Within the "Undead Association," Stanley and Faraday were deep in discussion about their next move when an underling knocked and entered.

"President, the Elder has arrived!"

Stanley and Faraday had given explicit instructions that if either Zhong Shenxiu or Robin appeared, they were to be notified immediately.

"Good, we're on our way!" Faraday and Stanley ceased their deliberations.

Meanwhile, Gandalf, standing beside Robin, never imagined she would bring him to this place. As he curiously surveyed the surroundings, his mind churned: Wasn't this the "Undead Association"? Why were they here?

Wrong.

At that very moment, an excited, aged voice rang out. "Elder, you've come!" As the words were spoken, Stanley and Faraday approached Robin. "Elder?" Gandalf’s expression visibly froze; he even doubted his hearing. Stanley and Faraday, noticing Gandalf standing next to Robin, were also surprised, wondering why Robin had brought an old man today.

"The Master asked me to bring him!" Robin paused before adding, "As your helper!"

"Greetings!"

Stanley and Faraday were notably friendly toward Gandalf. After all, he was introduced by the Elder; they dared not treat him casually.

"Hello!" Gandalf responded politely. He was currently scrutinizing Stanley and Faraday, thinking to himself: Could the two old men they spoke of be these two?

Robin had completed her task by bringing Gandalf here, so she didn't linger but vanished.

"May I ask what your name is?" Faraday asked Gandalf with a smile after Robin departed.

"My name is Gandalf. May I ask your names?" Gandalf inquired in return.

"You are Gandalf?" Stanley looked rather surprised. "I’ve heard your name. I seem to recall you are a Great Archmage, and you’ve published many books!"

"Thank you for the compliment!" Gandalf replied evasively. He was still utterly confused about why he had been brought here.

"I am Stanley, the President here!" Stanley introduced himself with a smile.

"I am Faraday, the Vice President here!" Faraday followed suit.

Faraday's expression shifted to one of surprise; he hadn't expected this unassuming old man to possess such an extraordinary identity!

After a period of polite exchange, the group moved to the reception room to discuss serious matters.

"Gandalf, did the Elder have any specific instructions for you?" Faraday looked at Gandalf with suspicion.

Gandalf now understood that the "Elder" they referred to were Zhong Shenxiu and Robin. After a brief hesitation, he quickly said, "No specific instructions, just that I was to come here to help!"

Stanley and Faraday exchanged a glance, and Faraday then spoke up, "May we ask what your relationship is with the Elder?"

Gandalf did not conceal anything. He recounted how he met Zhong Shenxiu and how he accepted the invitation.

After hearing Gandalf’s narrative, Stanley and Faraday both breathed a quiet sigh of relief. They had feared Gandalf might have some special connection to Zhong Shenxiu, but it turned out he was just like them.

Since everyone was on equal footing, there was nothing to worry about!

"Gandalf, your arrival is perfectly timed; we are completely overwhelmed!" Stanley visibly relaxed, his expression suggesting he and Gandalf were old friends.

"Is there anything I can assist with?" Gandalf asked.

"Actually, there is one thing we truly need your help with. You must know more people here than we do!" Faraday said, launching into the matter of constructing the 'Dark Commerce Guild.'

Although the construction site had been chosen, they encountered minor difficulties finding a suitable engineering team, and they were unsure which supplier offered the best quality construction materials. Spending more money wasn't an issue, but they feared paying a premium for substandard goods.

This 'Dark Commerce Guild' was something Zhong Shenxiu held in high regard; even the blueprints were personally designed by him, so the two dared not be careless. Because of this caution, formal construction hadn't begun yet.

Hearing Faraday’s account, Gandalf’s eyes immediately brightened. He couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying you plan to build a super-deluxe 'Dark Commerce Guild'?"

Establishing a 'Commerce Guild' wasn't simple. First, it required substantial financial backing; second, it needed an attraction for customers; third... in short, there were numerous challenges.

"I can help with that!" Gandalf declared immediately. "I know some excellent engineering teams! Building materials are not an issue either, and I also know several interior design masters!"

"That would be absolutely wonderful!" Faraday's face lit up. "Then we'll have to trouble you with this matter!"

The group discussed specific details for a while before the conversation naturally shifted elsewhere.

"After the 'Dark Commerce Guild' is completed, will it also sell goods intended for Mages?" Gandalf asked, quite curiously.

Stanley and Faraday hadn't considered this question and were momentarily stumped.

