The Corpse Emperor surveyed the other members seated at the Dao Alliance delegation’s table, and every representative from the Dao Alliance confirmed that none of their members were near Gu Xiachen. The Grandmasters of the Asian Dao Alliance were figures of immense power and importance within their respective sects; how could they possibly associate with that little brat Gu Xiachen? Even though the boy had rendered service to the Asian Dao Alliance, he lacked any talent for cultivation—he likely couldn't even form a Golden Core—so these Grandmasters, who dedicated themselves to the pursuit of the Heavenly Dao, wouldn't spare him a second glance.

Archbishop Gudri chuckled with smug satisfaction. "Since no masters from our Dark Alliance were near Mr. Gu Xiachen, then the one who killed the Red Feather Witch King is likely..."

All eyes turned toward Deputy Chief Priest Sharotman. Sharotman glanced over in surprise at the Pantheon priests beside him, gathered those near him, and whispered briefly. After a moment, Sharotman looked up and stated solemnly, "It is clear that it could not have been us who killed Lord Red Feather Witch King. The physical differences between us Romans and you Earthlings are far too great. If a God-Communing Priest from our Pantheon had approached Mr. Gu Xiachen, it certainly wouldn't have escaped your notice."

Archbishop Gudri’s smile grew even wider. He struggled briefly in the Corpse Emperor’s claws, his voice strained as he called out, "Then who destroyed the Declaration of Seclusion? Could it be..."

Suspicious gazes fell upon the Corpse Emperor. Among those present, the one with the strength, the motive, and the ruthlessness to execute the Red Feather Witch King was likely only the Corpse Emperor himself.

The Corpse Emperor roared in fury. "The Third Colony World? This Sovereign has never set foot in that cursed place in my life! How is the death of that brat Red Feather any concern of mine?"

Furious, the Corpse Emperor released Gudri's neck. He fumbled around in his storage ring and pulled out an ultra-long-range communicator, quickly dialing Gu Xiachen's number.

At the Seine River Estate, Gu Xiachen was assembling his core team.

Siren, Aretia, Bondu, and Maha were each holding nine Flame Orchid Fruits, shouting happily. Even Aretia, who was usually cold toward outsiders, was cheering excitedly. Nine Flame Orchid Fruits would be enough for them to fully develop their potential within half a month, rapidly granting them immense power.

Maha, possessing the most violent tendencies, was actually doing cartwheels in the hall. Like a whirlwind, he leaped and soared across the walls of the hall, constantly letting out sharp yelps of joy.

Gu Xiachen held his wine glass, observing the elated foursome with reserved composure and self-satisfaction.

The rich aroma of the liquor swirled gently in his glass as Gu Xiachen quietly calculated the future potential of Siren and the others.

Siren and Aretia were a foregone conclusion. Like Gu Xiachen, they lacked the aptitude for cultivation. Unless Gu Xiachen managed to forge the Two Extremes Heaven-Seizing Elixir, they could not break through the limitations of their innate talent to form a Golden Core, nor could they progress further. However, based on their potential, they were guaranteed to reach at least the high-tier of the Mercury level of power. Coupled with the amplification from the Christo Crystal Orbs, their strength would remain sufficient for a significant period—at least in the mortal realm, they would be absolutely unmatched.

As for the Bondu and Maha brothers, being of Roman mixed blood, their potential for spiritual power should be greater than Siren and Aretia's. Perhaps after absorbing the medicinal power from the nine Flame Orchid Fruits, their spiritual strength might even break through the Mercury level. With their brothers' strange Zen arts and their miraculous power of sympathetic connection, their combat prowess would surpass that of Siren and Aretia.

For the short term, having these four was enough! Gu Xiachen happily clinked his glass against *Hua's and downed the fine wine in one gulp.

The Corpse Emperor's call arrived precisely then, and the grim-faced Emperor appeared on the light screen.

Gu Xiachen stood respectfully before the light screen, bowing to the Corpse Emperor. *Hua, however, stood to the side in a slouching, crooked posture, grinning and blowing a playful kiss toward the Corpse Emperor. "Ah, Master, your complexion doesn't look too good. What happened? Who dared upset you, old man? Your disciple will gather a gang of brothers and wipe out their entire clan for you!"

The Taoist in green robes observing from the side coughed lightly, secretly deciding that he must forbid Little Zhang Taoist and *Hua from mixing in the future.

The Corpse Emperor asked in a dark tone, "Disciple, did you kill the Red Feather Witch King? Do you know that killing a Nascent Soul expert violates the Declaration of Seclusion?"

Shatroman let out a few harsh laughs and muttered quietly, "If you kill your own cultivators during internal strife, then we certainly don't mind if you violate the Declaration of Seclusion a few more times!"

Was this about the Red Feather Witch King? Gu Xiachen saw the scene of the meeting behind the Corpse Emperor on the screen—Archbishop Gudri, True Man Lie, Deputy Chief Priest Sharotman—none of them looked like ordinary people. This must be some kind of secret meeting? A meeting where the matter of the Red Feather Witch King was discussed... and the Declaration of Seclusion? Could it be? Gu Xiachen glanced at *Hua.

*Hua had also seen the meeting hall behind the Corpse Emperor and quickly transmitted a message to Gu Xiachen: "It's the secret council of the Dark Alliance and the Pantheon that I told you about."

Nodding slightly, Gu Xiachen gasped in genuine astonishment, "What? That old thief Red Feather Witch King is dead?" Ah, good riddance, good riddance!

Archbishop Gudri moved his hand and also took out a communicator to connect to someone. A new communication request was sent, and both the Corpse Emperor and Gu Xiachen approved the application simultaneously. The light screen split, and an old man, clad in black robes with skin as black and shiny as charcoal, emanating an aura of dense Yin energy, appeared on the screen.

As soon as the old man appeared, he roared loudly, "Corpse Emperor, is this the apprentice you taught? Does he even understand the virtue of respecting one's master?"

The Corpse Emperor became instantly enraged. He pointed at the old man in black and roared, "Black Bamboo Witch King, don't you dare get insolent in front of this King! This Sovereign is questioning his disciple; it’s not your place to interrupt! Xiachen, explain clearly to me, just how did the Red Feather Witch King die?"

Blinking his eyes, Gu Xiachen sighed with a wronged air, "Master, won't you ask why Senior Red Feather Witch King would even have any dealings with your disciple in the first place?"

Making a gesture with his hands, Gu Xiachen lightly touched the tip of his left thumb to the tip of his right little finger, speaking with immense grievance: "How could a Grandmaster of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm intersect with your disciple, a mere little Jupiter-level fighter, a small fry barely equivalent to a Qi Pill stage cultivator?"

Everyone at the meeting looked toward Bishop Gudri, who quickly shook his head, indicating that the matter had nothing to do with him. The Black Bamboo Witch King’s dark face suddenly stiffened. Although his skin was truly pitch-black, outsiders could still detect a slight flush of red coloring his face.