The heart of Ghost Domain wasn't a land of bustling cities or large fortresses; instead, it was a graveyard of spectral beauty. Vast ruins of devested wars dotted the landscape, their broken spires and crumbling walls glowing faintly with ethereal blue light.
Rivers of translucent spectral energy meandered across the land, flowing without a source or destination. These rivers were rumored to contain the corrosion effect on souls, endlessly wandering the Ghost Domain.
However, the most sacred and terrifying feature of the Ghost Domain—the Soul Abyss, a massive chasm that radiated a faint, ghostly glow. This was the core of the Ghost Race territory and the source of their immense power.
Those who gazed into its depths often lost their sanity, their souls consumed by the abyss' call. This ominous landmark stood as a reminder of the Ghost Race's dominion, for it was here that the dead found neither peace nor freedom but servitude under the Ghost Kings.
Deep within the Ghost Domain, past the haunting ruins and beyond the Soul Abyss, stood the Soulless Palace, home to the most powerful expert of the Ghost Race—the Soulless Ghost King.
The Soulless Palace was no ordinary structure; it was a fortress that seemed to exist on the boundary between the physical world and the ethereal plane.
The palace floated ominously in the air, its base a swirling vortex of spectral energy that hummed with faint, sorrowful wails. Its structure was otherworldly, composed of translucent material that shimmered between solid and incorporeal states.
The towering spires appeared to stretch infinitely upward, disappearing into the gray mist above, while its walls were etched with glowing runes written in an ancient, forgotten language of the dead.
The interior of the Ethereal Palace was a labyrinth of eerie beauty. The corridors were lined with mirrors that didn't reflect the physical world but instead showed glimpses of the Netherworld—a haunting expanse of writhing souls and spectral torment. The floors and walls were alive with faint, flickering light, as though the essence of trapped souls coursed through them.
At this moment, a gigantic ghost ship, which seemed like a battleship with a ghostly figurehead, tore the space and appeared above the Soulless Palace. As the ghost ship made its way out of space, eerie roars of ghosts filled with terror and awe reverberated throughout the Soulless Palace as if welcoming their ruler!
The Ghost Ships were the symbols of the royal family of the Ghost Race because it was their connate aspect, and everyone in the Legendary Plains knew that if they saw a ghost ship, it meant a member of the ruling ghost clan had arrived.
However, this ghost ship didn't just belong to any clan member. Instead, there was only a single such ghost ship that belonged to the current ruler of the Ghost Race, the Soulless Ghost King!
The moment the Soulless Palace announced its ruler's arrival, myriad soul senses swept through the space.
At this moment, the ghost ship stopped moving in the air before an ethereal portal appeared and swallowed the entire ghost ship, leaving behind a massive tear in space, which was repairing itself.
However, a three-meter-tall figure was hovering in the air, wearing black robes with a purple cap; he was coldly looking at the Soulless Palace with his hollow eyes.
Suddenly, a blue streak of light shot out of the palace and stopped in front of the Soulless Ghost King, revealing a ghostly figure with a corporeal black physique and crimson runic markings on its body; this ghost race member was completely different from the Soulless Ghost King.
"Welcome back, my king!" He prostrated himself in front of Jacob with awe and respect.
"Ghost Minister, you may rise." Jacob impassively acknowledged as he recognized this Ghost Minister from the Soulless Ghost King's memories.
The Ghost Minister followed his command without hesitation, yet he didn't dare look at Jacob directly. After all, the Soulless Ghost King was a being of pure dread among the Ghost Race.
The Ghost Minister then quickly bowed and said, "My king, Her Majesty, is waiting to welcome you!"
Jacob's eyes flickered with a peculiar glint when he heard 'Her Majesty' because he knew exactly who the Ghost Minister was talking about; it was the Soulless Ghost King's wife, the Soul Ghost King!
The Soul Ghost King also happened to be the second most powerful Legendary King, and most importantly, she was Drunkard Ghost King's sister!
"Lead the way." Jacob dismissively reacted, and the Ghost Minister quickly led the way.
Although Soulless Ghost King didn't need any escort or permission to enter his own palace, it was clear that the Ghost Minister was sent by the Soul Ghost King as a show of her consideration towards him.
"What the hell?! This guy is married?" Nyx exclaimed in a high-pitched voice filled with disbelief.
"The concept of marriage varies among different races. But it still won't change the fact that it meant the same thing. So, yes, the Soulless Ghost King had a spouse, but she is not my spouse." Jacob nonchalantly replied.
"Like hell, she's not! According to her, you ARE her husband!" Nyx retorted with a hint of trepidation.
Jacob didn't react as he dismissively retorted, "She can think whatever she wants; it has nothing to do with me."
Jacob's words left Nyx speechless as she couldn't retort since they made sense, but she still felt something was extremely wrong.
The Ghost Minister led Jacob to the very heart of the palace towards the Throne Hall, where the Throne of the Soulless was located because this is where the Soulless Ghost King resided. Many ghost servants prostrated themselves whenever he passed.
When they reached the Throne of the Soulless, Jacob's eyes instantly locked on the throne. It was crafted from obsidian and adorned with spectral flames that flickered an otherworldly purple. Hovering around the throne were translucent chains, glowing faintly, as if ready to bind any who dared approach uninvited. The chamber was vast yet silent, with only the sound of faint whispers echoing endlessly.
However, not far away from the Throne of the Soulless was another throne which wasn't any less imposing than the Throne of the Soulless, and this throne wasn't empty, and a ghostly figure was on it.
Its form was a shadowy silhouette that seemed to flicker and waver like a phantom caught between realms. Its face was featureless save for two glowing dark blue eyes that pierced the soul of anyone who met its gaze.
A long, flowing cloak of spectral energy trailed behind it, swirling with the anguished faces of countless ghost slaves. Its presence exuded an aura of absolute dominance, chilling even the most formidable Legendary Kings to their core. This was none other than the Soul Ghost King!