"Can it really be learned without spiritual energy?" Sylas was somewhat intrigued.
He opened the book and began studying the Art of Taming Spirits.
The long journey was tedious; having something to do was a way to pass the time.
Over the next three or four days, he even experimented on Luna.
It had to be said, this Art of Taming Spirits was quite useful.
Every time he used it, he could hear some of Luna's inner thoughts.
Of course, this white cat currently had only two or three things on her mind:
"How can I burrow into the Young Master's embrace?"
"Why isn't he scratching my belly? So uncomfortable..."
When not in use, he couldn't hear anything.
Besides that, he also tried to make Luna revert to her human form, and succeeded.
Seraphina watched his progress.
As they were about to enter Hanvale, she said leisurely to Sylas, "This Convocation of the Faithful in Hanvale is very grand. I've called all my disciples over. You'll get to meet them all then."
Sylas smiled. "Naturally."
"Hmm... If the potion cultivation goes smoothly, I'll be off to Argenthaven.
Then these spirit disciples will be under your care from now on."
Sylas was shocked and hurriedly asked, "How can I manage them? I don't know how to do anything!"
Seraphina shot him a look and pointed at the Art of Taming Spirits in his hand. "With this.
Anyway, I'm entrusting them all to you.
Because...what I plan to do next is a bit dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Yes, a bit dangerous. Might warrant execution of nine generations of the family or something."
"...Sister, what are you planning to do?"
Seraphina smiled mysteriously. "Hehe, don't worry about it. Just help me take good care of these little pets, that's all."
As she said this, she reached out and stroked Luna, saying with some affection, "Won't see Master after this. Will you miss me?"
Luna lazily rolled over, blinked at Seraphina, her meaning unclear.
Seraphina wasn't bothered. She looked at the scenery outside Hanvale, lost in thought.
Sylas also lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.
They were already two or three miles outside Hanvale. There were scattered villages here and there.
But on such a cold day, there wasn't a single wisp of smoke from the villages.
As the carriage passed through a village, Sylas didn't see a single person.
He found it strange and asked, "Sister, is this place so desolate?"
Seraphina ignored him.
She continued driving.
Finally, they arrived at Hanvale.
Upon entering Hanvale, Sylas felt a strong sense of decay.
No garrison soldiers were visible on the city walls; presumably, they were hiding somewhere warm.
But there were almost no people on the streets either.
The shops and houses along the road all had their doors wide open, revealing the dilapidation inside at a glance.
It meant these places were already abandoned.
Sylas was quite surprised; they were on the main thoroughfare.
For it to be so decayed along the way, had Hanvale suffered some natural disaster?
But back in Stonewold, he hadn't heard of any disasters here.
The carriage continued until the city center, where they finally saw a few people.
Arriving at the center, Sylas saw a tall stone altar.
The altar was still under construction. Groups of laborers, dressed in rags, worked numbly under the foremen's supervision.
Around this stone altar, there were even patches of dried blood, making the altar look like a man-eating monster.
Sylas's heart raced with fear.
If this was the situation here, could he still settle down?
He couldn't help but ask, "Sister, why is this altar being built here? This isn't just squeezing the people's wealth; this is drinking their blood!"
Seraphina paid no heed and continued driving the carriage.
The Luna in his arms gently bit his finger.
Sylas looked down. Luna seemed to have something to say, but with Seraphina present, she couldn't speak.
Sylas used the Art of Taming Spirits.
He heard Luna say: "Young Master, this stone altar is for the Convocation of the Faithful. It was specially prepared for Master by the Governor of Hanvale.
In three days, Master will perform rites on the altar to bless Hanvale."
"This was built for the Sister?"
Sylas felt a chill.
He looked at Seraphina's thin back, his heart filled with horror.
Just for this convocation, they undertook such a massive project.
Now, outside Hanvale, the land was empty for miles.
Inside the city, they were still draining the people's resources and exhausting their labor.
And in the end, Seraphina was supposed to bless the people?
"Not to bless the people, to bless the Governor of Hanvale, Beatrice.
It's happened before. Hanvale was more prosperous then, so the ceremony was even grander.
Beatrice hopes to gain the favor of Rowena the Recluse, so she diligently practices The Arcane Order.
She greatly admires Master.
It was during that time I escaped from the group, hehe."
Luna sounded rather proud.
She could hear Sylas's earlier thoughts.
Sylas stopped using the Art of Taming Spirits. He lowered his head and fell silent.
Before long, Seraphina arrived at the Governor's mansion.
They saw a plump woman, accompanied by a large entourage, waiting somewhat anxiously at the gate.
This woman was likely Beatrice.
When she saw Seraphina, her plump face immediately broke into a wide smile.
She stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Honored Sister."
The officials and attendants behind her also bowed happily.
In their eyes, Seraphina was synonymous with promotion and wealth.
As long as they served this Honored Sister well, the Empress would value them.
Everyone knew the Empress of Wealdham most revered the Arcane Order.
Anyone who gained fame within the Arcane order was sure to skyrocket to success.
The Governor of Yizhou, because she aligned herself with Seraphina, was now the Imperial Secretary.
Thus, Seraphina was also called the Arcane Empress by the people of Wealdham.
Seraphina immediately adopted the aloof expression of a transcendent master.
She returned the greeting coldly and exchanged a few words with Beatrice.
Nothing more than saying she was a wandering cloud and wild crane, this time passing through Ironpeak to help treat someone.
Beatrice immediately began flattering her, praising Seraphina's benevolence and so on.
Then, she obsequiously reported to Seraphina: "Honored Sister, I have already erected the Altar of Heavenly Ascent in Hanvale.
Your esteemed disciples have also been accommodated in the Governor's mansion.
Everything that needs to be prepared is ready.
We await only your rites and blessings, Honored Sister.
If there is anything else you need, please just ask."
Seraphina said calmly, "Governor, your devotion to the Arcane moves me deeply.
This humble sister has few needs. However, on this journey, I have a mortal friend who requires your care."
Beatrice, seeing the carriage, immediately nodded and bowed. "Honored Sister, rest assured. I will make arrangements immediately."
Subsequently, Sylas was settled into a clean small courtyard within the Governor's mansion.
Beatrice also provided several servants and maids for his use.
After moving in, Sylas was treated with considerable courtesy.
But he remained depressed and unhappy all day long.