Each second that passed felt like an eternity. It was winter, and the Lantis Republic was as cold as can be. Most people wore thick layers and stayed in the warmth of their own homes. Knowing that architects of the supernation made sure to insulate the buildings, particularly sensitive government ones, to keep their population warm. Shin walked down the hallways of the grey construction, still dressed in his white fur uniform. His face was still red with alcohol, and his internal body temperature was much higher than usual. There was no way for Shin to feel cold, yet… His heart was frozen.

The hallway was quiet, even though there were at least fifty individuals located at all corners. Longyu Dao led the way while Zishen protected the rear. All of Shin’s closest aides within the Lantis Republic were by his side, some of them wearing grim faces of their own. They all knew what lay at the end of the hallway, they just didn’t want to believe it. Shin could acutely hear his footsteps and the movements of his compatriots. They weren’t loud or anything. In fact, it was the contrary. They were as silent as a feather, completely keeping aware of their surroundings. Disturbing the peace of this sacred place was the last thing that the group wanted to do. However, Shin could hear the heavy footsteps as if they were bursting within his own ears.

The ticking of the clock, the breaths of the guards that held the door… Everything single detail that the isolated chambers possessed, Shin could hear. Even the uneven heartbeat of the Spirit Venerate that sat motionless, staring into space.

“Venerate Maurice… They’re here...” The officer in charge of guiding the Master Explorer tapped on his shoulder, bringing his attention up towards the group that was walking in his direction.

The Spirit Venerate stood up with his back straightened. He had a fantastic posture and was able to meet Shin in the eye. Alas, the man just didn’t dare to. Maurice looked on the floor, and the ceiling, anywhere but the young Prince’s eyes. Still, he was in the presence of royalty. Bowing down, the Spirit Venerate called out: “Greetings, Your Grace...”

“...” Shin didn’t reply. He simply stared at the Spirit Venerate, causing visible goosebumps and a cold shiver to run down Maurice’s spine. Shin was only a Spirit Lord, how could he cause this much dread to a Spirit Venerate? That was Maurice immediate thought. However, he quickly recalled the epic tales that the bards and soldiers had sung about the young Prince. How Shin was able to strike terror to any cultivator’s mind and how he would become the most powerful cultivator in recent memory.

Songs from bards were often overplayed and exaggerated, so Maurice didn’t really put those rumours to heart. However, after meeting Shin, he could only say that the stories were watered down. Just being in the presence of the Rank 50 Spirit Lord was intimidating enough to make his legs shiver, so one could only imagine how it’ll feel like if the Celestial Dragon was summoned.

“You… were supposed to protect him, weren’t you?” Finally, after half a minute of silence, Shin opened his mouth. His tone was full of sharpness, so much so that even Longyu Dao felt frightened for Maurice’s life.

“I…” Maurice suddenly choked on his words. That was right, the Spirit Venerate was hired with the intent to protect Shizen as he explored Illusory Canyon. Yet, he failed that one job miserably. He even had the gall to return alive. “I accept any punishments that you’ll give me...”

“...” Shin’s two fists were clenched up now. He knew it wasn’t the Master Explorer’s fault; however, he wanted to tear the Spirit Venerate’s head up from his neck. It took everything Shin had to say the next few words. “No… Killing you won’t bring him back…” He turned towards the final door of the hallway.

Shin’s hand reached out but was quickly pushed back by his own desires. He didn’t know if he wanted to see what lay behind those doors. Shin knew what was inside… but he didn’t want to see it. Somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind, he believed that as long as he didn’t see the body, there would be a slim chance that his friend was still alive and well. However, that were dreams that couldn’t be. There was no delaying the inevitable.

“Open the doors...” Shin commanded. There were Spirit Venerates and top government officials present within the morgue, but none dared breathed a single word. The man with the highest authority in the land was the young man that stood with his fists clenched.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…

The doors gently creaked open, revealing a rather empty chamber. It was surgically clean and lacked even the slightest hint of dust. Likewise, the air within the room was as clean as can be. Furthermore, per the theme of the morgue, silence was kept within the room.

Three men, donned in fully sterilised uniforms with rubber gloves, stood with their faces turned back to the exit. Once they noticed the young Prince, they quickly gave a simple bow before retreating far back to the end of the room. Well, two of them did. The final man, who seemed to be the most senior, walked up to the side of the stone bed that was covered entirely with a white satin sheet.

“Do you want to inspect the body?” The mortician asked.

