Blood's troubled mind began to cool the moment he realized what had happened. Relief washed over him. It was really a Blood Follower selection.
A new function appeared within the interface, that was most likely related to the selection. It showed basic information and the number of followers he currently possessed. Soon after, he was instructed to hand the token to Kate, which she accepted without hesitation.
"I thought you said it was the Lord's command plate. Why are you handing it over to me?" she asked with glistering eyes.
For once, she thought the boy might finally be using his head. Perhaps he had realized it was best to hand command over to her.
Blood stayed silent for a moment before replying with a light smile. "That's your identity token. Without it, you won't be able to enter that place."
"Hmm, I see," said Kate begrudgingly. It appeared she was overthinking. He's already an inheritance holder. Forfeiting such a position would be too unreal.
Blood noticed her expression but chose not to comment. He knew he had secured a talent as a follower, though he remained uncertain of what she might do if she ever discovered that he had tricked her.
He soon realized that Blood Followers themselves offered him no direct benefits beyond their loyalty. He had no control or command over them, only access to basic information about their race, techniques, and special physiques. He couldn't help shaking his head.
There was one advantage, however: he could receive exps for every life they took.
I won't have to struggle so hard for exp anymore. Blood quickly brushed aside those thoughts and focused on the last message that he had received.
[A hidden quest has been completed]
[Quest: Obtain a Blood Follower with at least five stages above the Host]
[Quest Reward: Answering Slips (four available)]
[Host can buy more anytime in the shop]
Blood scanned through the details of the answering slips and discovered their use. Each could be used to ask a question, and the Blood Book would provide an answer.
His eyes gleamed faintly. So, it finally gives me a way to ask directly… He then turned his gaze toward the young lady, who was equally staring back at him, and said,
"It's not over yet. You see that prism? Direct your energy toward the Book at its center." He instructed, recalling the description.
The octagonal prism was much like his own, though simple differences could be spotted. Having gone through the same process himself, he knew how to guide her.
Kate followed his words and poured her energy into the prism.
The edges began to overlap; its size was shrinking steadily. Her expression grew serious moderately, her focus unwavering as she tracked the rapid movement of energy flowing along those edges.
Soon, the sides compressed in a strange, unnatural manner that seemed beyond human comprehension, until the prism folded into four sides and stopped.
Kate opened her eyes and relayed everything she had seen to Blood, leaving nothing out.
Blood wore a strange smile. He was pleased by her calmness throughout the ordeal. No one could sit so still while their core was being tampered with, especially without knowing what might happen. The fear of failure is always there. There was reverence in his eyes.
"That's all you have to do. You can cultivate like normal from now on." he remarked, satisfied with the success.
Kate fell silent, taking the chance to examine her body carefully. Since they would eventually compete for the Lord's position, she wanted to ensure the young man hadn't played foul.
Being at my peak will raise my chances of completing more phases. With a realm higher than his, I'll be able to claim that position quickly. she thought.
She then tried to coax him into revealing what those phases entailed, hoping to gain an edge. But Blood was unwilling to comply.
"Don't let me result to violence."
Blood: "_ _"
___
The warriors soon reached Sand‑Scale City, passing through its towering gates. The air was heavy with expectation, the people were lined by the sides of the cleared path, their eyes fixed on the returning warriors.
No battle of such magnitude ever came without casualties. Bland Town had suffered worse though, with many of its warriors wounded or captured.
No one was invincible on the battlefield. One moment a warrior could be alive, and in the next, reality could turn sideways.
The streets were congested. Some people had even climbed onto taller structures to gain a better view. Their gazes soon fell upon the prisoners, who were bound tightly in loops of rope.
Both divisions moved with calm. Moments later, they were ordered to set up temporary bases. Meanwhile, the commanders broke away from the eyes of the crowd, as they moved toward the leader's residence.
The aftermath of battle was often as perilous as the clash itself.
___
Kate and Blood soon soared above Snowflakes City. The city's endless snowfall gave it a distinct, ethereal beauty. It was the place where Kate's courtyard resided, and she had been living there ever since her arrival.
Unlike Sand‑Scale City, which was fortified by towering walls that controlled entry and exit, Snowflakes City was open, accessible from many points.
Though specific paths were most commonly used, a flying mount could bypass them all with ease.
"Isn't that the fierce Whip Lady's mount? Has she finally returned?" a passerby exclaimed, his eyes widening as he spotted the enormous beast cutting across the sky.
That name alone seemed to stir the crowd, as many faces turned upward, their expressions serious as they confirmed the claim.
"Don't be bothered by it," another said dismissively. "I think the beast is just taking a stroll. One of my relatives lives near the Whip Lady's courtyard. That big guy has always been lying inside since she rarely takes it out." The crowd nodded, as if agreeing to his words.
"Your words are correct," someone else added, "but I heard the guy hurriedly took off a few days ago, only to return now. There must be someone riding it."
"It's too large—we can't see them clearly."
"You think it went for the Whip Lady? Did she encounter some trouble?"
"Don't be foolish," another scoffed. "Who could possibly give her trouble with her terrifying strength? Just a wisp of her energy would send anyone scurrying away."
"Yes, that's true. She defeated the Myriad Sword Marquise with nothing more than releasing her aura, even though they were at the same level." one woman suddenly recalled.
The others nodded gravely, the memory was still vivid in their minds, one that would remain for another decade.
Among the crowd, a young man furrowed his brow as he watched the beast gradually disappear into the snowy horizon. His hand slipped into his robe, pulling out a communication plate. The young miss has arrived, he thought. I must relay this to the others.
___
The duo was riding high atop the dragon, oblivious to the murmurs rising from the streets below. Their minds were fixed solely on reaching the courtyard as swiftly as possible.
Although they had entered Snowflakes City, the vastness of its snowy expanse meant it would still take them at least half a day to reach the courtyard from their point of entrance.
Kate's lips curved into an unusual smile as they drew nearer. She could see figures pointing upward. They must have been whispering the same words they always did whenever she passed through the city. It was one she had grown accustomed to.
The distance gradually melted away beneath the dragon's powerful bursts, until at last the courtyard came into sight.
Blood's eyes widened, mystified as he read the bold letters carved upon the grand entrance. He turned to look at the young woman beside him, disbelief flickering across his face as though she were utterly mad.
At first, he didn't want to believe it!
Perhaps my eyes are deceiving me… he thought. But the closer they drew, the more undeniable the words became, growing larger, grander, and more fearsome with every passing moment.
The inscription seemed to strike like a hammer weighing thousands of tons, its aura alone was enough to instill dread.
Whip Dreadful Lady Courtyard!