Deep beneath Handisai Castle, in a hidden, spacious hall, stood rows of bookshelves. But instead of books, each shelf held crystal balls about the size of a fist.
Mos Bagshaw appeared in the hall with Hodan and the others.
"There are 1,628 crystal balls here, and each one contains a Floating Shadow," Mos Bagshaw explained. "The Floating Shadows also come with descriptions of the battles, including the course of each fight and the techniques used."
Hodan looked at the many crystal balls on the shelves. They contained Floating Shadows of battles between peerless powerhouses, but most held little appeal for him. For Silvermoon, though, they would be a valuable experience.
"In this first secret chamber, many of the Floating Shadows show peak Seven-Star Fiends fighting, as well as battles involving Hell Asuras and Purgatory Commanders. As for the Floating Shadows of Chief Sovereigns in action..." Mos Bagshaw pointed to a corner of the hall, where a cylindrical stone pillar stood. A gemstone glimmered at its top. "Those are inside that pillar. It's hollow, and you can open it like a door."
"Silvermoon, you should start with the Seven-Star Fiend battles," Hodan suggested.
"That's what I was thinking," Silvermoon replied, walking toward the shelves.
Hodan went straight to the pillar in the corner and opened its lid. Three crystal balls sat inside.
"You only need to watch one of these, sir," Mos said with a reminder. "All three show a Chief Sovereign dealing with Highgods, and the techniques used are much the same."
Hodan sent his consciousness into a crystal ball.
An endless ocean stretched beneath him. A black-robed middle-aged man stood suspended in the air above it, his head thrown back in laughter even as tears streamed down his face. His mouth moved, though no sound could be heard.
Then,