“...” Shin didn’t speak or move at all. He was far too hesitant to do anything. However, by some mystical force, his head began to nod by itself.

Everyone watched intently as the mortician tightened his rubber gloves and placed his mask back on. Both his hands held onto the edges of the white satin sheets, and with a gentle tug, he revealed the embalmed corpse that laid completely still on the bed. Brown hair, smooth acne-free skin and a boyish, hobbit’s face. It really was him…

“Shizen...” Shin cried. The Freak of the Dundlewoods, the man that Shin called his friend… He really was dead.

“Ella!” Before anyone else could react, Emma called out to her twin, who had rushed out of the chambers and ran down the hallway. The bob-haired girl wanted to give chase, but she was worried about Shin as well. Torn by both sides, Emma stood her ground as cold sweat dripped down her forehead.

“It’s okay,” the young Prince looked over his shoulder and blinked. Shin could tell what Emma was feeling and quickly moved to resolve her anxiety. “You can follow her...”

“... I’ll be right back,” Emma replied as she leapt out of the room. While Shin was an essential member of her life, Ella was equally important to the young maiden. They were bound by blood and shared a connection that few in the world would ever experience. Not to mention, Shin had the support of Kanari, Lady Seph, and a plethora of other loved ones by his side.

Shin’s hands touched the cold, motionless body, completely unaware of the other’s worries. ‘He’s so cold...’ The young Prince thought. From the beginning, Shin’s face hasn’t changed in the slightest. He was stoic and silent, just like the corpse that he was touching.

Everything in the morgue was so… cold. The atmosphere, the people, the lights… and most importantly, the motionless body of Shizen.

“You idiot...” Shin scolded Shizen. If he had simply stayed put in the Lantis Republic if he hadn’t been impatient in visiting the Tree of Illusions if he had remained by Shin’s side… No, that was one too many ifs… Shizen was fated to leave for the Illusory Canyon, and he was fated to find the Tree of Illusions. The problem was… Shin should have been there to protect him.

“No, I’m the idiot...” Shin chided himself. Why did Shizen want to rush his growth anyway? Wasn’t it precisely because of the young man that soared to the heavens way too quickly? Shizen had always been there for Shin, even during the most uncomfortable of situations. Yet, when Shizen needed him the most, Shin was nowhere to be found.

Shin could blame everyone in the world, but the first person he had to point the finger to… was himself. No, there was one person that could be blamed more… Shin’s face turned into a menacing scowl, as all of his teeth were shown. The dispassionate look in his eyes was replaced with a feral rage that could burn the underworld.

“Junius!!!” The Prince slammed his fist down onto the table, creating huge cracks on the concrete. Shin hadn’t used any mana strengthening or cast his Spiritual Body Enhancement. It was just mortal flesh crashing into an immovable object. Thus, his skin was torn, and rich crimson fluids flowed down from his knuckles.

“Shin!!!” Kanari cried out, moving right towards the agitated young man. Lady Seph, as if anticipating this development, unleashed a calm and soothing golden light, quickly patching up Shin’s bleeding fist. “Don’t harm yourself! I’m sure Shizen wouldn’t want you to mourn him this way!” The black-haired woman cried as she held Shin’s hands firmly, afraid that he would launch yet another punch into the drywall.

“Why am I mourning him anyway?” Shin looked to the ceiling, his lips trembling and eyes watering up. Was it anger? Or was it remorse? Was it fear? Or was it grief? Shin didn’t know what emotions he was feeling. However, one thing was for certain… There was only one man that came to his mind at this very moment.

“I’ve let him roam free for far too long… ” The young Prince morphed from a grieving widow to a man with a vengeance. All of those present, including the mighty Spirit Venerates gulped down mouthfuls of saliva, completely taken aback by the domineering presence that Shin was displaying.

“Zishen, gather up all of the Azure Dragons. Clan Master, call the High Council to convene. I’ll need their permission to loan one Spirit Venerate from each clan. Kanari, tell the Highgarden Duchy that I’ll be burrowing Venerate Maurice as our guide back to the Illusory Canyon. Master, please stop your experiments for a week or two...” Shin gave out orders as easily as a seasoned general that had been through a thousand wars. The funny thing was, no one dared to breathe a word of retort. They all nodded in agreement and simply stood back like servants to the Emperor.

“Contact the Alliance… Now that we’ve found the Blade of Death… I’m going to hunt him myself!!!”