Arc 18The Gorge Beyond Blount

Han Shuo broke through to the Unrestrained Desire Realm, returned to his allies, and killed Paladin Blount after tracking him to Talaga Gorge. He left the gorge to investigate the terrifying presences beyond its barrier, followed by Old Monster Stassom.

  • Han Shuo defeated the Church of Light forces during the coup, then helped Lawrence secure the throne and entered secluded cultivation.
  • Han Shuo completed his breakthrough after absorbing a Soul Pearl Tree memory, then learned Lawrence had ruled for years while his allies strengthened Brettel City.
  • Han Shuo returned to Buleiteer City, heard of the Seven Grand Duchies’ threat, and set out to find Blount and avenge the Earth Armor Zombie.
  • Han Shuo killed Nahum Betch and Cardinal Katos, then learned from Bert Zili that Blount was in Tarik City.
  • Han Shuo joined Cecilia’s investigation in Talaga Gorge, where he weakened the attacking magical beasts and captured Elizabeth after she tried to kill Kalei.
  • Han Shuo fought Blount and defeated him, bound Elizabeth as his servant, and took documents revealing the Church of Light had sacrificed eighty-seven pure souls to empower Blount.
  • Han Shuo led Cecilia and Elizabeth toward a barrier concealing terrifying presences, sent Elizabeth back, and went deeper into the gorge as Cecilia retreated.
  • Old Monster Stassom appeared at the place Han Shuo had vanished and followed him into the gorge, while Cecilia identified him as the former Imperial Preceptor of the Verdun Dynasty.
Chapters 426–450 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 426Han Shuo's sudden transformation

Han Shuo lost control while absorbing the Demon-Slaying Edge’s negative energy and entered a demonic state, unleashing deadly power as he flew toward Ashburn’s position. His allies watched anxiously through Sabocas’s crystal ball as Han Shuo descended on Ashburn’s forces, and Dempus began evacuating Ashburn and First Prince Charles.

  • The Demon-Slaying Edge’s negative energy drove Han Shuo toward a demonic state, and his outbreak collapsed buildings and killed nearly a hundred soldiers.
  • Sabocas and Carola saw Han Shuo fly into the blood clouds, which then moved toward Ashburn’s position.
  • Emily told the gathered allies that Han Shuo was in a dangerous demonic state, while Sabocas used a crystal ball to show them his approach.
  • Paladin Blount recognized Han Shuo within the blood clouds, and Wind Element Magic Mages failed to disperse them with tornadoes.
  • Han Shuo descended with the Demon-Slaying Edge, and Dempus grabbed Ashburn and First Prince Charles and retreated.

Ch. 427Unstoppable

Han Shuo unleashed the Demon-Slaying Edge against Ashburn and Charles’s forces, killing hundreds and forcing Dempus and Blount to retreat. As Ashburn’s party prepared to flee, Blount stayed behind with Zhankesi to draw Han Shuo away and counter his undead army with the Book of Revelation.

  • Dempus and Blount retreated from Han Shuo’s attack as the Demon-Slaying Edge obliterated the soldiers still in its path.
  • Carola, Sabocas, Fanny, Phoebe, and the others watched the devastation through a crystal ball and marveled at Han Shuo’s strength.
  • Han Shuo caught the Demon-Slaying Edge and charged toward Blount, killing hundreds of Ashburn’s elite soldiers as he swept through them.
  • Dempus told Ashburn and Charles that retreat was their only option, and Ashburn apologized to Blount after Charles angrily questioned the Saints.
  • Blount agreed to lure Han Shuo away and asked Zhankesi to stay with him, saying the Book of Revelation could weaken Han Shuo’s undead army.

Ch. 428One against a hundred

Han Shuo pursued Blount and the Church of Light followers, overwhelming their defenses and badly injuring Blount. As the battle continued, Han Shuo killed Zhankesi and extinguished the power of the Book of Revelation.

  • Blount and Zhankesi led the Church of Light followers away, and Han Shuo pursued Blount while Dempus and Ashburn returned to the battlefield.
  • Han Shuo's first strike shattered the Church of Light's barriers, injured Zhankesi, and left Blount bleeding from his mouth and nose.
  • Sabocas and the others watched Han Shuo's attack through the crystal ball, while Cecilia realized how far his strength surpassed hers.
  • Blount ordered the surviving followers to raise more barriers as Han Shuo launched another attack, knocking Zhankesi unconscious and driving Blount into the ground.
  • Han Shuo's blood-red sword aura killed more than twenty Temple Knights and White-Robed Priests, then stabbed the unconscious Zhankesi.
  • Zhankesi died with the Book of Revelation in his hands, and the divine artifact went dull and lightless.

