Behind Cangming followed a multitude of grotesque Sea Race elites.
There were Crab Generals wielding massive hammers, a Turtle Prime Minister carrying a shell on his back, and countless Shrimp Soldiers holding long spears.
Though they appeared aggressive, Chen Zhou keenly noticed that the faces of these Sea Race experts were all filled with anxiety.
Faint wisps of black qi even wound around some of the Sea Race members' bodies.
The Sea Race group did not linger outside the palace but was led into the palace by attendants who had long been waiting there.
Coincidentally, or perhaps intentionally arranged by Yin Wudao.
They were placed in the side hall right next to Chen Zhou.
The two side halls were separated only by a single wall.
In the courtyard next door, the once-dark side hall was now brightly lit.
Prince Cangming sat on a stone stool, his massive fish tail resting on the ground. Upon closer inspection, several black spots the size of fingernails had actually appeared on it.
The scales around the black spots had already rotted and fallen off, revealing the blackened flesh beneath.
"Your Highness, please bear with it."
A beautiful Clam Maiden knelt to one side, holding a sharp coral knife in her hand, trembling as she tried to help him scrape away the festering flesh.
"Get away."
Cangming violently flicked his tail, sending the Clam Maiden flying.
His tone was somewhat dark: "What is the use of scraping it away?"
"It will just grow back tomorrow, even more of it."
"What we need is the Golden Buddha; we need a complete purification."
Cangming panted heavily, his eyes bloodshot.
He was the sovereign of the Sea Race, a member of the Merfolk race, and a seventh-stage powerhouse who should have reigned over the four seas.
But now, these damned black spots clung to him like a curse, corroding his sanity every moment.
He could feel that he was not far from turning into a mad sea beast that knew only slaughter.
"Damned humans, damned Yin Wudao!"
Cangming cursed in a low voice, "If not for the Golden Buddha, how could I, this monarch, step a single foot into this land palace filled with the stench of corpses?"
While uncontrollably venting his anger, Cangming suddenly shuddered.
He whipped his head around, staring fixedly at the palace wall next door.
In that split second just now, he had felt an aura.
Ancient, noble, as if it could make ten thousand aquatic souls tremble and bow in submission.
That was... dragon might?
True dragon might?!
"What is it, Your Highness?" The Clam Maiden who had just been struck away ignored the pain and hurried back to ask.
Cangming did not pay her any mind, his gaze still locked onto the wall.
'Dragon... I felt the aura of a dragon.'
'Although it was very faint, so faint it was almost like an illusion, that sense of suppression from deep within the bloodline could definitely not be wrong.'
Stunned by the dragon might, Cangming's exhausted and restless sea of consciousness relaxed slightly, and he regained much of his reason.
"Who is staying next door?" Cangming asked in a heavy voice.
The Clam Maiden quickly replied: "In response to Your Highness, I heard that it is a distinguished guest of Yin Wudao, the Lord of Two Domains, the Bone God of the Bone Temple."
"Lord of Two Domains? That upstart who just rose to power?"
Cangming frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
The Bone Temple was a branch of the Buddhist Sect that had been missing for several hundred years.
Being of the Buddhist Sect, he would be considered human.
How could a human have dragon might on them?
'Could it be that he is carrying some dragon race treasure?'
"No... that's not right."
Cangming shook his head again, negating his own thought, 'The Lord Ancestor Dragon vanished tens of thousands of years ago; there are no more dragons in this world.'
'Even our Sea Emperor race only possesses a thin sliver of dragon blood.'
'Perhaps I have been tortured by these black spots for too long and am having hallucinations.'
Cangming took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart.
"Activate the isolation array; do not let anyone approach."
He was the figurehead of the Sea Race and could not let anyone see his current weakness.
Not only did it concern the dignity of the Eastern Region, but it also concerned the very survival of the Eastern Region.
The demons on the land were no kind souls; if this pack of wild dogs caught the scent of blood and knew he was currently strong only in appearance, he would only be devoured by them.
Following Cangming's command, several fish and shrimp quickly took their positions. A blue water curtain rose, enveloping the entire side hall and completely cutting off the internal and external auras.
Although the Sea Race was xenophobic, they were also extremely pragmatic.
Before obtaining the Golden Buddha, they had to maintain an air of mystery and power, never letting the humans see that they were at the end of their tether.
Next door.
Chen Zhou withdrew his probing gaze.
Setting up an isolation array immediately—they were certainly cautious enough.
Chen Zhou looked inside the room. Song Zi'an was holding a small knife, staring blankly at a piece of meat on the table.
That piece of meat was exactly what Chen Zhou had brought back from the kitchen a few days ago.
Song Zi'an's spirit was somewhat withered; clearly, he had not slept for several nights.
"How is it?" Chen Zhou walked over and asked casually, "Have you researched anything? Is it the meat of that crane your master raised?"
Song Zi'an put down the knife, let out a long sigh, and shook his head.
"My Lord, this is not A Ling's meat."
"The texture of this meat is very coarse, and it even has an earthy smell to it. it completely lacks the transparency of a spiritual bird."
As Song Zi'an spoke, he frowned with a peculiar expression.
"Strange to say, besides that brief glimpse that night when I did indeed smell the crane feather, I haven't been able to sense it again these past few days."
"I don't know if someone has hidden it or if this endless red rain has washed the scent away completely."
Song Zi'an pointed at the meat and continued, "I just sliced a few pieces and tried stir-frying them to eat."
Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow: "You ate it?"
"This thing is of unknown origin and was taken from that kitchen full of malevolent ghosts. You actually dared to put it in your mouth?"
Song Zi'an scratched his head sheepishly, but his gaze remained firm.
"Rest assured, My Lord. As a chef, I have my own ways of identifying ingredients."
"I have tested this meat, and there is no problem with it. In fact... it's quite delicious."
"It itself has no flavor, but it can emit an extremely pleasant aroma."
"Like an extremely delicious dish, it can greatly soothe one's emotions."
"Eating something delicious naturally makes one feel physically and mentally pleased."
After hearing this, Chen Zhou fell into thought.
Happy meat?
In this provincial palace full of pain and resentment, they were raising this kind of meat that could make people happy.
And it was in infinite supply.
'Is Yin Wudao feeding the malevolent ghosts of the entire city with this meat to appease them?'
'Or perhaps...'
Chen Zhou thought of those civil and military officials who, even after turning into ghosts, still maintained their habits from life and attended court on time every day.
If it could appease malevolent ghosts, it was indeed the best fodder for ruling a ghost dynasty.
Chen Zhou didn't dwell on it too much, "Stop eating. If nothing goes wrong, there will be a feast tonight. Save some room."
Just as he finished speaking, a knock came from the door.
"Exalted One, the distinguished guests have all arrived."
"The Prince's Night Banquet is about to begin. I have come specifically to invite the Exalted One to take your seat."
The corners of Chen Zhou's mouth curled slightly as he adjusted his black robe.
"Let's go."
Wu Gou had not yet returned, so Chen Zhou could only take Song Zi'an and carry the little pig as he strode out of the side hall.
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