Lord of the Mists

by Wo Chi Xi Hong Shi

  These three large continents formed a perfect triangle.

  Back then, Linley had even exerted his Sovereign power and made it so that the small islands around the Yulan continent and the Bluefire continent were all moved within the Dragonblood continent. The population of the denizens of the islands, all combined, was close to ten million. In addition, Linley also moved many magical beasts and other living creatures over.

  During these three hundred years, because of the vastness of the continent, and because the magical beasts had been released by Linley into the western part of the Dragonblood continent, the humans here faced no natural enemies.

  In three hundred short years, the human population thus exploded from ten million to over a hundred million. But of course, during these three centuries of development, the Baruch Empire had provided a great amount of assistance, such as through the sea trade between the two continents. Although it was described as ‘trade’, in reality, they were providing assistance.

  The people who had been moved over to the Dragonblood continent had decided upon September 24th as the day of the ‘Dragonblood Festival’

  “Linley, the citizens of the Dragonblood continent all worship you. They treat you as a true divinity. Can it be that you aren’t even going to go take a look at their Dragonblood Festival?” Delia laughed with pursed lips. “Although the population is just over a hundred million, which isn’t that much, the size of the Dragonblood continent is somewhat larger than the other two continents. This sort of nonstop rate of growth will make it so that in a few thousand years, the population here will surpass that of the Bluefire continent.”

  “Father, quite a few people in our clan are going over.” Wade laughed as well.

  “Fine, we’ll take a look.”

  The Yulan continent. The Bluefire continent. The Dragonblood continent. The distance between these three continents, to ordinary mortals, was fairly significant. But to Deities, or even to Saints, they were fairly close. There was only a distance of roughly five thousand kilometers of ocean between each of the three continents. Linley and Delia, in the blink of an eye, left the Yulan continent and arrived at the Dragonblood continent.

  The number one city of the Dragonblood continent: Baruch City. This city shared the same name as the imperial capital of the Baruch Empire. This city was close to the eastern sealine of the Dragonblood continent, and was also the closest city to the Yulan continent.

  Because it bordered the sea, it developed very quickly.

  This number one city had flourished, developing into an extremely large city with millions of citizens. Today was the Dragonblood Festival, and so Baruch City was extremely lively. Large numbers of countryside dwellers had also flocked to the cities, wanting to partake in the festivities. It wasn’t just the plazas in front of the temples; even the streets of the city were filled with oceans of people.

  Linley, dressed in an azure robe, and Delia, dressed in a white robe. They were walking through the crowded streets. Although the streets were crowded, nobody touched Linley and Delia; in fact, nobody even noticed this odd occurrence.

  “This place is becoming more and more crowded. There weren’t this many shops the last time I came.” Linley laughed calmly.

  “Last time you came was more than two years ago,” Delia said.

  “Two years? That was just a short while ago.” Linley’s current mentality had already begun to change.

  “Right. When are you going to make your own divine plane?” Delia asked, puzzled. “Last time, Grandpa Beirut said that the process of creating a divine plane involves joining your soul with the plane that you are creating. You will gain a clear sense of the Laws, which will be beneficial to you increasing your power. Aren’t you at a bottleneck, right now? Why not try it?”

  Every single Sovereign had the power to create their own divine planes.

  Upon doing soon, they would also gain insight into a portion of the Laws.

  For example, a water-type Sovereign who created a divine plane would end up creating a water-type divine plane! During the creation process, they would gain insights into some of the Laws of Water that were involved in the creation of this plane. Creating the plane once, or creating it a hundred times, would involve the exact same portion of the Laws; there would be no differences. In addition, creating a divine plane exhausted a great deal of spiritual energy, Sovereign power, and time.

  Thus, generally speaking, Sovereigns would only create a single plane.

  “The creation of a divine plane isn’t something that can be completed in just a year or two. Based on Grandpa Beirut’s experience, it will require nearly two thousand years,” Linley said with a sigh.

  A plane was simply too vast.

