The Hedu Lisham base on the planet Roman Paradise—Hedu Lisham was one of the many deities worshipped by the foremost electoral family of Roman.

In a lavishly decorated room within the base, adorned with numerous pale-purple crystal statues, Bolpot Holtham paced back and forth in annoyance. The room’s vast skylight was open, allowing the azure moonlight to flood the space, casting shifting, strange shadows across Bolpot Holtham’s face.

Ducat Holtham stood quietly in a corner of the room, his arms crossed over his chest, his chin held arrogantly high, his dark eyes cold and chilling.

Bolpot Holtham suddenly strode in front of Ducat Holtham, looking down at him with dominance. He growled in a low voice, “Are you certain there will be no mistakes? The Velfort family, the foremost electoral family, has suffered heavy losses this time. If I can accrue enough merit, I can completely surpass those two failures from the Velfort family and forge glory for myself! If your plan falters, can you, you lowly half-breed mongrel, bear that responsibility?”

Ducat Holtham replied with cold indifference, “Give me sufficient personnel, and I guarantee I can net them all in one sweep. Think of those miraculous metal formulas. Never mind anything else; just acquiring the formula for that metal capable of blocking our scanners would be enough merit for you to become the most outstanding individual of this generation among the Nine Great Electoral Families.”

“The most outstanding!”

Bolpot Holtham repeated Ducat Holtham’s words in a low tone. He tilted his head in contemplation for a moment, then stooped down, bringing his face close to Ducat Holtham’s. He enunciated slowly, word by word, “Very well. I will give you half of the army dispatched by the family this time. That completely fulfills your requirement, does it not?”

“I also want Monttedi from your side!” Faint, pale-gold lines appeared across Ducat Holtham’s fair skin—a unique sign in a Roman half-breed when highly agitated. Ducat Holtham urgently whispered, “There are Jieshi among those Earthlings, but their strength is similar to mine. Monttedi achieved the Jieshi realm two hundred years ago. His overwhelming power is enough to eliminate every Jieshi among the Earthlings!”

Ducat Holtham took a deep breath and analyzed in a low voice, his tone charged with compelling magnetism, “Think about it: what is the bounty the Divine Hall places on an Earthling Jieshi? How much merit can be earned by killing one? Not only will it be enough for you to surpass Bolujin and Yakjin, but even their elder brother…”

“Enough, I do not wish to hear that person’s name.” Bolpot Holtham’s golden pupils contracted. He said grimly, “Monttedi goes with you. If anything happens to him, you bear the full responsibility. At that time, it won't just be you; even your lowborn mother—hmph, you understand the consequences!”

“Yes!”

Ducat Holtham bowed slightly. At an angle invisible to Bolpot Holtham, the corner of Ducat Holtham’s eye twitched sharply. Straightening up, Ducat Holtham walked out of the excessively ornate and exquisite room. A faint, ghostly figure drifted out from behind Bolpot and followed him out.

Bolpot Holtham remained staring blankly in the room for a while. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled ominously a few times. A faint black light shot from between his brows, and several fuzzy, buzzing venomous bees rushed out of the dark light. Bolpot Holtham sat cross-legged in the center of the room. The bees circled him a few times before quickly flying out the door.

In the valley, Daoist Xiaozhang and Ren Hua looked at Andre with hostility, the tension between the two sides taut, poised for immediate conflict. The numerous clergy members Andre brought surrounded Daoist Xiaozhang and Ren Hua. Andre glared down at the two with arrogance before making the sign of the cross over his chest with affected grace.

“Respected Mr. Gu Xiechen, may I assume that since you handed that wondrous bamboo slip to Daoist Xiaozhang, your transaction with the Asian Daoist Alliance has been concluded?”

Gu Xiechen stood with his arms crossed, stepping back a few paces until he formed a stable triangle with Siren and Aredia. Gu Xiechen also smiled graciously at Andre, saying, “That assumption is certainly accurate. Hmm, what are you implying?”

