Chapter 508 - 330: A Gathering of Geniuses (Part 2)

Chapter 508: Chapter 330: A Gathering of Geniuses (Part 2)

Tielan Palace was located in the heart of Caiyu City, not far from their lodgings. A trip on the omnipresent water-current loops would take about half an hour.

Riding in colorful Hippocampus-drawn carriages faster than any car, they arrived in just a few minutes, pulling up before a massive, exotic-looking palace.

The palace roof was laid with multicolored tiles, while beneath the eaves, the predominant color was a blue that represented the ocean.

The different design elements blended together, like a deep-sea scroll painting slowly unfurling before their very eyes.

The entrance to the palace was already crowded with all sorts of luxurious Soul Beast mounts.

There were giant sharks covered in scales, with menacing bone spikes growing from their backs.

There were deep-sea manta rays with broad wings and vicious expressions.

And then there were the bloated, pallid whales, some measuring over several hundred meters long.

From these Soul Beasts, each radiating a formidable Spiritual Pressure, young Beast Masters dismounted one by one. They all possessed extraordinary auras and came in a bizarre variety of shapes and appearances.

’These must be the young Beast Masters participating in the upcoming trial. They’re just as impressive as I expected.’

Han Ning watched the scene with fascination, an inexplicable feeling stirring within him.

Even without a single blow exchanged, the mysterious auras that flowed between living beings were sometimes enough to faintly perceive an opponent’s strength.

"You two must be Sir Han Ning and Miss Yelena, correct? Please come with me."

Suddenly, a voice with a strange accent spoke beside them in the Continental Universal Tongue.

A male Sea Goddess Beastmaster, standing over 1.9 meters tall, approached them.

He had a powerful build; the tri-colored—pink, cyan, and blue—Beast Master robe he wore couldn’t conceal the bulging muscles of his arms.

The welcome banquet was a rather formal affair, so Han Ning was also dressed in a specially-made white Beast Master robe that represented humanity.

Irena, meanwhile, wore a long, cyan dress that accentuated her mysterious and transcendent aura.

When the towering man saw Han Ning looking his way, a faint smile touched his lips. "Welcome, you two. Please follow me into the palace."

"Hello."

Han Ning stepped forward to shake his hand. Following their host’s enthusiastic lead, the group entered the palace.

There were windows with intricate, openwork carvings. On bone-white display stands, placed beside specimens of small, brightly colored Sea Beasts, sat pots of flowers and plants Han Ning couldn’t name.

Flanking the hall were three massive pillars on each side, carved with all sorts of unknown Soul Beasts. Twenty large, square tables were arranged in the center, set in five rows of four.

Hanging from the rafters were Elemental Crystal Cores, each one larger than a basketball, illuminating the vast hall as brightly as day.

Han Ning wouldn’t have believed for a second that the Land Races had no hand in this architectural style.

As they stepped into the hall, they saw it was not yet crowded. Guests were scattered about in small groups, chatting amongst themselves as waitresses showed them to their seats.

The arrival of Han Ning and Irena drew the gazes of most people in the hall.

It was mainly due to Irena. Even with her features specially concealed, her exceptional aura was impossible to hide.

"My beautiful lady, I am Lan Shu of the Sea Goddess Race."

Soon enough, a male of the Sea Goddess Race approached Irena, a gentle smile on his lips. His face was covered in pink scales, but his features were considered rather handsome for his kind.

"Hello." Out of politeness, Irena gave a cold nod. Then, without even looking at the Beast Master before her, she went back to silently observing the decor.

Seeing Irena ignore him, the Sea Goddess Beastmaster didn’t get angry. He just gave a friendly smile to Han Ning, who stood beside her, then turned and walked away.

’He’s surprisingly polite,’ Han Ning mused.

’He’s just too ugly,’ Irena grumbled via Spiritual Power, her brow furrowed.

"..." Han Ning was momentarily at a loss for words.

It had to be said, the Land Races and Deep Sea Races had vastly different standards of beauty.

Perhaps to them, Irena, for all her exceptional aura, was just an ugly woman.

"Han Ning, you’re here!"

Just as the two were whispering to each other and looking for a place to sit before the banquet began, Bobo Man approached with a giggle. He was wearing a small, multicolored robe and sitting atop Bobo Ka’s head.

A Beast Master from the Deep Sea Race followed beside him.

"Let me make some introductions."

