At that moment, Liu Yanran inclined her head toward the beautiful woman seated centrally and said, "Mistress, this is Lord Mo Han, the special envoy from the Heavenly Dragon Empire on this diplomatic mission to the Beast Tribes."

Liu Yanran had almost blurted out 'Big Brother' out of habit; thankfully, her quick thinking saved her from a severe scolding by the ancient elders, she congratulated herself silently.

However, Mo Han didn't wait for the beautiful woman to respond. He stepped forward with a smile and declared, "Your humble servant, Mo Han, pays his respects to the Cult Leader Sister. May you remain forever youthful and beautiful."

Hearing Mo Han’s words, Liu Yanran’s heart sank. Honestly, hadn't she warned him that these elders were relics of a bygone era? Why was he deliberately provoking them? He was practically asking for trouble. Sure enough, no sooner had Mo Han finished speaking than an elder in black robes to his right snapped angrily, "Insolence! How dare you address our Cult Leader so casually? You are utterly reckless!"

Mo Han paid him no mind, replying coolly, "Old man, you yourself know one shouldn't speak recklessly, so why are you shouting here? Are you saying only officials are allowed to start fires while the common folk aren't even allowed to light lamps?"

Though the black-robed elder didn't understand the allusion to officials starting fires and common folk lighting lamps, he knew it was not a compliment. He retorted, "What are you, to dare compare yourself to me? Are you even qualified?" Mo Han felt a surge of anger; he despised the self-important type most of all and was about to teach him a lesson when Liu Yanran interjected coldly, "Elder Blackgold, how can you treat a guest invited by the Mistress in such a manner? Do you truly hold the Mistress in no regard?" Hearing her sharp question, the Blackgold Elder seemed ready to argue further, but the beautiful middle-aged woman spoke first, "Enough, Yanran. Do not be rude to the Elder. Everyone, please take your seats."

The Blackgold Elder could only sit down grudgingly, his face tight with suppressed indignation.

Mo Han, too, decided to drop the matter for the moment, offering face to Liu Yanran's Mistress. Given Mo Han’s true temperament, letting such an imbecile off so easily was unthinkable otherwise.

The beautiful middle-aged woman then addressed him, "Are you indeed Mo Han, the human special envoy?" Mo Han quickly replied, "It is I, Cult Leader Sister."

The beautiful woman smiled gently. "Stop calling me 'Cult Leader Sister.' I am practically ancient, nearing the grave. I could certainly be your elder by now."

Mo Han reacted with feigned astonishment. "Impossible! I see you as no older than your early twenties, and so beautiful besides. How could you be that old? Please, don't be so modest."

The middle-aged woman let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. "Early twenties? My age is nearly double that! Don't talk nonsense."

Mo Han maintained an expression of utter disbelief. "I don't believe it. I would never believe it, even if you struck me dead! Cult Leader, you show absolutely no signs of being that old. This is simply miraculous! Were you born a destined beauty, perhaps? That's the only way you could still look so radiant."

Hearing Mo Han’s flattery, the beautiful woman chuckled, the sound bright and clear. "You certainly know how to talk, no wonder you managed to charm Yanran."

Liu Yanran blushed at her Mistress’s words. "Mistress, please don't tease."

Mo Han, however, smiled smoothly. "What I say is the truth. My standards for aesthetic appreciation are incredibly strict; I would never lie. Cult Leader Sister, you truly are a great beauty. If Yanran hadn't told me, I would never have believed you were her teacher."

As Mo Han continued to address her as 'Sister' left and right, the middle-aged woman seemed to grow weary of correcting him and merely smiled. "The main reason we summoned you here today is to discuss Yanran's situation."

Mo Han immediately leaned forward. "Cult Leader Sister, please speak freely. If it is within my power to accomplish, I will certainly do so."

The beautiful woman smiled faintly. "It’s not entirely my say. Several of our sect's Elders wish to meet and assess the person the Saintess has chosen for herself. So, primarily, they will be the ones discussing matters with you."

Mo Han inwardly groaned. Blast it—negotiating with these old fossils was going to be a painful ordeal. Nevertheless, he respectfully replied to the beautiful woman, "Mo Han understands. I await your wisdom here."

No sooner had Mo Han finished speaking than the Elder who had introduced himself as Blackgold spoke up. "Boy, I truly cannot comprehend what the Saintess sees in you to defend you so fiercely."

Mo Han felt a prickle of annoyance but swallowed it down for Liu Yanran’s sake, offering only a polite, noncommittal smile. Seeing Mo Han remain silent, the Blackgold Elder grew more emboldened. "The purpose of summoning you here is quite clear. I won't waste time. Our demand is this: If you wish to be with our Saintess, you must immediately sever ties with all other women, regardless of who they are. Furthermore, you must assist us in moving against the Church of Light and their Holy Maiden. Only if you bring the Holy Maiden of Light to our Dark Church, and agree to serve us, will we reluctantly permit you to be with our Saintess."

Blackgold finished with a smug expression, eager to see how Mo Han would respond.

To his surprise, Mo Han merely opened his mouth and stated plainly, "You’re talking nonsense. Don't disgrace yourself further here. How could the Dark Church possess an Elder like you? It's no wonder you consistently lag behind the Church of Light; it’s because of people like you!"

The Blackgold Elder’s face flushed crimson upon hearing Mo Han’s insult, and he roared furiously, "How dare you curse me? Do you even know who I am?" Mo Han continued coldly, "How would I know which insignificant sprout you are? All I know is that you look different from other people, and you're wasting air by living and wasting land by dying."

Mo Han’s scathing remarks left the Blackgold Elder with a dark complexion, appearing as if he might faint from rage at any moment. Yet, he was utterly unable to out-curse Mo Han. He could only point a trembling finger and sputter, "You... you..." but no coherent words emerged.

Another black-robed elder beside Blackgold chimed in, "What a sharp-tongued brat. I suspect you possess nothing more than glibness and little real ability."

Seeing the escalating situation, the Cult Leader had to intervene. "Brother Mo Han, we Elders are showing you sincere intent in this negotiation. Even if you cannot agree, you shouldn't resort to insults. That is where you are at fault."

Mo Han smiled calmly. "I naturally have reasons why I cannot agree. If I were to do as they suggest, wouldn't I become a heartless wretch despised by all? I imagine even Yanran would look down on me. Moreover, if I agreed to secretly attack the Holy Maiden of Light, considering she has shown me kindness, I would become a villain unworthy of gratitude. If I were such a person, Cult Leader, would you truly trust me with Yanran? Therefore, I cannot agree."