Their cultivation had only just broken through. Although they had advanced in rank, the strain left both body and mind completely exhausted, making immediate travel out of the question. Fortunately, it was easy to find an inn that suited them. They slept there and spent most of their time cultivating inside the Peerless Pearl to stabilize their rank.
The Ancestral Court’s inns were expensive, catering to demons and nymphs who came here to seek opportunities after reaching Ninth-Rank. For those capable of reaching this level, money was rarely a concern. The only real disappointment was the food. Compared to human cuisine, it was bland and uninspired.
Three full days passed in the outside world before Fa Hua and Lan Ge fully stabilized their ranks. Lan Ge’s improvement was the most pronounced. That explosive outburst during the battle had allowed him to brush against the threshold of the Elemental Heart.
The Elemental Heart was fundamentally different from an Elemental Body. An Elemental Body represented understanding a single element. The Elemental Heart, however, was unique. No matter who it was, even a Blessed One possessed only one. It was the core. If elemental bodies were stores of power, then the Elemental Heart was the will that commanded them. Truly mastering it would be the most important prerequisite for Lan Ge’s future breakthrough into the God Rank. That eruption had pushed him forward by a significant margin, greatly deepening his affinity with the elements.
Fa Hua’s gains were more straightforward. His Holy Power had strengthened, and the cultivation level of each Holy Page had risen accordingly. Still, if he wished to possess true Ninth-Rank combat strength, he would need to return to Wisdom City, earn the recognition of the Wisdom Codex, and gain two additional Holy Pages.
“One last meal here, then we head out,” Lan Ge said, waving his hand as he ordered several dishes. Most were roasted meats and similar dishes that at least had some flavor.
“Want some wine?” he asked.
“No.” Fa Hua refused without hesitation. When he was very young, Fa Yun had told him that alcohol could excite the mind but dull judgment. Fa Hua had never forgotten it.
“Then forget it.” Lan Ge laughed it off easily. Since the day Fa Hua had lit the Divine Statue for him without a moment’s hesitation, he had become far more tolerant of Fa Hua’s bluntness.
The dishes arrived quickly. They ate slowly, taking their time. The restaurant itself was plainly furnished, and at the moment, they were the only customers. The quiet was rare. More importantly, so was the chance to truly relax.
With the Ruby Queen no longer hunting them, it felt as though invisible shackles had fallen away. Their minds eased, and the release left their spirits lighter than they had been in a long time.
“Haha, that smells great. Took forever to find a place to eat. Second sister, let’s eat here.”
The booming voice made Lan Ge stiffen. For reasons he could not explain, it sounded strangely familiar, even in this foreign Ancestral Court.
The door swung open, and two massive figures strode inside.
Fa Hua and Lan Ge turned at the same time. When they recognized the newcomers, their expressions twitched in perfect unison.
Thick brows and fierce tiger eyes. Straight noses, square mouths. Broad shoulders and imposing frames.
The two figures looked nearly identical.
They were women.
And they were acquaintances.
Hu Jiaojiao and Hu Rourou of the Tiger Demon Clan.
The sisters spotted Fa Hua and Lan Ge as well. They froze for a heartbeat, then stared wide-eyed.
Lan Ge let out a dry laugh. “What a coincidence. Where do we not meet in life? Have you eaten?”
“So this is where you were hiding.” Hu Jiaojiao strode forward in long steps. “You made us search for quite a while.”
In just a few strides, she reached the table, her hand shooting out toward Lan Ge’s chest.
Lan Ge flashed aside, reappearing on the far side of the table. “Princess, let’s keep this civil. As the saying goes, men and women should keep their distance.”
The words struck home. Hu Jiaojiao hesitated, her hand stopping midair. She lowered it, but her glare remained sharp.
“You fled the Martial Matchmaking Tournament halfway through,” she said coldly. “What punishment do you think that deserves?”
Lan Ge could hardly explain that they had fled to avoid the Ruby Queen. There was no doubt the Ruby Queen had caused serious trouble within the inner city of Wild Monster City, territory controlled by the Tiger Demon Clan. Otherwise, the Tiger Demon King would never have chased her down.
And thinking of the Tiger Demon King’s strength, even more terrifying than the Ruby Queen’s, made them all the more unwilling to provoke these two princesses.
“Ahem. Something urgent came up that day, so we had to leave early,” Lan Ge said. “Besides, we figured the two princesses wouldn’t take a liking to scrawny fellows like us. We knew our place.”
“Who says that?” Hu Rourou snorted. “So what if you’re skinny? At least you were better than those other idiots. You had the guts to fight us.”