A faint smile played on Bobo Man’s snow-white, octopus-like face, making him look like a little imp who was a master of social graces.

He extended a tentacle, gesturing toward a male beside him. The man’s face was covered in blue scales, his expression was cold, and his gaze was placid. "This is General Lan Su," Bobo Man said. "The general is my mother’s second-younger brother. Er... in your Xia Country language, he’s my uncle."

"General Lan Su, a pleasure. I’m Han Ning." Han Ning extended his hand.

Lan Su nodded slightly, his hands hidden in his sleeves. He ignored Han Ning’s offered handshake and instead leaned forward, lightly touching his forehead to Han Ning’s.

’This is a custom of the Azure Dragon Race. My uncle lived with the Azure Dragon Family in his early years and has half of their bloodline. The guy is naturally proud, but he’s not a bad person at heart, so don’t mind him. Still, I’m surprised he’d use such an intimate greeting with you. It’s not like you’re that handsome, you know?’ Bobo Man quietly transmitted to the two of them.

’How should I know!’ Han Ning retorted. He trusted that any Beast Master Bobo Man introduced him to couldn’t be all that bad.

"Let’s go find a seat. I’ll point out some of your fiercest future competitors in a bit," Bobo Man whispered conspiratorially, gesturing toward a corner.

The four of them took a seat in a corner of the hall, and an attendant immediately appeared with an array of food and drinks.

"See that guy over there who looks like a shark with that massive jaw? That’s Ramos, the strongest Beast Master of the Blood Shark Family’s younger generation," Bobo Man said, his expression wary.

"How does he compare to Miss Yelena?" Han Ning asked quietly.

"Well... he’s definitely a bit weaker than Miss Yelena, but I’d bet he’s stronger than you. His Spiritual Power is at Tier Four, and he has twelve Main Combat Soul Beasts, all of them between the Lower Monarch and Middle Monarch ranks." Bobo Man pulled no punches.

"Tch..." Irena, who had been listening in, couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle at Han Ning’s speechless expression. "You are several years younger than me, you know."

"Twelve of them... Damn, he’s loaded. Go on," Han Ning said, clearing his throat to change the subject.

"Not everyone is here yet... Look at that one!"

Bobo Man’s eyes darted around before settling on a tall young female Beast Master with an arrogant expression.

"That’s Her Highness, Princess Lin Ke, the youngest daughter of the Azure Dragon Family’s Clan Leader."

Lin Ke’s long, frost-white hair was tied back, revealing a pair of small, delicate horns that looked like they were carved from jade. Her delicate chin was lifted slightly, and her gaze met Han Ning’s as he looked over.

Han Ning gave her a gracious nod and a polite smile, but he quietly asked Bobo Man, "She looks a lot like the Land Races. Is there some history there?"

"The Azure Dragon Family are descendants of the Ancient Dragon Race... You’ve heard of Ancient Dragons, right? Ahem, and I don’t mean your Egg Pancake."

"What’s that then?" Han Ning asked, confused.

"Not *that* kind of Ancient Dragon. I’m talking about a family of Beast Masters with a legacy stretching back to ancient times and deep ties to the Flood Dragons. They call themselves the servants of the Ancient Dragons, and outsiders call them the Ancient Dragon Race. They’re a Land Race."

"Later, the Ancient Dragon Race had a civil war—it’s a complicated story, so I’ll skip the details—and split into three branches: the Azure Dragon, the Cold Chi, and the Qiuwen. The other two branches are in the Starry Sea."

"Your Egg Pancake has a trace of Ancient Dragon Bloodline. You should try getting close to that little minx. Maybe you could even bring her into your fold, GYEH HEH HEH~"

As Bobo Man’s mouth rattled on like a machine gun, Lin Ke began to walk slowly toward them from across the hall.

"Uncle. Your Highness Prince Bobo Man." Wearing a deep blue long dress, Lin Ke bowed to Lan Su and Bobo Man. Then, her curious gaze settled on Han Ning, and she asked in a slightly husky voice, "And how may I address you, sir?"

"I’m Han Ning, from the Xia Race," Han Ning replied, rising politely.

"The Xia Race?" Lin Ke’s brow furrowed slightly.

"A small, remote race. Nothing worth mentioning," Han Ning explained with a smile.

"My name is Lin Ke. You..." She opened her mouth, then hesitated.

"Please, Miss Lin Ke, feel free to ask."

"Um..."

For some reason, Lin Ke’s face instantly flushed red.