Chapter 398 - 174: "I’d rather call it... Celestial Mandate.

Chapter 398: Chapter 174: "I’d rather call it... Celestial Mandate.

"..."

Elder Qi stood stunned. He had never known the identity of the man before him. Shao Qiu had made it clear back then that the faction he represented was unwilling to reveal too much information about itself.

「Before this.」

He had never even heard the name Jiangbei Mortal Realm.

Before the Guandong Plain fell, there had been some contact between it and the Guanxi Plain, but they had never heard of a faction called the Jiangbei Mortal Realm. The Mortal Realm was simply too far from the Guandong Plain, and it was a barren land besides. News rarely made its way to the Guandong Plain from there.

The look on the man’s face told him he wasn’t lying.

Every word was true.

It was just... it was just...

’How could a faction—a faction from Jiangbei, no less—possibly come up with enough Ghost Stones to build an entire defense line?’

Chen Fan didn’t explain much. He just patted Elder Qi’s arm and said with a smile, "Relax. Things will get better. If you want to know the specifics, you can ask Shao Qiu."

"The most urgent task right now is..."

"...to have your people quickly load those Ghost Corpses onto the High-speed Rail."

"There are still two years until the Jiangbei Undersea Ghost Tide makes landfall. The more prepared we are, the greater our chances of holding the line."

"Your No. 7 Defense Line will be responsible for defending Guandong."

"Our Mortal Realm will be responsible for defending Jiangbei."

"Shouldn’t be a problem."

He made it sound easy, but only he knew how much of himself he had poured into building the Jiangbei Defense Line. He had worked so hard for the sole purpose of being able to say, at this very moment, that it "shouldn’t be a problem."

"Right, right, right!"

Elder Qi was still frozen, nodding blankly as his mind struggled to catch up. Then, he suddenly remembered something. He took two Exotic Treasures from within his robes and handed them to Chen Fan. Taking a deep breath, he spoke, his lips trembling and his voice hoarse.

"Domain... Domain Lord Chen."

"These are two Exotic Treasures dropped by a Ghost Object we encountered at the No. 7 Defense Line during the rainy season. Thank you for all your support. We haven’t had any way to repay you, so please, accept this small token of our gratitude."

"There’s no need."

Chen Fan chuckled and casually glanced at the items. "The Mortal Realm is supporting the No. 7 Defense Line out of..."

His voice trailed off.

"..."

After a brief pause, he cleared his throat. "Well, since this is a token of your sincerity, it would be improper of me to refuse. I’ll accept these two Exotic Treasures."

He hadn’t intended to accept them.

After all, it wasn’t as if the Mortal Realm was desperate for a couple of Exotic Treasures.

But when his eyes fell on the description panel of the stone-shaped Exotic Treasure, he decided he should accept it after all. It was the thought that counted, of course.

-

「Exotic Treasure Name」: Celestial Dao Stone.

「Exotic Treasure Level」: Yellow.

「Exotic Treasure Effect」: Use on any building to grant it a 「Celestial Dao Blessing Effect」. This effect applies to all buildings of the same type owned by the camp.

「ps: Can only be used on a Max Level Building.」

-

A Celestial Dao Stone!

This was the third Celestial Dao Stone the Mortal Realm had obtained.

The first Celestial Dao Stone had given the 「Godslaying Cannon」 a Celestial Dao Blessing Effect of surplus damage.

The second had given the 「Ghost Fire」 a Celestial Dao Blessing Effect that allowed it to be upgraded without needing Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

He was now eager to return to the Mortal Realm and see what kind of Celestial Dao Blessing Effect this third Celestial Dao Stone would grant him.

Defending the line was undoubtedly a crisis.

If it fell, countless people would die.

But if the line held, then just as the No. 7 Defense Line had shown, one could obtain vast quantities of Ghost Stones, Ghost Corpses, Exotic Treasures, and Ghost Materials.

This "thought" was a very generous one indeed.

"Excellent."

Chen Fan smiled and looked up at Elder Qi. "Then I won’t stay long. I’ll head back first and leave Shao Qiu here to coordinate the details with you. The rainy season just ended, and I’m sure the No. 7 Defense Line has plenty to take care of."

"Once you’ve had some time to recover..."

"...you’re welcome to take the Mortal Realm High-speed Rail to the Jiangbei Defense Line. After all, our line has yet to see real combat. There may be shortcomings in our layout, and we could certainly use your expert guidance, Elder Qi."

"I will definitely visit in a while!"

Elder Qi nodded, his expression serious. ’The Mortal Realm built the Jiangbei Defense Line, so their City Walls must be at least Level 4. A Level 3 City Wall can’t really be called a defense line... it’s just a wall, a long one at that.’

Still, the Mortal Realm had never experienced a Ghost Tide making landfall.

They were unfamiliar with many of the situations that could arise.

They would have no experience with turret placement, trap layouts, logistical supply lines, or wartime command. This was an area where he might genuinely need to offer some pointers.

It might sound arrogant to think it...

...but after so many years at the No. 7 Defense Line, if there was one thing he knew inside and out, it was how to set up defenses.

"I’m off. By the way, when the Eternal Night Hall contacted you, did you mention me?"

"Absolutely not. I kept your instructions in mind, Domain Lord Chen."

"Good."

"Um, Domain Lord Chen, dinner is about to be served at the No. 7 Defense Line. Why not stay for a meal before you go?"

"I can’t."

Chen Fan chuckled and waved dismissively, turning to walk toward the Mortal Realm High-speed Rail behind him. He had originally planned to return with the first shipment of Ghost Corpses, but now all he wanted was to get back as quickly as possible and use that Celestial Dao Stone.

"We’re having dumplings tonight. It’s a tradition at the No. 7 Defense Line—we always have dumplings after surviving the rainy season. They’re really delicious, you should stay and have some."

The words of persuasion were automatic, but Elder Qi had already taken a step forward, ready to see Chen Fan onto the High-speed Rail.

It was just a polite formality.

Since Chen Fan had already refused, there was no chance he would actually stay. But Elder Qi couldn’t just say, "Alright then," the moment Chen Fan declined; he had to make a symbolic show of insisting.

However...

"Is that so?"