The Black Water Ghost Domain, which had been shrouded in maleficence and resentment for a thousand years, seemed to be purified after the final master of the Sacred City had his soul dissipated and spirits scattered. The dense black mist began to slowly lift, revealing a clear blue sky and warm sunlight. The seawater lost its ink-black hue, gradually returning to its natural azure.
The battle was over.
Aboard the black ship, the atmosphere was solemn. The guards were rapidly clearing the battlefield. The price of victory was heavy; over ten brothers had fallen eternally in this place.
Tran Kien stood at the prow, silently watching as the island of the Sacred City began to crumble. Without its master and with the Shamanic grand array losing its energy source, the island was slowly sinking into the depths of the sea, taking the secrets and crimes of a bygone era back to the dust forever.
He showed no joy typical of a victor. He had won, but he had also witnessed the terrifying depth of the "Sacred Dynasty." A mere fragment of a soul possessed the strength of a mid-stage Golden Core expert; how formidable would those truly standing behind them be?
"Exalted Lord," Thiet Phu approached, still smelling of blood, but his eyes were full of fanatical veneration. "We have triumphed."
"Indeed," Tran Kien nodded. He stored the sealed demonic core. Though evil, it contained peerlessly pure spiritual energy that could be used for artifact refining or array formations later. "Is the cleanup finished?"
"Reporting, it is done. The bodies of our fallen brothers have been committed to the sea in accordance with maritime rites."
"Good," Tran Kien said. "Pass down the command: the entire fleet is to weigh anchor."
He no longer looked at the sinking island. He turned to face the distant mainland. His gaze was no longer probing, but filled with cold killing intent and absolute resolve.
"We return."
News of the Sacred City's collapse—and how a mysterious fleet bearing the character "VO" (Formless) had annihilated the forces of an ancient demonic power—could not be hidden. Like an earthquake, it rapidly spread across the southern seas and surged into the mainland.
The powers of the martial world and the great sects were horrified. They did not know what the "Sacred Dynasty" was, but they knew that a power capable of controlling four Golden Core demonic beasts was by no means ordinary. And the one who could destroy such a power was even less simple.
The names "Formless Sect" and the "Faceless Exalted Lord" were once again draped in a veil of mystery and terror.
Meanwhile, at the Admiral's Naval Estate.
Ly Kinh Thien, after receiving reports from his eyes and ears, stood motionless in his study for an entire night. He stared at the nautical chart, at the coordinates of the Black Water Ghost Domain, his tiger-eyes filled with profound shock and a deep internal struggle.
The seed Tran Kien had planted had truly sprouted. This veteran general, who had been loyal to the nation all his life, no longer harbored any doubt regarding the conspiracy of the Marquis of Vinh An and the "Sacred Dynasty."
"Men!" he roared. "Pass down my command! The entire southern navy is to enter a state of high alert! Blockade all seaports! Any vessel of unknown origin is to be seized for interrogation!"
"Furthermore," he retrieved his personal command medallion and handed it to his most trusted vice-general. "Take a thousand elites and travel by land, day and night without rest, to the imperial capital. Deliver this medallion to Duke Dinh Quoc. Tell him... a great upheaval is coming to the south!"
A grand game had truly begun.
Tran Kien's journey back lasted nearly a month. He did not travel quickly, giving his subordinates time to heal and reflect after the grand battle. He also used this rare period of peace to consolidate his newly broken-through mid-stage Golden Core realm.
He sat in the cabin, eyes closed. Within his Sea of Consciousness, the chaotic Golden Core—containing a miniature sun—rotated slowly, incessantly absorbing the spiritual qi of Heaven and Earth, as well as the massive torrent of inherited memories. He was "digesting" the totality of knowledge regarding the Lac Viet Heavenly Cycle Array, fusing it with his own insights. He knew this was his ultimate trump card.
One afternoon, when the coastline of Dai Viet finally became visible...
A messenger bird from the Formless Sect in the City of Chaos arrived, carrying a secret missive from Old Ve. The contents were brief, but they caused Tran Kien's complexion to turn incredibly grave.
"The fish has taken the bait. The Marquis of Vinh An could no longer sit still. He has allied with the remnants of the Black Dragon Stronghold and several demonic sects. Using the pretext that Duke Dinh Quoc is 'harboring foreign soldiers' (the Formless Sect) and 'plotting rebellion,' he has officially struck, surrounding the Duke's Estate."
"The capital is in chaos. The Emperor's stance is ambiguous. Duke Dinh Quoc is struggling to hold out. The situation is dire!"
Tran Kien crumpled the letter in his hand. The thin paper felt as heavy as a mountain. The game in the imperial capital had reached its final move.
Without a shred of hesitation, he stepped out of the cabin and stood before the Blood Fiend and Sea Dragon Guards assembled on the deck. He wasted no words. He simply drew the Lac Hong Saber and pointed it straight toward the mainland.
"Our target," he roared, his voice echoing across the sea.
"The Thang Long Imperial Capital!"
"Our mission: To the King's Aid!"