Currently 700 miles away from the Valley of Poisons (Hao Xuan's current location) 'Heran' the beast on which the walking city is located walks through a sandy desert.

The beast has a long neck about the same length as its entire body. Each of its gigantic feet sends tremors along the earth as it walks. A golden crown sits atop its head. A massive city of at least 5,000 meters in radius is strapped to its back, decked in gold and bronze buildings along with luscious gardens. (Reference img posted)

Inner circle of the city.

A temple made out of pure gold stood in the very center, viewable from every single corner. Massive columns of white light shoot up into the air, disappearing after reaching a few hundred meters into the sky above.

On the highest floor of the temple was a single room overlooking the entire city. In front of the two-meter wide circular window was an ivory throne on which an individual sat with his eyes closed. The throne faced the window with the only entrance directly behind it.

Ripples of blood-red fog surrounded him, constantly coming out of his body before diffusing into the air after a few seconds.

*Knock*Knock*Knock*

The bloody fog froze in mid-air before quickly returning to the man's body, revealing his handsome face.

"Enter," he said softly but his voice echoed in the entire room as clear as day.

The door opened and in walked a man in plain white robes. He seemed to be in his late twenties, older than the man on the throne but his expression was of deep veneration as if he was in front of an elder.

"Lord Dai Zhi, we have some news," the white-robed man spoke in a respectful tone.

Dai Zhi opened his eyes. His pupils a shade of the deepest crimson.

"What happened?"

The white-robed man bowed even though Dai Zhi was facing the other way.

"It is about your sister my lord. I'm afraid we still have not been able to find her. And not just her but even many of the others have not reached us yet."

Dai Zhi stood up. He was about 1.9 meters tall with a lean physique. With the loose white shirt and black pants, he looked like a fragile young master of some clan. Turning around he looked at the man coldly.

"How many have reached us so far?"

"Only about 40 of them. There has been no contact with anyone else."

"And how long ago did they land?"

"More than eighty hours ago my lord."

Dai Zhi's brows locked together.

"Are you sure 'that' guy is not behind this?" he asked with a slightly disgusted expression.

The white-robed man nodded, "Yes sire. Our informants are keeping an eye on him, he has not made a move yet."

The person they were referring to was the First Guardian of the Hall of Bellator. Just like Dai Zhi, he was the guardian that held the most power from the Hall's side.

"Then what? You people have no idea what's happening out there?" Dai Zhi asked sternly, clearly disappointed by the results. After joining the Temple of Light because of his master's pestering, he had not gotten a single thing in return. So far it was all a huge letdown.

The white-robed man lowered his head even more, almost touching the ground now.

"My lord they are in the same position as us. Many of their people have disappeared as well. No one knows what's going on," he explained while droplets of sweat poured down the side of his face. He was only supposed to be responsible for the temple, to take care of it while the tournament was going on so all this was way above his paygrade.

"Enough, get up," Dai Zhi looked away with knitted brows.

"Gather my men, I will go take a look in person," he said with a wave of his hand. An unknown force pushed the white-robed man out the door. He was about to let out a breath of relief when Dai Zhi's voice came again.

"Has the second guardian not contacted us either?"

"Y-Yes my lord," he replied quickly.

"Go, get everyone ready."

The door closed on its own, relieving the pressure that the white-robed man was facing. He could barely breathe standing in front of him. Only he knew how different Dai Zhi was from his public persona. The kind, gentle, always laughing young master that everyone knew him as did not exist. He was cold beyond reason.

Dai Zhi sat on the ivory throne and peered out of the window.

"Deimos..." he mumbled softly.

His aunt had reached out to him a few days ago. Telling him to keep an eye on the second guardian. Apparently he had a special relationship with Ceni.

His expression turned even colder as he thought about his half-sister. Not many people knew this but the reason he had to leave home was because of Ceni's mother. And now her daughter was also taking part in the tournament, and with a guardian to boot.

"Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Like mother like daughter. God damn whores!" if looks could kill, his would have slaughtered millions.

Even though he said all these hateful things, his expression didn't reflect any of those emotions. Like a statue, he kept a straight face throughout.

"It will be my time soon..."

***

The valley of Poisons, near the North-East border.

Hao Xuan stood in the shadow of a giant boulder, carefully examining the small valley in front.. Tens of small metal structures decorated the inside of the valley, with the occasional scream or two coming from the opposite corner.

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