Castro Continent, coastal fishing village, Grey Town.
On a winter morning, the air carried a crisp chill. Patches of snow dotted the landscape in silver white. The sea rippled gently, sending salty gusts of cold wind ashore.
In Grey Town, shortly after Russ had been roused from sleep by the mysterious blonde girl Dawkins, a large ship suddenly emerged from the thick sea fog, steadily approaching the direction of Grey Town.
The ship bore a resounding name: the Wanli Haizheng.
Its captain was the renowned pirate king of the Gorge Sea region, Stari.
Over a month earlier, Stari, Elizabeth, and Ye Chui’s group had parted ways. Stari took the undead Mishal to search for Grey Town. Mishal was a girl from Grey Town. As a child, while playing by the sea, she had been accidentally kidnapped by pirates and sold to Pirate Bay, where she met Stari and Elizabeth. Later, Mishal left Pirate Bay and married into Cold Wind Port.
But to deal with Ye Chui, Tikis had killed everyone in Cold Wind Port, using her evil power to turn all the residents into her puppets and besiege Ye Chui. They were ultimately defeated by Ye Chui’s group.
Mishal had become one of Tikis’s walking corpses, yet her soul was unusual. It miraculously resisted Tikis’s soul enslavement and was transformed into an undead by Ye Chui.
Ye Chui suspected that Tikis’s hometown, Grey Town, very likely harboured descendants of the gods. From Selti, Ye Chui learned that among the gods there was one named Greyton, a name closely matching Grey Town. Greyton was the God of Gourmet, and Grey Town happened to be famous for its cuisine. Thus, Ye Chui sent Stari and Elizabeth with Mishal’s undead form to find Grey Town.
Now, after more than a month, the Wanli Haizheng, carrying Stari and the others, had finally located Grey Town.
The ship pierced through the sea fog, revealing several figures on the deck. An undead floating in mid-air became visible. It was Mishal, but she now appeared to be under some restraint.
Her body was wrapped in numerous soul chains, with a sinister magic array beneath her feet. The chains extended from that array. Mishal’s consciousness seemed lost in confusion. Her pupils were white, and her body spun slowly like a balloon.
Beside Mishal stood an elderly magic mentor with a sombre expression. His magic book was enormous, with an orange cover. His robes fluttered. When he spotted the faint outline of the town on the shore, a cold smile appeared on his face. “We found it. That mysterious town.”
“So this town really exists. Legends say descendants of the gods live here. In history, many people accidentally entered it, yet when they tried to find it again by the same route, they found nothing. Both the Church and the Magic Guild once expended great effort searching for it, but it could never be located,” another somewhat plump magic mentor said with a smile as he emerged from the cabin. This fat mentor appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, with a ruddy face. He wore loose robes, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed dreamily on the town. “I hear this town boasts the world’s finest cuisine.”
“Do not forget why we are here,” another voice called from the cabin. A handsome middle-aged man stepped out, carrying a sharp, cold aura. His gaze was indescribably chilling.
“You are too tense. I think the Church is making too much of it. With the three of us acting together, no one in this world can oppose us,” the fat mentor said carelessly. “After all, we are magic mentors standing at the pinnacle of magic.”
“Exactly. Sending all three of us already shows great respect to the Church,” the elderly mentor added with equal nonchalance. “Pope Polis said he foresaw someone who once escaped from the Divine Sin Continent appearing in Grey Town. That person very likely holds the key to connecting to the Divine Sin Continent. We must retrieve that key. Even if they are descendants of the gods, they cannot withstand the three of us combined. This mission has no difficulty at all. The Pope underestimates us.”
“Do not underestimate the Pope’s decisions. If he sent all three of us, there must be a reason,” the middle-aged mentor shook his head. He beckoned toward the cabin. “You two, come out.”
At his words, a man and a woman were escorted out. Their guards were not human, but humanoid monsters composed entirely of spiritual bodies, magical servants. The man and woman were naturally Stari and Elizabeth.
