Chapter 417: The Ghostly Realm

Compared to Xiao Bang's blind trust in Old Wang, the analyses from various sources in the Light of the Holy Sanctuary appear far more rational.

During the few days Old Wang and his team rested at Sakuman, speculations and analyses about their next battle had already flooded the Light of the Holy Sanctuary.

First, analysts from all sides highly praised the strength Rose had demonstrated so far—one Top Ten, two near-Top Ten, plus two beastmen ranked around thirty in the Holy Sanctuary rankings. Even disregarding Wang Feng's unorthodox tactics, this Team Old Wang was already strong enough to rank among the elite. In previous years' Heroic Tournament, they would undoubtedly have been one of the favorites to win, roughly placing them on the same level as the Sky Dome Sanctuary and Darkmoon Isle.

However, strangely enough, while Rose's odds in the underground betting markets had indeed risen somewhat, they hadn't completely reversed. Even for their upcoming match against Darkmoon Isle, the odds were only around one to three.

The reason was simple—even ignoring the forces behind the scenes, while Rose was strong, Darkmoon Isle and the Sky Dome Sanctuary were even stronger!

This was nothing like the bottom-ranked West Peak or the battered Sakuman. The Sky Dome Sanctuary and Darkmoon Isle had dominated the first and second spots in the Holy Sanctuary rankings for over a century—and they certainly hadn’t done so by boasting.

Just looking at Darkmoon Isle’s paper strength, they already surpassed Rose by a margin. With de Broglie, ranked second in the Holy Sanctuary, and Momosang, who rose to seventh after Hei Wukai’s departure, they had two Top Ten powerhouses anchoring their lineup. And as for the others? Darkmoon Isle had never cared about the outside world—who knew how many more experts like Momosang and de Broglie they had hidden away?

Add to that the geographical advantage of fighting on Darkmoon Isle, and the fact that Rose had already revealed nearly all their cards, leaving them thoroughly analyzed by their opponents… With superior paper strength, home-field advantage, and full knowledge of their enemy’s capabilities, who could still say Rose had a real chance of winning?

As for the Sky Dome Sanctuary, apart from a few well-known faces, their top experts scorned participation in the Heroic Tournament altogether…

In truth, Darkmoon Isle and the Sky Dome Sanctuary had always stood above all other Holy Sanctuaries, maintaining their unshakable positions as the dominant powers.

These two peaks each loomed higher than the last. Even though Rose had been advancing triumphantly, even defeating the fifth-ranked Sakuman, in everyone’s eyes, their chances of winning eight consecutive matches hadn’t improved much from the start. For Rose to overcome these last two hurdles, the difficulty was undoubtedly ten or even a hundred times greater than all six previous Holy Sanctuaries combined. And if one factored in interference from the forces behind the scenes, their chances dropped straight to zero—otherwise, why would the Holy City have agreed to Thunder Dragon’s declaration in the first place?

---

Nine Divine Empire, Imperial Capital—Nine Cauldrons

When it came to entertainment, the Night Banquet at the Mortal Pavilion was a must-mention. Though called a "pavilion," it was actually a complex of towers and terraces, with a seven-story main tower—the Star Terrace—at its center.

The Mortal Pavilion held grand banquets every three days, with smaller feasts on the days in between. For an upstart noble to enter, they not only needed a sufficiently prestigious aristocratic status but also had to be introduced by someone to gain access to the smaller feasts. Only by distinguishing themselves there could they advance to the main banquet held every three days.

At these night banquets, talented scholars and beauties were just the basics. Beyond poetry contests and storytelling, there were also competitions between various schools of thought.

"The War Academy should reform. Nobles are the backbone, but it’s undeniable that many commoners are also prodigies. All talents should be gathered under the War Academy’s banner..."

"That sounds reasonable in theory, but it’s a bit too idealistic. In reality, common rabble are unruly. The War Academy’s strength lies in its atmosphere and heritage. Without strict selection, letting common rabble in would only dilute its will, dragging it down further..."

In one courtyard, a group of learned scholars debated politics, while in another, beauties played music and danced as nobles conversed.

"Brother Lian Jian, I heard you’re looking to sell a batch of medicinal herbs..."

"Brother Nanmen, are you interested?"

After a brief exchange, the two nobles left together, summoning attendants to arrange a private room for further discussion.

On the Star Terrace, the Mortal Pavilion’s master—the Ninth Prince, Long Qing—gazed at the lively scene below with a faint smile, sipping the Dragon Court Frostspring, a tribute from the Dragonborn Clan. "The Dragonborn Clan’s wine truly has a unique flavor."

