Within the sanctum, once the Shadow Blade's internal meeting concluded, the Guild Master, along with the other six high-ranking members, dismissed the rank-and-file members to report back to Yang Ying’s avatar.

In a spacious chamber, the avatar sat while the Shadow Blade Dagger Council stood before him.

The Shadow Blade Guild Master stepped forward, speaking in the Gexing language, “Sir, the others have been pacified. We have several high-ranking officials on this planet bought over to serve as our umbrella. We also have our people in the city’s critical departments. We just contacted them to clear us, and since we left nothing substantial behind, the destruction of our headquarters building should be suppressed quickly.”

The avatar inquired, “Are these high-ranking officials you mentioned reliable? Will they turn against you now that your headquarters is destroyed and Taling is dead?”

One of the council heads also stepped forward, replying respectfully, “They are completely reliable. Last week, I had afternoon tea with the Planet Governor. A word from me, and even the mayor of this city would not dare cross me.”

The Guild Master added, “Furthermore, the news of Taling’s death hasn't spread yet. Even we only know that Taling lost contact during the mission. Why would anyone spread the news of his death everywhere?”

The avatar nodded, suddenly recalling what Krell had mentioned about the secret planet used for training assassins, and asked the Dagger Council about it.

“That planet?” Upon hearing this, though their races and appearances varied widely, every member of the Dagger Council showed a grave expression.

“Sir, that planet is no simple place,” the Dagger Council spoke in unison.

“How is it not simple?” the avatar asked.

The Dagger Council exchanged glances. Finally, they pushed the Guild Master forward to answer, “Sir, that planet is called God of Assassins Star. As its name suggests, it is a planet presided over by a Fourth-Tier existence!”

The avatar shot up from his seat, exclaiming in shock, “What! You say there is a Fourth-Tier existence on that planet? What is going on? Tell me everything truthfully.”

The Guild Master bowed deeply, “To speak of the God of Assassins Star, it is the most mysterious planet in the assassin world. Its history spans over ten millennia, and it has always been the place for training assassins. Currently, five assassin organizations are stationed on that planet, and Shadow Blade is one of them. The Fourth-Tier master backing the God of Assassins Star was also an assassin over ten thousand years ago who advanced to the Fourth-Tier.”

The avatar said, “Be more specific. Do you know who that specific Fourth-Tier existence is?”

The Guild Master pondered for a moment, “Regarding that existence... Sir, do you know the current structure of the assassin world?”

The avatar shook his head, “Tell me. What do I need to know?”

The Guild Master stated, “In the Orion Arm today, there are quite a few assassin organizations, and there is no small number of assassins who have reached the peak of the Third Tier.”

“Hold on.” The avatar interrupted, “Aren’t there only ten Assassin Kings? Why do you say there are quite a few?”

The Guild Master smiled and replied, “There are indeed only ten Assassin Kings, and they are all peak Third-Tier experts. But who says there are no other peak Third-Tier assassins besides them? It is only because their names are famous that they are designated as the ten Kings. In comparison, well-known assassins are less discreet than those who remain obscure. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed.” The avatar nodded.

The Guild Master continued his previous topic, “Exactly how many peak Third-Tier experts pursue the assassin profession, even I am not entirely sure. However, one thing is certain: among the major advanced civilized races in the Orion Arm, the Luoya people must have the most peak Third-Tier experts working as assassins!”

The avatar asked, “The Luoya people, ranked third in the Orion Arm?”

“Precisely those battle fanatics,” the Guild Master grit his teeth, yet his expression suggested deep reverence for the Luoya people. “The Luoya people have an extremely strong martial tradition, valuing individual cultivation. To enhance their strength, they will undertake all manner of harsh and cruel training. Since an assassin gets many opportunities to fight against various masters, which are rare practical combat opportunities, many Luoya people will risk their lives for such a chance. The Luoya people possess three Fourth-Tier existences, one of whom rose from the ranks of assassins.”

“That existence originally trained as an assassin on the God of Assassins Star. Back then, the God of Assassins Star wasn't called that; as for its specific name, since over ten thousand years have passed, no one recalls it. When that existence was an assassin, their slaughter was countless. They finally achieved the Fourth Tier and, in turn, occupied that planet, which is why the planet is now called the God of Assassins Star.”

The avatar inquired further, “Then how did Shadow Blade become one of the five assassin organizations on the God of Assassins Star?”

The Guild Master said bitterly, “We were stationed on the God of Assassins Star to serve as sparring partners for those Luoya people. After that existence advanced to the Fourth Tier, they seized their original organization, which is now the number one assassin organization in the Orion Arm—Blade of Slaughter. The reason for stationing four other assassin organizations on the God of Assassins Star is to give the younger assassins of the Blade of Slaughter more opportunities to train.”

