Mystical Journey

"Bring the rings!"

The herald on the side shouted.

Three beautiful ladies had long been prepared. They brought up three silver plates in their white dresses.

In the middle of the plates were three small, pitch-black rings. A simple pattern resembling the Nine-Headed Hydra was carved on each of the rings.

The emblem of Blackfire Palace was instantly displayed on the court. This allowed the crowd to gauge Garen's value towards the three people.

The three masters took the rings and placed them on different fingers on their respective hands.

The servants then brought the three of them down, and next was the group that was just selected. They went up to receive the rings. This time, they were black-red rings to signify a lower level than the pure black rings.

This not only signified the difference in benefits and status, but also represented the different levels of teachings that would be bestowed upon them.

Lastly, the people that passed the third determination test were brought up. Dark red rings were given, representing their third-ranked status.

Almost everyone in the kingdom knew that Garen had seized control of the largest royal treasury, then equally divided the resources with the Silver Palace. He also controlled large amounts of land in the palace, even the eldest princess and the four princes didn't dare to return to the palace in order to avoid conflict.

Moreover, for the two Grand Dukes, one of them had a good relationship with Garen; while the other one would not start a conflict with Garen over some wealth. Although at first glance, they did not obtain the royal treasury, but they obtained a more secretive royal warehouse.

Both parties had an understanding. It could be considered as the both of them taking what they needed.

The candidates at the determination test were different from the first two batches.

They were treated significantly worse, except those that had fully passed the test. Those that endured more than half would be given a pass as well, but they had to pay a significant fee every year.

The meaning behind this measure was that only those with top talent and determination would qualify to be trained by the Blackfire Palace. Those with slightly lower talent and determination had to pay a price to obtain what they desired.

It was equivalent to school fees.

Garen wasn't unaware that other forces would definitely send people to try to learn his techniques, or they might even have other motives.

However, that did not matter to him.

After his contest with Ivycius, he realized that there were many fourth form totem users with martial arts in this world, but only a few could enter the fifth form.

Martial arts was only one of the criterias to enter fifth form, but it wasn't the full requirement.

To reach fifth form, he initially had no clue as well, but after fusing with the first head of the Nine-Headed Hydra, he finally had some rough idea.

Fifth form was combining the totem and totem user into one. The ultimate totem would be absorbed by the totem user using martial arts to completely fuse both of them, reaching the goal of the evolution of life.

In simple terms, totem users and luminarists were both ways to fuse external forces into the body to achieve evolution.

The trained totem would grow, step by step, to drive the evolution of the body, before finally arriving at a strange new level. This path was far deeper than mere martial arts development. It has even suppressed the path of science.

In other words, the development of totem was a science.

There are many types of martial arts and totems, and even more types of human bodies, each had differing talents.

Martial arts, the totem, and the body. These three must reach an unprecedented alignment to undergo the ultimate fusion.

In other words, if the martial art wasn't suitable, fusion was out of the question. Similarly with an incompatible totem. If the body had some issues, then that would be even more unthinkable.

If there was an issue with any of the three, form 5 was out of the question.

Garen could now understand better the thought process of the peak fourth form masters who were about to enter fifth form.

The period before leveling up was the most important period. If it's long, it could take years, and the shortest would even be a few months.

In this period of time, one had to meditate to continuously adjust the state of the heart, body and totem. Then, using the most suitable form of martial arts to fuse. He cannot be disrupted nor severely injured.

Any problems out of the three would result in wasted efforts. Once one was disrupted and then resumed, it would take multitudes more effort and time.

A compatible totem, suitable martial arts and fitting state of the body. None of the three could be lacking.

Even if the martial arts was given, it wouldn't create a scene among fourth and fifth form elites. Only a compatible martial art would suffice.

Ivycius took more than a hundred years before he completely understood the relationship between the three. It wasn't until his battle with Garen that he was enlightened. Only after that could he develop the perfect sword skills that he was lacking, fulfilling the condition of the most compatible martial art.

It might partly be because of his perfectionist behavior, or his deformed feelings towards his totem, but to be able to make him stay at this level for more than a hundred years naturally wasn't a joke.

From the beginning of time, fourth form totem users have had various unique abilities. There were techniques to lengthen the lifespan of men. However, the main reason so many fourth form totem users have perished throughout history was due to the inability to regulate their body to perfect compatibility, failing to reach the level of the three becoming one. This level required large amounts of time. Most of them tried to quiet down and regulate the body, but countless have died in the process. Only a handful have successfully broken through.

Too many people were stuck at this level. It wasn't the lack of martial arts and totems, but the process of regulating their body. It was, in fact, a state of the mind and cannot be forced using resources. Breakthrough also could not be achieved by talent alone. It needed experience, perception and seizing of the opportunity when it came by.

Improving the state of mind was the biggest stumbling block to entering fifth form.

Both Garen and Ivycius had entered this final stage.

As the Nine-Headed Hydra and White Rose were the totems most suited for them respectively, they've passed this test.

Garen had mastered many different martial arts. After some mild tweaking, he combined the essence of his martial arts into one, inventing the Black Water True Technique that suited him the most.

Fortunately, his martial arts was on the level of the King of the Century. It naturally gave him a huge advantage in regulating his body. His control and regulation of his body far surpassed other totem users.

Hence, Garen had in fact already fulfilled the two hardest items - body regulation and the most suitable martial arts.

