Night enveloped the land; darkness swallowed the sky, leaving only the silver-white flow of the snow-covered plains.

To the west of the Blue Valley, scattered points of light appeared as over ten thousand people, each holding lamps made of ore, trudged with great difficulty across the snowy plains. This was a savage tribe, composed of beastmen, featherfolk, long-haired people, and rock giants.

They came from the far west, spending their lives chasing the migrations of wild birds and herds of animals. Wherever they passed, they left a trail of devastation in their wake, causing immense destruction, and were unwelcome in any kingdom.

At the very front of the procession were the agile Featherfolk, who were well-suited for scouting and could spot prey and danger in a timely manner.

The Beastmen and Long-Haired People marched in the middle of the column; they were strong enough to wrap ropes as thick as a man’s arm around their shoulders and pull hundreds of large carts behind them.

These wagons were crude in design, completely lacking in aesthetic appeal, but they were absolutely sturdy and durable.

The deck planks are thick, hard, and several dozen meters long. The wheels, over two meters tall, support the deck side by side, creaking as they roll.

The wagons carried the tribe’s essential supplies, including tents, animal hides, ore, and various tools. Weapons were carried by each individual and were never left unattended.

The tall, burly Rock Man brought up the rear.

They were like moving hills, their footsteps heavy, leaving huge footprints with every step.

“Damn this weather!” grumbled the beastman driving the cart, exhaling a cloud of white mist as he spoke. Frost had formed on his eyebrows, and his face had turned blue from the biting wind, as if he were wearing a mask.

“We shouldn’t have come to the Snow Domain—this place is nothing but an ice cave!” the shaggy-haired man beside him chimed in.

“If we don’t come here, do you want to get killed by the demons?” another beastman chimed in. To stay warm, he walked on all fours, taking on the form of a giant bear.

“God only knows why those demons suddenly went berserk!”

They hadn’t planned to migrate on a day like this, but as fate would have it, the demons of the Flaming Realm had suddenly dispatched an army to clear the borderlands.

Savage tribes of ten thousand had a decent chance against a small kingdom, but when faced with the Demon Clan’s regular army, their only option—if they didn’t want to die—was to flee early.

“I heard something happened in Abyss City.”

“The Lord of the Flaming Realm’s castle suddenly froze over—even if only for an instant, it was terrifying enough.” 

“Is the Ice Demon planning a rebellion?”

“They couldn’t pull that off—it has to be the Wraiths, the Wraith King!” 

“The Demon Clan and the Wraiths are at odds—what’s that got to do with us?”

“Who knows!”

“Maybe they’re preparing for war?”

“The Realm of Fire and the Snow Domain have been at war for ages. As long as the ownership of the Wasteland Realm remains uncertain, they won’t call a truce.” 

“Are we just caught in the crossfire?”

“That’s some bad luck.”

The group grew more animated as they talked, with complaints rising one after another.

The tribe had set out in a hurry to escape the Demon Clan, and their food supplies were already scarce; they couldn’t hold out much longer. Without a source of food, they would have to continue enduring hunger.

If hunger drove them to the point of losing their minds, there was no guarantee internal unrest wouldn’t break out.

This was the worst-case scenario—no one wanted to see it happen, let alone experience it firsthand. Amid the complaints, a shadow flew overhead—it was the Featherfolk who had set out ahead to scout the area.

Despite the bitter cold—where even a drop of water freezes instantly—they were still dressed in thin garments, their wrists and ankles exposed. As they flew through the sky, their bodies were covered with dense feathers, similar to velvet, which provided better insulation.

“The lord of the snow domain is to wed a bride, and numerous delegations are heading to Storm City. The Wraiths are also gathering; we cannot go any further, or we’ll be discovered.”

He brought back some bad news.

The lord of the snow domain’s wedding is sure to be an unprecedented spectacle. The Wraiths will comb the entire realm, allowing no accidents to occur. The Wraiths’ legions are no less dangerous than the Demon Clan’s regular army.

For the Horde, this is a nightmare.

“Let’s head for the Wasteland Forest,” the Horde chieftain suddenly declared, his voice as deep and resonant as his appearance.

He was a giant bear beastman, already quite old, with white hair and a white beard, yet his physique remained robust—he could easily hoist a stone weighing several thousand jin. When it came to brute strength, few young men could match him.

“Wasteland Forest?”

“It’s near the Vampire Kingdom.” 