Behind him, two porcelain-skinned women wrapped their arms around his waist, their hands tracing his firm muscles with catlike pleasure. One of them, her mind hazy with desire, leaned in to seek a kiss.

Long Qing caught her delicate chin with a backward glance. "It’s getting late. If you don’t return soon, Chancellor Lu might discover you’ve spent the night away."

The words snapped Lu Jiao out of her daze, the flush on her cheeks fading slightly. Though she was the beloved only daughter of her family, the Lu household was strict—if her father found out she had compromised her virtue before marriage...

"Ninth Prince, I..."

"Don’t worry. I’ll have someone escort you back discreetly. No one will know."

Still uneasy, Lu Jiao opened her mouth to speak, but Long Qing suddenly pulled her face closer. Feeling his warm breath, she lost herself again at the sight of his perfect features. With all the tenderness she could muster, she pressed her lips to his. "Highness..."

"Be good. I’ll come for you again. Remember our signal?" Long Qing gently pushed her away, wrapped her robe over her shoulders, and carefully helped her into her shoes before seeing her out. Attendants would ensure her safe return to her chambers in the Lu estate. The other woman observed all this with an amused smile. "Ninth Prince’s charm is such that even Chancellor Lu’s only daughter would willingly share your attention with other women... Doubtless no woman in this world could resist you."

Long Qing glanced at her, "What about you?"

"I'm already like this, what do you think?" The woman smiled.

"I'm talking about your heart." Long Qing tilted his head and smiled at her. Formerly the top assassin of Shattered Iris, the largest killer organization in the Nine Gods Empire, she had originally come to assassinate him. After several clashes, she became his willing companion. Yet... "Every time I'm with you, I feel like you're treating me as someone else. It's you who's enjoying it, not me."

"The Ninth Prince actually doubts his own charm sometimes? Hehe, thinking too much spoils the moment, doesn't it..." The woman paused briefly, then suddenly picked up her dress from the floor, draped it over herself, and disappeared like mist.

Long Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly, and a retainer's voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has sent an invitation, requesting Your Highness to go to the Crown Prince's palace immediately for discussions."

Long Qing was momentarily stunned—his eldest brother wanted to discuss matters with him?

Among the princes, though Long Qing was outstanding and had won Long Kang's recognition, earning promotions and appearing prosperous on the surface, his status was the most inconspicuous. Thus, he was the least qualified to contend for the throne—by the imperial traditions of the Nine Gods, his mother's bloodline wasn't sufficiently royal.

Long Qing had always known his place, neither contending nor seizing. Even the Fanlou wasn't entirely his; every prince had a share. The only thing Long Qing truly controlled was his own Seven Stars Platform... To put it bluntly, those outer pavilions were not just spaces for nobles from across the Nine Gods Empire to interact with the upper echelons but also arenas for the princes' factions to compete—not just over political views but also to vie for the support of nobles arriving in the capital from afar.

More plainly, Fanlou was essentially the stage for the political clashes between the eldest brother's True King Party and the fifth brother's Soaring King Party in Jiuding.

In the rivalry between the eldest and fifth brothers, Long Qing had always maintained a neutral stance, as if invisible. Ambition? Of course, he had it. But he knew better—ambition without the right timing, conditions, and support would only invite disaster.

Glancing at the night sky outside, Long Qing smiled and called out, "Prepare the carriage."

Under the night sky, the Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince remained bustling. Apart from officials from all over, various advisors came and went through the side gates. From the outside, the Crown Prince's residence seemed almost undefended. Yet, stepping into the inner residence, the atmosphere abruptly quieted. Aside from the guards on duty and maids with specific orders, hardly any figures could be seen moving about.

Welcoming advisors openly while maintaining tight security internally was a strategy Long Zhen had personally devised for the Eastern Palace. The outer residence's advisors were for show, but the inner residence was the true core of the Eastern Palace. Behind the Crown Prince's authority lay the life-and-death test of royal power—not only from the competition of other princes but also from balancing the tension with the Emperor's authority. Though father and son, when Long Zhen won the support of the ministers, it inevitably diluted the Emperor's power. Yet, without consolidating authority, he could hardly counter the relentless pressure from the fifth prince, Long Xiang.

As soon as Long Qing's carriage arrived, the main gate of the Crown Prince's residence swung open in welcome. Long Qing stepped out and walked inside, ignoring the lower-ranking nobles bowing deeply outside the gate, heading straight for the inner residence.

Upon entering the inner hall, he found all his brothers present in Jiuding—except those dispatched elsewhere—including the fifth brother, who usually feigned illness to avoid the Crown Prince's summons, now seated to the side.