  Even Sovereigns would need to spend significant amounts of time creating one.

  Beirut had created one, but Bluefire had not. This was because Bluefire had already become a Paragon. He had a thorough understanding of the profound mysteries of the Laws of Fire; even if he created a divine plane, he wouldn’t benefit much.

  “A thousand years is, indeed, quite long.” Delia nodded. “When, then, do you plan to go create your divine plane?”

  “Soon, after making some preparations,” Linley said with a laugh. “Like Grandpa Beirut, I will create a plane next to the Yulan Plane.”

  While chatting, Linley and Delia reached the wide plaza of the main temple of Baruch City. The plaza before the main temple had a circumference of tens of thousands of meters, and it was currently filled with a thronging horde of people who stood there. Right in front of the plaza was the Holy Emperor of the Dragonblood continent, who was preaching.

  “In the name of the almighty true divinity, ‘Linley’…”

  A sonorous voice echoed in the air above the temple, and instantly, everyone in the plaza before the tunnel fell silent. Countless worshipful eyes stared ardently towards the Holy Emperor.

  “The charismatic power of a religious sect truly is astonishing.” Linley himself truly did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

  Previously, he had created the Dragonblood continent and moved so many little islands over. Afterwards, he had allowed the descendants of his Baruch clan to take responsibility for everything else. This so-called church and what not? It had all been developed by the descendants of the Baruch clan. However… Linley was indeed qualified to be worshipped like this.

  After all, Linley was already comparable to a Chief Sovereign.

  In addition, it was extremely easy to spread his religion, because something like the creation of a continent, in the eyes of mortals, was completely inconceivable. It was an almighty miracle, in fact, and it was countless times more formidable than the ‘Angelic Descent’ miracles that the former Radiant Church had been capable of.

  “Linley, the Dragonblood Festival is about to reach its most fevered state.” Delia laughed.

  “Just like before! During each Dragonblood Festival, here in the Dragonblood continent, we will select a hundred elites to be sent to the Yulan continent. These hundred elites will join the earlier elites and be trained, with some being weeded out. Those who fulfill the qualifications will be permitted to join the Divine Guard of the Holy Land, ‘Dragonblood Castle’!” an armored, bearded man who stood by the side of the Holy Emperor spoke out in a clear voice. “Now, let the selection tournament begin!”

  Seeing this, Linley couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly.

  “It was Taylor who came up with this thing.” Delia laughed as well.

  Dragonblood Castle was where Linley lived. That place had many Highgods, Gods, and Demigods; it was definitely the place in the Yulan continent with the most Deities. Even the guards of Dragonblood Castle had become known as the Divine Guard. If you wanted to join the Divine Guard, you would have to participate in the frenzied competitions. After all, if one had the chance to interact with Deities, one might easily be greatly benefited or be given tutelage.

  Occasionally, a divine artifa
ct, a divine spark, or a Golden Soul-Pearl would be released from Dragonblood Castle.

  Dragonblood Castle was definitely a place that was far more attractive than any institute.

  “The selection process for the Divine Guard is far more strict than the student selection process of the former Ernst Institute.” Linley let out a sigh. “Back then, we were sent to the Institute in batches of a hundred. Although this selection process also results in a hundred candidates, it requires everyone to gather in the Yulan continent and spend tens of years in the training and elimination process…”

  It must be understood that the members of the Divine Guard of Dragonblood Castle would only be changed once every century. Candidates, however, were selected every year. Countless people would go berserk for this chance.

  “Actually, there is no need to change the Divine Guard at all,” Delia said with a sigh. “All members of the Divine Guard are experts of the ninth rank, with lifespans of nearly five centuries. They can absolutely stay in the Guard for two or three centuries.”

  “Joining the Divine Guard is, after all, the fastest way to become a Saint,” Linley said with a calm laugh. “That group of people living within Dragonblood Castle is completely made up of Deities. Although quite a few became Deities through using divine sparks, given the understanding they have regarding the profound mysteries, if they can provide just a bit of guidance, those members of the Divine Guard might become Saints.”

