Chapter 401: The Severely Falsified Holy Path

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Melody blinked her large eyes. Marriage remained a distant concept to her, something beyond mere mutual affection. "If I marry, does that mean I can't stay in Mandala anymore?"

Lucky Heaven chuckled. "Are you so eager to see me go? Play something for me."

Melody waved her hands hastily. "Sister, I oppose this. In this lifetime, you must find someone you truly love. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."

They entered the garden where Melody produced a handcrafted scent pellet, placing it in an antique bronze incense burner. Soulfire sparked it alight, and as a wisp of white incense curled upward, she drew forth her carved wooden zither. Her fingers danced across the strings as the harp settled into her hands. With a slight breath, the music began to flow.

The garden grew more tranquil with the melody, attracting birds from all directions that perched quietly to listen.

Lucky Heaven smiled as she watched. Through Melody's music, the tangles in her heart from recent days gradually loosened. A deep calm washed over her like spring water, bringing profound peace.

When the music ceased, the birds startled awake yet lingered, reluctant to leave.

"To my eyes, little Melody has shown the greatest growth during our mission to Rose." Lucky Heaven stroked a typically skittish bird that now sat entranced. "Your soul has reached the bottleneck of Tiger Peak."

Melody nodded, her small face breaking into a sweet, reminiscing smile. "Yes, but I still feel something's missing... If only I could return to Rose Holy Sanctuary. Brother Wang Feng helped me so much."

Lucky Heaven released the bird, observing how Melody's eyes brightened at Wang Feng's mention. She shook her head slightly. Wang Feng was... a strange character.

Melody suddenly focused. "Sister, are you truly going to meet that Pangya Saint?"

Lucky Heaven sighed. "The elders insist. It's not as if he'll devour me. One meeting won't hurt."

Pangya Saint, grandson of the Holy Sanctuary's master and leader of the younger generation in Sacred City, reportedly had reached Ghost level. His striking features perfectly matched the Eight Tribes' aesthetic standards...

Though not perfect, compared to the lecherous Sea Dragon or the Machiavellian Nine Gods Prince, Pangya's virtues shone brighter. The Eight Tribes' intelligence network was thorough, though some qualities mattered little to those in power. Even Lucky Heaven had limited options.

Melody blinked. "But sister, you don't like him." Had she felt otherwise, Lucky Heaven wouldn't have sought musical solace now.

Lucky Heaven laughed, rising to ruffle Melody's hair. "You speak with such experience. Is there someone you fancy?"

Melody bristled like a startled kitten. "There isn't!"

Her immediate denial gave way to uncertain hesitation. "Actually... I'm not sure. Ahem... Oh! Sister, have you heard? Rose Holy Sanctuary keeps winning. Brother Wang Feng is incredible."

Lucky Heaven nearly knocked Melody's head in exasperation at her constant praise. "What's so incredible? I heard he just used dozens of Skyburst Grenades."

"But grenades are weapons too, like my harp!" Melody defended her idol fiercely.

Lucky Heaven shook her head. "Skyburst Grenades aren't invincible. They're soul-energy weapons with counters. Xifeng Holy Sanctuary will be Rose's true test."

Meanwhile, the evening gathering expanded beyond Fire God Mountain and Ice Spirit Holy Sanctuary. The crowd swelled steadily with allies of Old Wang's squad and other factions until over a dozen tables were needed for the feast.

Liu Yishou gave an inch only for them to take a mile, nearly driving him to despair. Who knew the much-maligned Rose Team still commanded such loyalty? Were they just freeloaders?! In his frustration, he drank heavily until he succumbed to drunkenness... When Old Wang's team departed at dawn, Liu Yishou's thunderous snoring still echoed through the inn.

...Xishen Peak stood solitary among the mountains, its cloud-wreathed summit towering twice as high as its neighbors. At this pinnacle sat Xifeng Holy Sanctuary.

The mountaintop had been sheared flat across several miles—whether by divine intervention or ancient engineering, none could say. The massive sanctuary occupied this artificial plateau.

From Xifeng Town at the base to the summit, broad stone steps formed the Xifeng Sacred Path, dotted with waystations for travelers. Though a cable car operated nearby, the group chose to climb. Old Wang declared they should approach Xifeng Holy Sanctuary with 3-0 confidence—the ascent would serve as their warm-up.

They began before first light, yet the path already teemed with enthusiastic supporters—mostly Beastmen vendors. At this hour, only Beastmen would rally so uniformly for Rose.

They'd prepared stalls and stools to cheer for their own—Kela and Wu Di! Pride of the Beastmen, beacons of the southern tribes!

The Xifeng range bordered the Beastmen's barren lands, and many made their living here—outnumbering humans. Barred from the sanctuary proper, they gathered along the path, hoping to glimpse Old Wang's Beastmen duo. Expecting to see them ride the cable car, they were surprised to find the pair jogging up the steps at first light.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

At first, the dim light made many beastfolk doubt their eyes, some even in disbelief. But as cries of recognition spread through the air, the beastkin lining both sides of the Holy Path of Xifeng exploded with cheers and excitement.

"Kela! Kela! Wu Di! Wu Di!"

"Go, Old Wang Squad! You must win!"

"Go Kela! Go Wu Di! Show your strength at the Xifeng Holy Sanctuary! Make us beastfolk proud!"

The beastkin shouted passionately. Having gone through the previous four battles, Kela and Wu Di were no longer as shy as before, responding generously to the cheers from both sides.

Especially Wu Di—he thrived on the big stage. In fact, even in the Holy Sanctuary's Light, no one dared insult them anymore. No matter how much humans discriminated against beastkin, they still respected strength. Kela and Wu Di had earned their dignity through sheer skill.

By now, the sky was gradually brightening. Overhead, the cable ropes moved swiftly, and cable cars whizzed by. These were guests heading to watch the battle, now drawn by the beastkin's cheers and the Old Wang Squad hiking up the mountain, leaning out for a curious look.

Some were surprised, but most wore deep disdain and amusement.

A team supported by slave-like beastkin? Hah... what a joke.

After the rapid march up, except for Ah Xi, everyone else didn't even break a sweat, at most damp around the collar.

The Holy Path of Xifeng boasted 99,999 steps, but Winnie had counted carefully—there were only about 20,000, far from the so-called "perfect" number. It blew her mind. If it had been 70,000 or 80,000, she might have let it slide, but just over 20,000... How dare they claim it was just one step short of 100,000?

Reaching the final step, the view suddenly opened up to a flat expanse. On both sides of the 10-meter-wide staircase stood neatly arranged guest pines, forming a spacious welcoming platform. Most surrounding structures leaned toward temple-style architecture—pointed pagoda roofs, curved eaves—built grandly. Influenced by the modern League of Blades, some more "modern" main buildings mixed in, creating a uniquely blended scenery.

Panting and wiping sweat, Fantaxi stood atop the steps, gazing at the surrounding peaks with a sense of "viewing all mountains as small."

"I, Fantaxi, am actually standing here..." Ah Xi still felt like he was dreaming.

No matter how exaggerated the step count was, this was still one of the Ten Great Holy Sanctuaries, a sacred place in the hearts of the League of Blades' people. From childhood, they were taught that entering here meant true success—Ah Xi was no exception. But such thoughts were only fleeting childhood dreams. As he grew older, he didn't even dare to dream of it. Yet today, not only had he come, but he was here as a challenger to wreck the place. Holy shit...