Andre tightly gripped the pure silver cross hanging around his neck with his right hand, while pushing his left hand gently toward Gu Xiechen. He stated with grave seriousness, “Since the deal is complete, your leading us to this valley is an additional term outside the transaction. Now that you have brought us here, the rest of the matter is none of your concern.”

Ren Hua glared viciously at Gu Xiechen and asked with a sinister tone, “Did you bring these holy rollers here?”

Gu Xiechen spread his hands in feigned surprise and grievance, “Damn it, how could I possibly bring them? Who knows how they managed to follow us?”

Andre smiled and waved his hand lightly. A magnificent, snow-white falcon descended rapidly from the sky. The falcon landed on Andre’s shoulder and affectionately pecked at his cheek with its beak. Gu Xiechen did not recognize the white eagle’s origin, but Ren Hua gasped in shock, “It’s the Golden-Eyed Snow Eagle! No wonder, no wonder. Andre, has your Church stooped so low as to rely on beasts?”

This was an undisguised provocation, yet Andre ignored it, merely smiling at Gu Xiechen, “Consider my suggestion, Mr. Gu Xiechen. Your transaction is complete; you have no need to involve yourself further.”

Gu Xiechen frowned unhappily and said in a deep voice, “But I have reached a new agreement with Daoist Xiaozhang—he will purchase everything in this valley at a discount. Bishop…”

The hundreds of heavily armored knights brought by Andre uniformly drew their gleaming greatswords. As chants rose, bright white light emanated from these swords, forged primarily of silver. This white light gave no feeling of warmth or safety; instead, it felt like cold steel blades slicing through the body, causing pain that seemed to originate deep within the bone marrow.

Siren smiled languidly and snapped his fingers, preparing to unleash his ‘Jie’ power.

Aredia habitually retreated a few steps backward, a wisp of thin red light swirling around her feet, lifting her body a few feet off the ground. Waves of heat continuously radiated from her, the hot wind sighing with a ‘huhu’ sound, creating an imposing spectacle.

Andre coldly scoffed several times. He lightly waved his left hand, about to order his knights to surround and attack Siren and Aredia, when Gu Xiechen shouted loudly, “Gentlemen should use words, not fists! Harmony is precious, and harmony brings wealth... We’re leaving, we’ll leave, alright? Everything in this valley is yours; we’re departing now!” As he shouted, Gu Xiechen forcefully dragged Siren and Aredia back toward the valley entrance.

Ren Hua stared wide-eyed in astonishment, and Daoist Xiaozhang exclaimed in disbelief, “Gu Xiechen, you’re really leaving like that? What about our agreement just now…”

Gu Xiechen smiled with great amiability, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect, yet continuously bowing to Daoist Xiaozhang.

“The benefits of this world cannot all be taken; there is no need to risk so much for a meager profit. Directly confronting Bishop Andre is far too unwise.”

Andre raised his head proudly and gently waved his right hand. The heavy cavalry cleared a path, allowing Gu Xiechen and his two companions to exit the valley. Unless absolutely necessary, Andre did not wish to clash with Gu Xiechen; facing three Jieshi simultaneously would give anyone a headache.

Watching Gu Xiechen and the other two depart the valley, Andre’s face instantly filled with the smile of imminent victory. He tucked his hands into his sleeves and looked at Ren Hua and Daoist Xiaozhang with a saccharine smile. After a long pause, Andre finally said with a forced, unnatural grin, “Gentlemen, please hand over that bamboo slip. I have been extremely busy securing this opportunity these past few days!”

Gu Xiechen dragged Siren, who was bouncing and struggling, and Aredia, whose face was grim and radiating icy coldness, out of the valley. As soon as they were clear, Siren, who had been loudly challenging Andre to a fight, calmed down. Yawning lazily, Siren leaned languidly against Aredia like a boneless worm: “Evil Dragon, are you sure this trick will work?”

Deducting this day, there are three days until the official launch… Three days, oh, three days… No more nonsense, comrades, start smashing those recommendation votes… Vote, click, post reviews… Hehe…