  “Eh?” Linley lifted an eyebrow.

  “What is it?” Delia asked, puzzled.

  “Someone came to the Yulan Plane.” Linley laughed. “One of ours.”

  IN THE DISTANT north of the Yulan Plane. The Arctic Icecap. The teleportation array at the top of that mountain of ice.

  A blurry light was glowing, and four figures slowly emerged.

  “Greetings to the four of you, milords.” The current Planar Overseer of the Yulan Plane, although still a God, had been changed to a beautiful golden-haired woman.

  “Mm.” The leader of the four gave her a glance. “Let’s go.”

  The four figures rose into the skies, flying towards the south.

  “Elder Brother, do you think the words of the Chief Sovereign of Destruction are true or false?” the only woman amongst the four, a lady with long, fiery red hair spoke out. This person was the Matriarch of the Vermillion Bird clan of the Four Divine Beasts clan.

  “Consider the Chief Sovereign of Destruction’s status. How could he possibly deceive us?” The White Tiger Patriarch laughed as he spoke.

  “That’s not it. Only… I still can’t believe it,” the Vermillion Bird Matriarch said hurriedly.

  “Not just you; even I find it hard to believe.” Gislason let out a sigh. “But the Chief Sovereign of Destruction can’t possibly be lying. But… Linley, a Sovereign? This is too…”

  “Enough talk. Whether he is or isn’t a Sovereign, soon we shall know,” the deep voice of the Black Tortoise Patriarch rang out.

  “Have you found Linley through your divine sense yet?” the Vermillion Bird Matriarch said, puzzled. “I’ve searched all three continents, but have found no trace of Linley. I have, however, found quite a few of his family and friends.”

  “I can’t find him either… can it be that Linley truly has become a Sovereign?” Gislason and the other three looked at each other, all still feeling bewildered.

  This news was simply too astonishing, after all. Otherwise, the four clan leaders wouldn’t have hastened all the way to the Yulan Plane.

  The four clan leaders all moved extremely quickly, and they soon arrived within the borders of the Yulan continent.

  “There are many experts in the castle up ahead, and quite a few are descendants of my clan. That should be Dragonblood Castle,” Gislason said, and then the four transformed into four blurs, streaking towards Dragonblood Castle.

  56

  ENTREATY

  Dragonblood Castle was guarded very strictly. Multiple patrol squads roved about, the weakest of the guards at the ninth rank. Saints could be seen everywhere.

  But these guards weren’t able to detect the arrival of Gislason and the other three at all.

  Within the rear courtyard of Dragonblood Castle. A quiet field.

  “Rustle…” The leaves of the trees swayed in the wind. Beneath a thick, gnarled tree, a gray-robed Olivier was currently seated quietly in the meditative position, his eyes focused ahead of himself. Next to his body hovered an energy sword that constantly flashed about, displaying one type of attack after another.

  Two swirls of black and white energy could be vaguely seen.

  Suddenly…

  Olivier raised his head, discovering that four people were standing shoulder to shoulder nearby.

  “Lord Patriarch.” Olivier was shocked. He hurriedly rose to his feet.

  “Olivier, I just came to ask you a question,” Gislason smiled as he spoke. “Do you know where Linley is?” Prior to this, before Gislason’s group of four had descended upon the estate, they had searched Dragonblood Castle with their divine sense. They had discovered quite a few people, but the first person they had come to see was Olivier.

  “Linley? He should have gone to the Dragonblood continent,” Olivier guessed.

  “Milords,” a voice suddenly rang out.

  Gislason’s group of four couldn’t help but turn to look, only to see a maid arrive from the doorway. The maid said respectfully, “The lord of the castle has ordered me to invite the four of you, milords, to the rear gardens.”

  “Lord of the castle?” Gislason’s group of four was stunned.

  “The lord of the castle is Linley,” Olivier immediately explained. Over the course of countless years, although managers had come and gone, the position of lord of the castle was forever Linley’s.

