to have the chefs bring breakfast to your room next time?”

  Trúc Di?n gave an awkward smile, while Lita rested her chin on her hand, her face calm as if she hadn’t heard a word.

  The Demon King Satan set down his teacup, his deep voice echoing through the hall:

  – “You’ve heard, haven’t you, Trúc Di?n? That girl My dared to let hackers breach my military firewall. Who does she think she is? To cause trouble with both of my daughters, no less.”

  Master V?nh took a gentle sip of tea, his tone light yet commanding:

  – “Junior brother, you know what needs to be done, right?”

  Trúc Di?n nodded slowly, his eyes glinting with icy resolve:

  – “Leave it to me. This wretch dared to lay a hand on Lita… she’ll pay for it.”

  Lita tilted her head, resting her chin on her palm, her tone playful yet proud:

  – “As long as you’re here, let’s see who dares to touch me.”

  Satan burst out laughing, his fierce face softening for a moment:

  – “Ha ha! That’s the spirit — worthy of a son-in-law of the Demon Royal House.”

  Trúc Di?n bowed humbly:

  – “You flatter me, my lord. I only wish to protect Lita and do what’s right.”

  Satan shot him a sharp, meaningful look:

  – “You’re still calling me ‘my lord,’ are you?”

  Trúc Di?n hesitated, glanced at Lita, and his face flushed slightly:

  – “Yes… Father.”

  Satan nodded with satisfaction, his gaze distant as he murmured:

  – “Now, only Erion remains…”

  Laughter filled the grand hall, echoing through the cold corridors of Satan’s Palace — a lively beginning to a morning of absolute power.

  ---

  At the seaside villa, morning sunlight streamed through the clear glass windows. Everyone was busy packing, preparing to leave.

  Erion checked the electronic devices, his voice firm:

  – “We’ll head to the fishing village first, then go straight back to Saigon. That’ll save us time.”

  Trang was braiding her hair into two neat plaits, the glossy black strands swaying gently in the sea breeze. Her radiant smile and youthful energy drew Erion’s gaze — he seemed lost in that fleeting moment.

  Before he could say anything, Chen’s loud voice shattered the calm from outside the door:

  – “General! According to intelligence from the vampire agents, there’s a group at Mr. D?ng’s mansion claiming to be ‘scientific researchers.’ But our scouts confirmed they’re nothing but low-class demons!”

  Erion smirked faintly, his sharp eyes glinting with cold amusement:

  – “Let them be. That creation of mine… is just a gentle warning to remind them of their place. Even that centipede spirit and those apprentice sorcerers should learn some restraint — arrogance only leads to ruin.”

  The sea breeze stirred the curtains slightly. Erion’s reflection shimmered in the glass — deep, distant, and mysterious, like the vast ocean beyond.

  In the villa district of District 2, the usual weekend calm had vanished, replaced by the noise and commotion of a crowd gathering outside.

  In front of C?u D?ng’s mansion, a group of young people stood together, claiming to be interns and scientific researchers — yet their presence was anything but ordinary. Each carried an aura of arrogance and pride, nothing like the demeanor of normal university students.

  A red-haired young man stepped forward, his sharp eyes fixed on the iron gate, now covered in thick frost. With a flick of his wrist, he released a stream of concealed magic, invisible to the ordinary onlookers nearby.

  But the moment his spell touched the ice, a surge of freezing air erupted violently. The temperature plummeted in an instant; the cold seeped into the skin and lungs, forcing everyone to cover their noses and shiver from the biting chill.

  A cracking sound — crack… crack… — echoed as the frost thickened even more, expanding rapidly as if it were a living entity.

  A girl with red-highlighted hair stumbled back a few steps, her voice trembling:

  – “W–what kind of power is this? Why does the ice grow thicker and colder the more heat we release?”

  A buzz-cut boy with an earring frowned, replying grimly:

  – “That’s no ordinary demon power… this is definitely the work of a high-ranking demon lord.”

  Hidden within the crowd, vampire agents watched every movement closely. They had disguised themselves as reporters, journalists, YouTubers, and bystanders, carefully recording everything to report back to their superiors.