Ch. 429A foregone conclusion

Han Shuo defeated the Church of Light’s forces in Osen City, though Blount escaped with the Book of Revelation. After the coup collapsed, Han Shuo rescued Bolands from losing control of the killing energy he had absorbed.

  • Han Shuo’s blood-red sword aura killed or wounded most of the Church of Light’s followers, and Blount secured the Book of Revelation as he fled the battlefield.
  • Han Shuo revealed that his overwhelming display had left him depleted, while Blount’s flight allowed him to avoid a potentially uncertain fight.
  • The remaining Church of Light followers praised the God of Light and killed themselves, while Han Shuo’s Demon-Slaying Edge returned to normal and his awareness of the city revealed the coup’s defeat.
  • Han Shuo saw that Bolands was overwhelmed by killing intent and hurried to draw out some of the chaotic energy before Bolands’s body could burst apart.
  • Bolands apologized for absorbing too much energy, and Han Shuo warned him not to exceed what his body could withstand.

Ch. 430New Status

After Han Shuo’s display of power, Lawrence learned that the king had backed him because of Madam Grace’s prophecy and heard the king’s final condition: the three princes must be spared. Lawrence agreed to spare them, while Han Shuo began cultivating in the Bell Tower, hoping the power of the dead in Osen City would help him break through.

  • Fanny, Van Razer, Carola, and the others gathered around Han Shuo, who explained that he had defeated Blount by using the power of the blood cloud rather than his own strength.
  • Lawrence told Bolands about Han Shuo’s battle, leaving Bolands astonished and eager to learn more from Han Shuo’s martial technique.
  • Han Shuo asked Lawrence, Sabocas, and Carola to speak privately, then revealed that Madam Grace’s prophecy had prompted the king to support Lawrence as the next ruler.
  • Han Shuo told Lawrence that the king had asked him to spare all three princes, and Lawrence agreed to exile or imprison Charles while allowing the other two to remain princes if they did not oppose him.
  • Han Shuo asked Lawrence and the others not to disturb him and began cultivating in the Bell Tower, sensing the power of the dead across Osen City as he prepared to attempt a breakthrough.

Ch. 431Absorption

Han Shuo absorbed the fiendish energy accumulated over Osen City and prepared to enter prolonged cultivation after confirming Lawrence had secured the throne. Before departing, he reunited with Emily, Fanny, and Phoebe, then took Phoebe to her room for an intimate encounter that ended with him changing their position.

  • Han Shuo spent several days absorbing and refining the Sha Qi above Osen City, then woke with power surging through his body and the Demon-Slaying Edge filled with energy to digest.
  • Emily told Han Shuo that Duke Ashiburn had been killed, Prince Charles was imprisoned, and Lawrence controlled Osen City and was expected to take the throne.
  • Han Shuo told Emily, Fanny, and Phoebe that he needed closed-door cultivation, which could last from eight months to several years.
  • Phoebe asked Han Shuo to speak with her privately, and he followed her to her room while Emily teased Fanny about their private conversation.
  • Han Shuo began caressing Phoebe, but she cried out when his increased weight nearly crushed her; he then sat up and pulled her onto his lap.

Ch. 432My name is Han Hao

After becoming celebrated across the Lancelot Empire for his role in the coup, Han Shuo traveled to Buleiteer City and found that the Golden Armored Corpse had been successfully refined. The Golden Armored Corpse claimed the Metal Element Treasure, and Little Skeleton named himself Han Hao before returning to the Otherworld.

  • Han Shuo left Fanny after she refused intimacy, then traveled from Osen City to Sea Mist City using the restored Teleportation Array as soldiers and merchants recognized him as Marquis Brian.
  • Han Shuo sensed that the Golden Armored Corpse had been completed and flew to Buleiteer City, where he saw the expanded weapons workshop on Qiluo Mountain.
  • Han Shuo entered the Metal-Extreme Land, freed the Golden Armored Corpse, and watched it absorb the golden pillar into a staff resembling a Ruyi Jingu Bang.
  • Little Skeleton asked Han Shuo to find matching elemental weapons for Little Water, Little Earth, and Little Wood, prompting Han Shuo to consider that other extreme lands might exist.
  • Before returning to the Otherworld with the Golden Armored Corpse, Little Skeleton told Han Shuo that he had chosen the name Han Hao.

