--- Chapter 33 ---
On the corner of the Sky Profound Continent.
A spatial hole similar to what Jasmine used to reach Blue Polar Star slowly appeared. An armored being with no head walked out of the portal.
It's a typical dark knight, but with no noticeable head.
A horse made of shadow emerged from the ground and heard the armored being's order, moving to Wasteland of Death.
Hayate's contact with Chaotic Devouring Ant unknowingly called other Kaiju near the Blue Polar Star.
However, Hayate had anticipated this by instructing every Ghost on the continent to contact him immediately if they saw an unknown creature.
After consuming Chaotic Devouring Ant's core, Hayate knew that every Kaiju Cores exposed to Primal Chaos aura would undergo a tremendous upgrade in strength.
They either became more violent or gained enough intelligence to disregard his former control over them.
--- Hayate's side ---
Cang Wanhe assigned Qin Wushang to go with them, but Hayate reasonably declined because he could use Ghost to inform him if anything wrong happened.
He also was enough to protect the Cang Yue.
However, Cang Wanhe insisted firmly, leading Qin Wushang to follow them. Hayate couldn't argue with the emperor because he wasn't in the mood, so he agreed.
"Well, Midori, come here." Hayate whistled to call his Kaiju.
Emerald Phoenix broke out of the white clouds and descended on them, leaving Qin Wushang and Fen Juechen speechless.
"Is that a Phoenix?" Fen Juechen asked while staring at the beautiful creature.
Qin Wushang only gazed at the Emerald Phoenix in fascination because such a creature was hard to see. Not to mention Hayate's ride seems to be a rare breed of Phoenix.
He wondered where Hayate obtained such a creature because only the Divine Phoenix Empire has such luxury, having Phoenix as a ride.
"Yes, it's a Phoenix," Hayate answered Fen Juechen's question with a smile. "The only one of her kind."
Emerald Phoenix released a cheerful cry, which caused Hayate to chuckle inside. Midori is like a newborn who enjoys getting praised by him.
He shook his head and added, "Let's go, Cang Yue."
Hayate pulled Cang Yue with his hand and landed on Midori's back gently.
Qin Wushang and Fen Juechen stared at each other and followed Hayate's move. They landed awkwardly and felt a tingling warm on their feet.
SWOOSH!
Emerald Phoenix, who received the name Midori from Hayate a month ago, soared in the sky excitedly. A beautiful verdant ray stretched Blue Wind Imperial City's sky.
"Why am I not surprised?" Cang Wanhe chuckled while admiring the beautiful green light in the sky.
"I hope you can bring victory to Blue Wind Empire, Hayate."
"Well, I'll be waiting for the good news."
Midori flew at such an extraordinary pace and leaped over the clouds.
Cang Yue watched the scenery from Midori's back and couldn't help but smile a little. "Next is the Sky Profound Realm." She vowed to herself.
Even though Cang Yue knew she would eventually enter Sky Profound Realm in the future. She was excited to think about the ability to fly freely in the sky.
"Sooner or later, you'd reach it." Hayate gently pressed her shoulder, causing Cang Yue to rest her head on his chest.
"Yeah, I hope so." Cang Yue replied while moving her gaze to him.
--- Heavenly Sword Mountain Range ---
At the front gate of Heavenly Sword Villa, Frozen Cloud Asgard's representative arrived. A group of beautiful ladies in snowy ice robes stopped by Heavenly Sword Villa's disciple.
Haiya received an invitation from Chu Yueli and muttered solemnly, "Frozen Cloud Asgard... Chu Yueli, Shui Wushuang, Wu Xuexin, and Xia Qingyue."
"Ah, Fairy of Frozen Glass, welcome to Heavenly Sword Villa." He added quickly, to which Chu Yueli responded with a nod.
A shade of red appeared on Chu Yueli's cheeks as Xia Qingyue whispered something to her ears.
Disciples who guarded the front gate were captivated by her sudden reaction. Yet, when they blinked for a second, Chu Yueli had returned to her usual aloof self.