“The competition among the five families on the God of Assassins Star is essentially the other four acting as sparring partners for the Blade of Slaughter. The danger level is extremely high; there are frequent occurrences where one family’s main training camp is wiped out in one go, with all members slaughtered. If one is unlucky enough to encounter a situation where the organization’s personnel outside are also heavily wounded, causing the whole group to be crippled, they lose the qualification to remain on the God of Assassins Star, and another powerful assassin organization is brought in to replace them. Shadow Blade gained entry to the God of Assassins Star two hundred years ago for this very reason, and we are currently the weakest of the five major organizations there.”

The Guild Master recounted the situation of the God of Assassins Star. In the world of assassins, the legend of the God of Assassins Star has always circulated, so virtually no assassin organization would refuse a summons to that planet. Even if there were occasional objectors, they would be quickly extinguished in the torrent of history.

Although the environment on the God of Assassins Star is extremely perilous, with fewer than one in a hundred assassins managing to emerge successfully, those who train in that environment can stand alone, even if they fail to become peak Third-Tier masters—they become elites among the Second Tier.

Therefore, although the Shadow Blade Dagger Council harbored resentment toward the Blade of Slaughter treating them as mere sparring partners, they had no intention of quitting. After all, in the eyes of these assassins, human lives were cheap. Where else could they find people? Cultivating super-assassins was the most critical factor.

Continuing the inquiry, it was revealed that the Guild Master himself did not originate from an advanced civilized race, but was recruited by the Shadow Blade organization from some low-level civilization. He was then sent to the God of Assassins Star to undergo trials, became a Third-Tier master, and then spent several decades climbing the ladder until he occupied the highest position in Shadow Blade.

“No wonder I’ve never heard of an advanced civilized race that looks like you,” the avatar commented. “So, even people from low-level civilizations can become assassins?”

“Technology distinguishes between advanced and low-level civilizations, but strength and wisdom do not. Individuals from low-level civilizations cannot leave their home star system on their own. What choice do they have but to rely on advanced civilizations?” The Guild Master spoke with the authority of personal experience. “The ban against advanced civilizations interfering with the developmental process of low-level civilizations has existed for ages, but it is extremely common for advanced civilizations to take individuals from low-level ones outside their star systems. As long as one possesses sufficient talent, it is easy for people from low-level civilizations to step onto the grand stage of the galaxy.”

The avatar sighed internally. Provoking a Fourth-Tier master and the powerful Luoya people behind him over a single planet was unwise. He would likely have to indefinitely postpone his covetous intentions toward the God of Assassins Star. However, since the planet was never truly his, he felt no discouragement upon hearing the slim chances. He waved his hand, “Alright, the report ends here. Which of you is in charge of intelligence work?”

“That would be me,” one of the council heads stepped forward.

The avatar snapped his fingers, and two Phantom Agents approached.

The avatar pointed to the Phantom Agents and said to the council head, “You will communicate with them regarding intelligence work. They will instruct you on how to integrate into our intelligence framework.”

Both Phantom Agents understood the Gexing language, so communication with the Shadow Blade council head proceeded without obstacle.

“That council head replied without hesitation,” "Yes, sir."

The avatar nodded in satisfaction, “Very well, you may all withdraw.”

The seven council heads and two Phantom Agents acknowledged the order and filed out of the room. The avatar alone moved to a meditation mat already placed in a corner of the chamber and began to meditate.

In the Sol system, three hundred and twenty Behemoth-class battlecruisers were prepared. The warships were fully loaded with carrier-based aircraft and ground troops, arrayed outside Manor City awaiting departure.

At the docks of Manor City, Yang Ying, holding Katherina’s hand, bade farewell to Langdon and a sobbing Bibai. “We’ll stop here. We are going to war, not marching to our deaths. It will take two months at fastest, half a year at the slowest. Bibai, stop crying.”

This only made Bibai cry harder, stuttering through her tears, “Half a year... Wuwu... that’s such a long time.”

Yang Ying sighed, “There are plenty of people here to keep you company, like your sister Langdon. You won't be lonely. I’ll come back as quickly as I can.”

From Langdon’s expression, it was clear she was highly displeased with Bibai’s display, considering it extremely improper behavior for an Imperial Princess. However, she knew admonishment would be useless now and might even cause a backlash, making future instruction more difficult.

Her eyes darted, landing on Katherina, and a wave of worry washed over her. She used telepathy to ask Yang Ying, “Must you really take Katherina with you? No battlefield, no matter how advantageous, is truly safe, and the Flyn Kingdom does not have the upper hand this time. She is a delicate woman with no spiritual power; bumping into anything on the battlefield could endanger her.”

“Her safety is my responsibility. Even if a Fourth-Tier existence comes, she will not be harmed.” Yang Ying possessed absolute confidence; a mere flash of golden light would be enough to transfer Katherina to the safety of the Floating Continent.