Ch. 433Another extraordinary ability

Han Shuo secluded himself in the Death Cemetery to absorb his accumulated power and strengthen his body, but he stopped just short of reaching the Unrestrained Desire Realm. His bones gained the ability to extend and retract, the Earth Armor Zombie recovered, and Han Shuo turned his attention to finding a way to travel freely to the Undead World.

  • Han Shuo returned to Brettel City, left its affairs in Jack and the others’ hands, and entered secluded cultivation in the Death Cemetery.
  • Han Shuo entered a static Demonic State and spent an unknown length of time absorbing the baleful energy within him.
  • Han Shuo’s Demonic Nascent Soul tempered his body, awakening his ability to extend and retract his limbs by controlling his bones.
  • Han Shuo found his body and Demonic Essence ready for the Unrestrained Desire Realm, but he still lacked the insight to break through.
  • The Earth Armor Zombie told Han Shuo that he had fully recovered, and Han Shuo sent him back to the Undead World.
  • Han Shuo began studying how to use the Skeleton Magic Staff to let his soul travel freely to and from the Undead World.

Ch. 434Undead Creatures of the Dead Sea

Han Shuo mastered the spell for traveling to the Undead World in soul form and arrived beside Little Skeleton, who was preparing to conquer a region of the Eastern Dead Sea. When Tumojia refused to submit, Little Skeleton charged to attack him.

  • Han Shuo learned to travel to and from the Undead World in soul form, then used his connection with Little Skeleton to arrive beside him.
  • Han Shuo formed a temporary body from Skeleton Warriors’ bones and learned that Little Skeleton had brought an undead army to the Eastern Dead Sea.
  • Tumojia, a powerful octopus-like undead creature, challenged Little Skeleton’s authority from the black ocean.
  • Little Skeleton demanded that Tumojia submit, while Water Armored Corpse parted the Dead Sea and led the undead army toward Tumojia’s territory.
  • Tumojia rejected Little Skeleton’s offer, so Little Skeleton gathered death energy into his Bone Spikes and charged at him.

Ch. 435Crushed from Within

Little Skeleton and Han Shuo battled Tumojia, the powerful outsider who ruled the Eastern Dead Sea, while their allies fought his undead army. Little Skeleton destroyed Tumojia and absorbed his power, emerging as the strongest undead in the region.

  • The Water Armored Corpse and Fire Armored Corpse led Little Skeleton’s undead army against Tumojia’s forces, using water and fire to inflict heavy losses.
  • Little Skeleton explained to Han Shuo that Tumojia had arrived from another world and formed a new body in the Dead Sea.
  • Tumojia emerged from the sea and attacked Little Skeleton, who trapped him outside the water and struck him with his seven Bone Spikes.
  • Han Shuo’s Soul Tremor disoriented Tumojia, allowing Little Skeleton to stab one of his eyes and enter his body.
  • Little Skeleton absorbed Tumojia’s power until Tumojia’s body burst apart, then drained his remaining soul power and erased him from existence.
  • Little Skeleton returned from the Dead Sea with jade-white bones and greater power, becoming the strongest undead in the Eastern Dead Sea.

Ch. 436Soul Pearl Tree

Han Shuo and Little Skeleton descended into the Dead Sea to find the Soul Pearl Tree, whose fruits could increase the intelligence of powerful undead. After tasting one, Han Shuo received strange memories and insights, including a fragment about desire that left him stunned with sudden enlightenment.

  • Little Skeleton led Han Shuo into the Dead Sea, explaining that he had sought a rare plant there as well as victory over Tumojia.
  • A group of mutated undead creatures confronted them, but Little Skeleton announced Tumojia’s death and forced them to submit.
  • Little Skeleton ordered the creatures to guide them to the Soul Pearl Tree and explained that its Soul Pearls could help certain undead develop intelligence.
  • The creatures led them through soul energies that briefly dazed Little Skeleton and the Bone Demon; the Bone Demon attacked one creature before Little Skeleton ordered it to stop.
  • The group reached the Soul Pearl Tree, and Han Shuo broke open a fruit with his divine sense and absorbed its memories and insights.
  • A memory fragment about controlling and indulging desire struck Han Shuo, who had been struggling to break through the Unrestrained Desire Realm, and left him in a state of sudden enlightenment.