"Was that an illusion?" A bald disciple rubbed his eyes slightly.
"Yes, that must be an illusion."
"There is no way a fairy from Frozen Cloud Asgard blushed like that."
"They were trained to have a cold heart, after all."
Shui Wushuang and Wu Xuexin slightly frowned because they couldn't proceed with what happened. They could only see Chu Yueli and Xia Qingyue from behind.
Chu Yueli glanced at them and indifferently said, "Let's go."
"Yes, Senior." Shui Wushuang answered naturally.
Wu Xiexin noticed a tiny patch of water on the ground and wondered about something.
"No, that can't be..." She shook her head.
Chu Yueli moved to their guest residence selected by Heavenly Sword Villa and met with Burning Heaven Clan's representative for the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament.
Yun Che glanced at Xia Qingyue and frowned inside because he seemed to know her somewhere. However, because everyone from Frozen Cloud Asgard wore veils, he couldn't see her face clearly.
'Who is she?' He turned around and stared at Xia Qingyue's back.
Fen Juecheng, who saw his right hand's odd reaction, stared at Frozen Cloud Asgard's group and said, "They are on a different level than us."
"Did you by any chance know one of them?"
Yun Che sighed and answered, "Maybe?"
"One of them looks familiar to me."
Fen Juecheng rubbed his chin and replied, "Hmm, I can understand your feelings."
"Haha, We are men, after all." He added with a laugh while staring at Shui Wushuang's lovely ass from behind.
Shui Wushuang's cold glare directed at Fen Juecheng and made him dodge immediately.
"I admire your bravery, young master." Yun Che praised with a smirk.
Fen Juecheng laughed even more and walked toward the Burning Heaven Clan's residence in a great mood. Even though he won't participate in the tournament, it seems bringing Yun Che here wasn't the wrong choice.
"I wondered if the princess arrived already..." Fen Juechen smirked while walking away.
Yun Che stared at Fen Juecheng's back coldly because he knew Princess Cang Yue was the one he meant.
He also considered Cang Yue his prospective wife, so he had to eliminate his young master and Hayate in the future. He hated them both because of their background and personality.
There are three enemies in Yun Che's mind at the moment. Silver Lake City, Xiao Sect, and Burning Heaven Clan.
Burning Heaven Clan is Yun Che's supporter right now, but he was disgusted by their shady business in the shadows.
There was no other way. He became Fen Juecheng's aide only because he required resources to develop his strength quickly.
'I was lucky enough to steal a good weapon from Blue Wind Profound Palace.' He smiled inside while thinking about his Overlord's Colossal Sword.
No one on the Burning Heaven Clan's side realized so many pairs of eyes observed them from the shadow.
Since Hayate commanded Little Ghost a week ago, at least more than 50 Ghosts secretly were assigned to Yun Che.
They monitored Yun Che silently every day and reported to Hayate if he did something suspicious.
--- Hong Guan's Residential ---
Hong Guan held tea time with Heavenly Sword Villa's mistress.
At first, their relationship was not great, but Hong Guan is a manipulative woman.
She knew Ling Yufeng/Xuanyuan Yufeng was insecure about her marital relationship with Ling Yuefeng, Heavenly Sword Villa's master.
Hong Guan pleased her with some gifts and advice, which works most of the time. They became great friends with each other after that.
"Haa... I'm tired," Xuanyuan Yufeng sighed while resting her head on Hong Guan's shoulder. "Guan, don't you think my husband is too cold for me?"
"I've used ravishing makeup, wore a stunning gown, and even acted sexier for him, yet he still rejected me."
Hong Guen patted Xuanyuan Yufeng's head and gently whispered, "There, there... Don't worry."
"You're a fine lady, so I'm sure the villa's master would realize it sooner or later."
"Hmph, you also said that months ago." Xuanyuan Yufeng pouted, which caused Hong Guan to chuckle.
