Chapter 43: Legendary Rank, Snow Sovereign
Many in the Sea Region couldn’t distinguish between the Ice Shield Palace and the Twelve Palaces of Ice. They were, in fact, two different concepts.
Ice Shield Palace was the general name for the faction hundreds of years ago. The Twelve Palaces were the twelve defensive lines originally stationed in the Valley of Wind, resisting the Storm Realm’s invasion for centuries, single-handedly preventing foreign Spirit Masters from setting foot in their territory.
Over time, the Twelve Palaces of Ice each gained renown, while the main palace responsible for issuing commands had long since declined into a second-rate support force.
Now, the Twelve Palaces of Ice each had their own names, jointly resisting external enemies while also competing amongst themselves. This was why the Ice Shield Palace, despite being hailed as the Sea Region’s top fighting force, was only ranked fourth.
–Sea Concubine Main Hall
If the interior of the Sea Concubine Palace resembled transparent ripples, then the main hall was like the sunless depths of the ocean, its oppressive atmosphere almost suffocating.
The water spirit energy in the air was so dense it seemed tangible. Ordinary humans couldn’t breathe here.
Wearing a water-colored uniform robe, the blue-haired girl with six teardrops at the corners of her eyes walked expressionlessly through the palace, her heart beating uncontrollably.
The Twelve Palaces of Ice… It was said that their Palace Masters were almost all Nether Traverse Stage super experts, some even possessing Saint-rank beings above the Nether Traverse Stage.
Why had they suddenly come to the Sea Concubine Palace? Weren’t they afraid of their defensive lines being breached? And… why did she need to attend the meeting?
Bang!
The doors to the reception hall swung open, all eyes focusing on the blue-haired girl.
Soft, water-blue hair, strange teardrop makeup on her cheeks—was it natural or painted?
Her strength, newly entered into the Dawn and Dusk Stage, was neither high nor low, giving off no sense of pressure, but rather an aura as calm and gentle as the ocean.
“I see.”
Suddenly, someone let out an inexplicable sigh, its meaning unclear.
What were they pretending for? Just by looking at the Sorrowful Saintess, what could they possibly discern?
Gong Lianyue cursed inwardly, nervously (though appearing expressionless) scanning the hall. She saw three familiar blue-haired women in Sea Concubine Palace uniforms and two unfamiliar black-haired women.
The two women from the Ice Shield Palace had hair that was more of a black-green mix than pure black.
Having spent years at the border between water and wind spirit energy, their internal spirit energy had become mixed, altering their hair color.
She didn’t know which palace they belonged to. It was said the higher the rank, the stronger they were…
Gong Lianyue bowed slightly and sat down beside Shui Qinghou, remaining silent.
Normally, Shui Qinghou would have already explained the situation via sound transmission, but in this setting, any fluctuation of spirit energy would be instantly detected.
“Now, we can begin explaining the situation,” one of the black-haired women from the Ice Shield Palace said with a smile after scrutinizing the Saintess for half a minute.
“Do you… remember the Serene Passage Pool?”
“…”
The Serene Passage Pool. Of course, Gong Lianyue knew of it.
It had once been the top power in the Sea Region Alliance. During its peak, hundreds of years ago, it had boasted over a dozen Saint-rank Spirit Masters simultaneously.
When the Serene Passage Pool existed, the Storm Realm wouldn’t dare set foot in the Sea Region. Unfortunately, they were later destroyed by some unknown catastrophe.
Since then, the Sea Region Alliance had been reduced to ten factions.
“A hundred years ago, the Serene Passage Pool, relying on its numerous Saint-rank Spirit Masters, besieged and captured a lone, wild Frost Snow Woman. And then…”
“Overnight, an area spanning thousands of miles turned into a snowfield. Countless human towns were frozen solid, with no survivors.”
“The Frost Snow Woman was merely the trigger. The real disaster was the legendary-rank spirit beast that followed—the Snow Sovereign.”
Hearing the calm explanation from one of the blue-haired Palace Masters, Gong Lianyue was shocked. This was the first time she had heard the truth about the Serene Passage Pool’s destruction—it was caused by the Snow Sovereign.
Although spirit beasts had many attributes and types, they could be broadly categorized into three: biological, elemental, and weapon.
Biological types grew larger with each stage. Though she had never seen one, it was said that legendary-rank biological types could blot out the sun and moon, spanning hundreds of miles.
Elemental types, even at the legendary rank, remained normal-sized, but their every move represented changes in weather, shifting landmasses, and natural disasters.
Undoubtedly, the Serene Passage Pool’s actions had angered the Snow Sovereign, leading to their annihilation.
Legendary rank… a realm beyond human reach.
To conceal the truth, historical records were vague, attributing the destruction to a natural disaster.
Gong Lianyue was inwardly shocked but remained outwardly calm. Shui Qinghou, however, was completely dumbfounded, her mouth agape.
“You didn’t know!?” Seeing Shui Qinghou’s stunned expression, another blue-haired woman asked incredulously.
“Yes, this is the first time I’ve heard…” Shui Qinghou replied blankly. She, a Vice Palace Master, didn’t know this. How could others?
“Then how did you pass your senior instructor training?”
“Didn’t you help me cheat?”
“…”
“…?”
The two women from the Ice Shield Palace were speechless. It seemed everyone in the Sea Concubine Palace was a bit… off.
“A few days ago, near the border with the Storm Realm, on a snow mountain, we discovered traces left by a Frost Snow Woman.”
Bang!
Instantly, besides the Sorrowful Saintess, the other three blue-haired women shot to their feet, nearly knocking over their chairs.
They exchanged horrified glances, then, noticing Gong Lianyue’s indifference, awkwardly sat back down, embarrassed.
“Ahem!”
“The appearance of a Frost Snow Woman inevitably means the Snow Sovereign has returned to the Sea Region.”
“This is another chance for us to make contact with a legendary being…”
“The Sea Region Alliance’s thousand-year-old Saintess tradition hasn’t attracted a legendary being. This is a new lead!!!”
Gong Lianyue had no idea why they were so excited. She silently took a sip of tea.
Legendary beings wouldn’t likely form contracts with humans anyway. They spoke as if they could actually contract with one.
The Snow Sovereign… a single breath could shatter mountains and rivers.
Even the mighty Serene Passage Pool had been like ants in its eyes. What chance did the current, weaker Sea Region have?
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