“Are we really going there?”

A clamor of voices rose; people chattered incessantly like a swarm of noisy flies. The chieftain raised both arms and brought them down, successfully silencing the crowd.

“Not long ago, I received word that the Vampire Kingdom is in trouble, and rebel forces are gathering in large numbers. This is an opportunity—we can take advantage of the situation to gain some benefits.”

The logic was simple.

Compared to the Demon Clan and the Wraiths, the vampire clan appears powerful but has actually grown weak.

As the rebel forces prepare a massive offensive and secretly seek allies, the savage tribes are a key group to court.

“If we go, everything we seize belongs to all of us. Even if the battle turns against us, we can leave immediately without suffering any major losses,” the chieftain continued.

The tribe members discussed it among themselves, and most agreed with his proposal.

“Let’s go!”

Rather than hiding in the Snow Domain, they might as well try their luck in the vampire clan’s borderlands.

“Let’s go—to the Wasteland Forest!”

The tribal chieftain’s voice boomed like a bell as he ordered all members to change course.

The stretched-out column began to tighten as the tribe members took long strides, accelerating steadily under the lure of potential gain, and raced toward the Wasteland Forest. Under the same night sky, Cen Qing, Wu Ying, and their party left the valley.

The Wraiths departed on their own, guiding their worgs back to Storm City.

The snow wolf, however, broke away from the group, carrying Wu Ying and Cen Qing on its back as it continued northward, eventually reaching the middle reaches of a great river. The river’s surface was frozen, and in the very center stood a solitary castle.

“Where is this?” Cen Qing pulled back the cloak covering his face and gazed at the castle on the water. In the night, the castle’s outer walls glowed white, as if built of ice and snow.

“My summer palace—and also the place where I was born,” said Wu Ying. The cold had no effect on the Wraith King.

He spread his cloak to shield Cen Qing and gently patted the snow wolf’s neck with his right hand.

The colossal beast let out a long howl to the heavens, planted its four paws on the ice, and transformed into a gale, racing across the frozen river. The wind howled past their ears, but a faint glow emanated from around Wu Ying, shielding Cen Qing from the cold wind so that not a single breath could touch him.

Viewed from a distance, the castle appeared to be perched on the river’s surface, its base flush with the ice. Only as they drew closer did they realize the structure rose several meters above the ice, supported by stone pillars extending from the riverbed beneath it.

The surfaces of the stone pillars were carved with mythical beasts—owl heads, wolf bodies, and serpent tails—giving them a most bizarre appearance.

“The totem of the Wraiths, originating from the founder of Storm City,” Wu Ying’s voice rang out again. A chill brushed past Cen Qing’s earlobe, causing him to instinctively pinch his ear.

The snow wolf came to a halt in front of the castle. Wu Ying was the first to leap down from its back; immediately, he wrapped his arms around Cen Qing’s waist and effortlessly lifted him up.

“Your Majesty?”

“I never want to let you go.”

Wu Ying chuckled softly, gently kissed the corner of Cen Qing’s mouth, and only after a long moment set him down. A faint glow appeared on the surface of the stone pillar, and the carved mythical beast opened its eyes.

The ice beneath their feet suddenly cracked.

A stone bridge emerged from the water, rising beneath their feet and slowly lifting them up. The bridge extended toward the castle, its neatly arranged steps rising one by one, leading straight to the castle gates.

Wu Ying took Cen Qing’s hand and led him up the steps.

Cen Qing noticed that the steps were also carved with figures identical to the mythical beasts on the stone pillars, only scaled down proportionally.

“Before the wedding, I wanted you to come here,” Wu Ying said as he led Cen Qing forward. His hood slipped back over his shoulder, and his gold-threaded cloak melted away from the hem upward, leaving only a magnificent robe. The gemstones on his sash sparkled with iridescent light, and the tassels hanging at his sides swayed and shimmered as he walked.

Cen Qing followed in his footsteps, listening as he recounted the history of the castle.

“I was born here and spent my youth here. Though much time has passed, my memories have never faded.”

As the two stepped onto the final stair, the bronze doors swung open of their own accord. Beyond them lay a magnificent hall.

The vaulted ceiling soared a hundred meters high, with a crystal chandelier hanging from its center.

The chandelier’s mount was extraordinarily luxurious; every chain link was meticulously crafted, representing the finest craftsmanship of the lampmakers and truly one-of-a-kind in the world. As they stepped into the hall, the crystal chandelier lit up of its own accord.