  The Vermillion Bird Matriarch’s eyes lit up. She was rather stunned. “Linley is in Dragonblood Castle?”

  “It seems the Chief Sovereign of Destruction’s information was accurate,” the white-robed White Tiger Patriarch took a deep breath as he spoke.

  Linley was in Dragonblood Castle, but they weren’t able to locate him with their divine sense. Linley had definitely surpassed the ‘Deity level’. Then, he must be a Sovereign!

  The four clan leaders of the Four Divine Beasts clan followed the maid towards the rear gardens. The four felt very complicated feelings in their hearts. They also felt very nervous. After all, Linley’s status was now different. Sovereigns and Deities were on completely different levels. Sovereigns were lofty individuals who stared down at the countless lifeforms who struggled and battled across the countless planes.

  The Planar Wars could only be considered a game for Sovereigns.

  Deities, even Paragons, felt powerless in the face of Sovereigns.

  “Four clan leaders, come in,” a clear voice rang in from the rear gardens.

  “It is Linley.”

  Gislason’s group of four looked at each other, then entered the rear gardens. The rear gardens took up a fairly wide amount of space. Gislason’s group entered, then glanced around themselves. Only now did they see that far away, in the center of the garden, stood Linley. Linley was currently drinking wine with Delia and laughing and chatting.

  Noticing their arrival, Linley turned his head to glance at them, then laughed calmly, “Four clan leaders, please be seated.”

  After his four-way soul mutation, Linley’s status had risen to far surpass that of the four clan leaders within the Four Divine Beasts clan. And now, Linley was a lofty, noble Sovereign.

  “He is right in front of me, but I feel as though there is nothing there,” Gislason sent to the other three. “It is like when I saw Father in the past. Rather than any of their awe-inspiring Sovereign’s presence, they would completely contract their auras.” Gislason no longer had any doubts by now.

  “Sovereign. He really is a Sovereign!”

  The eyes of the other three clan leaders lit up.
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br />   Gislason looked at Linley, then immediately bowed. “Sovereign, we…”

  As Gislason saw it, in terms of relationships, Linley wasn’t that close to them. First of all, Linley had only joined the Four Divine Beasts clan later in life, and secondly, there had been members of the Four Divine Beasts clan who had desired to seize Linley’s Coiling Dragon ring. Although afterwards, they had done better, that was because of Linley’s power and because of Beirut’s status.

  But now that Linley was a Sovereign…

  Deities and Sovereigns. The difference between them was like that between the earth and the heavens. There was an unbridgeable gap between them. Naturally, they had to be respectful.

  “Four clan leaders, no need to address me as ‘Sovereign’.” Linley interrupted these words, then laughed calmly. “Just act as we previously did. You can just address me as Linley.”

  “This…” The four exchanged glances.

  “I am quite curious. How did you know that I became a Sovereign?” Linley laughed calmly as he asked the question. How had news that he had become a Sovereign in the Yulan Plane spread to the Infernal Realm?

  The nearby Vermillion Bird Matriarch laughed beautifully, bowing slightly in order to show her respect. “Linley, the news that you had become a Sovereign was actually given to us by the Chief Sovereign of Destruction. At first, we couldn’t believe it. After the four of us discussed the matter, we decided to go to the Yulan Plane to investigate. Now, it seems, this really is the case.”

  Although Linley chatted and jested with them, the four clan leaders still unconsciously felt pressure.

  After all, no matter how much Linley contracted his aura, the four clan leaders still knew, subconsciously, that Linley was a Sovereign.

  “The Chief Sovereign of Destruction?” Linley frowned.

  “How did the Chief Sovereign of Destruction know?” the nearby Delia said, puzzled.

  “Logically speaking, he shouldn’t. After all, this happened in the Yulan Plane,” Linley said with a frown. “There’s one other possibility. Grandpa Beirut chatted with the Chief Sovereign of Destruction.” Beirut was on fairly good terms with the Chief Sovereign of Destruction, and Beirut also had a clone remaining in the Infernal Realm.