C21 Shadow Orb

"Yes, Senior!" Niorson quickly responded, no longer daring to waste words.

"As the Gate to Shadowlands, I naturally require a substantial number of Shadow Orbs for recovery. Should you procure a sufficient quantity for me, Senior, it would help suppress my internal injuries, allowing me to postpone the opening of the Gate."

"This... Why do I get the feeling you're exploiting me?" Soong Lin said with a cold laugh.

Niorson's entire body shook with fear.

"Senior, wielding the Immortal Sword, you could strike down anyone. I wouldn't dare act out of line in front of you, not even if you gave me tenfold the courage!"

"True as that may be, some creatures are inherently defiant and must be watched closely!" Soong Lin said with scorn.

Despite Niorson's inaction from the start, Soong Lin remained skeptical that such a formidable presence, one that even made him uneasy, could be so easily subdued.

"Please, don't get me wrong, Senior. If you were familiar with the history of our Bronze Door, you'd understand that I, Niorson, am indeed the least useful among us."

"You might be unaware, but in the second layer, the Feral Domain, he has forged a body as tough as steel. Even the mightiest blow from a Void Refining cultivator would leave him unscathed."

At that, Soong Lin scoffed.

"You claimed ignorance about the affairs of other sects, didn't you?"

"Well... We are from the Bronze Door lineage. Every millennium, our family holds a reunion. It's during those gatherings that I've had the chance to interact with them," Niorson explained, a wry smile on his face.

Observing that Niorson seemed sincere, Soong Lin's demeanor softened.

"So, the Bronze Door family reunites every thousand years? When is the next one due?"

"In just a mere hundred years," Niorson replied, his attention fixed on Soong Lin, anxious not to displease him and provoke a harsh response.

Soong Lin's brow furrowed slightly. After a brief pause, he declared, "A hundred years, huh? It's not particularly long, yet not short either. Nonetheless, I must devise a way to gather Shadow Orbs. The opening of the Gate to Shadowlands must be delayed."

Upon hearing the proposal, Niorson's face lit up with wild joy.

"Senior, are you truly intent on gathering the Orb of the Damned? If so, I can offer you exclusive access."

"You're suggesting I venture into the Shadowlands to hunt down the Ghost Clan's mightiest?"

"Exactly. You must not only enter the Shadowlands but also defeat the Ghost King to secure the Orb of the Damned."

"Hehe! Farewell!"

Soong Lin let out a mocking chuckle.

He sheathed the Skybreaker and promptly turned to depart, leaving Niorson disheveled in the void.

"Did I misspeak? It seemed all right! Why did the senior abruptly drop everything and leave?"

Once Soong Lin had exited the space beneath the imperial mausoleum, he scoffed to himself.

"The Gate to Shadowlands is quite the trap. If I were to blindly enter the Shadowlands, wouldn't I be besieged by a horde of Ghost Kings? Forget about claiming the Shadow Orb; my very life would be forfeit."

"I'll let him stew for a bit before I reconsider my options."

With a soft murmur, Soong Lin settled down to meditate, his demeanor serene.

The spiritual energy within the Vrabouton imperial mausoleum was scarce.

Yet Soong Lin's cultivation didn't depend on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth; he drew his power from the spirit pills he possessed.

Several days passed, and once Soong Lin had completed his tasks within the mausoleum, he was about to check on the Gate to Shadowlands when he heard Su Lang's footsteps approaching from outside.

"Greetings, Your Highness. It's been some time since my last visit. Have you been well?"

Su Lang inquired with due reverence.

Soong Lin offered a slight smile. "There's no need for such formality between us. Yes, it's been solitary here in the mausoleum, but the distance from the imperial court's power struggles has brought me a peaceful solitude."

He paused, then continued with a smile, "What brings you to me this time?"

"Your Highness, I've come across a matter through the grapevine that I believe warrants your cautious attention."

Su Lang's face soured as he spoke.

Noticing that Soong Lin wasn't upset, he plucked up the courage to speak. "Prince, I've heard that the State Preceptor has petitioned the Emperor to reinstate you. Unfortunately, His Majesty declined, citing your lack of ambition. This doesn't bode well for you. Please be cautious, Your Highness."

"Mm," Soong Lin acknowledged with a nod.

The ways of an emperor are inscrutable.

And Soong Lin truly had no desire to vie for the throne anymore.

Whether Soong Wang favored him or not was of no consequence to him.

"The Emperor has his reasons for not employing my services. Moreover, I've been confined here so long that I've grown somewhat out of touch with state affairs. But I must admit, there's a certain freedom in dwelling within the imperial mausoleum."

Soong Lin's laughter was light and easy.

Su Lang's expression shifted subtly at these words.

"Your Highness, perhaps you've misunderstood my point. Even though you've been relegated to the imperial mausoleum, you remain of royal blood. Surely, you wouldn't resign yourself to decline here."

"Haha, and what makes you think I'm in decline?" Soong Lin's laughter boomed.

He dedicated himself to daily meditation and practice, never allowing complacency.

Even the widely revered King the Benevolent's reputation in the capital was a result of his own grand designs.

Yet, he couldn't quite convey this to Su Lang.

After a brief pause, Soong Lin added, "I appreciate your concern. I'll make sure not to let myself decline."

Then, thinking of Su Yingying, who had been receiving the royal family's focused training, Soong Lin inquired, "How is Yingying doing now?"

"Prince, Yingying is exceptionally gifted. Thanks to the royal family's tutelage, she's advanced to the late stages of Foundation Building. She's just one step away from achieving Core Formation."

Joy lit up Su Lang's face.

Having served a lifetime in the Imperial Guards, he knew all too well the rarity of cultivating someone to Core Formation.

Now, his daughter was not only the Vrabouton Empire's foremost prodigy but had also reached the threshold of Core Formation at such a tender age.

For him, it was as if his ancestors' graves were blessed with auspicious smoke.

"Hmm, Yingying's progress certainly lives up to her reputation as a prodigy. I still have some spirit pills on hand. Please, take them to her."

Soong Lin offered a warm smile.

While speaking, he handed Su Lang a medium grade Essence Condensation Pill and a top grade Nascent Pill.

The Essence Condensation Pill was primarily for advancing one's cultivation level.

The Nascent Pill, a rare and valuable pill, could aid in breaking through to the Core Formation Stage.

Not another like it could be found throughout the entire Vrabouton Empire.

"Your Highness, this gift is too generous. I, Su Lang, am not worthy to receive it."

Su Lang's eyes quickly scanned the pills Soong Lin had presented, and a wave of anxiety washed over him.

"Haha, no need for concern. These were given to me by King the Benevolent during his visit. As a cripple, I have no use for them. They will serve Yingying well," Soong Lin said with a light chuckle.

With a wave of his hand, he indicated for Su Lang to depart.

Once Su Lang had left the imperial mausoleum of Vrabouton, Soong Lin's form flickered, and he reappeared in the basement.

The phantom of the bronze door still hung in the air.

Upon seeing Soong Lin, Niorson's voice rang out with excitement.

"Elder, if you're willing to venture into the Shadowlands to gather Shadow Orbs, I can truly grant you special access."

Soong Lin let out a cold laugh, a glint of frost appearing in his eyes.

"Niorson, your cunning knows no bounds. You're not sending me to the Shadowlands to collect Shadow Orbs; you're sending me to my death!"