Beams of light shot out from the chandelier’s base, striking the walls one after another. Striking bands of light streaked across the space as the exquisitely designed sconces flickered in unison, their glow intertwining with that of the crystal chandelier to illuminate the entire hall.

The floor was spotless and gleaming as if brand-new, clearly reflecting the shadows of the two figures.

The hall’s decorations were inlaid with gold and jade, accented with emeralds and precious stones; even a single vase was worth a fortune. The murals on the walls were exquisitely detailed yet eerie in style, identical to those in Wu Ying’s palace.

“When I was young, I once smashed every vase and window in here,” Wu Ying said without pausing. He took Cen Qing’s wrist, interlaced their fingers, and led him forward. “Back then, I had a hard time controlling my power.”

“Your Majesty, where are you taking me?” Listening to Wu Ying’s story, Cen Qing was completely absorbed, quite naturally overlooking the murals and decorations along the way.

The two arrived at the far end of the hall, where a spiral staircase lined with a red carpet encircled two doors. The doors were inlaid with brightly colored gemstones, forming a complete pattern of a mythical beast—the oldest totem of the Wraiths.

“There is something I’d like to give you personally.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Ying placed his palm over the totem.

The doors, which had not been opened in a long time, creaked as they slowly swung inward. Bright light poured out, no less brilliant than that within the hall.

A warm breeze flowed from within, brushing past her nose, carrying with it a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Cen Qing, curious, raised his eyes and was instantly awestruck by the scene within. The ceiling soared high, and the floor sloped downward, plunging more than several dozen meters into the depths.

A spring pool was set within it; the water was crystal clear, and the bottom was covered with crystal stones that glowed with a flame-like color.

The sound of gurgling water drifted out, and bubbles continuously rose from among the crystals, bursting on the surface and sending up vast plumes of white mist. The mist coalesced into a single veil, ethereal as a sheer gauze, blurring Cen Qing’s vision.

Large lotus blossoms bloomed in the spring pool.

The petals were predominantly lustrous white, outlined in pale blue, and the stamens emitted a soft glow; they did not appear to be naturally formed, but rather as if meticulously carved from jade. The fragrance of the flowers emanated from them.

Just as Cen Qing was drifting into a reverie, Wu Ying suddenly bent down, scooped him up, and leaped into the misty white fog.

They landed at the edge of the pond; the hem of Wu Ying’s robe dipped into the water, and the embroidered gold patterns shimmered with a faint glow, making it appear even more magnificent and extraordinary.

“Your Majesty, what are you going to give me?” Cen Qing placed one hand on Wu Ying’s shoulder, his gaze sweeping left and right. He had a hunch but was waiting for further confirmation.

“Be patient, my beauty.” Wu Ying gently touched Cen Qing’s cheek, then set him down. Immediately afterward, he made a startling move.

The ruler of the Snow Domain stepped into the water, stopping only when it reached his waist.

The clear pool water pooled at his waist, and his long silver hair spread across the surface, shimmering with a unique blue-green hue.

He reached out and snapped off several lotus flowers; as the blossoms separated from their stems, they froze instantly, solidifying into clear ice crystals, which he cradled in his arms. Wu Ying turned and waded back to the shore.

He did not step out of the water but leaned against the edge of the pond, gazing up at Cen Qing with eyes that shimmered—even a soul-stealing succubus could not hold a candle to him.

He held the crystalline blossoms out before Cen Qing; their fragrance was still detectable, even more intense than before.

Wu Ying’s fingers brushed against Cen Qing’s; his fingertips traced the back of his hand upward before clasping his wrist. With a slight tug, he pulled him into the pond, holding him captive in his embrace.

“This is for you, my bride.”

As the flower was placed in Cen Qing’s arms, Wu Ying lowered his head, took a petal between his lips, and held the crystalline petal there. His large hand cradled the back of Cen Qing’s neck, and through the petal, he kissed Cen Qing’s lips.

At first, the touch was gentle, like a light breeze.

In an instant, the pressure intensified; restraint and composure vanished entirely in the swirling mist, leaving only a startling obsession and a primal, unrestrained desire to possess.

Vampire clans are naturally cold; Wraiths are even colder.

But in that moment, Cen Qing was enveloped by boundless heat; his reason eroded as his pale fingers clenched tightly around his damp robe, creasing the luxurious fabric.