“Release us. What have you done to Mishal?” Elizabeth cursed fiercely.
Stari struggled forcefully as well.
“This undead is fine, rest assured. Giant Spirit magic can penetrate the essence of spirits. We are merely using the soul coordinates within her to locate her hometown,” the middle-aged mentor explained coldly. “Grey Town hides in the fog. Outsiders cannot enter. You should thank us. Otherwise, you would never find it on your own.”
“Who exactly are you? Why do you know about Grey Town?” Stari demanded. For days they had been confined, unaware of the three mentors’ identities.
The three had suddenly appeared on his ship a week earlier. They easily subdued all the sailors and seized control of the vessel.
Their terrifying power felt to Stari even greater than Ye Chui’s group.
“Us?” The fat mentor chuckled. “Lad, you should thank your luck for encountering three Phase King mentors at once.”
“Phase King mentors.”
Stari and Elizabeth both shuddered.
Among magic mentors, the Twelve Phases stood at the peak. The Twelve Phase mentors possessed enormous magic books passed down through countless generations. The Twelve Phases were: Ghost Scorpion, Golden Lion, Giant Spirit, Divine Horse, Spirit King, Heavenly Maiden, Golden Body, Water Bottle, Tolling Bell, War Ox, White Sheep, Magic Ring.
Among them, Posli, encountered by Ye Chui’s group, had inherited the Heavenly Maiden Phase book and rapidly grown into a fearsome powerhouse. The other Phases were even more terrifying.
The three mentors who had now appeared on the Wanli Haizheng and hijacked Stari and Elizabeth were precisely three of the Twelve Phases.
The elder controlling Mishal was the Giant Spirit Phase mentor, most skilled in spirit magic.
The fat mentor was the Water Bottle Phase mentor, possessing the most unfathomable magic reserves among all mentors.
The middle-aged man was the most fearsome of the Twelve Phases, the Tolling Bell Phase.
Moreover, the Tolling Bell Phase was also Krean’s father. Krean had once pursued Posli, wielded magnetic magic, and was nearly crippled by Ye Chui.
At this moment, three Phase King mentors had appeared together on the Wanli Haizheng. Following Pope Polis’s orders, they had come to find Grey Town and retrieve the key connecting to the Divine Sin Continent.
As they spoke, the ship slowly docked.
The Giant Spirit Phase waved his hand, dispersing the array binding Mishal.
Mishal regained clarity but looked terrified. She hurriedly floated back to Stari and Elizabeth. The two magical servants guarding them also slowly dissipated.
The three Phase King mentors evidently had no intention of taking their lives, or perhaps believed their lives still had use.
“Let us go. Time to meet the power of the gods’ descendants,” the Tolling Bell Phase said with a cold smile. He glanced at Stari, Elizabeth, and Mishal. “And you three will enter the town with us.”
“You wish,” Elizabeth shouted.
“That is not up to you,” the Tolling Bell Phase replied coldly. An enormous orange-covered magic book appeared at his side. He cast a terrifying spell. With a hum, dreadful sound waves rippled out. Hearing it, Stari, Elizabeth, and Mishal froze. Their resistant, angry expressions went blank. Their minds seemed completely lost, fully under the Tolling Bell Phase’s control.
The Tolling Bell Phase specialised in sound magic.
“Let us go,” the Tolling Bell Phase said with a cold smile, stepping ashore first. The other two Phase King mentors followed closely. Stari and the others trailed blankly behind.
Entering Grey Town, the three Phase King mentors appeared nonchalant, yet inwardly they remained highly alert, guarding against any possible danger.
Yet.
“What is that smell? So fragrant,” the plump Water Bottle Phase said, sniffing deeply with surprise.
“We must stay vigilant. Do not let this aroma deceive us,” the Tolling Bell Phase warned.
“But it really smells wonderful. I have never encountered such a delicious scent. It seems to be roast pig?” the Giant Spirit Phase added, inhaling deeply.