Unfortunately, as God Cloud has said, his biggest limitation was his totem.

The Nine-Headed Hydra did not have sufficient potential. After all, it wasn't from a perfect genetic bloodline. It was evolved from the imperfect gene of the Dual-Headed Salamander. Its congenital deficiency became a key restriction for him to progress.

God Cloud was not just saying it for fun.

He calculated that after completely fusing with the Nine-Headed Hydra, he should be able to barely reach lower fifth form. However to progress further would be incredibly difficult. Even with his strong batting ability, the furthest he could go was being able to compare with a peak fifth form.

However in the eyes of the old men who had secluded themselves from the world, to enter fifth form was already the pinnacle of achievement. It was sufficient to bear the top missions of the Three Departments.

Garen refocused and gazed at the middle of the court below. The last batch of self-paid disciples was led down. Today's ceremony would soon come to a close.

"Alright. Since there are so many friends who came and supported me today, I have another major announcement."

Garen suddenly spoke loudly.

The crowd that was about to leave stopped instantly. They had no clue as to what Garen planned to announce.

Some of the people below started talking among themselves, but the most of them looked focus and fixated their gaze on Garen.

Garen nodded in satisfaction.

"I invented the Black Water True Technique. The original name of Blackfire Palace is no longer suitable. With so many friends here today, I announce that from today onwards, the Blackfire Palace will officially change its name!"

He paused for a moment.

"To Black Swamp Palace."

As the Nine-Headed Hydra was originally the king of the swamp, changing to "Swamp" was suitable indeed. Moreover, for the disciples who were trained in Black Water True Technique, due to the nature of the martial art, they would definitely choose totems with water attributes. Due to this fact, "swamp" was also very suitable.

With his own forces, Garen no longer had to do everything himself. He could even ensure the safety and benefits of his own family and also gather more information and resources easily. It would also be very beneficial for his future purpose.

"Black Swamp Palace?"

"The name is simple enough."

"The Lord had originally not used a fire attribute totem. Naturally, changing the name is the normal thing to do."

The crowd below echoed their approval.

Garen smiled then diverted his gaze towards the three tower lords on his left.

"Of course, this is not the major announcement. The major announcement is, the three Lords from the Snowy Mountain's Seven Night Tower in the North will officially become honorary elders of my Black Swamp Palace under my invitation. They will be subordinate to only me."

Honorary elders. This role was not unexpected.

Traveling thousands of miles to Kovitan and facing dangers and troubles throughout the journey, naturally it would not have been just for a simple celebration.

Only a minority of the people had not expected it, and let out surprised expressions.

Among the three Lords, the strongest, Second Lord Blizzard, stood up.

"To be invited by Lord Garen to this historical nation Kovitan and becoming an honorary elder of the Black Swamp Palace, is a great honor to me." He bowed slightly to show respect.

"You're welcome, Lord Blizzard." Garen nodded.

The other two tower lords also rose to their feet for some kind words.

"Hahahaha!"

Suddenly, a loud, fierce laugh came from outside of the palace.

"I heard the Nine-Headed Hydra Garen has extraordinary strength. I traveled over a thousand miles for this challenge. I'm sure the Lord will not disappoint me?"

The voice was terrifying. It shook the whole ground, numbing the soles of the crowd.

At the same time, all heads turned towards Garen.

Since Garen gained fame, this was the first time a strong opponent had come to challenge him. Each famous strong master would have experienced countless challenges before finally reaching the peak.

Garen gained fame in a short time. Due to his elusiveness and the continuous major incidents recently, this had not happened for a while.

Until now, he permanently resided in the kingdom. He had even started a clan and controlled an organization like the Black Swamp Palace. This gave people an opportunity.

Riding on another elite to gain fame was the fastest path to fame. Some of the elites had been training for multiple years. After coming out of training, they were eager to prove themselves to set up a foundation for their future generations. Naturally, they relied on their strength to find the fastest path.

Garen sat on the throne while both of his eyes were almost closed, as if he did not hear any sound.

It was the Angel of the Night on his left who slowly stood up and let out a clear laugh.

"It just so happens my Polar Flame is still lacking two major drugs. I'm really borrowing the master's fortune." Before she finished speaking, the figure on the Angel of the Night's seat slowly dissipated. She had already left as she was speaking, leaving a blur on the seat.

She was incredibly quick as even Garen and Ivycius did not notice.

Suddenly, a loud wave of thunder came from the sky outside the palace. Within the thunder was a seductive laugh. The clear ringing of bells came directly into the heart of the crowd. It was like a lover's grudge, causing the people around to itch.

"Who are you!!!??? The person I want to challenge is the Nine-Headed Hydra...ahhh!!!" The man's voice came to a sudden halt.

In an instant, a white blur of lightning shot into the court onto a seat on the left of the throne. It was the Angel of the Night, who had just left.

In her right hand, between her five sharp fingers was a bloody heart which was still beating.

On the seats below, some of the ladies let out faint cries. Most of the men turned pale. Within a few breaths, this lady tore out the heart of a strong totem user.

A murderous act like this was shocking for someone as beautiful as the Angel of the Night. Her white skin and the red blood formed a clear contrast.

The Angel of the Night laughed as she passed the heart in her hand to her disciple, then sat down. Her hand was not stained with blood at all.