Chapter 394: The Tomb Raider

"Who is it, and what is their name?"

Lin Chao looked at Shivana and asked.

Beside him, upon hearing Lin Chao's words, a flicker of panic and sorrow flashed through Shivana's heart, followed by a sense of joy.

After all, choosing a commoner girl to be betrothed to a prince did not conform to etiquette.

A king would not take the initiative to do such a thing.

Unless it was the prince who requested the betrothal.

In that case, it would mean His Highness the Prince already had someone in his heart and had asked His Majesty to grant the marriage.

At first, Shivana had guessed this, and her heart had felt a bit desolate.

Now, seeing His Highness the Prince's reaction, he seemed unaware of it, and Shivana felt a secret joy in her heart.

"The message from the palace did not state that person's identity, only that around the time of Your Highness's coming-of-age ceremony, that person would appear, and with the Song Badge as a token, the holder would be Your Highness's wife."

"Is that so?" Lin Chao pondered, also feeling surprised.

However, such matters did not amount to much for him.

Whether the woman was beautiful or ugly, fat or thin, tall or short, kind or malicious—none of these were important.

His main priority now was to become a god.

Once he became a god, these things would not be issues at all.

"Hmm, there is no need to concern yourself with this matter," Lin Chao instructed. However, thinking of something, he asked, "I heard from the Guard Team that a group of mysterious adventurers has recently flooded into Iron Stone City, and they are quite powerful?"

This news had also reached Lin Chao's ears.

The members of the Guard Team were powerful.

Although there were techniques in this world to conceal one's aura, one would always eventually detect something unusual.

The Guard Team had already discovered many powerful adventurers entering Iron Stone City, though it was unclear what they were doing.

"The Guard Team has been investigating this matter, but there are not many clues yet.

However... beside Manager Rena of the Huiteng Chamber of Commerce, there is a Legendary, suspected to be the one-eyed Sword Saint.

This Legendary made many enemies in his youth, and I suspect it might be related to him," Shivana said, stating her speculation.

"Is there only one Legendary?" Lin Chao murmured.

Under his perception, he could vaguely sense several clusters of powerful auras, and they were not simply just High-level Professionals.

There was even one aura that made Lin Chao smell a hint of danger; it was definitely not as simple as a Legendary.

"Legendaries are so few; they all stand at the pinnacle of the world and are very hard to encounter," Shivana said truthfully.

Do not look at how she reached High-level Professional at just twenty years old; to reach Legendary, she would need at least ten years of tempering.

And even with that tempering, success was not guaranteed.

"Hmm, alright."

Watching Shivana and Hong Ying leave, Lin Chao entered the Temple alone.

The current Temple had just been built and was not yet officially open.

Inside, there was a pungent smell of paint.

Lin Chao looked at the flame, lost in thought.

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness entered the flame.

Instantly, the scene in the great hall appeared in his vision.

He even saw himself through the statue of the Fire of Civilization.

"All statues can be a god's third eye, or a temporary avatar."

"If I were to leave this realm, I fear... this first statue would become... a kind of Rule."

Lin Chao analyzed this, and finally left.

In the courtyard, many people were gathered together, and all of them exuded powerful auras.

Charlie was also staying in the courtyard, sitting in a secluded corner.

He looked at the people around him, a curious expression on his face.

"Karl, is this the little one from your Ice Hidden Lineage?" Just then, an old man walked over with a gentle smile on his face.

Seeing the old man, Karl showed a look of respect: "Boshu, Charlie awakened the Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline five years ago; he is the only clansman of our Ice Hidden Lineage to have awakened the Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline."

Karl dared not offend the old man before him.

The Twelve Hidden had been divided into the Upper Three Hiddens, Middle Three Hiddens, and Lower Three Hiddens; these nine branches had all left the Ancient Tang Empire, while the other three Hiddens remained in the Ancient Tang Empire.

Boshu was the leader of the Escape Hidden among the Middle Three Hiddens.

Except for the Lower Three Hiddens, the Middle Three Hiddens and Upper Three Hiddens all had Legendaries, so it could be said their strength was extremely formidable.

Boshu, as part of the Escape Hidden lineage, was naturally a Legendary powerhouse.

"The young man is not bad." Boshu looked at Charlie, full of appreciation, and then said, "The Ice Hidden Lineage has been in decline for nearly a hundred years; finally, the bitterness has ended and the sweetness has begun. It has not been easy."

Hearing this, Karl also felt a bit sorrowful.

The Ice Hidden Lineage had declined and had been constantly hunted by the Flame Temple; if not for the help of the Escape Hidden lineage, the Ice Hidden Lineage would have been extinct by now.

"This time, for the encirclement of that person... Karl, you only need to guard the perimeter from afar and protect Charlie; do not let anything happen to him."