Hong Guan shook her head and whispered, "Why don't you just divorce him then?"
Xuanyuan Yufeng gasped in surprise but didn't oppose Hong Guan's advice. She frowned and considered it deeply in her mind.
She was the daughter of the Ninth Elder from the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, one of the four sacred grounds on the Sky Profound Realm.
No one would oppose Xuanyuan Yufeng's decision to divorce Heavenly Sword Villa's master because their strength is on a different level. Her father could effortlessly demolish the entire Heavenly Sword Villa if she wanted to.
However, Xuanyuan Yufeng then remembers her sons.
"No, I can't do that, Guan." She said while staring at Hong Guan.
"Well, It's up to you." Hong Guan returned casually while drinking her tea.
"I'm just giving you the idea."
"I know your feelings because I also have a son."
"And he's the..."
"The greatest in the world." Xuanyuan Yufeng sighed because Hong Guan bragged about her son for months.
"Okay, stop."
"I can't let you talk more, Guan."
"Or You would begin to brag about him for hours." She wryly giggled.
"Is he even that great?"
Hong Guan placed her teacup on the table and answered, "Yes."
"You'll know soon enough."
"Just don't fall in love with him."
"Eh, why?" Xuanyuan Yufeng questioned while hugging her best friend's arms.
Hong Guan slowly placed her finger on Xuanyuan Yunfeng's lips and continued, "Because he's mine."
--- Wasteland of Death ---
BOOM!
A powerful explosion occurred in the cave where Hayate experienced Dragon God Trials. A headless knight walked out with a black flame around its body.
"RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
The entire mountain near the cave was covered with sinister black flame and turned into barren land.
"Where..."
"Where are you...?!"
"I know you were here before."
A few Ghosts arrived 5 kilometers away from the headless knight and nodded at each other. They have to report this to Hayate immediately.
However, the shadow horse suddenly appeared in front of them and kicked the nearest Ghost.
Neigh!
BAM! COUGH!
A Ghost flew across the barren land and was crushed into pulp by sheer force.
"He died." A female Ghost whispered solemnly.
"We should tell the master about this."
The other Ghosts agreed and chose to move separately, running in a different direction.
"Do you know where he is?" The Headless Knight watched Ghosts run away with nonexistent eyes.
They ignored the weird creature's question and ran out from the Wasteland of Death.
"Die..."
A few spears made of shadow floated in the atmosphere and chased over them.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Headless Knight lowered its hand and silently observed the last Ghost, who would lead to Hayate's location.
.
.
.
Hayate opened his eyes and glanced at the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range.
"We've arrived." He said naturally.
Cang Yue nodded and responded excitedly, "I can't wait to see their surprised expressions."
He chuckled and replied, "Your action might shock them the most."
Midori landed on the foot of the mountain, and they jumped off the beautiful bird. Hayate patted his Kaiju's head and told her to wait in the sky.
Everyone who stayed near them watched Hayate in surprise.
"Who's he?" A bystander whispered.
"I've never seen such a beautiful bird..."
"Is he from a powerful clan?"
Hayate ignored these people's gaze and pulled Cang Yue to Heavenly Sword Villa's main gate.
Meanwhile, Qin Wushang and Fen Juechen followed them silently.
No one recognized Hayate's identity because he used a face mask most of the time. People knew Cang Yue was engaged to him, but only some people who had seen him personally.
They walked up the stairs and arrived at Heavenly Sword Villa's front gate in a few minutes.
Hayate sensed a sharp atmosphere all over the mountain range and actually was pleased by it.
Cang Yue gave the invitation to the disciple who guarded the front gate, and Hayate frowned for some reason.
"Hmm?" He turned around and saw the vast horizon with a weird expression.
'What was that?'
"This dreadful feeling..."
Hayate used Kaiju Creation and felt a faint connection with one of the Kaiju he didn't want to face with his current strength.
"Of all Kaiju..."
"It has to be this one."
"Haa..." He massaged his forehead in frustration.
"Dullahan."