Ch. 437Three-Year Enlightenment

Han Shuo emerged from three years and four months of secluded cultivation after reaching the Unrestrained Desire Realm, discovering that his Divine Sense and abilities had greatly improved. Gilbert then briefed him on how Trunks and Lawrence had strengthened their forces while Han Shuo was away.

  • Little Skeleton ordered the Bone Demon to watch over Han Shuo while Han Shuo remained motionless in the Dead Sea of the Undead World.
  • Han Shuo's Divine Sense entered the Death Cemetery, where his Demonic Essence condensed until he awakened in the Unrestrained Desire Realm.
  • Han Shuo tested his expanded Divine Sense and mastered several Demon Gate Secret Techniques before letting Gilbert into the Death Cemetery.
  • Gilbert told Han Shuo that three years and four months had passed and reported that Trunks's Soul Annihilation Mercenary Group had taken control of Sun Radiance Valley.
  • Gilbert explained that Lawrence had become emperor, stabilized the Lancelot Empire, and supported Brettel City while Dokes raided the Seven Grand Duchies.

Ch. 438Changes

After three years of cultivation, Han Shuo returned to Buleiteer City and found it transformed into a wealthy, heavily fortified center of trade and military power. He reunited with its leaders and friends at the City Lord's Mansion, where they gathered to welcome him and brief him on the city’s growth.

  • Han Shuo and Gilberto entered Buleiteer City through its Magic Teleportation Array, and Han Shuo surveyed its prosperity and defenses with his Xuan Demons.
  • Druk recognized Han Shuo at the City Lord's Mansion, and the returning Lord Marquis was welcomed by the guards and steward Callas.
  • Callas explained that Jack, Dokes, and other allies had received noble titles and that the king had supported Buleiteer City's development.
  • Callas described how Jack, Dokes, and Dick had strengthened the city's administration, army, intelligence network, and influence over the Seven Grand Duchies.
  • Jack arrived with Jessica, followed by Dokes, Dick Valklan, and former Mountain People leaders, and they gathered with Han Shuo for a welcoming banquet.

Ch. 439Delia's Hint

Han Shuo learned that Buleiteer City faced threats from the Seven Grand Duchies and the Bart Trade Alliance, but he focused on dealing with the duchies first. After Delia openly hinted at her attraction to him, Han Shuo told Dokes and Jack he was leaving briefly to settle a personal matter, intending to kill Blount and avenge the Earth Armor Zombie.

  • Dokes and Jack explained that the Seven Grand Duchies and the Bart Trade Alliance threatened Buleiteer City, with the alliance secretly backing five duchies against it.
  • Han Shuo dismissed Jack's warning about the Bart Trade Alliance and said they only needed to focus on the Seven Grand Duchies for now.
  • Delia flirted openly with Han Shuo, while Jack and Dokes recognized her interest and Dokes sent her away.
  • Han Shuo told Dokes and Jack he would leave Buleiteer City briefly, and they assured him they would manage the city in his absence.
  • Han Shuo decided to kill Blount, who had badly injured him and the Earth Armor Zombie, to avenge the zombie.

Ch. 440Revenge

Han Shuo attacked the Church of Light’s cathedral in the Beasley Duchy, where Grand Duke Nahum Betch and Cardinal Katos had been discussing how to kill him. After breaking through the cathedral’s defenses, Han Shuo killed Nahum Betch and demanded to know where Paladin Blount was.

  • Nahum Betch and Katos sensed an evil presence approaching the cathedral and dismissed the danger as a heretic they could defeat.
  • The cathedral’s defenders screamed as the barrier erected by a Church of Light Saint Archmage shook and then shattered.
  • Nahum Betch and Katos tried to flee through a side door, but Han Shuo appeared and blocked their escape.
  • Katos recognized Han Shuo as the heretic Brian, and Han Shuo demanded Blount’s location in exchange for a more comfortable death.
  • Nahum Betch attacked Han Shuo with his sword, but Han Shuo shattered the weapon and broke Nahum Betch’s bones with one punch.
  • Han Shuo asked Nahum Betch where Paladin Blount was, then killed him with a stomp before he could answer.

Ch. 441A bloodbath at the church

Han Shuo killed Nahum Betch and Cardinal Katos at the Church of Light in the Beasley Duchy, then used Katos’s memories to learn about the Church’s hidden forces and search for Blount. He traveled to the Pauleta Duchy to question Grand Duke Bert Zili, but found him summoning a demon and intervened when the creature attacked.