"Rest assured, Boshu, even if I die, I will protect Charlie well," Karl said, patting his chest. However, he immediately lowered his voice and asked, "Boshu, what are the odds of success in your siege of that person this time?"

"Seventy percent." Boshu wore a confident expression. "Zhan Yue of the War Hidden clan received news that that person was severely wounded and has never fully recovered, which is why he came to this remote place to heal. This is our chance."

Hearing this answer, Karl breathed a sigh of relief.

Seventy percent was already quite good.

"This is our only chance to kill that person; all the experts of the Twelve Hidden are out, and he will not be able to escape." Boshu stroked his beard, a confident expression on his face.

Just at this moment, the courtyard Gate opened, and three figures entered the sight of everyone in the courtyard.

The leader was burly with bronze-colored skin, but what was most eye-catching was that his left sleeve was empty; he was clearly missing an arm.

Beside the burly man were two others: one had the appearance of a bard, looking very refined and handsome, while the other was a middle-aged woman with a cold gaze, as if one look from her could turn a person into a snow sculpture.

These three were the leaders of the War Hidden, Hero Hidden, and Snake Hidden of the Upper Three Hiddens, respectively.

Behind the three of them followed over a dozen adventurers, the older ones among them

"Greetings to the three leaders."

"Greetings to the three leaders!"

Everyone present stood up and bowed to show respect.

Zhan Yue, the leader of the War Hidden clan, walked forward; his movements were like a mountain, and though he was one-armed, he gave off a sense of overbearing tyranny.

He scanned the crowd, his eyes filled with brutality: "Everyone has arrived, very good.

This is also our first gathering of the Twelve Hidden since we parted ways thirty years ago.

Among us, there are many new faces, and many old acquaintances are no longer here."

Zhan Yue was the leader of the War Hidden clan and also the undisputed number one among the Twelve Hidden.

He walked at the peak of the Legendary realm.

In his youth, he had ventured into the Abyss and killed countless demons.

Eventually, he was targeted by an Abyss Lord.

The strength of an Abyss Lord is comparable to that of a god.

However, Zhan Yue still managed to escape from the Abyss, losing only one arm; one could not say he was not strong.

"Leader Zhan Yue, since you have arrived, can you inform us of the plan to surround and annihilate that person?" someone from the Middle Three Hiddens asked.

Others also stared at Zhan Yue, waiting for his answer.

The main purpose of the Twelve Hidden gathering was to kill their common enemy.

As for the younger generation, they were here to broaden their horizons.

The plan for the siege was formulated by the leaders of the Upper Three Hiddens and had not yet been told to the others.

These people were all quite anxious.

Although they trusted the leaders of the Upper Three Hiddens, it was better to clarify matters that concerned their own lives and livelihoods.

"There is no rush for this matter; before we speak of it, there is one more thing to handle, and I want to ask for everyone's opinion," Zhan Yue said, waving his hand.

The others were all very curious.

"What is it?"

Charlie was also staying in the crowd, looking at the three leaders with envy in his eyes.

When he grew up, he also wanted to become a hero like them.

But the next second, he felt his body stiffen because the famous Zhan Yue had fixed his gaze upon him.

"You are Charlie of the Ice Hidden Lineage, carrying the Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline?"

Zhan Yue's voice was deep and possessed a strong sense of oppression.

Charlie had not expected Zhan Yue to ask him suddenly, so he hurriedly nodded: "Yes."

Others saw this scene and were very curious.

Why would Zhan Yue pay attention to a junior like Charlie?

And at such an urgent moment, too.

"Our people entered Iron Stone City several days ago, and some of them discovered that there is actually someone in Iron Stone City who also carries the Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline," Zhan Yue said, his voice as heavy as a bell toll.

"What?"

Not only was Charlie shocked, but even Karl was shocked.

Boshu wore a smile on his face, happy for Karl: "The ancestors have bestowed their blessing, congratulations! The Ice Hidden Lineage is finally going to rise!"

"However, that person's identity is somewhat special; he is... the Lord of Iron Stone City, the Nine Prince of the Shaya Kingdom," Zhan Yue continued.

Charlie was completely stunned.

His cousin also had the Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline?

Hearing this, he was both shocked and delighted.

"The Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline is extremely precious and is a valuable treasure for the strength of our Twelve Hidden.

Upon learning this news, we sent people to contact the Nine Prince and gave a simple hint about the existence of our Twelve Hidden.

However, the Nine Prince refused to join our Twelve Hidden and become one of us," Zhan Yue said, his voice solemn.

Others were very shocked to hear this.

Someone had actually refused to join the Twelve Hidden!

One must know that if the Nine Prince truly had the Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline, joining them and undergoing training would surely allow him to become a Legendary in the future, and not just an ordinary Legendary at that.

Beside them, the handsome man who looked like a bard wore a helpless expression: "I even went to visit in person, only to be turned away by the Nine Prince."