The pressure on his lips suddenly vanished.

Wu Ying tilted his head and buried his face in the crook of Cen Qing’s neck, biting through his collar with his teeth. His voice flowed slowly, light and seductive: “Don’t worry, my beauty. I’ll wait until our wedding night.”

Is that so?

Cen Qing tilted his head back, unsure whether to commend the Wraith King for keeping his promise or to feel regret once again.

“You can bite me.” Wu Ying took Cen Qing’s right hand and guided his fingertips across his neck. “I hope you’ll recover soon. After all, our wedding night will be exceptionally long.”

Cen Qing gazed at him, feeling the blood flowing beneath his fingertips, as memories from not long ago flooded his mind.

Fangs emerged from his gums, his pitch-black eyes veiled in a thin mist, and a hint of red tinted his pupils. Cen Qing no longer resisted his nature; when Wu Ying released his hand, he seized the moment to bite into his neck.

The sharp tips of his fangs pierced his skin, and cold blood slid down his throat.

A burning sensation arose at his collarbone, and the runes of the blood curse emerged clearly, radiating an eerie glow of intertwined gold and red, only to fade away in the heat, merging beneath his pale skin until they vanished without a trace.

In the dead of night, the ancient castle lay shrouded in gloom and silence.

The ornate doors slowly closed, concealing the swirling white mist and the two figures in the spring pool. In Storm City, the Wraiths, returning from the hunting grounds, were intercepted by the thorn vines.

The maids had finally awaited the Wraiths’ return, but they saw neither Cen Qing nor the Wraith King. They were deeply anxious and desperately needed answers from her.

“Where is His Highness? Why hasn’t he returned?”

“He is with His Majesty. As long as His Majesty is there, there is no danger; you need not worry,” Goya said to the arrivals, pushing the worg’s head aside.

Before the maids could ask any further questions, a bugle call suddenly rang out from outside the city—similar to that of Storm City’s legions, yet with subtle differences. Upon hearing this bugle call, Goya and the others’ expressions changed instantly.

“It’s Wu Lie!”

“Who is Wu Lie?”

The maids were at a loss.

They were deeply puzzled, wondering what kind of figure could cause these proud Wraiths to grow so tense, each of them bracing for battle as if facing a formidable enemy.

Noticing their confusion—and realizing they were Cen Qing’s maids—Goya paused and patiently explained, “The Duke of the Snow Domain, who has long garrisoned the Frozen Wastes. He is His Majesty’s brother and a former contender for the throne.”

A blood relative, a rival.

A guardian of the kingdom, and a formidable rival to the Wraith King.

According to the traditions of the Wraiths, should the Wraith King ever grow weak, these dukes stationed at the borders would storm Storm City, instantly transforming into the Snow Domain’s greatest threat.

They are the pillars of the kingdom, yet they are also the Wraith King’s potential enemies. This has never changed since the Wraith King first ruled the Snow Domain.

Outside Storm City, banners bearing the image of beast bones pierced the darkness.

A column of thousands advances from the far north, with worgs galloping through the snow. Their sharp steel claws slice through the ground, leaving mottled scars that stretch all the way to the foot of Storm City.

Not even the howling wind could stop this group from advancing.

The wraith riding the wolf blew his horn. His black cloak was edged in dark blue, but beneath it lay not an ornate robe, but rather light armor and a tunic, along with leather leggings and long boots.

This attire is better suited to the Extreme Wasteland Ice Plains, allowing them to engage in fierce battles with the colossal beasts that roam the ice.

Fierce earth dragons, giant sharks lurking beneath the ice, and temperamental ice elephants are all formidable foes; they must remain vigilant at all times and be fully prepared for battle.

Amid the forest of banners, a black worg stood out as particularly majestic.

Its towering stature, thick neck, broad chest, and powerful limbs signaled its status within the pack—the Wolf King.

Riding on the black wolf’s back, the slender Duke of the North pulled back his hood and gazed out at the Storm standing atop the mountain peak. A flicker of turmoil passed through his eyes, which moments later hardened into a bone-chilling cold.

He was strikingly handsome, his features bearing a slight resemblance to Wu Ying’s, symbolizing the blood ties between them.

“Your Excellency, shall we slow down?” 

“No.”

In response to his subordinate’s inquiry, Wu Lie gave a negative answer.