  • Han Shuo killed Nahum Betch and seized Katos, using the Great Soul-Seizing Hand to extract the cardinal’s memories before killing him.
  • Han Shuo left the bloodied Church of Light, learned that it had three covert organizations, and discovered that Katos had no firm information about Blount’s whereabouts.
  • Han Shuo recalled that Bert Zili belonged to the Calamity Church and flew to the Pauleta Duchy, hoping the Grand Duke might know where Blount was.
  • Bert Zili summoned the high-level demonic creature Dajia Ka in a hidden altar beneath his residence.
  • Dajia Ka lunged at a shadow, but Han Shuo froze it in midair, alarming Bert Zili.

Ch. 442Winning favor

Han Shuo visited Bert Zili to learn Paladin Blount’s whereabouts, then traveled to Tarik City to pursue him through the Dark Curtain. He arrived at its secret headquarters and unexpectedly encountered Cecilia.

  • Han Shuo revealed his identity to Bert Zili and freed the summoned demonic creature Dajia Ka from suspension so Bert could recall it.
  • Bert Zili told Han Shuo that Paladin Blount was in Tarik City, where he was handling Church of Light affairs and hunting someone.
  • Han Shuo told Bert Zili he had killed Grand Duke Nahum Betch and Cardinal Katos, prompting Bert to secretly mobilize against the Beasley Duchy.
  • Han Shuo flew to Tarik City, contacted the local Dark Curtain, and showed a member his two-sun identification token.
  • Cecilia recognized Han Shuo at the Dark Curtain headquarters and asked what he was doing there.

Ch. 443A humble stance

After reuniting with Cecilia in Tarik City, Han Shuo learned that Paladin Blount had entered the dangerous Talaga Gorge while pursuing a heretic, and agreed to investigate alongside Cecilia’s Dark Curtain team. While waiting to depart, he checked on the Five Elements Armored Corpses’ formation practice in the Necromantic Paradise and continued studying necromantic barriers.

  • Cecilia welcomed Han Shuo to the Tarik City Dark Curtain branch and told him he had been promoted to Four-Day Envoy.
  • Han Shuo asked about Paladin Blount, and Cecilia explained that Blount had pursued a heretic into Talaga Gorge after unusual magical-beast attacks drew attention to the area.
  • Cecilia invited Han Shuo to join the team’s investigation of Talaga Gorge, and he agreed to travel with them the following morning.
  • In a secret chamber, Han Shuo visited the Necromantic Paradise and learned that the Earth Armor Zombie, Golden Armored Corpse, and Fire Armored Corpse could merge their powers, while the other two could not yet do so.
  • Han Shuo returned from the Necromantic Paradise, studied the Weakness Barrier, and left with Cecilia when she said the team was ready.

Ch. 444Weakness Barrier

Cecilia and Han Shuo led a Dark Curtain team into Talaga Gorge, where a pack of magical beasts attacked them. As the team fought, Han Shuo formed a Weakness Barrier that slowed the beasts, then sensed a powerful presence approaching.

  • Cecilia led Han Shuo and twelve Dark Curtain subordinates deeper into the eerily empty Talaga Gorge to investigate the beasts’ aggression.
  • Ticalu reported that nearly a hundred magical beasts were converging on the group, and Cecilia ordered everyone to prepare defenses.
  • Cecilia’s team used support magic, spells, arrows, and traps to kill many of the charging beasts.
  • Han Shuo studied how to combine the Weakness Barrier’s effects on body and soul while the battle continued.
  • Han Shuo cast the Weakness Barrier, slowing several higher-ranked beasts, then sensed a powerful presence approaching stealthily.

Ch. 445The ambusher gets a beating

Han Shuo rescued Kalei from an elderly woman who ambushed him with green smoke and dragged him toward a patch of sucking mud. Han Shuo swiftly defeated and captured her, then demanded to know who she was and why she had attacked them.

  • Cecilia's group defeated the charging magical beasts after Han Shuo's Weakness Barrier weakened them.
  • Han Shuo detected a hidden attacker moving toward Kalei and followed as the woman ensnared him in green smoke and carried him into Talaga Gorge.
  • The woman tried to drag Kalei into a patch of mud, but Han Shuo struck the mud and freed him.
  • The elderly woman attacked Han Shuo with green smoke and a strange force, but his Demonic Nascent Soul absorbed her power.
  • Han Shuo severely injured the woman, captured her, washed the mud from her face, and demanded to know who she was and why she had attacked them.

Ch. 446Both heretics, but worlds apart!

