Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture

Within Blood Phantom Prefecture.

In the depths of the Nether Sea lay a terrifying abyss steeped in darkness. Deep within that abyss stood an underwater castle emanating a faint glow.

The brightness of this glow changed with the day and night cycle of the Netherworld, ultimately creating the castle's own "day" and "night."

Inside the castle's main hall, a woman in a gray-white long dress sat in the seat of honor, leaning lazily against it. Standing in the hall was Kengo, the Lord of Blood Nether City.

Upon learning that Ailin intended to challenge the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture, he had immediately rushed to the Abyssal Sea to report the matter to the Prefect. If it had been an ordinary challenger, he would not have made a special trip, considering how immensely powerful the Prefect was.

But Ailin was different. He was a genuine Asura Expert. Naturally, Kengo took seriously the challenge of such an expert against the Prefect.

Of course, Kengo did not know that the Prefect before him was already aware of the matter.

Still, he assumed the Prefect would surely take it seriously as well.

"Do you know why that Bensgodo came to Blood Nether City to issue a challenge?"

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture showed no reaction to Kengo's report that Ailin might challenge her. Instead, she asked about Bensgodo.

"Uh..."

Kengo clearly had not expected the Prefect to suddenly ask about this. He did not dare conceal anything and replied directly, "In reply to the Prefect, I am not entirely sure either. If Lord Ailin had not suddenly appeared, we probably would not have known that he belonged to the Four Divine Beast Family even after he achieved a hundred consecutive victories."

Bensgodo was quite skilled at concealing his aura, and Kengo had not noticed anything unusual before.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had been about to say something, but her expression turned somewhat ugly the next instant. She took several breaths, as though suppressing her anger.

Noticing the Prefect's expression, Kengo could not help growing nervous. Was the Prefect dissatisfied because he had failed to uncover these details? At the thought, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Please rest assured, Prefect. Once I return, I will immediately begin investigating this matter and will certainly uncover Bensgodo's true purpose."

Kengo hurriedly stated his position.

"No need."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had already returned to normal. She suddenly switched to voice transmission, her tone clearly sharper than before. "Return to Blood Nether City. From now on, whoever challenges you, kill them if you can! Especially if anyone from the Four Divine Beast Family appears, show no mercy."

"Remember this: I will not allow your position as Lord of Blood Nether City to fall into the hands of the Four Divine Beast Family. Do you understand?"

As her words fell, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture fixed her gaze on Kengo.

Hearing the Prefect's sudden voice transmission, Kengo's heart seemed to stop for a moment. The Prefect... the Prefect had a grudge against the Four Divine Beast Family? He had never heard of such a thing before.

And had the Prefect received some information that the Four Divine Beast Family would send someone else to challenge him for his position as city lord?

First Bensgodo, and now more to come? Why had the Four Divine Beast Family set their sights on his position?

Kengo's expression changed slightly. "Prefect, if it truly is a Four Divine Beast Family Elder, Kengo may not be able to..."

Though he did not finish, his meaning was obvious. He knew his own limits. He was not afraid to fight the Four Divine Beast Family's elders, but those elders all possessed Sovereign's Might. If he pushed one of them too far and they used it, he would likely have no choice but to await death.

Even without Sovereign's Might, he was not necessarily certain of defeating them.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had calmed down somewhat by now. Understanding Kengo's situation, she said directly, "If you are not confident, then avoid the battle. As for everything else..."

"Forget it. You need not concern yourself with this matter."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture snorted softly, seemingly recalling something else. "I have my own plans."

Hearing this, Kengo relaxed slightly. Avoiding battle was easy enough. But as for his position as city lord, it suddenly felt rather scalding in his hands. Unbidden, Ailin's figure surfaced in his mind...

"Enough. You may return."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture narrowed her eyes, seemingly thinking of something.

"Yes. Kengo takes his leave."

Kengo let out a quiet breath, then cautiously left the main hall.

Only the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture remained in the hall. A peculiar light flickered in her eyes. "Leiding, you truly go too far! You have bullied me time and again."

"And now you even want to claim all of Blood Ghost Mountain for the Four Divine Beast Family. Heh. In that case, I would like to see whether your junior descendants have what it takes."

Thinking of something, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture looked toward the outside of the hall. "I had originally planned to wait for you to challenge me, but it seems the plan must change somewhat. Damned Four Divine Beasts."

Then, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture's figure vanished strangely from the main hall.

A few days later.

Blood Nether City.

Kakri Restaurant.

Inside Courtyard 14, Ailin suddenly sensed activity outside the courtyard. It was the beautiful waitress now assigned to serve him, pacing nervously outside with a tense expression.

Ailin frowned slightly but still opened the courtyard's sealing Magic Array. Sensing the change in the courtyard, the beautiful waitress's eyes lit up. She hurried forward several steps and called out, though the urgency in her voice had eased somewhat. "Lord Ailin, someone has come to visit you!"

"Visit me?"

Ailin's brows furrowed slightly. Many people had visited him lately, but he had already made it clear that he would not see anyone he had not met before.

Still, judging from the waitress's manner, it might be someone important. "Come in."

Having received permission, the beautiful waitress carefully entered the courtyard. Naturally, she knew Ailin's requirements. Upon seeing him, she immediately said, "My lord, the Prefect's Envoy has arrived. But since they could not see you earlier, I arranged for the Envoy to wait for the time being."

"The Prefect's Envoy?"

Ailin paused. "An Envoy of the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture?"

The beautiful waitress hurriedly nodded. "Yes. The visitor carries the Prefect's token and is indeed the Prefect's Envoy."

How could she dare defy someone carrying the Prefect's token? Naturally, she could only report their arrival. She truly had not expected the Prefect to personally send someone. Lord Ailin's influence was far too great.

Ailin frowned slightly, then said, "Take me to see them."

Though he could not guess why the Prefect had sent someone, she had likely learned that he had killed Bensgodo and sent someone because of it.

"Please follow me, my lord."

Seeing that Ailin had agreed to meet the visitor, the beautiful waitress relaxed slightly. Neither side was someone she could afford to offend.

Before long, the beautiful waitress led Ailin to Courtyard One. "My lord, the Prefect's Envoy is inside."

Ailin nodded, then directly pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the courtyard's pavilion sat a woman in a gray-white long dress.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture!

Upon seeing the woman, Ailin's eyes narrowed slightly. He immediately determined her identity.

Over the past few days, he had watched the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture's Floating Shadow battle recordings many times. Naturally, he had memorized her appearance.