Others heard this, and their expressions became serious.

"The Ice Hidden bloodline is extremely precious and must not be left outside."

"Correct, every bloodline is extremely precious and must be held in our own hands.

Otherwise, the Nine Prince's Ice Hidden bloodline would be wasted!"

"Yes, for the sake of resurrecting our ancestors, the Nine Prince must join us!"

The other members of the Twelve Hidden were extremely unified in their stance on this matter.

The Twelve Hidden were inherited from the eastern Ancient Tang Empire.

There were three missions for the existence of the Twelve Hidden.

The first rule: continuation.

The second day: god-slaying.

The third day: resurrecting the ancestors.

The final rule, and also the most important one!

Every clansman who activates an ancestor's bloodline must be nurtured, nurtured into a Legendary.

Only by becoming a Legendary can the activated bloodline truly contain vitality, nourish the ancestors, and facilitate the ancestors' revival.

The ancestors of the Twelve Hidden were all earth-shattering, great figures in ancient times, capable of slaughtering gods.

Therefore, once the Twelve Hidden discover the existence of someone who has activated an ancestor's bloodline, they nurture them into a Legendary.

Once the ancestors awaken and return to the human world, the Twelve Hidden believe they will become the strongest force between heaven and earth.

As for the Light Temple, it would then count for nothing.

Therefore, these people cannot stand to see the Nine Prince wandering outside, not having become a Legendary, unable to contribute to the ancestors' resurrection.

"He must be brought here!"

"Resurrecting the ancestors is our faith!"

"Only by resurrecting the ancestors will all our dilemmas be solved!"

Zhan Yue looked at these people and said nothing.

Beside him, a handsome man who looked like a bard spoke up: "I have advised that young man many times, but he has never agreed.

Finally, I discussed it with Brother Zhan Yue and Sister She Yao, and we ultimately decided not to recruit him into our Twelve Hidden, but to transfer his bloodline away, to transfer it to... little brother Charlie."

"Not bad, this is a good method."

"This method is good."

Karl was also somewhat confused at this moment; how had he not discovered the Ice Hidden Dragon bloodline on the Nine Prince?

At this time, he was somewhat hesitant.

However, Charlie could not sit still: "I do not agree to this matter. Stripping away a bloodline will cause great damage to the body of the person being deprived, and my cou... he will also lose the chance to become a Legendary in the future!"

Although Charlie's talent would be stronger and his future more promising after obtaining his cousin's bloodline, he was unwilling to do this; he was unwilling to sacrifice his cousin.

"Rest assured, we will compensate the Nine Prince; he has already agreed and is willing to transfer the bloodline to us.

However, before that, we need the Bloodline Transfer Method of the Ice Hidden Lineage." Zhan Yue spoke, looking at Karl.

"He agreed?" Charlie was somewhat puzzled and did not believe it.

He always felt that this matter reeked of strangeness.

"Yes, we of the Upper Three Hiddens joined together to give him 200,000 Gold as compensation." Zhan Yue spoke, his gaze falling on Karl.

The bard smiled: "Although that person is a prince, he is also greedy beyond measure; for 200,000 Gold, he was willing to transfer his bloodline.

Karl, now we are just missing your transfer method."

Upon hearing this, Karl finally stepped forward and presented a Crystal: "The Ice Hidden Dragon Bloodline Transfer Method is stored within this Crystal."

The leader of the Hero Hidden, who was that bard, took the Crystal with a satisfied expression on his face, and he looked at Charlie: "Lucky little fellow, after receiving the Ice Hidden Dragon bloodline, the Ice Hidden Lineage will rise and create a Legendary."

Charlie felt no joy in his heart.

He only wanted to go over now and ask his cousin why he had agreed!

Although the compensation of several hundred thousand Gold was tempting, Charlie felt that his cousin was not a greedy person and was not as avaricious as the Hero Hidden leader said.

However, having not seen his cousin, he did not know what the specific situation was.

"Alright, now that this matter is handled, let us discuss the real business." Zhan Yue looked at everyone.

The expressions of the crowd also became grave.

The purpose of their coming here was to exterminate a... god.

Or rather, the Demigod Black Navi.

The Demigod Black Navi is a world-renowned grave robber.

He specializes in robbing the graves of powerful adventurers from ancient times and stealing ancient corpses.

After hundreds of years of grave robbing, he actually succeeded; not only did he transform into an undead creature, but he also devoured many divine offices and Divine Power, achieving the status of a Demigod.

Of course, calling him a Demigod is giving him too much credit.

Most importantly, this Heiwisi robbed the tomb of the Snake Hidden ancestor among the Twelve Hidden, which is why he formed a feud with the Twelve Hidden.

Thanks to 【Hui Mou Jian You Xiang】 for the tip!

(End of chapter)