Han Shuo captured Elizabeth, learned why the Church of Light was hunting her, and revealed that he was also an arch-heretic. As the Church of Light surrounded them, Han Shuo summoned undead and faced Paladin Blount, who recognized him.

  • Han Shuo questioned Elizabeth after defeating her and sent Kalei to meet Cecilia and the others.
  • Han Shuo discovered that Elizabeth had a God-Graced Body and learned she had tried to frame the Church of Light by killing Kalei.
  • Han Shuo listened to the approaching Church of Light party and learned that Elizabeth could absorb its divine power.
  • Han Shuo told Elizabeth that he was an arch-heretic who had become the Church of Light’s hunter.
  • Paladin Blount and the Church of Light’s forces surrounded Elizabeth, but Han Shuo summoned undead around them.
  • Blount recognized Han Shuo as the man who had seriously wounded him three years earlier.

Ch. 447Slaying an enemy with his own hands

Han Shuo confronted Paladin Blount, overwhelmed him in battle, and had his undead finish him off. He offered Elizabeth the chance to absorb Blount’s divine power in exchange for becoming his servant, and she accepted.

  • Han Shuo freed Elizabeth and told her she could absorb the divine power in Blount’s body.
  • Elizabeth recognized Han Shuo as the necromancer who had defeated Blount, and Blount ordered the Church of Light followers to attack Han Shuo.
  • Han Shuo fought Blount barehanded while his undead attacked the surrounding Church of Light followers.
  • Han Shuo broke Blount’s defenses, and a zombie warrior emerged from the earth and repeatedly stomped on the fallen paladin.
  • Han Shuo offered Elizabeth a choice between becoming his servant and being killed, and Elizabeth agreed before rushing to absorb Blount’s divine power.

Ch. 448Planting Demonic Blood

Han Shuo killed Paladin Blount, discovered Elizabeth could absorb divine power, and bound her to him with demonic blood. After taking Blount’s soul and equipment, Han Shuo found something in the yellow papers that shocked him.

  • Elizabeth absorbed the divine power from the dying Blount while Han Shuo examined the five qi vortices in her body.
  • Han Shuo planted demonic blood in Elizabeth’s brain, drained some of her power, and forced her into a master-servant bond.
  • Han Shuo ordered Elizabeth to absorb divine power from the surviving followers of the Church of Light.
  • Han Shuo crushed Blount’s head, absorbed his soul into the Demon-Slaying Edge, and took his armor, Golden Spear, and Spatial Ring.
  • Han Shuo read the yellow papers from Blount’s Spatial Ring and was shocked by their contents.

Ch. 449Secret Documents

Han Shuo discovered documents proving that the Church of Light had sacrificed eighty-seven pure souls to empower Paladin Blount, then planned to expose them through the Calamity Church. After Blount and the other Church of Light followers were killed, a tremendous crash and fleeing magical beasts drew Han Shuo and Cecilia toward the depths of Talaga Gorge.

  • Han Shuo found Blount's signed documents describing the Church of Light's sacrifice of eighty-seven pure souls to increase Blount's power.
  • Elizabeth reported that the remaining Church of Light followers were dead, and Han Shuo assessed how much divine power she had absorbed.
  • Cecilia and the Dark Curtain members arrived, and Han Shuo told Cecilia that Blount was dead and Elizabeth had become his servant.
  • Han Shuo decided to give the documents to Woaofu so the Calamity Church could expose the Church of Light.
  • A tremendous crash shook Talaga Gorge, and Han Shuo, Cecilia, and Elizabeth went to investigate as magical beasts fled.

Ch. 450Venturing in Alone

Han Shuo led Cecilia, Elizabeth, and their companions into Talaga Gorge, where fleeing magical beasts and powerful presences warned of danger in its depths. He went on alone while Cecilia’s group retreated, and Old Monster Stassom appeared and followed Han Shuo.

  • Han Shuo led the group deeper into Talaga Gorge as large herds of magical beasts charged past without attacking them.
  • Han Shuo sensed a barrier and several terrifying presences beyond it, then warned Cecilia that even Paladin Blount would die if he entered.
  • Han Shuo sent Elizabeth back to Tarik City and vanished deeper into the gorge, while Cecilia chose to retreat with her subordinates.
  • Old Monster Stassom appeared where Han Shuo had stood, asked Cecilia who he was, and then followed Han Shuo into the gorge.
  • Cecilia told her companions that the strange young man was Old Monster Stassom, the current guardian of the Seven Grand Duchies and former Imperial Preceptor of the Verdun Dynasty.
Arc 18 of 42