"We haven't heard the Elder mention that!" Stanley replied verbally.

"If it could simultaneously sell equipment for both Undead Mages and standard Mages, this 'Dark Commerce Guild' would surely be wildly popular!" Gandalf mentioned casually, unaware of how much his listeners were taking note.

"That is an excellent idea. At that time, it would not only bring tremendous profit to the Guild but also promote mutual understanding between Undead Mages and Mages!" Faraday immediately agreed.

Stanley, not wanting to be outdone, interjected, "I actually have an idea: What if the equipment sold could be used by Undead Mages without restricting Mages?"

Both Gandalf and Faraday shuddered simultaneously, for the conclusion was immediately apparent: such equipment would become a hot commodity!

Although the idea sounded impractical due to the stark difference in magical attributes between Undead Mages and Mages, making shared equipment seem impossible, if this concept fell to Zhong Shenxiu, nothing was impossible!

After all, Zhong Shenxiu had achieved the seemingly impossible feat of allowing Undead Mages to cultivate other elemental magic schools.

As the three chatted, more and more unusual ideas surfaced, including proposing the introduction of powerful magical beasts into the Guild in the future.

The three men found themselves increasingly compatible, feeling as if they had met too late.

Because the school term was about to begin, Rhys had gone out alone to procure some necessities. This was the first time he had ventured out by himself for so long.

He stepped out.

There were many shops lining the streets, a dizzying array of options.

Rhys wasn't wealthy, and traveling required significant expenditure, so he had to be frugal, shopping around at three different places for every item.

Though he only needed a few items, he walked for a long time, entering and exiting numerous stores; he had completely lost count.

Rhys had just purchased a 'polishing stone' for maintaining his sword and was stepping out, intending to leave, when he was suddenly bumped.

"Are you blind!" Before Rhys could speak, the youth lashed out with an insult.

Rhys paused, encountering such an unreasonable youth for the first time. Suppressing his anger, he retorted, "You bumped into me!"

"You country bumpkin, say that again! Who bumped whom?" The youth glared, adopting the mannerisms of a spoiled second-generation heir.

"You bumped me!" Rhys refused to yield an inch.

He was clearly in the right. He was stepping out, and this youth had suddenly darted out and collided with him, yet the youth was acting tyrannically. How could such a person exist in the world?

"Kid, are you tired of living? I’m in a bad mood today. Apologize right now, or you’ll regret it!" The youth declared arrogantly.

As he finished speaking, four or five adult men, all wearing swords at their waists and looking formidable, suddenly appeared behind him.

"What if I don't apologize?" Rhys stared directly at the youth. He was, after all, a man of backbone, and having followed Zhong Shenxiu for so long had caused him to mature considerably; he wasn't about to be intimidated by sheer numbers.

Rhys knew that if he bowed and apologized, he would not only lose face but also shame Charlotte and the others if they heard about it. As a man, he absolutely could not do that!

The youth sized Rhys up, letting out a cold snort. "If you don't apologize, don't expect to leave here in one piece!"

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that you are trash and I am not!" The contempt in the youth's eyes deepened.

He had already judged from Rhys's attire that Rhys was definitely from some small, insignificant place—someone he often bullied.

This time, he was already frustrated, so taking it out on this person wouldn't be a bad idea!

Though Rhys disliked the youth before him, he didn't want trouble. He turned, intending to simply walk away past him.

However, what Rhys didn't expect was for the youth to suddenly lash out, grabbing hold of his clothes and yanking back with such force that it not only tore Rhys's tunic but also threw him off balance.

And that wasn't all; the youth swung his hand, aiming a slap at Rhys's face—a practiced motion, clearly one he had refined many times on others.

The sky was gradually darkening.

Inside the 'Fengshao Academy.'

"Huh, Rhys said he went out to buy things, why isn't he back by now? Could he have gotten lost?" Charlotte asked with some concern.

"Sister Charlotte, Rhys isn't a little kid; how could he get lost?" Cherry chuckled softly.

"That is strange indeed. Could he have run into someone he knows?" Charlotte murmured to herself.

Having spent so much time with Rhys, she had long regarded him as her younger brother.

Angelia, standing nearby, hadn't joined the discussion, but her gaze kept drifting toward the doorway, intentionally or not.

Just then, Angelia's brow furrowed abruptly, and she instantly transformed into a streak of light, dashing toward the entrance...

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