After the events in Dragon City, it seemed that Crown Prince Long Zhen had temporarily curbed the fifth brother's momentum.

"Greetings, Crown Prince." Long Qing bowed as protocol dictated.

Long Zhen smiled and gestured with his right hand. "Ninth Brother, please be seated."

"Thank you, Eldest Brother." Long Qing sat down, exchanging smiles with the other princes. Staying neutral among them was a delicate art.

"Now that everyone is here, today marks my first day representing the Heavens in governance." Long Zhen stood up and solemnly presented a fist-sized imperial seal. Long Qing recognized it at once—the Vermilion Imperial Seal, symbolizing the Crown Prince's authority to participate in governance. So, the Emperor had finally granted Eldest Brother the power to govern?

Governing authority was entirely different from merely discussing it. The latter was just discussion, with limited influence at best. But holding the Vermilion Imperial Seal meant acting on behalf of the Heavens, wielding real authority to issue decrees with imperial legal force.

Long Qing instantly understood. The Crown Prince had summoned him, who had always stayed out of court affairs, to display the seal's authority before all his brothers—establishing absolute prestige among them.

Of course, even with the seal, not all affairs could be handled. Only matters deemed suitable by the cabinet for the Crown Prince to resolve would be sent to the Eastern Palace—essentially training him to become a qualified emperor. And the other princes were obliged to assist.

Reviewing the pile of administrative matters, Long Qing thought he was just here for formalities. But the next topic made him tense.

"The Eight Tribes have spread word that Indra intends to select outstanding talents from across the land to arrange a marriage for his sister, Lucky Heaven. This time, it includes us. Ninth Brother, among our brothers, you're the only one yet to marry." Long Zhen spoke meaningfully, glancing at Long Qing.

"Eldest Brother, you're not sending me to the Datura Empire, are you?"

"Ninth Brother, the opportunity to prove your worth is right before you." Long Zhen said lightly.

In the Empire's struggle against the League of Blades, the Eight Tribes were a unique entity. Strictly speaking, they didn't belong to the League. The Datura Empire had a distinctive cultural heritage, and their alliance with the League was largely due to pressure from the Nine Gods Empire.

Yet, there were no permanent enemies or friends, only permanent interests. The Empire had never ceased making overtures to the Eight Tribes. Now, a new chance for a marital alliance had emerged.

"Eldest Brother, this is just a rumor. Given Datura's political style, they're likely using us as bargaining chips to pressure the League. Surely you don't intend to send me to Datura, do you?"

"Hehe, Ninth Prince, given the nature of the Celestials, the fact that this news has spread already suggests real potential. A wall that has been impenetrable for years has finally cracked open a sliver. We mustn’t miss this opportunity." Long Zhen smiled faintly. Though there was no word from their father, ever since Long Xiang took control of Mi Yepu, the empire’s infiltration into the Eight Tribes had stalled completely. If he could seize this chance to make moves in Mandala, it would undoubtedly deal another heavy blow to Long Xiang, who held sole control over intelligence...

Just then, the previously silent Long Xiang suddenly spoke with a chuckle, "Hehe, the League of Blades has imposed resource controls on Mandala in recent years. Indra has protested multiple times in the Blade Parliament, but to little effect. This time, using Lucky Heaven as a bargaining chip might genuinely be a move to seek another path for the Eight Tribes... Besides, with Ninth Prince’s charm, what woman could resist him? Ninth Prince, by any means necessary, if you can win over Lucky Heaven and force Indra to accept a done deal, it would be a great achievement."

Hearing Long Xiang’s words, Long Zhen’s smile deepened as he glanced at Long Qing.

Long Qing could only laugh and say, "Fifth Brother, I am a gentleman."

The other princes exchanged ambiguous looks. While the court ministers might be unaware, the princes knew all too well of Ninth Prince Long Qing’s womanizing reputation. If he set his mind to it, there was no woman he couldn’t win over.

Long Qing gave nothing away, his expression calm. This matter was like playing with fire—fraught with difficulties, but the rewards were equally great.

………

After a week of adjustments, no one knew exactly what Old Wang had been up to, but the injured members of the Old Wang Squad had fully recovered. Though the seven days of training and the increased dosage of Soul Elixir only served to consolidate their current strength without any new breakthroughs, the team remained riding high with confidence despite the collective skepticism from the Holy Sanctuary's Light.

Only a real fight would tell. As Old Wang had said, "Are kings and nobles born to their titles?" Everyone firmly believed they were the strongest, and the gossip in the newspapers was best ignored.

Bidding farewell to Gule, the group boarded the magic rail train to Reeves. After a rocky trip of nearly eight days, they finally caught sight of the coastline—Reeves City was in view.