  The camera panned slowly across the frozen gate and the so-called “student interns,” capturing every detail in crisp full HD clarity.

  A female reporter glanced sideways at her cameraman, whispering with a hint of sarcasm:

  – “What a bunch of fools… let them show off. They have no idea they’ve stepped into the domain of real demon lords.”

  A middle-aged man murmured quietly beside her:

  – “Kids these days, still wet behind the ears but always eager to act tough… this time, they’ve picked the wrong place.”

  Across the street, in the garden of the opposite villa, Mr. Tài and Mr. & Mrs. D?ng stood frozen in disbelief — witnessing for the first time in their lives an ocean floating in the sky, suspended above the frozen mansion.

  C?u D?ng turned to Professor Charles, panic flickering in his eyes:

  – “Professor, what should we do now? Anh Th?’s wedding is coming up soon!”

  M? Linh, on the verge of tears, protested dramatically, her voice trembling with self-pity:

  – “Our family lives righteously — we’ve never harmed anyone! We’ve donated to charity, helped others, done good deeds… why is Heaven treating us so unfairly?”

  Charles replied calmly, his eyes reflecting quiet understanding, as if he had already seen through everything:

  – “Only when evil faces its consequences — when the souls of the departed find peace and forgiveness — will everything be resolved.”

  At the Th?o ?i?n villa, the morning sunlight streamed through the glass windows, reflecting off the polished tile floor. My stepped inside, the sharp rhythm of her high heels echoing coldly through the spacious house. She tossed several designer shopping bags onto the sofa, her irritated voice carrying through the hall:

  – “Vú N?m, make me a glass of orange juice!”

  Startled, Vú N?m, who was cleaning the family altar, immediately replied:

  – “Yes, miss! Just a moment, I’ll make it right away!”

  Mr. Quy, sitting in his armchair reading stock reports, frowned over the rim of his glasses. Setting his laptop down, he spoke in a stern tone:

  – “Where were you all night? You didn’t even bother calling your parents once?”

  My slumped onto the sofa, her voice tired yet still laced with arrogance:

  – “Dad… can you get someone to hack into a military firewall system?”

  The question shocked Mr. Quy. He snapped his head up, his voice trembling in disbelief:

  – “What did you just say? Hack into a military firewall? Are you insane? Do you realize touching anything military could land you in prison for life?”

  The sound of hurried footsteps came from the stairs. Mrs. Lan rushed down from her room, her face pale with panic:

  – “What’s this about the military? Did our daughter mess with someone from the army?”

  My’s eyes flashed — a storm of jealousy and obsession churning within. Her voice broke, then exploded in rage:

  – “That wretched girl… she dared to touch the man I love!”

  Mr. Quy slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming through the room:

  – “What? That bastard Tu?n cheated on you? Call him here right now!”

  My shook her head slowly, a bitter smirk curling her lips:

  – “Not Tu?n… it’s Trúc Di?n.”

  The atmosphere in the room fell silent. Mrs. Lan stared at her daughter, sighing in dismay:

  –“You’re about to marry Tu?n, and now you’re chasing Trúc Di?n? Do you want to disgrace your parents in front of everyone?”

  But My remained defiant, her tone cold and filled with ambition:

  – “I want Trúc Di?n. I’m tired of Tu?n. I only agreed to this marriage because he’s rich and successful — but I never actually loved him.”

  Mr. Quy frowned deeply, shaking his head in disappointment at his spoiled daughter — a girl who had been indulged all her life:

  – “If that’s how you feel, then call off the engagement. A marriage without love will only bring misery. Your mother and I can’t protect you forever.”

  My shook her head again, her eyes now distant and weary:

  – “If I call it off, all the time and effort I invested in this relationship will go to waste. I want Trúc Di?n, the man I love — and Tu?n, the man I’ve invested in for business gains.”

  Her words fell like shards of ice, chilling the air around them. The entire room went silent, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall — each second marking the countdown to an impending tragedy.