Her gaze shifted and settled squarely on Fa Hua.
Fa Hua felt a faint prickle along his scalp. He stood and cleared his throat. “Why are you here?”
Hu Rourou’s tone eased slightly. It was still deep and rough, but no longer aggressive. “We’ve reached the peak of Ninth-Rank. Of course we came to the Ancestral Court to seek a chance to break into the God Rank. What about you?”
“We admire the Ancestral Court’s history,” Lan Ge replied smoothly. “We came to take a look. We’re just about finished and were planning to head back.”
As he spoke, he reached for Fa Hua’s arm and turned to leave.
A heavy crash echoed through the room.
Hu Jiaojiao’s palm slammed into the table. The already flimsy wood shattered, and leftover dishes and broth splashed across the floor.
“Stop,” she barked. “Who said you could leave?”
She glanced at the wreckage. “And what kind of table is this? So weak. I’ll compensate the food. But you’re not going anywhere.”
“Does Your Highness have further instructions?” Lan Ge asked, forcing a smile.
“There was no victor that day,” Hu Jiaojiao said flatly. “If you want to leave, fine. Fight us again.”
“You’ve damaged property in the Ancestral Court. This is—” the waiter rushed out, furious.
Hu Jiaojiao flicked her hand. A streak of golden light shot forward and landed neatly in the waiter’s palm. He glanced down, and his expression changed instantly. Holding the token reverently with both hands, he bowed repeatedly.
“Please, do as you wish.”
He turned and left without another word.
Power. This was power.
The Tiger Demon Clan clearly wielded immense influence within the Ancestral Court.
Hu Rourou moved to the doorway, blocking it completely. She watched Fa Hua and Lan Ge closely, clearly wary of any attempt to escape.
Fa Hua and Lan Ge exchanged a glance.
Twin sisters at the peak of the Ninth-Rank. When they had still been Eighth-Rank, a head-on clash would have been difficult. But now they were Ninth-Rank as well. Newly advanced, yes, but bound together through the Peerless Pearl.
Why should they fear them?
Their battle with the Ruby Queen had already shown them how crucial real combat was. And now, an opportunity stood right in front of them.
“Fine,” Fa Hua said calmly. “Then we’ll fight.”
“Good.” Hu Rourou’s eyes lit up. “That’s more like it.”
Lan Ge sighed. “Then you choose the place. We don’t know the Ancestral Court very well.”
“Of course. Follow me.”
Hu Rourou turned and headed out at once, clearly no longer interested in food. For warriors like them, finding worthy opponents mattered far more.
“Clear skies and bright sun,” Hu Jiaojiao said loudly as they stepped outside. “Perfect weather for a fight.”
Lan Ge very much wanted to ask what that had to do with anything, but wisely kept his mouth shut.
Led by the sisters, they moved deeper into the Ancestral Court. Fa Hua and Lan Ge had never truly explored this place. Along the way, broken statues loomed on all sides, each radiating pressure of varying intensity.
Now that they had reached Ninth-Rank, those pressures were far easier to endure. What once felt chaotic now seemed to carry a subtler meaning.
After many twists and turns, they arrived before an enormous statue.
It was a giant tiger, and the most complete statue Fa Hua and Lan Ge had seen so far.
Six wings spread from its back. Though carved of stone, it radiated an overwhelming presence. The statue stretched for hundreds of meters, occupying an immense space. Though crouched low, it gave the impression of a beast poised to rise into the heavens.
This was clearly an ancestor of the Tiger Demon Clan. Despite having only six wings, its aura surpassed even that of the Devouring Ant ancestor, perhaps because that statue had been incomplete.
A tremendous pressure rolled toward them. Fa Hua and Lan Ge instinctively stood shoulder to shoulder. With their Ninth-Rank cultivation, resisting it was no longer difficult.
Hu Jiaojiao and Hu Rourou became uncharacteristically solemn. They bowed deeply before the statue three times in succession. Only then did Hu Rourou gesture for Fa Hua and Lan Ge to step forward.
Hu Jiaojiao moved to the statue’s base and pressed a hidden point.
A beam of light descended from above, enveloping all four of them. In a flash, they vanished.
When they reappeared, they stood within a vast, boundless space. Like the domain of the Devouring Ant ancestor, it felt endless, but here an even grander surge of qi and blood filled the air.
Faint golden halos shimmered around Hu Jiaojiao and Hu Rourou. They were the unmistakable mark of the Tiger Demon Clan’s Golden Bloodline.
“Alright,” Hu Jiaojiao said, baring her teeth in a fierce grin as battle intent surged in her eyes. “Here, you can fight without holding anything back.”