Naturally, no one came to greet them. It was already evening, and the station was nearly empty, its lights dim. In contrast, the city ahead was brightly lit.

Having rested enough during the journey and already delayed from their original schedule with Darkmoon Island, Old Wang decided they would set sail that very night. Without further delay, they headed straight for the town’s harbor.

Reeves, a port city on the eastern coast of the League of Blades, fell within the domain of the Ghost Abyss Sea. Like Aurora City, Reeves was an independent port city with thriving commerce, its status as a free port no less significant. However, its customs seemed somewhat peculiar.

Almost everyone here wore a standard Holy Light badge on their chest—gold, silver, or soul crystal, each exquisitely crafted. At first, Old Wang thought the city was like Mangalam, filled with devout followers of the Holy Light. But as they walked through the streets, their ears were assaulted by the crude curses of sea merchants, ready to throw fists at the slightest provocation. Bars and brothels lined the streets, with gaudily dressed prostitutes leaning against doorframes, trading vulgar banter while making eyes at passing men. Strangest of all, these prostitutes also wore Holy Light badges, often of higher quality...

This was downright bizarre. While the Holy Light’s teachings weren’t overly rigid, they explicitly forbade violence and the sex trade. These people clearly weren’t Holy Light devotees—so why wear the badges?

Fantasy clicked his tongue in amazement, his eyes glued to a woman who was making eyes at him from a doorway. The badge’s placement... was impeccable! Swallowing hard, he couldn’t resist asking, "These coastal folks really know how to have fun... Is this roleplay? Wearing Holy Light badges to play saints?"

"Yeah right, 'saints'! Your eyes are practically glued to her chest!" Winnie yanked his ear, already planning to report this to Famier later. Ugh, the things she had to put up with for these immature men!

"Ow! Ow ow ow!" Though Fantasy’s Rage Tai Chi Tiger strength was no less than Winnie’s, he was long accustomed to her ear-pulling. Resisting would feel unnatural now. "Winnie, don’t accuse me! I wasn’t looking at her chest, just the badge! Prostitutes wearing Holy Light badges—that’s unheard of! I was just curious. If it’s not roleplay, what is it?"

"Ignoramus... They wear them to ward off evil!" The know-it-all Winnie finally released his ear, shooting him a disdainful look. "This is the Ghost Abyss Sea—plenty of unclean things around!"

"Unclean things?" Fantasy forgot the pain in his ear, getting goosebumps. Though his strength had grown by leaps and bounds, making him fearless against formidable opponents, his childhood fear of ghosts remained unchanged. "What kind of unclean things? We’re setting sail tonight, Winnie. Don’t scare me for no reason..."

"Pfft!"

When it came to worldly experience, the rest of the Old Wang Squad combined were no match for Winnie. As a cosmopolitan little rich girl who’d roamed the League of Blades by magic rail, there were few places she hadn’t visited. "Ever heard of the Phantom Ships? Or the Sea Wraith Passage? No? Then you must know about the Ghost Dominion!"

The Ghost Dominion Triangle—those five words were legendary. It was the area with the highest number of mysterious ship disappearances in all of Nine Heavens’ waters, exceeding other regions by a hundredfold. According to maritime charts, the area was perpetually shrouded in eerie winds and ghostly wails, hence its name. It was one of the most enigmatic places in Nine Heavens, rumored to connect to the so-called Gates of Hell. The infamous Phantom Fleet, the Dark Abyss Ships, was first sighted there.

"Ghost sightings are common in these eastern coastal cities near the Ghost Abyss Sea. Wearing Holy Light badges for protection is normal here." Winnie showed off her know-how before grinning wickedly at Fan. "Oh, and by the way, Darkmoon Island happens to be located in the Ghost Dominion..."

Fantasy gulped, suddenly feeling as if Winnie’s face had darkened, her smile turning sinister as she whispered in a chilling tone, "Ah~si~ba~, the winds out at sea in the Ghost Dominion are fierce tonight. Better hide under your blankets..."

"Damn it..." Though Fantasy put on a brave face, he got the creeps, and he didn’t dare engage further. Meanwhile, Wu Di and Kela were all ears.

Beastmen had no fear of so-called ghosts. In fact, their legends spoke of ancient times when dark creatures and spirits terrorized the world, and beastmen were the ones who vanquished them. Their fiery life-force and straightforward minds made them impervious to dark influences—natural enemies of ghosts.

Just as they were about to ask what human ghosts were like, Old Wang broke in, "Alright, enough chatter. It’s getting late—let’s find a boat first."