At that moment, a fisherman emerged from the town. Seeing the group, he paused briefly, then greeted them warmly. “You are visitors from outside, yes? You have come at the perfect time. Come rest in our town. Today our mayor has prepared roast suckling pig. It will make you want to swallow your own teeth.”
“Hmph. We are not here to eat,” the Tolling Bell Phase said coldly.
Yet behind him, Stari, Elizabeth, and Mishal suddenly exclaimed. “Wow, it smells amazing.” “We are so lucky.” “I cannot wait to taste this delicacy.”
As they spoke, the three, who should have been controlled, walked straight past the three Phase King mentors into the town.
The fisherman cheerfully led them. He showed no surprise at Mishal’s spiritual form, even asking eagerly. “This beautiful lady, you seem familiar. Have you visited our town before?”
“I grew up here as a child, then was kidnapped by pirates,” Mishal replied lightly.
“Is that so? Ah, you must be Toya’s daughter. After you went missing, she did not eat for three days,” the fisherman said. His tone carried no heaviness or surprise, only calm and cheer.
Amid the conversation, they had entered the town.
Hum.
Hum.
The Tolling Bell Phase cast his magic again, trying to summon Stari and the others back, but to no effect.
“My sound magic has failed. This is impossible,” the Tolling Bell Phase said in shock.
“Unless,” the Giant Spirit Phase began, frowning.
The Water Bottle Phase continued. “Someone has used stronger magic to control them. This aroma from the town is dangerous. We must leave at once.”
Realising the strangeness of the scent, the three turned to depart.
Yet after only a few steps back, their movements stiffened. The aroma continued to spread, entering their noses and hearts, lifting their spirits. Their steps grew impossibly heavy. The magic books floating beside them vanished, returning to their bodies.
“This smells incredible.”
“Perhaps we could try some?”
“I have never tasted anything so fragrant.”
Speaking thus, they seemed to forget their earlier caution and turned back toward the town.
The townsfolk were busy. Smiles of warm hospitality lit their faces as they carried food from their homes to a central square. Grey Town had only a few thousand residents, yet now they all gathered here, as if for a grand feast. Among them were the old emperor, the old guard, and Russ, laughing cheerfully as they sat with Stari, Elizabeth, and Mishal, sampling rare winter fruits.
In the centre, surrounded by the crowd, a plump elder stood with his back to everyone, cooking. He appeared utterly focused. His handling of the roast suckling pig resembled caressing a lover. Rich aroma constantly wafted from the pig in his hands.
“Mayor, Mayor, is it ready yet?”
“Mayor, I am so hungry.”
“I really want some roast meat.”
A group of children clustered around the fat chef, clamouring.
“Do not rush. To taste the most delicious food, one must wait patiently,” the fat man said in a steady, deep voice. He waved his hand. “New guests have arrived in town. Go greet them.”
“Oh,” the children replied with some disappointment, then hopped away toward the three Phase King mentors.
The three Phase King mentors wore entranced expressions, as if lost in a dream.
But at that instant, a soft hum sounded. The Tolling Bell Phase’s magic book reappeared at his side. It seemed a passive defensive spell triggered in emergency, instantly restoring his clarity.
His face filled with horror. He scanned around, his gaze suddenly fixing on the fat man in the square’s centre.
“You are behind this,” he roared. His body became a shadow as he charged at the fat chef.
The fat chef’s body seemed to stiffen slightly. A faint, drawn-out sigh escaped his lips.
“I most hate being disturbed while cooking.”
Boom.
No one saw how he did it. The Tolling Bell Phase, already beside him with terrifying magic about to erupt, flew backward. With a crash he hit the ground, a red, swollen palm print on his face.
The Tolling Bell Phase had been slapped away by the fat man.
The Tolling Bell Phase stared in disbelief at the fat man, who had now turned around. Seeing his true face, his body shook violently.
“This is impossible. I have seen your image in the Gods’ Atlas. God of Gourmet Greyton. There is actually a living god still in this world.”