Not only did he have no intention of slowing down, but he ordered the entire force to quicken their pace, charging all the way to the mountaintop to demonstrate the Northern Legion’s might to the Royal Capital.

“Charge!”

At Wu Lie’s command, the Wraiths under his command let out a simultaneous, piercing howl.

Rather than celebrating the Wraith King’s wedding, they seemed to have come to provoke, demonstrating their strength to the Royal Capital they had not seen in a long time.

An ice storm raged on the mountaintop as chunks of ice, large and small, broke away from the mountain, spinning and colliding in the wind. They struck the city walls one after another, emitting a heart-stopping, eerie sound.

The Wraith King was not within the city.

The kingdom’s ministers ordered the giant drums to be beaten to welcome the Duke of the North.

Wu Lie, having been defeated in the struggle for the throne, had long sought to settle the score with Wu Ying once more.

He arrived full of confidence and eagerly climbed to the mountaintop, only to be told after passing through the city gates that the great ruler of the Snow Domain was not in the city at all.

“His Majesty has gone out with the future queen and is not expected to return until tomorrow,” Goya and Fran explained as they stepped forward to greet Wu Lie, laying out the situation as it was. Everything followed established protocol; they simply needed to act according to the rules to ensure no unexpected incidents occurred.

“Not here?” Wu Lie sat atop the black wolf, looking down at the two of them from above.

“Yes,” Goya nodded.

“It seems he’s quite pleased with this vampire clan wife of his.” Wu Lie let out an ambiguous chuckle, raised his right arm, and waved it forward, leading his band of Wraiths toward his summer palace. It was large enough to accommodate everyone.

Goya and the others watched him depart, seeing no need to make any extra arrangements.

Wu Lie’s palace was home to many snow sprites, who could slumber for years only to awaken when their master appeared, serving him flawlessly without the slightest misstep.

“Since the Duke of the North has arrived, the other three surely won’t be too far behind,” Fran said, standing beside Goya with his hands tucked into his sleeves. His smile made him look exceptionally handsome, and his demeanor took on an even more devilishly bold air. “I’d guess they’ll be here within the next couple of days.”

Goya twirled her bracelet, gazing at the closed city gates, and said, “How are the preparations for the wedding ceremony coming along? His Majesty has entrusted this matter to us; we must ensure it is flawless.”

“Delanyia and Lucri are keeping a close eye on things, as are the members of the Council of Elders. The ceremony hall remains as before, and the wedding gowns are already complete. The queen’s crown requires some adjustments; once he returns, we can send someone to finalize all the details,” Fran said.

“What about the banquet?” Goya tilted her head to look at him. “With so many envoys gathered in the city, it would be best to avoid any mishaps.”

Fran had already considered this. He raised his hand to tuck a strand of long hair behind his ear and wagged a finger at Goya: “The Council of Elders has a vast collection of documents; there’s absolutely no need to worry. The elders, who usually have nothing to do, are now full of enthusiasm. They’ll take care of everything properly—for Your Majesty’s sake.”

As the two spoke, the ice storm outside the city gradually intensified. Large chunks of solid ice slammed into the city walls, causing the thick structure to tremble slightly.

“It’s clear that His Majesty’s absence from the city is having an impact,” Goya remarked.

“It’s no big deal. Unless the mountains collapse, Storm City is bound to remain safe,” Fran said, unconcerned. Though he looked young, he was actually older than Wu Ying.

He had lived through the reign of the previous king and witnessed the joint assault on Storm City by the Ancient Treefolk and the Ice Giants. That had been the greatest crisis; the city gates had nearly been breached.

Having missed that one and only opportunity, they have never been able to come within a step of the city since.

The ice storm now raging outside the city was formed entirely from the remnants of their unyielding bodies, carrying endless resentment. Their souls refused to dissipate after death, and even after countless years, they remained powerless against the Wraiths’ Royal Capital.

The two finished their conversation and were about to leave when the sound of horns rang out from outside the city again.

The sounds came from different directions, and they clearly distinguished the differences between them.

As if by prior arrangement, the four Dukes arrived on the very same night.

Following the Northern Duke, Wu Lie, the Southern Duke, Mostofa, the Western Duke, Lovell, and the Eastern Duke, Minna, appeared one after another outside the city.

Each leading their elite troops and flying different banners, they marched across the vast snowy plains under the cover of night and gathered at the foot of the Royal Capital ruled by Wu Ying to celebrate the upcoming wedding.