Jason had been back in Rhine City for almost a year.
With plenty of time and a relaxed mind, it was easy to recall crucial clues he had overlooked before.
For example, Jason was now trying to practice Taiji.
It seemed impossible to become a god by relying on it, but it could help Jason get started with Profound Mysteries.
"The Profound Mysteries I should be comprehending are of the water element, but I don't know exactly what they are. There are also some things relating to fate, life, and death. They're very basic, and the theories I remember aren't complete, so I'll probably need to study them for a long time before I get any results."
Jason stopped and walked over to Veronica.
Just a few days ago, after relaxing over this period, Veronica had broken through to become an Eighth-level Warrior. She was now trying to comprehend Wielding Something Heavy as Though It Were Light.
She seemed tired too and was eating off to the side.
Jason hugged his girlfriend from behind and took the opportunity to grope her.
"Can that strange set of movements really help you comprehend Profound Mysteries?" Veronica asked.
"It feels a little helpful, but we'll have to wait a while to see just how effective it is."
"About that invitation from Bloodshadow Valley-all Rhine Clan members above level eight and trustworthy relatives can enter the holy land to cultivate. Should we go?"
"Yes, why wouldn't we? I was wondering whether to wait until you reached level nine so we could go together, but now they've lowered the requirement. We can go together after all."
A few days after Maisiji's birthday banquet ended, every member of the Rhine Clan received an invitation from the holy land, Bloodshadow Valley. The clan had lowered the requirements and asked all members above level eight to enter Bloodshadow Valley to cultivate if possible.
It seemed something major was about to happen, and they were eager to improve every member's strength.
"I can't shake the feeling we've boarded a pirate ship." Veronica was somewhat resistant to the Rhine Clan's sudden order.
"Even if it really is a pirate ship, we'll have to reach Saint-level as soon as possible before we have any way off it. Otherwise, we couldn't even withstand the aftermath of a battle between Saint-level experts."
"All right, then. Let's go."
Though they had decided to accept the invitation to Bloodshadow Valley, they still needed to make some preparations. At the very least, they needed to learn about Bloodshadow Valley beforehand and contact a few friends and relatives in the Rhein Imperial Family so they could stick together.
Prince Vittorio was Emperor Maisiji's younger brother and Jason's uncle. A Ninth-level Warrior, he had never been to Bloodshadow Valley because of his children.
Jason hadn't brought Veronica. This was a small gathering for the few members of the direct imperial line who had never been to Bloodshadow Valley.
"Bloodshadow Valley is our clan's holy land. It's said that more than one of our ancestors came to the Yulan Continent back then. They once joined forces to fight a Deity-level giant demon, and after defeating it, they refined its corpse, which was tens of thousands of meters long, into a massive magic formation. It can draw elemental energy directly from the Spatial Turbulence outside the plane, making it a place where the clan's descendants can cultivate.
"Later generations of the Rhine Clan piled sand and stone around the formation to create a mountain range. The valley at its center became a place for the clan's descendants to cultivate, and magical beasts were raised around it to give the clan's experts a chance to hone their combat skills."
Prince Vittorio's words left the younger members of the clan stunned and proud. After all, their ancestors had been capable of slaying a Deity-level giant demon and had also looked after their descendants.
Jason thought for a moment. "A giant demon tens of thousands of meters long would have been a Midgod at least. Different races have different body sizes, so we can't tell whether it was a Highgod. But why did they suddenly lower the requirement this time to let level-eight members enter too?"
No one asked that question. The Rhine Clan's patriarch, Emperor Maisiji, had already ordered them not to seek information about the matter.
"What do we need to prepare?" someone asked.
"Nothing. Bloodshadow Valley will provide food, lodging, and daily necessities. This time, we only need to do our best to cultivate to a higher level. The clan needs more fighting strength." Prince Vittorio's final words made the young people around him raise their eyebrows.
Only three days remained before they left for Bloodshadow Valley.
Jason brought Veronica home for a meal with his family.
Those closest to the Rhein Imperial Family were all seated at a long table in the style of Western nobility.
It was the first time in years that Barek and Lucy had eaten at the same table. There was some distance between the siblings, but the struggle for the throne was over, so they weren't about to fight again.
"Everyone, in three days, our warriors will leave to cultivate in the glorious holy land. Let us raise a glass to congratulate them."
"Congratulations!"
As the drinks flowed, Lucy took the opportunity to ask Jason, "Are you really leaving without marrying Sister Veronica first?"
Jason glanced at his girlfriend. "No. Veronica wants to get married later."
Lucy nodded. She had only recently married herself, and her relationship with her husband was decent. "Once I reach level eight, I'll go to Bloodshadow Valley too."
Lucy had only become a Level Seven Mage a short while ago. She had devoted so much energy to the struggle for power that her cultivation had fallen far behind.
"What about you, Eldest Sister?" Jason looked at Yunika.
"I'm not interested in cultivation. Someone has to look after my two children." Yunika had no interest in cultivation.
"Once things quiet down, I'd like to spend some time in Bloodshadow Valley too," Barek suddenly said.
The three of them looked at one another. Barek was seven years older than Jason, and though they got along well, they usually didn't talk much.
Barek lowered his head and said quietly, "A cabinet meeting was held some time ago. The empire has entered a state of emergency, and the throne will no longer change hands. The rule that an emperor cannot reign for more than fifty years has been suspended. As long as Father is alive, he'll keep ruling until the people who truly hold power in the clan declare the state of emergency over."
Barek clapped his hands together and shrugged. "So I'm just a spare, an insurance policy to keep the empire from falling into chaos if something happens to Father. But I have no talent for death, so I'll live three hundred years at most. We siblings fought for so many years for nothing. In the end, whether either of us gets to sit on the throne still depends on those old fellows at the very top."
The other three siblings looked at one another, feeling that something major was about to happen to the Rhine Clan.
"You four, stop whispering among yourselves." Maisiji's voice reached them.
The four of them were sitting quite close to the emperor.
"Jason, work hard once you enter Bloodshadow Valley. I've heard that the Saint-level experts in the palace have already agreed that it's only a matter of time before you break through to Saint-level. As for Barek and Lucy, you'll be going to Bloodshadow Valley eventually too, so spend time with your families for now."
"Yes, Father." All four obediently agreed.